What We Learned From NFL Week 5

Seven out of the NFLs “Eight Is Enough” crop of minority coaches won games on Sunday. Todd Bowles, Ron Rivera, Anthony Lynn, Mike Tomlin, Marvin Lewis, Hue Jackson, and Steve Wilks all closed victory deals.

It may have been the first time in NFL history that seven minority coaches won games on the same day. 

Denver’s Vance Joseph was the only minority coach to take an L and he did so at the hands of Bowles, so it was inevitable at least one coach was going to fall to the hands of defeat. 

Overall, the head coaches have had different levels of success this season.  

Todd Bowles is in his fourth season and has a 2-3 record, is in contention in the AFC East and has the Jets 1 game out of first place. 

Manish Mehta on Twitter

Not only was #Jets defensive gameplan great today, but Todd Bowles only had a few days of prep. He called a tremendous game today… along with handling his typical HC duties. Give the man credit. He’s not perfect, but he knows what he’s doing Story: https://t.co/6N64zFE5T5 https://t.co/sNuWvdU6Pd

Ron Rivera continues his winning ways and after a miracle kick against the New York Giants on Sunday, have the Panthers at 3-1 and tied for first in the NFC South.

Carolina Panthers on Twitter

Ron Rivera is at the podium https://t.co/sLAd2KdXTi

 

Anthony Lynn is proving that his 9-win rookie campaign in 2017 was no fluke. The Chargers second-year coach is 3-2 after a big 26-10 win over the Raiders. 

Los Angeles Chargers on Twitter

Team Win. #FightForEachOther https://t.co/xcOOUpuvZw

Mike Tomlin continues to weather the storm, ignore the noise and criticism and responds with a 41-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Concern about the Steelers’ team chemistry and losing record was put to bed. With Le’Veon Bell back in the fold, the Steelers are 2-2 and on the rise. 

SportsCenter on Twitter

Man, these penalties are costing people games and jobs. … So I’m pissed about it, to be quite honest with you.” – Mike Tomlin https://t.co/Mzg1fCjGyv

Marvin Lewis has endured numerous calls for his job by respected media members and a Twittersphere attack that has attempted to demean his entire winning career. 

Dont look now, but the NFL’s  Teflon Don is 4-1 and has the Bengals in first place in the AFC North. Lewis is still head coach of the Bengals because he wins games in a league where victories are hard to come by. 

Jason Whitlock on Twitter

Marvin Lewis stay winning. He’s an excellent coach who has had no postseason luck.

Hue Jackson has the Cleveland Browns on the come up. Jackson endured a rebuild similar to the Philadelphia 76ers in basketball, where he went 1-31 in his first two seasons as head coach. 

Fast forward to 2018 and Cleveland is 2-2-1 and they are no longer NFL doormats. Jackson’s persistence and patience should be respected and the teams 12-9 overtime win over the Ravens is proof that the tide is turning. It was the kind of game that the Browns would have lost last season. 

Cleveland Browns on Twitter

LIVE: Hue Jackson at the podium following today’s win https://t.co/ecD9xGIujI

Steve Wilks is a rookie head coach, with a rookie quarterback and was 0-4 in his first four NFL games before Sundays 28-18 win over the San Francisco 49ers. His first taste of victory and the emergence of Josh Rosen should lead to more victories as the Cardinals continue to add pieces and improve the squad. 

Arizona Cardinals on Twitter

I couldn’t be more proud of a group of men than I am of those players and coaches in there.” https://t.co/kWu1oJ4NgK

Back to top