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NFL Week 5 in pictures: Hard hits, big plays and broken records

NFL fans saw it all in Week 5, from the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat.

By Ryan Van Bibber
  • Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) celebrates the victory against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeated Green Bay, 30-27. Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE
  • Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne (87) makes a diving catch against Green Bay Packers defensive back Charles Woodson (21) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Brian Spurlock - US PRESSWIRE
  • Indianapolis Colts fan holds up a sign Chuck Strong in support of Chuck Pagano in his fight against leukemia during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeated Green Bay 30-27. Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE
  • Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert (11) throws the ball away after being pressured by Chicago Bears linebacker J.T. Thomas (97) during the fourth quarter at EverBank Field. Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE
  • The Jacksonville Jaguars mascot Jaxson hangs from a bungee cord as he is lowered to the field before the first quarter of their game against the Chicago Bears at EverBank Field. Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE
  • New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) shakes hands with Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) following the game at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Broncos, 31-21. Stew Milne-US PRESSWIRE
  • New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley (22) is tackled by Denver Broncos linebacker Joe Mays (51) and cornerback Tracy Porter (22) during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE
  • Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) runs for a 10-yard touchdown during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at the Metrodome. Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE
  • Miami Dolphins cornerback Sean Smith (24) grabs the helmet of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) in the fourth quarter at Paul Brown Stadium. Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE
  • Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy (25) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Ziggy Hood (96) and linebacker Larry Foote (50) at Heinz Field. Vincent Pugliese-US PRESSWIRE
  • Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel (7) is looked at by tackles Branden Albert (76) and Eric Winston (74) after an injury against the Baltimore Ravens in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Baltimore won the game, 9-6. John Rieger-US PRESSWIRE
  • Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) catches a touchdown pass as Washington Redskins linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (97) defends in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE
  • Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (12) warms up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at FedEX Field. Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE
  • Cleveland Browns recover New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw's fumble on the first play from scrimmage at MetLife Stadium. Jim O'Connor-US PRESSWIRE
  • Seattle Seahawks kicker Steven Hauschka (4) kicks a field goal as punter Jon Ryan (9) holds and Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) defends during the first half at Bank of America Stadium. Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE
  • San Francisco 49ers receiver Mario Manningham (82) is hoisted by tackle Joe Staley (74) after scoring on a 10-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Bills, 45-3. Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE
  • Buffalo Bills cornerback Aaron Williams (23) and defensive tackle Marcell Dareus (99) tackle San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Bills, 45-3. Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE
  • St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford (8) hands off to Rams running back Steven Jackson (39) during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Scott Rovak-US PRESSWIRE
  • New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) celebrates after throwing a touchdown to wide receiver Devery Henderson (not pictured) to break the NFL record for consecutive games throwing a touchdown at 48 games eclipsing a record once held by Johnny Unit Chuck Cook - US PRESSWIRE
  • Joe Unitas son of former NFL quarterback Johnny Unitas greets former New Orleans Saints defensive back Steve Gleason prior to kickoff of a game against the San Diego Chargers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Records were broken. The undefeated fell. New legends were born. Yep, Week 5 was just another week in the NFL.

The usual list of strange things started happening on Thursday night when the St. Louis Rams handed the Arizona Cardinals their first loss of the season on the strength of a bruising defensive performance that included nine sacks on Kevin Kolb.

Sunday had plenty of excitement of its own. Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Andrew Luck and his savvy veteran wideout Reggie Wayne engineered the most stunning moment of the day with a last-minute touchdown drive to beat the Green Bay Packers. This happened only days after the Colts learned that head coach Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with a treatable form of leukemia, one that will keep him out much of the season, if not all of it.

Robert Griffin III, the league's other quarterbacking prodigy, suffered a concussion in a game that kept the Atlanta Falcons undefeated.

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The most hyped game of the week, a rematch of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, was a mostly one-sided affair, with New England rolling past Manning's Broncos.

Drew Brees wrapped up a wild Sunday by etching his name into the history books, again. The Saints' quarterback completed a touchdown pass in the first quarter of Sunday night's win over the San Diego Chargers, making it 48 straight games in which he completed a touchdown pass. That was good enough to break Johnny Unitas' record.

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