Week 5 of the NFL starts on Thursday night, with two teams looking to recover from defeats this past weekend. However, struggling teams still have plenty of time to change their luck with the season still in its early stages. Here’s what to expect in a few of the week’s important matchups.

Colts Face Broncos on Thursday Night

The Indianapolis Colts travel to Denver to face the Broncos tonight in a battle of two of the league’s worst offenses through the first month of the season. Both teams are also dealing with many injuries, with Denver missing more of its key players on both sides of the ball. Many thought that Indy had turned its season around after upsetting the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3, but they came back down to earth against division rival the Tennessee Titans, losing 24-17 to drop their record to 1-2-1.  

The Broncos lost to the Las Vegas Raiders 32-23 on Sunday after winning two straight games. The defense had a tough time against the run last week, giving up 212 yards, with Josh Jacobs getting a career-high 144 yards and two touchdowns for the Raiders. QB Russell Wilson is listed as questionable for tonight’s game with a shoulder injury but is expected to start. Denver also lost RB Javonte Williams, who suffered a severe knee injury against the Raiders and is out for the season.  

The Colts win a close game on the road. 

Giants and Packers Clash In London 

The New York Giants and Green Bay Packers travel to London for an NFC battle on Sunday. Both teams are at 3-1 and looking to move up in their respective divisions. New York is coming off a 20-12 win over the Chicago Bears, even though they had two QBs knocked out of the game with injuries. Daniel Jones injured his ankle in the third quarter, and his replacement, Tyrod Taylor, left in the fourth with a concussion. Jones is listed as questionable on Sunday but is expected to start.  

The Packers won their third straight game after a tough overtime battle against the New England Patriots last week. Aaron Jones had an outstanding day on the ground for Green Bay, rushing for 110 yards, and WR Allen Lazard was Aaron Rodgers’ favorite target on the day, catching six passes for 166 yards. Rodgers didn’t have a great day against the Pats but is expected to have a much better game against the Giants’ defense.  

The Packers win to put pressure on the first-place Vikings. 

Chargers Battle Browns in Cleveland

The Los Angeles Chargers and Cleveland Browns meet for the first time since 2021 when the Chargers won a shootout, 47-42. The Chargers have lost DE Joey Bosa for the next few months to injury and will have a tough time slowing down the Browns’ running offense featuring Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. LA’s rushing defense was terrible in 2021, and they are 14th in the league this year, giving up 109.8 rushing yards per game.  

The Browns’ defense is pretty banged up, with injuries at both defensive end and tackle, but it is still ninth in the league, giving up 326 yards per game. However, they’re 19th in the NFL in points against per game at 23.8. DE Miles Garrett should be ready to go this week. He missed the last game after being involved in a car accident. 

The Browns win to keep the AFC North lead.