Injury Bugs and London Games Begin – Top NFL Stories Week 5
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Can you actually believe that the 2025 NFL regular season is over a quarter of the way through? Where have the weekends gone? Remember to savour every one because we’ll miss them when they’re gone! After the madness of Dublin it’s time to settle back down and return to our routine of Sunday evening Redzone, unless of course you’re heading to Tottenham Stadium for the first of three London Games! Whatever way you’re getting your football fix this weekend, here are some of the top NFL stories to keep an eye on:
Injury Bug Keeps Biting
There has been a recent spate of serious injuries afflicting the NFL’s stars over the past few weeks, with several big name players suffering season ending ailments. Malik Nabers, Tyreek Hill and Joe Burrow are among those requiring surgery, and while Joe Cool could potentially make a return in December, the same cannot be said for the other two. Both Nabers and Hill have significantly damaged their knees and have been lost for the remainder of the year, dashing the hopes of their respective teams in the process. Nabers in particular would have been instrumental to the success of young Jaxson Dart in New York. And let’s not forget about the Ravens either, who are probably slamming on the panic button right now with no less than 6 starters missing in action for their tilt against the Texans including Quarterback Lamar Jackson, Linebacker Roquan Smith and Safety Kyle Hamilton. Things are certainly looking bleak in Baltimore.
Vikings On The Road Again
After suffering a last minute defeat to the Steelers in Dublin last weekend, Minnesota faces the unenviable task of playing back to back international games. For the second straight Sunday, they’re on the road away from home, playing across the pond in the first of the London Games tripleheader. Cleveland is the opponent this time around, and although on paper the Browns should be an easier opponent than Pittsburgh, there is still no guarantee of success. While the Vikings hold the advantage of having more time to adjust and settle into the timezone and the environment of being abroad, they will be without two key weapons in the forms of Quarterback JJ McCarthy and Linebacker Alex Van Ginkel. Half of their starting O Line went down in Dublin as well, leaving the protection along the front quite porous. Carson Wentz struggled as a result, and despite almost delivering an upset win made some questionable throws when under pressure. This is a must win matchup for Kevin O’Connell and Co. if they want to avoid a disastrous 0-2 finish to their European sojourn.
McAtamney Gets Second Start for Giants
Jude McAtamney earned his second career start last weekend in relief of the injured Graham Gano, tallying 7 total points, and now he’s set to go against the Saints. For the Young Derryman, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. By demonstrating capability and reliability, Jude can elevate himself from understudy to leading man. And under the bright lights of Broadway this game is essentially a call back audition. After a brief cameo last season (how many acting analogies can I squeeze in here?) McAtamney can cement himself as a starting caliber kicker and potentially retain his role when Gano returns. Alternatively, if he does revert to the practice squad he’ll have plenty of good tape put together for teams that do come looking for a kicker. The whole of Ireland is behind you Jude! Go nÉiridh leat!
