NFL Weekly Preview Week 5 2025: Key Injuries, Difference Makers & Projected Upsets

Josh Allen (Erik Drost, Wikimedia Commons)

We begin the fifth week of the 2025 NFL regular season on Thursday. Here are the key injuries, fantasy stars and projected upsets.

Key Injuries

No team has been decimated more with injuries this season than the San Francisco 49ers. Last week, they lost Nick Bosa for the season with a torn ACL. They were already without tight end George Kittle (hamstring) and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee), and now they do not have quarterback Brock Purdy (toe), and wide receivers Jauan Jennings (ribs and ankle), Jordan Watkins (calf), Ricky Pearsall (knee). Other injuries in week four happened to New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabors (torn ACL and gone for the season), Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee), and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman (hamstring).

Fantasy Stars

The top rated quarterback of the week is Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills. He is projected to get 232 yards passing, 33 yards rushing and two touchdowns on Sunday night against the New England Patriots. The top rated wide receiver is Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams. He is projected to get eight catches for 96 yards and one touchdown on Thursday night against the San Francisco 49ers. The top rated running back is Christian McCaffrey of the 49ers, who is projected to get 122 total yards and a touchdown on Thursday against the Rams.

Projected Upsets

I like three underdogs this week. They are the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Commanders and the Carolina Panthers. The loss of Hill, and playing on a short week is expected to hurt the Dolphins.