Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 6, 2024, 8:20 ET
Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
Network: NBC Peacock
Dallas Cowboys
Quarterback
Dak Prescott: Sit
Dak Prescott has been a top-ten quarterback just once this season. He heads into Week 5 as my QB14. The Steelers are among the top five in fewest points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Prescott is a safe bet to throw for 200 yards, but I wouldn’t expect much more than that against TJ Watt and company.
Running Back
Rico Dowdle: FLEX Option
Ezekiel Elliott: Sit
The Cowboys don’t have an option for you when it comes to running back. Rico Dowdle is my RB32 for the week, and Ezekiel Elliott falls to RB50. If you are rostering Elliott, it is safe to drop him. If you roster Dowdle, keep him on your bench for now unless you are in a bind with a running back on bye. Last week’s matchup for Dowdle was on the easier side, and you can’t expect that output again this week against a stout Steelers defense.
Wide Receiver
CeeDee Lamb: Start, WR1
Brandin Cooks: Sit
Jalen Tolbert: Sit
CeeDee Lamb had his best game of the season against the New York Giants last week, eclipsing 100 total yards for the first time in 2024 and scoring a touchdown. Lamb will have to face Minkah Fitzpatrick, Joey Porter Jr., and company in Week 5 who held the Colts to less than 200 yards through the air last week. It comes to both Brandin Cooks and Jalen Tolbert, both are off the radar for fantasy this week but should see 4/5 targets each. Consider them both low-ceiling and floor options, as neither player has been able to get much going with any sort of reliability.
UPDATE: If you are in deep leagues and need to look ahead, Tolbert looks to be taking over the WR2 role for this team going forward with Cooks missing Week 5 and possibly more with an infection in his knee.
Tight End
Jake Ferguson: Start, TE1
Jake Ferguson is one of the safest options at the tight end position right now as the number two option in this offense. He should continue to see 8-12 targets per game, which should keep him in the top eight tight end conversation each and every week.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Justin Fields: Start, QB1
As things stand right now, it appears we’re looking at another Justin Fields start for the Steelers. It looks to be Fields’ team for the foreseeable future, and he has been a QB1 each of the last two weeks. The Cowboys have been league-average against opposing quarterbacks but are prone to giving up plays to mobile quarterbacks. Expect Fields to once again use his legs in this one as he cracks my top ten at the position this week (QB6). Historically we have seen Fields start to use his legs more and more as the season goes on and this is a prime spot for him to do so.
Running Back
Najee Harris: Start, RB2
Jaylen Warren: Sit
The Steelers’ running back room is not going to win you your matchups each week but they can provide you with some floor plays. I would be hesitant to use Jaylen Warren if he plays this week but, Najee Harris is a low-end RB2 as he faces one of the worst teams in the league against opposing running backs in the Dallas Cowboys. Get ready for a heavy dose of Harris and Fields this week.
Wide Receiver
George Pickens: Start, WR3/FLEX
George Pickens is going to lead the Steelers in target share every week, that is all but guaranteed. The problem comes with how run-heavy this offense is under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. You can expect Pickens to dance between 5-8 targets per game depending on the game script, and that just is not enough to be counted on as more than a WR3 or FLEX in fantasy football.
Tight End
Pat Freiermuth: Start, TE1
Pat Freiermuth had his best game of the season posting just shy of 60 yards and a touchdown. It is not sexy, but for a position that has been underperforming on the season, Freiermuth provides a high floor for fantasy managers in a bind. He slides in as my TE8 this week mostly as a volume play as the Steelers may need to once again rely on him more than normal.