If there was an MVP among announcers in NFL Week 5, it wasn’t a quarterback, a coach, or a star receiver — it was Eric Collins.

In his first major NFL assignment of the 2025 season for Fox Sports, Collins delivered a performance so electrifying that fans compared his passion to the legendary Gus Johnson.

Paired with former NFL lineman and color commentator Mark Schlereth, Collins called the Carolina Panthers’ stunning 27–24 comeback victory over the Miami Dolphins like it was a Super Bowl — and the internet absolutely loved it.

ALSO READ : “From Northeastern freshman to Yankees hero… Cam Schlittler stuns Red Sox with historic playoff gem”

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A game that felt ordinary — until Collins picked up the mic

The matchup between Carolina and Miami didn’t exactly scream “instant classic” on paper. The Panthers came in struggling, while Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins were looking to rebound after a tough loss.

But with Collins on the call, even a second-quarter touchdown became must-watch TV. When rookie quarterback Bryce Young hit Xavier Legette for Carolina’s first score, Collins’ booming voice captured the moment with unfiltered joy and disbelief — a tone fans say perfectly mirrors what football should feel like.

“Legette breaks free… TOUCHDOWN, CAROLINA! The Panthers are alive!” he shouted, his voice cracking with excitement.

That enthusiasm didn’t let up. From Rico Dowdle’s powerful rushes up the middle to Tua Tagovailoa’s perfectly timed touchdown pass to Jaylen Waddle, Collins narrated each play as if it were the defining moment of the season.

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The call that sealed his legend

The game reached peak drama in the final two minutes, with Carolina trailing by four and Bryce Young orchestrating what would become the drive of his young career.

When Young connected with tight end Mitchell Evans for the game-winning touchdown, Collins completely lost himself in the moment — and fans couldn’t get enough.

“EVANS! HE GOT IT! MITCHELL EVANS! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? CAROLINA TAKES THE LEAD!”

Social media erupted within seconds. One fan posted on X:

“Eric Collins just turned a Week 5 Panthers game into the Super Bowl. This man needs to call everything — NFL, NBA, my kid’s birthday party.”

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From NBA voice to NFL sensation

Before this NFL breakout, Collins was best known as the charismatic voice of the Charlotte Hornets, where his over-the-top enthusiasm became part of basketball culture. His calls of LaMelo Ball’s flashy assists and Miles Bridges’ dunks turned regular-season games into highlight reels.

Now, after his NFL debut, Collins has cemented himself as one of America’s most exciting voices in sports broadcasting.

Even veteran analysts took notice. ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt tweeted:

“Eric Collins just gave us one of the best calls of the year. Pure energy. Pure joy.”

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Mark Schlereth’s chemistry brings balance

Working alongside Collins, Mark Schlereth played the perfect counterpart. The former Denver Broncos lineman provided sharp, grounded analysis, giving Collins’ wild energy a layer of depth and insight.

At one point, as Collins erupted during a Dolphins touchdown, Schlereth could be heard laughing off-mic — a small but genuine moment that showcased their chemistry. Fans have already started campaigning online for the duo to become Fox’s full-time B-team pairing.

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Fans and critics agree — this was the best broadcast of Week 5

Across social media, fans flooded NFL discussion boards and sports radio shows, calling Collins’ performance the “highlight of the week.”

“He doesn’t just call plays, he lives them,” one viewer wrote. “You can feel every yard, every catch, every tackle through his voice.”

What We Learned, via @Eric_Edholm: Raiders might have to consider QB change after blowout loss to Coltshttps://t.co/ZlgG8Do5Fx pic.twitter.com/fvDfWF7JqD

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) October 5, 2025

Media critics echoed the praise. The Sporting News called it “a reminder that great commentary can make football magical again,” while USA Today labeled Collins “the broadcaster fans didn’t know they needed.”

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A victory for emotion in sports broadcasting

In an era when many networks prioritize polished professionalism over passion, Eric Collins reminded everyone why authenticity still matters. His unfiltered excitement — his genuine love for the game — connected deeply with fans burned out by formulaic commentary.

And as for the game itself? The Panthers’ 27–24 win over the Dolphins may have been an upset — but the real winner was Collins.

He ended his broadcast breathless but triumphant, signing off with the kind of sincerity only he could deliver:

“This is why we love football — every second, every snap, every story.”

