Five Wide: 2025 Week Two

By Thomas Willoughby

What a belter week two was. We had shoot-outs. We had overtime. We had RedZone quad-box for about 10 straight minutes. Drama as far as the eye can see. And, for those who refuse to go to bed before 5am, we had a FALCONS WIN BABY LETS GOOOOOOOO. 16-1 INCOMING BOOK MY FLIGHTS TO SAN FRANCISCO. WHO’S STOPPING US? NO ONE.

And, as ever, there’s no better way to walk into the new NFL week than backwards, staring firmly at the past. It’s time for another Five Wide, your favourite thing! And this week, we start with praise!

YouTube Heroes

I want to kick off this week with a shout out to the NFL UK, and, more specifically, its online output. From last week, they now upload “The Weekly Blitz”, a 15 minute round-up show hosted by Ellie Collins and Hugh Coles, focusing on some of the bits you might have missed from the previous weekend’s action, with a silly angle. Kind of like what I do here, actually. Look, ma, am a revolutionary.

I gather this was a thing last season, but it completely passed me by. Hugh Coles is my boy, though, so giving this a go was on the cards. I’ve been following him since the National Vintage League store (side note, are they back? They went away for a bit, but I think there’s been some movement?) were putting out videos and podcasts over the days of lockdown. 

It’s not gonna be for everyone, as with everything. But, if you’re looking for something a bit unserious to put on while you’re having lunch, this is it. Two thumbs up.

Comeback of the Year

Sunday’s de facto main event was a repeat of Super Bowl LIX, where the then-defeated Kansas City Chiefs looked to get revenge over the visiting Philadelphia Eagles. Spoiler alert, they didn’t. Kansas City looked iffy, Philadelphia weren’t much to write home about either, but they were efficient. To the point where Chiefs defensive lineman, Chris Jones, chose to point it out mid-game.

Well, you can’t say fairer than that, can you?

I’m all for trash talk mid-game. It’s very funny to see big lads getting into it. That’s just the ultimate comeback, though, isn’t it. How are you supposed to come back from “you lost”? You can’t, really. Jalen’s had you pants down, Chris. Pull them up, mate.

Daniel of Destiny

The career of Daniel Jones is a weird one. The 28 year old was selected far earlier than I think any reasonable enjoyer of the sport expected, going 6th overall in 2019. From there, he’s a 25-44-1 career, bounced off the Giants to the Vikings for a little bit, and landed in Indianapolis this summer. In just a few short months, he’s beaten former first round pick-turned-current bust, Anthony Richardson, for the job as the Colts’ starting quarterback. They’re looking really good, too.

The most important indicator of his successes through the first two weeks can’t be found in his stat line (as nice as it is), but in his brand. For the first 6 seasons of his career, Jones was known as “Danny Dimes”; a perfectly fine nickname, I’m sure you’ll agree. Moving to a new team opens the opportunity for an image refresh, as anyone who moved schools as a kid will agree. With that in mind, please welcome a new-look Daniel Jones for the year 2025:

Step aside, Joe Brrr. Your time is up, Danger Russ. Indiana Jones is here. That’s an ice cold name. Good job, Indianapolis. This nickname belongs in a museum.

National Cosplay League

Alternate jerseys aren’t a new thing in the NFL. Eight teams were literally given a brand new jersey this season as part of this “NFL Rivalries” thing which I guess we’ll talk about when those teams actually get to wear them. Equally, teams having a throwback uniform isn’t new. My team, the Falcons, have the best of the lot, and will wear it three times this season. It’s a pretty cool thing, I think.

What I appreciate about the throwbacks thing is how the entire brand is flipped back. The logo reverts back to whatever it was at the time, the field art matches what it would have been like in the 80s or 90s or whatever. It’s really nice. The Minnesota Vikings opted for a throwback party for their home opener on Sunday Night Football, and even went one step beyond, taking their fancy dress theming to the assembled sports media.

I love this so much. It’s such a little thing, but if you’re pretending like your game’s taking place in 1975, committing to the bit should be commended. In 2023, I said that the NFL needs to embrace nostalgia, and host a few “throwback” weeks a year, with teams playing in the home or away designs from years gone by. This furthers that want. Give us what we want.

Bruce Kluckhohn - AP Photo

Toe Burrow

Finally this week, I’d like to send my condolences to all associated with the Cincinnati Bengals. Superstar quarterback Joe Burrow has, once again, been subjected to an injury which will see him miss significant time. During the Bengals 31-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Burrow suffered a “turf toe” injury which will see him undergo a surgery, knocking him out of action for around 3 months.

This is awful for the Bengals, of course. While Jake Browning is certainly capable, and any team throwing to JaMarr Chase should stand a chance, it’s a blow. Especially when their next five games are against Minnesota, Denver, Detroit, Green Bay, and Pittsburgh. Their 2-0 start will no doubt buoy them as they look to stay ahead in an extremely tough division.

In Browning’s last stint as a starter, he led the Bengals to a 4-3 record. He’ll be playing a bit more this time around, my rough estimate being he’s in line for 12 starts between now and mid-December. If he leads the Bengals to wins in half of those games, they’ll be in a good place. Anything less, and there may be some shortcuts on Burrow’s recovery plan.

Features Image Credit: Michael Conroy – AP Photo

Thomas Willoughby

NFL ANALYST

THOMAS IS A WRITER, AND REGULAR GUEST ON THE TOUCHDOWN REVIEW SHOW PODCAST, FOR THE TOUCHDOWN. YOU CAN FIND HIM @WILLO290592 ON TWITTER

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