Just five weeks into the NFL season and we are seeing some amazing numbers being put up by quarterbacks and pass catchers. And it’s more than just Peyton Manning and those explosive Denver Broncos.

And contrary to popular belief, we are seeing some impressive defensive performances as well.

There were fewer teams and players to choose from this week thanks to four teams being on their scheduled vacations. But there were plenty of standout games by the best of the best.

And speaking of “the best…"

Andrew Luck, DeSean Jackson And Pierre Thomas Headline The NFL's Week 5 Honor Roll Slideshow

 

QB Andrew Luck

Wait a minute. No Peyton Manning, Drew Brees or Tony Romo? The choice here is the Colts’ quarterback and Luck had everything to do with it. Against the highly-regarded Seattle Seahawks defense, the second-year signal-caller completed 16-of-29 passes for 229 yards and a pair of scores (both to wideout T.Y. Hilton) without an interception. Luck was sacked twice and did lose a fumble but didn’t lose the game, handing Seattle its first loss of the season, 34-28.

 

RB Pierre Thomas

One of the most underrated running backs in the league was pretty busy in the Windy City on Sunday. The Saints remained undefeated thanks to a 26-18 win over the Chicago Bears and Thomas was a key component (along with tight end Jimmy Graham). Thomas totaled only 36 yards rushing but it came on 19 carries. And he caught all nine passes thrown to him by quarterback Drew Brees, totaling 55 yards and a pair of touchdown grabs in New Orleans 26-18 victory at Soldier Field.

 

WR DeSean Jackson

The Eagles’ speedster has had some big days against the New York Giants and Sunday was no different, totaling seven receptions for 132 yards and a score in Philadelphia’s 36-21 win. Jackson caught passes for 56, 21 and 28 yards via quarterbacks Michael Vick and Nick Foles. And a pass interference call on Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara while covering Jackson resulted in a 27-yard gain and helped set up an Eagles’ field goal as Chip Kelly’s team kept New York winless in 2013.

 

TE Julius Thomas

It seems like we could give the nod to the Saints’ Jimmy Graham every week. But Thomas had lived up to his preseason promise and continues to find the nooks and crannies in opposing defenses. In Sunday’s wild 51-48 win over the Dallas Cowboys, Thomas was targeted 12 times by quarterback Peyton Manning and caught nine passes for 122 yards and a pair of touchdowns. For the season, the emerging tight end has already caught 27 passes for 359 yards and six scores.

 

Offensive Line: Packers

There hasn’t been a lot of positive talk regarding the Packers’ wall in front of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. But Mike McCarthy’s team got the job done in a 22-9 victory over the Detroit Lions. Rodgers was sacked just once in 31 pass plays but more importantly, Green Bay ran for 180 yards on 33 carries. Rookie running back Eddie Lacy totaled 99 yards on 23 attempts and Randall Cobb ripped off a 67-yard run as the Packers maintained their dominance of the Lions in Wisconsin.

 

DE Muhammad Wilkerson

On Monday night at the Georgia Dome, the emerging defender seemingly spent more time in the Atlanta backfield than any Falcons’ running back. All kidding aside, Wilkerson totaled seven tackles and a sack and also forced a fumble in the Jets’ surprising 30-28 victory. And who would have ever though that Rex Ryan’s Jets would be 3-2 and Matt Ryan’s Falcons would be 1-4 a mere five weeks into the season?

 

OLB Terrell Suggs

It was a tough choice because performers such as Daryl Washington (Arizona Cardinals) and Kevin Burnett (Oakland Raiders) had big week as well. But the defending Super Bowl champion Ravens needed a big effort from Suggs and got it, totaling five tackles and three of Baltimore’s six sacks of Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill. John Harbaugh’s club won it first road game of the season in three tries, 26-23.

 

FS Charles Woodson

It was a memorable night for the one-time Heisman Trophy winner and Super Bowl champion. Woodson totaled four tackles, knocked down a pass, returned a fumble 25 yards for a score (his 13th defensive touchdown) and recorded his 56th career interception as the Silver and Black held on for a 27-17 win over the rival San Diego Chargers. Woodson’s theft was one of five takeaways by the Raiders in the 10-point win.

 

PR Travis Benjamin

Suddenly, the Browns have won three straight games following a 0-2 start and find themselves tied atop the AFC North with both the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. Benjamin played a big role in Cleveland’s 37-24 Thursday night win over the Buffalo Bills, returning one punt 79 yards for a score and six other punts for a total of 100 yards. Given the firepower of the Detroit Lions, this week’s opponent, as well as the absence of quarterback Brian Hoyer, Rob Chudzinski’s club will need a few more big plays from Benjamin.

 

Coach: Marvin Lewis

There’s a lot to be said when you hold the New England Patriots without a touchdown. And even more to be said when you manage to snap quarterback Tom Brady’s streak of consecutive games with at least one touchdown pass, which will remain at 52 thanks to Lewis and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. The Bengals’ defense has been a bit up and down to date but this was the kind of win that could jump start a very talented team.

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-- Read more of Russell S. Baxter at ProFootballGuru.com. Follow him on Twitter @BaxFootballGuru.