LOS ANGELES, United States, October 13, 2026: One blocked field goal has cost Harrison Mevis his job with the Los Angeles Rams. A struggling defense has forced Jerry Jones to change how the Dallas Cowboys call plays. And two ambitious AFC teams are preparing for potentially lengthy absences after injuries to TreVeyon Henderson and Anton Harrison. The NFL’s fifth week has left several organizations facing decisions that could have consequences well beyond their most recent results.
The Rams are replacing Mevis with veteran kicker Blake Grupe after Monday’s 37-34 overtime defeat against the Buffalo Bills. Dallas is bringing Mike Pettine into its defensive coaching operation while moving first-year coordinator Christian Parker from the sideline to the coaches’ booth. New England expects Henderson to miss multiple weeks with a high-ankle sprain, and Jacksonville faces an uncertain recovery timetable for Harrison following a knee injury sustained during its victory over Philadelphia in London. Away from the field, former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez has reached an agreement in principle in a civil lawsuit stemming from a 2025 altercation in Indianapolis, although the separate criminal case remains unresolved.
The five developments involve different teams, individuals and circumstances. Together, they illustrate an important feature of the NFL season: early victories and defeats are only part of the picture. Personnel decisions, coaching adjustments, injuries and legal proceedings can create consequences that continue developing long after a game’s final whistle.
NFL Week 5 Fallout: Five Major Developments on October 13
| Team or Individual | Development | Immediate Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | Harrison Mevis being replaced by Blake Grupe | Change at kicker following two failed field-goal attempts against Buffalo |
| Dallas Cowboys | Christian Parker moves to coaches’ booth; Mike Pettine joins staff | Defensive communication and coaching responsibilities adjusted |
| New England Patriots | TreVeyon Henderson suffers high-ankle sprain | Rhamondre Stevenson expected to carry greater backfield responsibility |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Anton Harrison expected to undergo knee surgery | Walker Little steps in as Trevor Lawrence’s left tackle |
| Mark Sanchez | Agreement in principle reached in civil lawsuit | Potential resolution of civil case; separate criminal proceedings continue |
The cases should not be treated as equally significant or directly connected. Four concern current NFL roster or coaching decisions. The fifth involves a former player and a legal matter outside competition.
Story at a glance
NFL Week 5 Fallout: Five Major Developments on October 13
The cases should not be treated as equally significant or directly connected. Four concern current NFL roster or coaching decisions. The fifth involves a former player and a legal matter outside competition.
Rams Replace Harrison Mevis With Blake Grupe After Buffalo Overtime Disaster
Los Angeles reached a breaking point with its kicking operation following a 37-34 overtime defeat to Buffalo on Monday night.
Jerry Jones Defends Christian Parker but Changes the Cowboys’ Defensive Operation
Dallas is confronting a different problem.
Patriots Lose TreVeyon Henderson for Multiple Weeks After Raiders Victory
New England’s problem is more straightforward but potentially just as disruptive.
Jaguars Face a Serious Blind-Side Problem as Anton Harrison Prepares for Surgery
Jacksonville’s 19-17 victory over Philadelphia in London came with a significant physical cost.
The common question is what has changed, which consequences are confirmed and what remains uncertain.
Rams Replace Harrison Mevis With Blake Grupe After Buffalo Overtime Disaster
Los Angeles reached a breaking point with its kicking operation following a 37-34 overtime defeat to Buffalo on Monday night.
Harrison Mevis missed a 50-yard field-goal attempt early in the contest.
He then had a 48-yard attempt blocked in overtime, denying the Rams a potential winning kick.
Buffalo subsequently moved into position for Tyler Bass to convert the decisive 45-yard field goal.
The defeat dropped Sean McVay’s team to 2-3 after five games.
On Tuesday, NFL Network reported that the Rams were releasing Mevis and signing Blake Grupe from the New York Jets’ practice squad.
The NFL’s report on the Rams’ kicking change confirmed the planned transaction and its connection to the Buffalo defeat.
Mevis Made 12 of 13 Field Goals in 2025. What Went Wrong in 2026?
Mevis entered the new season after a successful first NFL campaign.
During 2025, he made 12 of 13 field-goal attempts, a conversion rate of approximately 92.3%.
He also converted all 39 extra-point attempts.
Those figures suggested the Rams had found a reliable answer to a position that had required repeated changes in recent seasons.
But his 2026 performances have been significantly less consistent.
