The NFL delivered another unpredictable weekend of football, with last-second field goals, dramatic comebacks and overtime finishes defining a Week 5 slate that kept fans on edge until the final whistle.
From Jacksonville’s improbable victory over Philadelphia in London to Buffalo’s overtime thriller against Los Angeles, special teams played a decisive role in several of the weekend’s biggest games. Elsewhere, San Francisco survived a divisional showdown in Seattle, while the Giants and Commanders played to the season’s first tie.
The weekend served as another reminder that even the smallest mistakes can determine the outcome of an NFL game, particularly when the difference between winning and losing comes down to a single kick.
Jaguars Steal Victory From Eagles on Cam Little’s 57-Yard Walk-Off Field Goal
Few games this season have produced a finish quite like Jacksonville’s 19-17 victory over Philadelphia at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
The Eagles appeared to have secured a much-needed victory when Jake Elliott connected on a 48-yard field goal with eight seconds remaining, giving Philadelphia a 17-16 advantage.
However, Jacksonville had other plans.
Veteran return specialist Ameer Abdullah fielded the ensuing kickoff and broke free for a 53-yard return, advancing the ball to Philadelphia’s 39-yard line with just one second remaining.
That was all Cam Little needed.
The Jaguars kicker stepped onto the field and drilled a 57-yard field goal as time expired, completing one of the most remarkable finishes of the young NFL season.
The sequence marked the first game of the Super Bowl era in which both teams recorded go-ahead scores within the final 10 seconds of regulation.
For Jacksonville, the victory improved its record to 4-1 and reinforced the team’s ability to win under pressure. Philadelphia, meanwhile, dropped to 2-3 after suffering its third consecutive defeat.
The Eagles had opportunities to put the game away earlier, but another quiet second half offensively ultimately proved costly. Philadelphia managed just three points after halftime, leaving the door open for Jacksonville’s extraordinary finish. (Eagles)
Bills Outlast Rams in Overtime as Tyler Bass Delivers Game-Winning Kick
Monday Night Football provided a fitting conclusion to the weekend’s drama, with the Buffalo Bills defeating the Los Angeles Rams 37-34 in overtime following a wild second half.
The game featured six lead changes and 48 combined points after halftime, as Josh Allen and Matthew Stafford repeatedly answered one another in a matchup between two of the league’s most accomplished quarterbacks.
Buffalo appeared to have secured the victory when James Cook scored with 1:39 remaining in regulation. Stafford, however, orchestrated another late drive, setting up Kyren Williams for a one-yard touchdown with four seconds remaining to force overtime.
The extra period brought even more uncertainty.
Cook fumbled on Buffalo’s opening overtime possession, giving Los Angeles an opportunity to end the game. Stafford moved the Rams into field-goal range, but Greg Rousseau blocked Harrison Mevis’ attempt, returning possession to the Bills.
Allen took advantage of the second opportunity, using his legs to move Buffalo into scoring position before Tyler Bass connected on a 45-yard field goal with 1:55 remaining in overtime.
Allen finished with 210 passing yards and 121 rushing yards, while Stafford threw for 383 yards and three touchdowns.
The victory improved Buffalo to 4-1 and delivered Allen his first career overtime win. For Los Angeles, the defeat was especially frustrating considering the opportunities the Rams had to put the game away.
Jacksonville’s walk-off kick may have been the weekend’s most dramatic moment, but Buffalo’s victory was another example of how special teams can completely reverse the direction of a game. (NFL.com)
49ers Remain Undefeated After Late Field Goal Sinks Seahawks
While Jacksonville and Buffalo delivered the weekend’s most memorable kicking moments, San Francisco relied on a late field goal of its own to escape Seattle with a 32-29 victory.
The NFC West showdown featured constant momentum swings, with both teams struggling to protect possession throughout the afternoon.
Seattle committed four turnovers, including a costly fumble recovered in the end zone by San Francisco defensive lineman Gracen Halton just before halftime.
Despite those mistakes, the Seahawks remained competitive behind Sam Darnold and kicker Jason Myers, who connected on five field goals.
Seattle entered the fourth quarter holding a 26-21 advantage, but Brock Purdy responded by leading the 49ers on a touchdown drive capped by a seven-yard scoring pass to Brandin Cooks. A successful two-point conversion gave San Francisco a 29-26 lead.
Myers answered with a 40-yard field goal to tie the game before Eddy Piñeiro converted from 44 yards with 1:56 remaining.
Seattle received one final opportunity, but a fourth-down completion to Cooper Kupp came up just short of the necessary yardage, allowing San Francisco to run out the clock.
