Week 5 of the NFL season kicked off with a thrilling Thursday night game between the Falcons and Buccaneers. However, as the weekend approaches, there are some players that fantasy managers should consider leaving on the bench. The first player to consider benching is Dak Prescott, QB for the Dallas Cowboys. Prescott is facing a tough Pittsburgh Steelers defense that has been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks this season. With no quarterback scoring more than 19 fantasy points against the Steelers, Prescott is unlikely to have a breakout week. The Steelers defense has been relentless, and this may not be the week for Prescott to turn things around.
Another player to consider benching is Zack Moss, RB for the Cincinnati Bengals. Moss has been a reliable fantasy option, but the emergence of rookie Chase Brown makes him a risky play this week. Additionally, Baltimore’s defense has been strong against the run, allowing the fewest rushing yards to running backs and no explosive plays through four games. This combination makes Moss a player to avoid for Week 5.
The Miami Dolphins’ wide receivers, Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill, are also players to consider benching. Without Tua Tagovailoa under center, Hill and Waddle have struggled in the past two weeks. Hill has scored just 8.2 PPR points or fewer, while Waddle has managed only 8.5 points since Tua went down in Week 2. It may be best to temper expectations for these two stars until the Dolphins’ offense finds its footing again.
Rounding out the list of players to consider benching is the Dallas Cowboys Defense/Special Teams. Dallas will be without two of its top defenders, Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, when they face the Steelers. Pittsburgh’s offense, while not elite, has been solid in protecting the ball, allowing just 10 sacks and committing only three turnovers this season. Without key pass rushers, the Cowboys’ defense could struggle, making them a risky play for Week 5.
While some of these players may have favorable matchups on paper, the reality of their situations suggests that Week 5 could be tough for them. By considering leaving these five players out of your starting lineup, fantasy managers can look for other options to maximize their points this weekend. It’s important to stay updated on NFL news and developments to make informed decisions when setting your fantasy lineup each week. For more NFL news, fans can visit Newsweek Sports for the latest updates and insights.
