NFL Week 5 Preview

Week 5 of the 2015 NFL season got underway with a Thursday night matchup as the Houston Texans (1-4) dropped a game at home against the Indianapolis Colts (3-2). The Colts seem to have found their rhythm after an 0 -2 start this year, beating Houston 27-20 and securing their spot atop the AFC South after three consecutive division wins. Much of Indy’s production was due to strong efforts from veterans Matt Hasselbeck, Frank Gore, and Andre Johnson. Johnson, who was released this past offseason after twelve seasons in Houston, caught six passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns against his former team. Entering Thursday’s matchup, Johnson had only amassed 51 yards and seven receptions throughout four games. The Colts were without starting QB Andrew Luck, who sat out the past two games due to a shoulder injury. Moving to some local action, the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3) will visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3) this weekend. This matchup features two young quarterbacks who were both drafted in the first round by franchises lacking leadership under center. Blake Bortles, a central Florida native, played college ball for UCF before being selected 3rd overall by Jacksonville in the 2014 NFL Draft. Bortles has adjusted well since entering the league, but the Jaguars still stumbled in his rookie season – finishing 3-13 last year. “I think everything else is kind of in place,” Bortles says of this season. “The one more improvement would be to win…I think all our numbers are pretty good, with the exception of offensive scoring, which is kind of the bottom line – the only one that matters.” On the opposing sideline, former FSU quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston will look to end Tampa Bay’s woes at home. The Bucs have lost 11 consecutive games in Tampa, while the Jags have dropped 11 straight road matchups. After being selected 1st overall in this year’s NFL Draft, Winston’s rookie season is proving to be a learning experience: through four games he has thrown 7 interceptions and 6 touchdowns. “My job is definitely going to be hard, I just gotta take

care of the football.” Winston explains. “We got some great players around me on this team that can make plays, so I just gotta protect the football.” Winston will get a chance to do just that when this early game kicks off from Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.

Moving further south, the Miami Dolphins (1-3) will need to make some key adjustments during their bye week after firing Head Coach Joe Philbin and Defensive Coordinator Kevin Coyle. Miami is last place in the AFC East but former Gator Center Mike Pouncey says their interim head coach, Dan Campbell, has sparked a change in the ‘Phins locker room. “Just going out there today, the way we competed for him, you know?” Pouncey said after a practice ran by their new coach. “It gave me some hope for this football team, I know these guys will be ready when we get back from this break.” Miami’s bye week will be followed by a road game against the Tennessee Titans next Sunday. Sound from this story can be found below: Winston previews Jags Bortles comments on improvements Pouncey on bye week  

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