NFL Tales of the Week – Week 5 Edition (10-7-25)
By: Tyrone Montgomery Jr.
Headline Photo Credit: Olivia Vinni-Getty Images
Are We Sleeping on the San Francisco 49ers?
Despite being hit with a wave of injuries, the San Francisco 49ers continue to prove they are one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL this season. No team has dealt with more setbacks—quarterback Brock Purdy has been banged up, and nearly all of their top offensive weapons have missed time, including TE George Kittle, WR Brandon Aiyuk, WR Ricky Pearsall, and WR Jauan Jennings. Yet, the 49ers keep finding ways to win. Their success isn’t a fluke—it’s a testament to the depth and resilience built into their roster. It was a good idea to sign Brian Robinson in case RB Christian McCaffrey gets injured as he always seems to get banged up as well. It was a good idea to sign QB Mac Jones who is a former starting QB in this league. He is playing extremely well this season and is a big reason for their success.
San Francisco’s front office has assembled one of the most complete teams in football, loaded with quality talent beyond just the starters. Whether it’s backups stepping in on offense or reserves making big plays on defense, the next-man-up mentality is alive and well in the Bay. The scary part? They’re doing this without being fully healthy. Once key players return, the 49ers have the potential to be even more dominant. Winning with backups shows how strong and well-coached this team truly is. Come playoff time, a healthy San Francisco squad could be the most complete team in the league. Don’t overlook them—because even injured, they’re still beating contenders. At full strength, they could be unstoppable.
Is Baker Mayfield the League’s MVP?
Baker Mayfield has faced doubt at every turn in his NFL journey, but in 2025, he’s rewriting the narrative. Once labeled a draft bust and cast aside by multiple teams, Mayfield now leads the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a red-hot 4-1 start—one of the best records in the league. What’s impressive is the fact that Mayfield has relied on a rookie wide receiver a lot this season, Emeka Egbuka. The Bucs have been hit with injuries by their top two weapons, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. They have even been hit by an injury from their lead back, Bucky Irving. Fueled by a chip on his shoulder, he’s proving that resilience and talent can’t be counted out. Statistically, Mayfield is delivering elite production. He currently ranks in the top four in both passing touchdowns and passing yards, placing him among the NFL’s best quarterbacks this season.
More importantly, he’s playing smart, efficient football, limiting turnovers while leading game-winning drives and energizing a team many had written off. Beyond the numbers, Mayfield’s leadership and grit have transformed the Bucs into legitimate contenders. His fiery competitiveness and underdog mentality have galvanized the locker room and earned the respect of fans and critics alike. MVP isn’t just about stats—it’s about value to a team’s success. Right now, there’s a strong case that no one means more to their franchise than Mayfield does to Tampa Bay. It’s time to recognize Baker Mayfield as a true MVP candidate.