NFL Week 5 shakes up the power rankings — no team is safe anymore

Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season reminded fans of a timeless truth: no one stays unbeaten forever. Both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Buffalo Bills — the two early-season favorites — fell on Sunday, shaking up the championship picture and opening the door for new contenders.

The Eagles lost their first game in nearly a year, while the Bills stumbled in prime time. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos found new life, the New York Jets continued to sink, and several mid-tier teams suddenly looked like real threats. Here are the biggest takeaways from a thrilling Week 5.

ALSO READ : Shohei Ohtani finally pitches in MLB playoffs after 2,746 days… will this be the moment that defines Dodgers vs Phillies?

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The Eagles are mortal after all

The Eagles’ 365-day winning stretch ended in dramatic fashion. Despite their elite defense, the offense looked out of sync — and key players like A.J. Brown and Saquon Barkley failed to deliver in critical moments.

Brown was limited to just five catches for 43 yards, while Barkley, who managed only 30 yards on six carries, committed an illegal shift penalty that wiped out a crucial fourth-down conversion. That mistake forced Jalen Hurts and the Eagles to punt on their penultimate drive — a turning point in their first loss of the season.

Even so, Philadelphia remains a genuine Super Bowl 60 contender. But Week 5 exposed the offensive inconsistencies that head coach Nick Sirianni must fix fast if they want to stay ahead of surging teams like Kansas City and Detroit.

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The Bills’ loss opens up the AFC East

In Western New York, the Bills suffered a surprising defeat to the New England Patriots under the Sunday night lights. The upset ended Buffalo’s unbeaten run and signaled that the AFC East may be far more competitive than expected.

Wearing their “Cold Front” alternate uniforms, the Bills failed to match the Patriots’ energy and discipline. Josh Allen threw two interceptions, and the offensive line collapsed late in the game — giving New England new life and sending a clear message: “This division won’t be a walkover anymore.”

While head coach Sean McDermott downplayed the loss, fans couldn’t help but notice the cracks. The Bills have all the tools, but they’re missing the consistency of a champion right now.

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Broncos shock the league with back-to-back wins

The story of the week belongs to the Denver Broncos. After years of inconsistency, Denver’s defense is looking ferocious again — recording six sacks in Philadelphia to add to their league-leading total of 15 entering Week 5.

Second-year quarterback Bo Nix seems to have finally found his rhythm, leading the Broncos to their first victory in Philadelphia since 1986. With two wins in six days and a resurgent defensive line, Denver suddenly looks like a team no one wants to face.

As head coach Sean Payton said post-game: “We’ve been patient, we’ve been tough, and now we’re seeing the results.”

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Rookie coaches feeling the heat

For Aaron Glenn, it’s been a nightmare start. The New York Jets were blown out 37–22 by the Dallas Cowboys at home, leaving Glenn as the only first-year head coach still searching for a win this season.

Meanwhile, Kellen Moore and his New Orleans Saints bounced back, taking down the New York Giants and showing resilience after a rough Week 4.

The Jets, however, remain the only winless team in the league — a tough pill to swallow for fans who expected the post–Aaron Rodgers rebuild to show progress.

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The contenders list just got crowded

With both the Eagles and Bills taking their first losses, the Super Bowl 60 picture feels wide open.

The San Francisco 49ers continue to look dominant, while the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins remain legitimate threats. The Detroit Lions, powered by Jared Goff, are quietly emerging as NFC dark horses.

Week 5 proved that no single team has all the answers — and that’s what makes this season thrilling.

What We Learned, via @Eric_Edholm: Raiders might have to consider QB change after blowout loss to Coltshttps://t.co/ZlgG8Do5Fx pic.twitter.com/fvDfWF7JqD

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) October 5, 2025

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Defensive lines are ruling the league

Across the NFL, defenses are dominating. Denver’s front seven, Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, and San Francisco’s Nick Bosa are redefining pressure in 2025.

The Eagles’ once-feared defense still ranks among the league’s elite, but with offenses struggling under complex blitz schemes, Week 5 may have marked the season where defense truly takes over again.

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Who’s trending up and down?

Trending Up:

• Denver Broncos – Bo Nix is settling in; the pass rush is terrifying.
• New England Patriots – Statement win over Buffalo breathes life into Foxborough.
• Detroit Lions – Jared Goff’s efficiency and leadership are turning heads.