Through five games, Mevis made only five of nine field-goal attempts, a success rate of approximately 55.6%.
He remained perfect on 14 extra-point attempts.
The disparity is revealing.
Mevis was still converting shorter, more routine scoring opportunities, but his missed field goals were becoming increasingly costly.
That matters because the Rams have already demonstrated their ability to compete in close games against high-quality opponents.
They defeated Philadelphia 24-20 in Week 4 after overcoming a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit.
The comeback was among the defining results covered in The Sports Encounter’s complete NFL Week 4 report.
Against Buffalo, another close contest reached overtime.
This time, the Rams could not convert their opportunity to win.
Was the Blocked Field Goal Entirely Mevis’ Fault?
No. That conclusion would go beyond the available evidence.
Buffalo’s Greg Rousseau blocked the overtime attempt after penetrating Los Angeles’ protection.
The trajectory of the kick also raised questions, but the protection breakdown was part of the failed play.
A blocked field goal involves multiple components, including the snap, hold, timing, protection and the kicker’s contact with the ball.
Responsibility therefore cannot automatically be assigned exclusively to Mevis.
However, NFL teams ultimately evaluate the reliability of their entire kicking operation.
The missed 50-yarder, combined with his broader conversion record, gave Los Angeles sufficient concern to pursue a replacement.
The decision addresses the kicker position directly. It does not, by itself, establish that the protection problem on the blocked attempt has been corrected.
What Does Blake Grupe Offer the Rams?
Grupe arrives with considerably more NFL game experience than Mevis.
The 27-year-old has played 50 regular-season games across previous spells with New Orleans and Indianapolis.
His career field-goal conversion rate stands at approximately 81.9%, while his extra-point success rate is around 98%.
Grupe was most recently on the New York Jets’ practice squad and had not attempted a regular-season kick in 2026 when the move was reported.
His experience provides Los Angeles with a more established professional record.
But an 81.9% career conversion rate does not guarantee immediate improvement in pressure situations.
Grupe has experienced inconsistency himself, including a difficult 2025 season in which missed field goals contributed to his departure from New Orleans.
The Rams are therefore exchanging one risk for another.
Mevis offered evidence of excellent short-term accuracy in 2025 but had struggled badly in 2026.
Grupe offers more extensive NFL experience, although his career has not been free of kicking problems.
For McVay, the objective is straightforward: eliminate avoidable points left on the field before another close game depends on a final kick.
Jerry Jones Defends Christian Parker but Changes the Cowboys’ Defensive Operation
Dallas is confronting a different problem.
The Cowboys’ offense has shown enough ability to compete, but their defense has consistently allowed opponents to move the football.
Through five games, Dallas ranked 31st in total defense, allowing 395.4 yards per game.
The Cowboys were also 25th in scoring defense, surrendering 27.2 points per contest.
Those numbers are particularly uncomfortable for a franchise that expected defensive improvements after changing coordinators and personnel.
Following a 24-16 defeat to the previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers, head coach Brian Schottenheimer promised changes.
Two have now emerged.
Dallas has hired former NFL head coach and defensive coordinator Mike Pettine as a senior defensive assistant.
Christian Parker will also move from the sideline to the coaches’ booth to call defensive plays.
The changes were detailed in the Dallas Cowboys’ official October 13 announcement.
Why Does Moving Parker to the Coaches’ Booth Matter?
Defensive coordinators can call plays from the sideline or from an elevated booth.
Each arrangement offers different advantages.
Working from the sideline allows a coordinator to communicate directly with players, observe their reactions and make immediate personal interventions.
Working from above provides a broader view of offensive formations, route combinations and defensive spacing.
That vantage point can make it easier to identify repeated problems in coverage, personnel alignment or run fits.
However, moving upstairs does not automatically improve a defense.
The coordinator must still communicate effectively with assistants and players on the field.
Dallas is betting that a different observation and communication structure will help Parker make better decisions.
The first meaningful test comes against Green Bay in Week 6.
Is Jerry Jones Losing Confidence in His Young Defensive Coordinator?
Jones publicly rejected the suggestion that Parker was overwhelmed.
The Cowboys owner emphasized that Dallas had made extensive changes to its defensive scheme, coaching staff and personnel.
He presented Pettine’s arrival as additional support for a developing defensive operation rather than a formal demotion for Parker.
That distinction matters.
At 32, Parker is among the NFL’s younger defensive coordinators and is in his first season leading Dallas’ defense.
