Week 5 of the 2026 NFL season will start with a matchup between two teams that are on completely different trajectories to start the season. The Dallas Cowboys are trending up to start the year, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been on a tailspin with no end in sight. Let's look at the key fantasy players in this game and see who you should start in the game.
Buccaneers-Cowboys Fantasy Football Week 5 Start ‘Em
Bucky Irving, RB
Irving is coming off a dismal outing against the Green Bay Packers. He recorded just 61 yards on 14 carries with no touchdowns, and he wasn't targeted in the passing attack, surprisingly. That being said, a 6.1 FPTS outing is unusual for Irving, who was typically relied on in the passing attack before Week 4.
That being said, Irving and the Buccaneers are facing one of the more porous defenses in the league. The Cowboys are also one of the best matchups for skill position players in the league: they rank sixth in most fantasy points allowed to running backs.
Dak Prescott, QB
Yes, the Buccaneers are one of the better teams in terms of fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks. While they aren't in the Top 8 category in that statistic, they are still comfortably in the upper echelon of teams, allowing 15.1 fantasy points to QBs. That being said, that stat is boosted by the fact that they played against two of the worst-performing fantasy quarterbacks in Deshaun Watson and Kyler Murray.
Prescott is more in line with Jordan Love and Joe Burrow. Given Dallas' defense isn't the best, this contest could become a shootout quickly. That should be be more reason to start Prescott this week, especially given his recent performance (QB4 this season with 82.2 points through four games).
Emeka Egbuka, WR
Like the rest of the Buccaneers' offense, Egbuka has been struggling to start the year. He hasn't cracked double-digit fantasy points this year, and he only has one touchdown to his name.
That being said, the target numbers still peg Egbuka as one of the top receivers in this offense. Facing off against the Cowboys (10th most allowed fantasy points to wide receivers) should help out Egbuka get his mojo back.
Buccaneers-Cowboys Fantasy Football Week 5 Sit ‘Em
Jalon Daniels, QB
Jalon Daniels filled in for the injured Baker Mayfield in Week 4, and he did his best as a rookie quarterback. He nearly got 200 yards and completed 19 of his 27 passes along with a touchdown. However, he also threw two interceptions against a struggling Green Bay Packers unit.
The Cowboys are an easy target for quarterbacks to rack up fantasy points. However, don't expect the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback to give you a quality start.
Javonte Williams, RB
Article Continues BelowJavonte Williams has been one of the best-performing running backs in Fantasy Football this season. The Dallas Cowboys running back popped off with 62 rushing yards, five receptions for 21 yards, and three touchdowns against the Houston Texans. It was a good day for Williams.
However, the Buccaneers have also been elite against the run this season. That, combined with a potentially favorable game script for the Cowboys' passing attack, could result in a tough game for Williams.
George Pickens, WR
George Pickens has been quite the boom-or-bust pick in fantasy football this season. While he's been serviceable at best this season, he's also not as consistently good as one might hope after last season. The Cowboys wide receiver had just 9.5 fantasy points this week and was targeted just three times last week against Houston.
With CeeDee Lamb rounding into form after Week 4 and the Buccaneers' airtight defense against wide receivers, it's best to sit Pickens for this week at least.