Five Wide 2024: Week Three

Five Wide: 2024 Week Three

By Thomas Willoughby

I’m not an old man. Not really. At 32 years old, many would argue I’m in the prime of my life. If I were an NFL quarterback, you wouldn’t blink at me being handed a 4-year contract extension. I can back up the commitment, too. My results at the NFL Labs before the Seahawks/Raiders game in London back in 2018 still stand up. I can still be a player at this level.

I don’t half feel old right now, though. Having witnessed back to back weeks of prime-time football for the Falcons, I’m on my knees for a regular kick off time. Even having used annual leave to give myself a longer kip, these late nights aren’t fun in the slightest.

I’m using this intro to call for a complete ban on prime time football involving the Atlanta Falcons. It’s the least the league can do for me, Thomas Willoughby, the UKs prominent Falcons voice.

Anyway here’s some Five Wide action for you.

Panthers Watch: Part III

Cannot believe I’m writing about these for the third week in a row, but here we are. The Carolina Panthers. What’s going on there? Were they secretly good the whole time and held back by poor QB play? Or were they just buoyed by a bit of a change at the position and will crash back down to Earth next week? God knows. But here they are, on the road, beating a side that beat the Ravens last week. Bizarre, isn’t it.

They looked good. Andy Dalton under center slinging dots like it’s 2013 again. Adam Theilen, hurt on a touchdown catch, rolling the years back with an over the shoulder grab. It was such a strange evening. They scored 36 points! The game was over by the end of the 3rd quarter! What happened?!?

The Panthers host the Bengals next week, so you’d imagine they’ll be given more than a run for their money. I’m not sure they have it in them to repeat that showing again. But, for now, Carolina are a force. A phenomenon. Can’t believe it.

That's when good Nabers becomes good friends

Last week we hyped up Marvin Harrison Jr (himself having another decent evening vs Detroit). This week, we’re talking about his positional colleague in New York. Malik Nabers. You are a player.

271 yards from 23 catches through 3 games is a really nice return for someone in their first year. He went off in week 2, hanging 127 yards on the Commanders, but was overshadowed by his draft-mate; the aforementioned Harrison Jr. Week 3 was all him. 8 catches, 78 yards, 2 touchdowns. When the Giants needed a play, he made it. He was really good.

All we need is a chant. If he were a Sunderland player or something we’d already have a song for him, working him into the Neighbours theme. So I’m putting out the call. Your efforts on a postcard, please. Best efforts get a retweet from the OFFICIAL Touchdown account.

Nothingness Football League

Saints/Eagles was, on paper, the most interesting fixture of the early slate. The Saints have been absurd in their ability to move the ball thus far this season. The Eagles are the Eagles. Last week’s defeat doesn’t really change how I feel about their chances this season (they’ll go to the playoffs and no one will want to play them). SO, on paper, you have a really interesting tie. In practice you get nothing.

I feel bad for the production staff at Sky Sports. This was the game they selected. If you’re a newcomer looking to get into the sport, and this is what you were met with, you’d be bemused. On one channel you’ve got Man City and Arsenal playing out a 2 all draw. For three quarters of this, you’ve got the Saints winning 3-0. How is this lower scoring than a football match? Mental.

Like it did pick up in the 4th, with a lovely flurry of scores and interceptions to see us out. But as a whole, if this is the best the NFC can offer, the conference might be cooked this year. As for Sky, can I suggest simply broadcasting Red Zone on your main channels rather than on Sky Sports Mix? Guaranteed entertainment.

Pat yourself on the back

Weird thing that happened on Sunday night football. The Falcons hosted the Chiefs in a game that went down to the wire. We’re not talking about the game, it didn’t happen as far as I’m concerned. But at half time the Falcons named their latest inductee into their Ring of Honor. This individuals contribution to the Falcons, and the city of Atlanta, cannot be understated. For them to be inducted is an acknowledgement of that. They’ll forever remain synonymous with the Falcons as a result.

Congratulations on this honour, Arthur Blank.

Yes, the current Falcons owner and chairman, Arthur Blank, is now a member of the Falcons ring of honor. I assume he had to sign off on this himself. I like to think he took himself to dinner, reminisce about the past 22 years as the owner of the Falcons, and ended it by surprising himself with confirmation he was going into the ring.

A bit like this.

Run run Ravens

Who in the NFL allowed Derrick Henry to go to the Ravens? You’re putting the best running back in the league on a team that loves to run the ball with all of their players, including their quarterback? This feels illegal.

Henry’s slow week 1 has ramped up, and this weekend vs the Cowboys was the return of the king, in many senses. 151 yards off 25 carries, 2 TDs, and a win to cap it all off. This might be it for the Ravens. They might have it figured out. Do you want Henry to beat you on the ground, Lamar to beat you on the ground, or a handoff to Flowers to beat you on the ground? This ground attack is no joke.

It’s never ideal starting 0-2, but I do think the Ravens have played largely ok over that stretch. That win should kick-start their season. We’ve probably got a Derrick Henry OPOY campaign on our hands.

Features Image Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

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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