The team has undergone substantial changes, and the implementation of a new system can create problems even when the underlying coaching ideas are sound.
Nevertheless, the results are now measurable.
A unit allowing nearly 400 yards per game has a performance problem regardless of the experience of its coordinator.
Jones can support Parker publicly while still demanding significant improvement.
What Does Mike Pettine Bring to Dallas?
Pettine has worked as defensive coordinator of the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers.
He also served as Cleveland Browns head coach.
His familiarity with Dallas’ coaching structure is particularly important.
Pettine and Schottenheimer worked together with the Jets.
Parker worked under Pettine in Green Bay, where the veteran coach helped him obtain his first NFL coaching opportunity.
Those relationships may reduce the adjustment required when introducing an experienced assistant during the regular season.
Pettine can offer another perspective on defensive preparation, communication and scheme design without immediately replacing Parker.
But the arrangement also creates accountability questions.
If Dallas improves, management will have to determine which changes produced the improvement.
If the defense continues struggling, adding another coach and changing the coordinator’s location will not provide a convincing explanation for repeated failures.
Dallas’ Financial Power Cannot Hide Its Defensive Weakness
The Cowboys remain one of the NFL’s most commercially powerful organizations.
Forbes’ 2026 estimates valued the franchise at approximately $17 billion, far ahead of most competitors.
Yet commercial strength does not automatically create competitive stability.
The contrast between Dallas’ business success and its long championship drought was examined in TSE’s investigation into why the Cowboys remain the NFL’s most valuable franchise without another Super Bowl appearance.
The current defensive situation offers another example of that distinction.
Dallas possesses the resources to recruit experienced coaches and invest in personnel.
It must still assemble a system that stops opposing offenses.
The problem was already evident earlier in the season.
In Week 1, the New York Giants generated 394 yards in a 28-20 victory over Dallas, a result examined in our opening-week NFL analysis.
Five games into the season, the defensive concerns have not disappeared.
Patriots Lose TreVeyon Henderson for Multiple Weeks After Raiders Victory
New England’s problem is more straightforward but potentially just as disruptive.
The Patriots defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 45-17 on Sunday, improving to 3-2.
However, second-year running back TreVeyon Henderson left the game with an ankle injury.
According to ESPN’s October 13 report, Henderson suffered a right high-ankle sprain and is expected to miss multiple weeks.
Surgery is not expected to be necessary.
The reported recovery outlook is encouraging in that respect, but the Patriots have not established a definitive return date.
High-ankle sprains can affect a running back’s ability to accelerate, cut and change direction under load.
The injury is therefore particularly relevant to a player whose value includes explosiveness and open-field movement.
Why Henderson’s Absence Matters to Drake Maye
Henderson gives the Patriots an explosive option alongside starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson.
He entered his second NFL season after a promising rookie campaign, providing rushing production and the ability to contribute as a receiver.
New England had hoped his second year would bring further development within an offense built around quarterback Drake Maye.
Henderson has 163 rushing yards and one touchdown across four appearances this season.
Those figures are modest, but his role cannot be measured by rushing volume alone.
A speedy change-of-pace back can affect how defenses align and how much attention they devote to the passing game.
He can also create opportunities through screens, checkdowns and designed touches in space.
His absence reduces the number of ways New England can vary its backfield usage.
That matters for Maye, who has become the central figure in the Patriots’ attempt to build on their Super Bowl appearance last season.
Before the season began, TSE’s Seahawks-Patriots Week 1 preview identified the backfield’s health as an important factor in supporting Maye.
Henderson missed that opening contest with an ankle problem.
His latest injury creates another interruption early in his second season.
Rhamondre Stevenson Faces a Greater Workload
Stevenson is now expected to carry more of the backfield responsibility.
He has the experience to handle a larger rushing workload and contribute in pass protection.
That ability can become especially valuable when New England faces third downs and obvious passing situations.
Corey Kiner offers another option, but he has a smaller established NFL role.
The Patriots could also consider additional depth from their practice squad or other available players if injuries continue to limit the position.
No specific roster addition should be treated as confirmed without a team announcement.
The coaching staff must decide whether Stevenson should absorb most of Henderson’s opportunities or whether the workload should be divided among several players.
Either approach creates tactical consequences.
Giving Stevenson a dominant share of the snaps offers continuity.
Sharing the work could help preserve his effectiveness while giving younger players opportunities.
Those decisions will become visible when New England faces the New York Jets.
