It’s Week 5, and we have a new matchup to kick off the new week. Last week, the Browns and Steelers went head-to-head, and we got good fantasy performances. Browns running back Quinshon Judkins was solid as both a rusher and a passer, scoring 21.6 fantasy points on a 17/53/1 while adding six catches on seven targets for 43 yards. I was a little hard on Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, but if you did slide him in as a flex player, he gave you 16.5 fantasy points. Rodgers was also a hit, scoring 22 fantasy points. If there was one miss from last week’s game, it was Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth. He didn’t do much with five targets, putting up only 17 receiving yards. But he did have three grabs and a touchdown, giving fantasy managers 10.7 fantasy points.
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Now that the Buccaneers and Cowboys are on the docket, let’s see who should be hitting the lineup for Week 5.
Thursday Night Football Fantasy Preview
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs will be without starting quarterback Baker Mayfield this week as he continues to work his way back from a hand injury. With Mayfield out, rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels will get the start. Daniels played last week against the Green Bay Packers, and it went about as well as you would expect for a rookie quarterback. Daniels finished the game with 148 passing yards and a touchdown. He did throw two interceptions and averaged 5.5 yards per attempt. To his advantage, Daniels faces a Cowboys defense that allows 28 points per game and ranks third in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Daniels has some rushing upside, as he rushed for 55 yards against the Packers, another weakness for the Cowboys defense against mobile quarterbacks. Daniels is a big gamble for fantasy production in single QB leagues.
Bucky Irving is another startable player this week against the Cowboys. The Bucs will look to help their rookie QB out by leaning on the run, and Irving is just as dangerous as they come at the running back position. Irving is averaging 11.8 fantasy points per game but has slowed down over his last two games. The Cowboys have allowed 22 fantasy points to opposing running backs per game heading into Week 5. That is tied for 14th with the Las Vegas Raiders in fantasy points allowed to the position. Things get trickier when you look at pass catchers for the Bucs. Emeka Egbuka, Ted Hurst, and Chris Godwin are the top options, but only one might be a sure thing. Chris Godwin was the beneficiary of the most targets against the Packers, leading all Bucs receivers in targets with seven. Because Daniels isn’t pushing the ball downfield, Godwin seems to be the best option to see the majority of targets. Otherwise, I’m probably leaving most of these guys on the bench. If I do have to start one, Godwin might be the best option. Otherwise, wait for Baker Mayfield to return before plugging these guys back into your lineup.
Same goes with Cade Otton. Otton saw six targets against the Packers but only managed 37 yards. With 7.7 fantasy points in Week 4, you would be better off finding a better option at tight end to play this week. What makes this disappointing is that the Cowboys are giving up 15.3 fantasy points per game to tight ends. Because the Bucs have to rely on a rookie quarterback starting in his second game, he might not be able to reach that line.
Dallas Cowboys
The real question for the Dallas Cowboys is who shouldn’t you start? Dak Prescott is on a heater after posting big numbers against the Houston Texans defense in Week 4. Prescott is averaging just over 20 FPPG and finished with 18 fantasy points last week. The Bucs may be tough against quarterbacks, allowing just 15 FPPG to the position. Prescott, however, is in a whole different tax bracket. Javonte Williams is also another player you will likely put in your lineup this week. The Bucs are allowing just 17.8 FPPG. The Texans were even better at 17.3 (sixth-fewest), but that didn’t stop Williams from punching in three touchdowns with 62 yards behind them. Williams use in the passing game will also help him out for PPR. Williams caught all five of his targets against the Texans for an additional 21 yards.
CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are also startable players (duh, right?). This week, George Pickens could be the guy to go off. With the Texans rolling coverage Pickens way, CeeDee Lamb went off for 17 catches (21 targets) for 189 yards and a touchdown. If the Bucs plan to copy that kind of defense, it will be a long day for them. Pickens has yet to score a touchdown so far this season, but he’s long overdue for one. The Bucs are allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers. But the Bucs will be without safety Antonie Winfield Jr., which could open up the Cowboys’ passing attack even more.
Jake Ferguson could also be in play this week. The Bucs have allowed the sixth-most yards to opposing tight ends at 68 yards per game. The Bucs are also allowing nearly 18 fantasy points per game, the eighth-most among fantasy defenses.
Final Thoughts
The Bucs are looking for their first win of the season, while the Cowboys aim to keep things rolling on offense and defense. The Bucs will have a hard time going up against the Cowboys, who sport an offense that can dump a bunch of points on you at once. Starting most of the Cowboys’ players for fantasy is a must. Most of those players are linchpins for fantasy rosters. The Bucs may not be able to keep up with the Cowboys once the game gets going. I would avoid using Bucs wide receivers for now. Baker Mayfield is what helps make the Bucs offense go. Until he can get back to throwing, it may be best to keep those receivers on the bench instead of in your lineup. Bucky Irving may be the safest play, as he will get a few targets out of the backfield to help him remain viable. On paper, the Bucs are punching up for fantasy in this one.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 5 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
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