Purdy finished with 189 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Mike Evans caught seven passes for 113 yards.
The victory moved the 49ers to 5-0, maintaining their undefeated record and strengthening their early position atop the NFC West.
For Seattle, the defeat was another reminder that turnovers can overshadow an otherwise competitive performance. The Seahawks showed they could match San Francisco for much of the afternoon, but ultimately could not overcome their own mistakes. (49ers)
Ravens Complete Late Comeback, Defeat Falcons in Overtime
Baltimore entered Sunday night’s matchup against Atlanta without starting quarterback Lamar Jackson, leaving Tyler Huntley responsible for directing the Ravens’ offense against a difficult Falcons defense.
For much of the evening, Atlanta appeared positioned to secure the victory.
The Falcons led 23-15 with less than three minutes remaining, but Huntley delivered when Baltimore needed him most.
He led a 71-yard touchdown drive, finding Devontez Walker for a seven-yard score with 40 seconds remaining. Derrick Henry then converted the two-point attempt, tying the game at 23 and forcing overtime.
Baltimore carried that momentum into the extra period, assembling a 14-play, 68-yard drive that ended with Huntley scoring on a one-yard quarterback sneak.
Atlanta still had an opportunity to respond, but safety Kyle Hamilton intercepted Tua Tagovailoa, sealing the Ravens’ 30-23 victory.
Huntley finished with 201 passing yards and accounted for three touchdowns, while Henry rushed for 102 yards.
Baltimore improved to 4-1, securing an important victory despite missing its starting quarterback. The Ravens also demonstrated an ability to manufacture offense under pressure after struggling to move the football consistently through the first three quarters. (Reuters)
Giants and Commanders Settle for Rare Tie After Missed Opportunities
Not every close game produced a winner.
The New York Giants and Washington Commanders played to a 27-27 tie Sunday afternoon, with both teams squandering opportunities to secure the victory in overtime.
Giants quarterback Jameis Winston helped erase a fourth-quarter deficit, throwing two touchdown passes to force the extra period.
New York moved into scoring position in overtime but struggled to finish the drive. Kicker Dominic Zvada had already missed multiple attempts, including a 46-yard try in overtime, before the Giants elected to continue running their offense.
That decision backfired when Cam Skattebo lost a fumble, giving Washington another opportunity.
The Commanders advanced to the Giants’ 24-yard line with 12 seconds remaining, but Jayden Daniels elected to run with the football despite Washington having no timeouts.
The clock expired before the Commanders could stop it, ending the game without a winner.
Winston threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns, while Daniels recorded 199 passing yards and another 103 on the ground.
For both teams, the result represented a missed opportunity in an NFC East division where every victory could become increasingly important as the season progresses. (Reuters)
Around the League: Lions, Packers and Patriots Deliver Statement Victories
While several games required dramatic finishes, other teams left little doubt about the outcome.
Detroit continued its impressive offensive production with a 45-21 victory over Arizona. Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns, while Jared Goff added three passing touchdowns without an interception.
Green Bay dominated Chicago 31-7 in an NFC North matchup, with Jordan Love throwing for 367 yards as the Packers controlled the game.
New England also delivered one of the weekend’s most convincing performances, defeating Las Vegas 45-17 behind a strong outing from Drake Maye, who threw for 374 yards.
Elsewhere, Pittsburgh defeated Indianapolis 34-22, Cincinnati topped Miami 31-24, and Denver earned a 23-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
The New York Jets edged Cleveland 17-12, Minnesota defeated New Orleans 23-13, and Houston handled Tennessee 26-3.
Each result added another layer to a season in which several divisions remain highly competitive through the opening five weeks. (NFL.com)
A Weekend Decided by the Smallest Margins
Through five weeks, the 2026 NFL season has already produced its share of unforgettable moments. Yet this weekend stood out for the extraordinary influence of special teams and late-game execution.
Jacksonville needed just eight seconds to turn a seemingly certain defeat into victory. Buffalo relied on a blocked field goal and another successful kick to survive overtime. San Francisco needed a fourth-quarter field goal and one final defensive stand to preserve its undefeated record.
Meanwhile, Baltimore overcame an eight-point deficit in the closing minutes, and the Giants and Commanders demonstrated just how costly poor execution can become when the game hangs in the balance.
For the teams that escaped with victories, these are the kinds of games that can build confidence and shape a successful season. For those on the losing end, the difference between celebration and disappointment often came down to a handful of plays.
Week 5 offered a little bit of everything, but above all, it reinforced one of football’s oldest lessons: no lead is truly safe until the clock reaches zero.
And this weekend, nobody understood that better than the kickers.