Why the Patriots’ 3-2 Record Requires Context
New England entered Week 5 after a valuable road victory against Buffalo.
Maye threw three touchdown passes as the Patriots defeated the Bills 29-26 in Week 4.
That result, examined in TSE’s Week 4 NFL results analysis, demonstrated the team’s ability to compete with an established AFC contender.
The subsequent 45-17 victory over Las Vegas strengthened the sense that New England was developing into a more balanced team.
But Henderson’s injury tests the depth behind that improvement.
The Patriots’ next challenge is sustaining offensive production without one of their more explosive running backs.
Jaguars Face a Serious Blind-Side Problem as Anton Harrison Prepares for Surgery
Jacksonville’s 19-17 victory over Philadelphia in London came with a significant physical cost.
Starting left tackle Anton Harrison suffered a right knee injury during the third quarter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
He was injured while attempting to make a block and was later taken from the field.
Reports on Tuesday indicated that Harrison would undergo arthroscopic knee surgery when Jacksonville returned from London.
The full extent of the damage remained uncertain.
Doctors were expected to determine the necessary procedure and recovery outlook after examining the knee.
Reported possibilities ranged from several weeks of absence to the remainder of the season.
Those are possible outcomes, not a confirmed recovery timetable.
Why Harrison’s Injury Is Particularly Difficult for Trevor Lawrence
Harrison had started at right tackle during his first three NFL seasons before moving to the left side ahead of 2026.
The switch made him responsible for protecting quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s blind side in conventional passing situations.
Left tackle is one of the most important positions in an NFL passing offense.
The player must protect against edge rushers, manage passing-down pressure and provide stability when quarterbacks move through their progressions.
The responsibility becomes especially significant when an offense attempts deeper passing plays that require more time to develop.
Losing the starting left tackle therefore creates more than a personnel vacancy.
It can influence the offensive playbook.
A team may change protection schemes, use additional tight-end or running-back assistance, or place greater emphasis on quicker passes.
Those are possible adjustments for Jacksonville, not confirmed changes announced by coach Liam Coen.
Walker Little Becomes Jacksonville’s Immediate Solution
Walker Little replaced Harrison against Philadelphia and is expected to start at left tackle against Houston in Week 6.
Little brings valuable experience.
He has started 39 NFL games, giving Jacksonville a replacement who is familiar with professional pass protection and the demands of the position.
That experience may reduce the disruption caused by Harrison’s absence.
But replacing a starter during an important stretch of the season still carries risk.
The offensive line must maintain communication, particularly against defensive fronts that use stunts, blitzes and late movement to create pressure.
Little also has to establish an effective working relationship with the linemen beside him.
Jacksonville will need to determine whether its existing protection structure can continue without major changes.
Jacksonville’s 4-1 Start Makes the Injury More Consequential
The Jaguars have been one of the early surprises of the season.
They entered Week 5 at 3-1 after victories over Cleveland, New England and Cincinnati.
Our independent NFL Week 5 power rankings placed Jacksonville third, recognizing the team’s improving competitiveness under Coen.
The victory over Philadelphia improved the Jaguars to 4-1.
It also created a test of whether that progress can survive an injury at a crucial offensive position.
Jacksonville has already dealt with concerns over the availability and consistency of wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
Those questions featured in TSE’s preseason investigation into NFL roster injuries and Jacksonville’s offensive development.
Harrison’s absence now adds a different problem.
Thomas’ production affects the passing game’s effectiveness downfield.
Harrison’s injury affects the protection that allows Lawrence to deliver the football.
The two issues concern different parts of the offense but can interact during the same play.
Why Wembley Is Now a Test of Jacksonville’s Depth
Jacksonville remains in London for a second consecutive international game.
The Jaguars face the Houston Texans at Wembley Stadium on October 18.
The unusual two-game arrangement places additional importance on preparation and personnel availability during an extended overseas stay.
The NFL’s growing international schedule is part of a much broader commercial expansion.
That strategy, including the effort to develop sustained interest beyond the United States, was examined in TSE’s analysis of the league’s international audience ambitions.
For Jacksonville, however, the immediate concern is football.
Little must protect Lawrence against Houston while the Jaguars await a clearer medical assessment of Harrison’s knee.
The team’s Week 7 bye could provide additional recovery and preparation time, but it does not establish when Harrison will return.
Mark Sanchez Reaches Agreement in Principle in Indianapolis Civil Case
A separate NFL-related development concerns former quarterback and broadcaster Mark Sanchez.
