Looking at Week 5.

There are several big games on tap in the first weekend of October.

Dallas-Buffalo will round out the Week 5 slate on Monday night, but before then, we’ve got 13 other games on the schedule.

A couple of strugglers face matchups that could be the make-or-break point for their seasons. The Jets take on the Giants on Sunday afternoon, in a game that’s big not only for the rivalry implications, but also because a loss for the Jets would drop them to 1-4, and well behind in the AFC playoff race.

Also in the AFC, 1-3 San Diego visits 2-2 Denver. A win for the Chargers would put them right back in the thick of the AFC West hunt, but a fourth straight loss would make next week’s game against Oakland a must-win.

In the NFC, winless New Orleans hosts Carolina. That one is as big for the Saints as it is for the Panthers. It could serve as a rejuvenation point for the Saints season, given their poor start and the loss of Deuce McAllister. For the Panthers, it’d show that they can survive without Jake Delhomme, who’ll miss a second straight game due to injury.

Chicago is 1-3, and already three games back in the NFC North, but they have a chance to get on the right track when they visit 4-0 Green Bay at Lambeau on Sunday night. If Favre and the Pack keep rolling, Chicago’s depleted defense is going to have a hard, hard time, especially given their struggles on offense. But, if the Bears find a way to force Favre into mistakes and make Green Bay actually have to run the ball, then this could be the springboard game for Lovie Smith’s guys.

There are also a few big games for teams trying to prove themselves. 2-2 Cleveland go to New England looking to somehow slow down Tom Brady and the Pats. Even if the Browns can just hang tough and stay close, that would be a confidence booster. But, if they get blitzed like the Pats’ other four opponents, it will serve as both a reminder of where the Browns are and just how dominant the Patriots are when they’re on.

3-1 Detroit goes to 2-1 Washington looking to continue their surprising start. The winner of this one has a nice headstart on a playoff spot, if they can keep it going. And, a win for either would also help them in their respective division races.

3-1 Tampa Bay goes to unbeaten Indy for a huge game for the Bucs. They’re coming off a big win at Carolina, but must deal with the losses of Cadillac Williams and Luke Pettigout. The defense has been tough thus far, so if they can dent Peyton Manning’s armor, there’s a chance for the upset.

One of the best games of the weekend should be the Super Bowl XL rematch between the Seahawks and Steelers in Pittsburgh, in a Mike vs. Mike showdown. Both teams have started 3-1, and look like contenders again, though the Steelers took a big step back in their loss at Arizona last Sunday.

Full Week 5 Schedule

Cleveland (2-2) at New England (4-0)
Jacksonville (2-1) at Kansas City (2-2)
Miami (0-4) at Houston (4-0)
Arizona (2-2) at St. Louis (0-4)
Detroit (3-1) at Washington (2-1)
Atlanta (1-3) at Tennessee (2-1)
Seattle (3-1) at Pittsburgh (3-1)
New York Jets (1-3) vs. New York Giants (2-2)
Carolina (2-2) at New Orleans (0-3)
Tampa Bay (3-1) at Indianapolis (4-0)
Baltimore (2-2) at San Francisco (2-2)
San Diego (1-3) at Denver (2-2)

Chicago (1-3) at Green Bay (4-0) - Sunday night
Dallas (4-0) at Buffalo (1-3) - Monday night

Cincinnati (1-3), Minnesota (1-3), Philadelphia (1-3), and Oakland (2-2) all have their bye weeks in Week 5.