Week 5 NFL players to watch: Rookie continues historic pace, a non-QB for MVP?

Week 5 of the 2023 NFL season is underway. Here are the must-see players on Sunday:

SUNDAY'S POST-GAME HEADLINE TODAY | Stefon Diggs lights up London

Diggs is coming off a strong performance in Week 4 where he had six catches for 120 yards and three touchdowns. Now he gets to face the Jaguars' 12-worst defense in passing yards allowed per game (238.3). There may have been reports heading into 2023 that Diggs was unhappy in Buffalo, but he and Allen will continue to shut down those rumors with yet another strong showing in London. Jaguars vs. Bills has the makings of a shootout and Diggs is a big reason why.

SUNDAY'S POST-GAME HEADLINE TODAY | Anthony Richardson delivers in battle for AFC South lead

The No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has impressed to start his NFL career with 479 yards and three touchdowns through the air and 131 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. That will continue this week in a game against the Titans where the winner will take the lead in the AFC South. Tennessee is difficult to run against, but its pass defense can't say the same, ranking as the 10th-worst in passing yards allowed per game (241.3) in the league. Richardson is set up for a big day, and he'll surely deliver in this one.

SUNDAY'S POST-GAME HEADLINE TODAY | T.J. Watt gets DPOY campaign back on track

Ravens vs. Steelers is one of the best rivalries in football with the last six matchups decided by five or fewer points, and their Week 5 meeting will likely be the same. LB T.J. Watt started his case for NFL Defensive Player of the Year strong, becoming the first player in NFL history to record six sacks and have a defensive touchdown in a team's first three games of a season. However, Watt had just two tackles and one quarterback hit in the Week 4 loss to the Texans. The 2021 DPOY has 12 sacks and four forced fumbles in 12 games against Baltimore. Watt will back on track Sunday with another dominant performance.

SUNDAY'S POST-GAME HEADLINE TODAY | Breece Hall runs free in Denver

The Jets have been cautious with their 2022 second-round pick after he tore his ACL and meniscus last season. That seems to be ending, however, after head coach Robert Saleh told reporters that "there is no more pitch count" for Hall anymore. It's perfect timing as well because New York is heading to Denver in Week 5 to play the Broncos' worst defense in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (176). Hall is certainly set up for a big game and may just have a career day.

SUNDAY'S POST-GAME HEADLINE TODAY | Puka Nacua continues historic pace, even with Kupp back in the lineup

Nacua, a fifth-round pick in 2023, is off to an unprecedented start to his career. The rookie wide receiver has the most receptions (39) and second-most receiving yards (501) in a player's first four games in NFL history. However, WR Cooper Kupp, the 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, is expected to play in Week 5, barring any setbacks. Kupp will, of course, take a portion of the targets away, but Nacua is a good player for the Rams. They will continue using him as an important piece of their offense. Whether Los Angeles gets the win over Philadelphia is a tough call, but Kupp and Nacua could make things interesting.

SUNDAY'S POST-GAME HEADLINE TODAY | Christian McCaffrey  continues strong case for league MVP

The "Sunday Night Football" matchup between the Cowboys and 49ers may just be a preview of the NFC Championship Game with stars on both sides of the ball for each team. The biggest star of them all may just be RB Christian McCaffrey, who is making his case to be the first non-QB to win league MVP since 2012 (Vikings RB Adrian Peterson). McCaffrey has 600 yards and seven touchdowns in just four games this season. It won't be easy against a Cowboys defense that ranks second-best in total yards allowed per game (259.8), but the biggest stars shine the brightest in prime time. McCaffrey will be given many opportunities to do so.