Reuters reported Tuesday that Sanchez and truck driver Perry Tole had reached an agreement in principle in a civil lawsuit arising from an October 2025 altercation in Indianapolis.
The reported agreement could bring the civil proceedings toward a conclusion.
However, the case had not necessarily been formally dismissed when the agreement was reported.
Court records indicated that Tole’s attorneys were expected to file a motion to dismiss by January 8, 2027.
The terms of the agreement were not publicly disclosed in the reporting reviewed.
The development was detailed in Reuters’ October 13 report on the tentative civil agreement.
What Happened During the October 2025 Altercation?
The dispute occurred in downtown Indianapolis on October 4, 2025.
According to the prosecution’s account, the confrontation involved Sanchez and Tole during a disagreement over a parking location.
Prosecutors alleged that Sanchez attempted to enter Tole’s vehicle and was the aggressor during the confrontation.
Authorities said Tole used pepper spray and a knife in self-defense.
Sanchez suffered stab wounds and required medical treatment.
Tole also suffered injuries and subsequently filed a civil lawsuit seeking damages.
These descriptions reflect allegations and accounts reported in legal proceedings. They should not be treated as independently established findings of criminal guilt.
Does the Civil Agreement End the Criminal Case?
No.
This is the most important legal distinction in the story.
The reported agreement in principle concerns the civil lawsuit between the parties.
Continue the NFL Story
It does not automatically resolve criminal charges brought by the state.
Sanchez has faced a felony battery charge and several misdemeanor counts stemming from the incident.
He previously filed a motion seeking to enter a guilty plea to at least one charge as part of a proposed resolution of the criminal proceedings.
That motion and any proposed plea remain subject to the relevant court process.
A reported agreement in a civil case is not itself evidence that a criminal plea has been accepted or that sentencing has occurred.
The distinction also matters for any future reporting about Sanchez’s professional career.
Fox Sports ended its association with him following the incident, but the civil agreement should not be described as automatically restoring his broadcasting position.
Sanchez played in the NFL for the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and Washington before retiring from professional football.
His former playing career explains why the legal development attracted national sports attention.
It does not make the civil matter part of the current teams’ Week 5 roster decisions.
Which Developments Could Have the Greatest Football Consequences?
The four current-team stories involve different levels of immediate uncertainty.
Dallas has already confirmed changes to its defensive coaching arrangement.
Los Angeles has been reported to be replacing its kicker.
New England has received a reported injury diagnosis, while Jacksonville is still waiting for medical findings that could dramatically alter Harrison’s recovery timetable.
Those differences matter when estimating the potential impact.
| Team | Immediate Problem | What Could Change Next | Evidence Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rams | Unreliable field-goal conversion | Grupe takes over kicking duties | Official roster confirmation and performance under pressure |
| Cowboys | 395.4 yards allowed per game | Parker calls defense from booth with Pettine’s assistance | Coverage execution, defensive efficiency and points allowed |
| Patriots | Henderson unavailable with ankle injury | Stevenson’s workload increases | Official injury reports, snap distribution and rushing production |
| Jaguars | Starting left tackle requires knee surgery | Little protects Lawrence’s blind side | Surgical findings, protection performance and official recovery timeline |
Why Dallas and Jacksonville Face Different Kinds of Structural Risk
Dallas is trying to correct a unit whose performance has already fallen short of expectations.
Jacksonville is attempting to preserve an offense that has helped the team begin 4-1.
That distinction is significant.
The Cowboys need improvement.
The Jaguars need continuity.
Dallas is adding experience and changing how defensive information reaches its coordinator.
Jacksonville is replacing a critical starter and assessing whether the existing offensive system can continue functioning with limited disruption.
Both situations demonstrate why NFL success depends on the coordination of multiple individuals rather than one prominent player or coach.
Why the Rams and Patriots Face More Immediate Personnel Decisions
Los Angeles has made a targeted change at a specialist position.
The Rams are not rebuilding the offense or defense because of the Buffalo loss.
They are attempting to correct a specific problem that can determine close games.
New England faces a different challenge.
The Patriots cannot simply replace Henderson’s individual qualities with a roster transaction and assume the offense will function identically.
Stevenson provides experience, but the coaches must decide how to distribute carries, receiving assignments and pass-protection responsibilities.
Those adjustments could affect the way opposing defenses approach New England.
The value of both decisions will emerge through subsequent games rather than the announcements themselves.