Trending Down:

• New York Jets – Aaron Glenn’s seat is getting hotter by the minute.
• Philadelphia Eagles – Still great, but suddenly human.
• Buffalo Bills – The AFC East isn’t theirs to cruise through anymore.

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What Week 5 really means

Week 5 was the perfect microcosm of the NFL’s unpredictable chaos. No team, no matter how dominant, can escape the league’s parity. The Eagles and Bills learned that the hard way, while teams like the Broncos and Patriots reminded fans that momentum can shift in a single Sunday.

As the season barrels toward midyear, the race for Super Bowl 60 feels more wide open than ever.

The message is simple: Every week is anyone’s game.

It’s the moment baseball fans have waited years to witness — Shohei Ohtani, the two-way sensation who has redefined modern baseball, is finally pitching in the Major League Baseball (MLB) postseason.

For a player who’s been called “the greatest show on Earth,” this debut on the October mound has been a long time coming — precisely 2,746 days since he first stepped into the big leagues on March 29, 2018, with the Los Angeles Angels.

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Back then, the world of baseball looked very different. Bryce Harper was still with the Washington Nationals, Kyle Schwarber was smashing home runs at Wrigley Field, and the Philadelphia Phillies were still buried in a decade-long playoff drought.

Fast forward to now — October 2025 — and Ohtani is the face of baseball, a two-time MVP, a World Baseball Classic champion, and the most captivating athlete the game has seen in generations.

From myth to postseason reality

Ohtani’s postseason pitching debut comes in Game 1 of the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies — a matchup loaded with star power, storylines, and history.

Sure, Ohtani has already delivered countless unforgettable moments as a hitter:

• The first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.
• The man who led the Dodgers to a World Series title over the New York Yankees as a designated hitter last year.
• The national hero who struck out Mike Trout to win the World Baseball Classic (WBC) for Japan’s national team.

But now, with the ball in his hand and October lights shining bright, Ohtani faces perhaps the biggest test of his career — delivering under the pressure of the MLB playoffs.

“Everything about Ohtani has been historic,” said one ESPN analyst. “But this moment — pitching in the postseason — might finally complete his legend.”

Dodgers’ gamble could pay off in gold

The Dodgers, who signed Ohtani to a record-breaking contract, have patiently waited for this moment. They’ve managed his innings, protected his arm, and balanced his dual role as a pitcher and hitter with surgical precision.

Manager Dave Roberts called Ohtani’s return to the mound “a championship-caliber risk.”

“He’s a once-in-a-lifetime player,” Roberts said before the series. “We’ve seen him dominate with the bat, and now we get to see him dominate with the ball in his hand — when it matters most.”

Ohtani’s presence on the mound gives the Dodgers something they haven’t truly had in years: a postseason ace who also provides elite offensive production.

The Phillies, on the other hand, enter the series as one of baseball’s most confident squads — powered by Harper, Schwarber, and Trea Turner — a lineup that thrives on high-stakes chaos.

The stage is set for a baseball epic

Ohtani’s start isn’t just about one player — it’s about a sport evolving in real time. His ability to blur the lines between pitcher and slugger has changed how scouts, teams, and fans view what’s possible on a baseball diamond.

In Japan, his performance will likely stop time. Millions will tune in, just as they did during the WBC final when Ohtani and Trout faced off — a duel now immortalized in baseball history.

Former players like Ichiro Suzuki have praised Ohtani for carrying forward Japan’s baseball legacy into global superstardom. And fans across the United States see in him something rare — a reminder that greatness can still surprise us.

Breaking: Shohei Ohtani will make his MLB playoff pitching debut in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Phillies, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced. pic.twitter.com/fp6Gv7eDwH

— ESPN (@espn) October 2, 2025

As one viral post on X (formerly Twitter) put it:

“Shohei Ohtani pitching in October feels like baseball’s reward for our patience.”

Can Ohtani decide the Dodgers-Phillies series?

It’s possible. Ohtani’s unique combination of power, precision, and poise could swing the entire series. The Phillies’ lineup has power, but few have ever faced a pitcher who can throw 100 mph fastballs one inning and then crush a 450-foot homer the next.

If he’s even close to his best, he could become the difference-maker between another Dodgers heartbreak and a return to World Series glory.

Win or lose, this moment feels bigger than baseball. For seven years, fans have watched Ohtani redefine what it means to be a player. Now, he finally gets the stage he deserves — the postseason mound.

And if history is any indication, Shohei Ohtani won’t just play the game. He’ll transform it.