Week 5 of the NFL season is officially underway, and it started with a bang. The Falcons and Buccaneers delivered a thrilling Thursday night game, with both teams trading blows and plenty of fantasy managers walking away happy.
But as the weekend approaches, not every game promises such high-scoring excitement. There are always players who disappoint, and this week, we have five you should consider leaving on the bench.
1. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Prescott is up against a tough Pittsburgh Steelers defense that has been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks this season. No quarterback has scored more than 19 fantasy points against the Steelers, and Prescott is unlikely to be the one to break that trend. Pittsburgh’s defense has been relentless, and it doesn’t seem like this will be the week for Prescott to turn things around.
2. Zack Moss, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Moss has been a reliable fantasy option so far, but the emergence of rookie Chase Brown makes him a risk this week. Couple that with the fact that Baltimore’s defense has been stifling against the run, allowing the fewest rushing yards to running backs and no explosive plays through four games, and it’s clear that Moss should be avoided.
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3. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
4. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
No. 3 and No. 4 are Dolphins wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. It’s hard to imagine benching Hill, but without Tua Tagovailoa under center, Hill has not been the same dynamic player. Over 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. These two stars are struggling without their quarterback, and it’s best to temper expectations until the Dolphins’ offense finds its footing again.
5. Dallas Cowboys Defense/Special Teams
Rounding out the list at No. 5 is the Cowboys defense. Dallas will be without two of its top defenders, Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence when they face the Steelers. Although Pittsburgh’s offense isn’t elite, they’ve been solid in protecting the ball, allowing just 10 sacks and committing only three turnovers this season. Missing key pass rushers, the Cowboys’ defense could struggle, making them a risky play this week.
While some of these players may have favorable matchups on paper, the reality of their situations suggests that Week 5 could be a tough one for them. Consider leaving these five players out of your starting lineup and look for other options to maximize your points this weekend.
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