What Should NFL Fans Watch in Week 6?
Several of Tuesday’s developments will receive immediate examinations when Week 6 begins.
| Team | Next Key Test | What Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | Green Bay Packers, October 18 | Whether Parker’s elevated view and Pettine’s input improve defensive execution |
| New England Patriots | New York Jets, October 18 | Backfield production and Stevenson’s workload without Henderson |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Houston Texans, October 18, Wembley Stadium | Walker Little’s performance protecting Trevor Lawrence |
| Los Angeles Rams | Next regular-season appearance | Grupe’s readiness and field-goal protection after the Buffalo defeat |
The key is to evaluate performance rather than assume every organizational change has solved the problem it was designed to address.
For Dallas, that means examining the defense’s ability to prevent successful drives.
For New England, it means evaluating the backfield’s contribution to Maye’s offense.
For Jacksonville, it means studying whether Lawrence continues receiving dependable protection.
For Los Angeles, it means seeing whether the kicking operation performs reliably when points are at stake.
NFL October 13, 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the Rams replacing Harrison Mevis?
Mevis missed a 50-yard field goal and had a 48-yard potential winning attempt blocked during the Rams’ 37-34 overtime loss to Buffalo. He has converted five of nine field-goal attempts this season. Los Angeles is bringing in Blake Grupe as his reported replacement.
Who is Blake Grupe?
Grupe is a 27-year-old NFL kicker with previous experience playing for New Orleans and Indianapolis. He was on the New York Jets’ practice squad when the Rams’ interest was reported.
Why is Christian Parker moving to the coaches’ booth?
The Cowboys are changing their defensive communication arrangement after a difficult start. Parker will call plays from an elevated position, and Mike Pettine has joined the staff as a senior defensive assistant.
Has Jerry Jones fired Christian Parker?
No. Parker remains the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. Jones publicly defended him while acknowledging the defense’s poor results.
How long will TreVeyon Henderson be out?
Reports indicate Henderson will miss multiple weeks with a right high-ankle sprain. Surgery is not expected, but a definitive return date has not been announced.
Who replaces Henderson for the Patriots?
Rhamondre Stevenson is expected to handle a larger workload, with Corey Kiner offering additional depth. New England could adjust its backfield rotation as injury information develops.
What happened to Jaguars tackle Anton Harrison?
Harrison injured his right knee against Philadelphia in London and is expected to undergo arthroscopic surgery. His recovery timeline depends on the findings of the procedure.
Who replaces Anton Harrison at left tackle?
Walker Little replaced Harrison against Philadelphia and is expected to start against the Houston Texans in Week 6.
Has Mark Sanchez settled his legal case?
Sanchez has reportedly reached an agreement in principle in a civil lawsuit related to a 2025 altercation in Indianapolis. The civil matter still requires formal court steps, and the separate criminal proceedings remain unresolved.
Are the five stories directly connected?
No. Four concern current NFL teams managing roster, injury or coaching problems after Week 5. The fifth concerns former quarterback Mark Sanchez and a separate legal matter.
The Sports Encounter Verdict: October’s Biggest NFL Decisions May Not Appear on the Scoreboard Yet
The Rams know exactly what prompted their kicking change.
Two failed field-goal opportunities came during a game they lost in overtime.
But replacing Harrison Mevis does not guarantee the next kick will be successful.
Dallas has a different problem.
Jerry Jones believes Christian Parker deserves support, but the Cowboys’ defensive numbers demand improvement.
Moving the coordinator upstairs and adding Mike Pettine will matter only if the defense begins making more stops.
New England and Jacksonville face uncertainty that their coaches did not choose.
Henderson’s injury removes an explosive option from the Patriots’ backfield.
Harrison’s knee problem threatens the continuity of Jacksonville’s offensive line during one of the franchise’s most encouraging starts in recent seasons.
Both teams must adapt without knowing exactly how quickly their injured players will return.
The Mark Sanchez development belongs to a separate category. It could help resolve a civil dispute but does not conclude the criminal proceedings stemming from the same incident.
These stories should therefore be judged on their individual facts.
Their broader significance lies in how they demonstrate the challenges that accumulate across an NFL season.
A specialist’s difficult night can change a roster.
Five poor defensive performances can change a coaching arrangement.
One awkward step or block can alter an offensive depth chart.
And developments involving former players can continue making news years after their playing careers end.
Week 5 supplied the reasons for these decisions.
Week 6 will begin showing whether the teams have found the right answers.
