Dallas signals defensive tweaks for Week 7 vs Washington: a shift toward more man-to-man coverage, potential increased snaps for Liufau and Shemar James, and a refreshed edge rotation led by Ezeiruaku. The aim is sharper pass defense, deeper safety usage by Juanyeh Thomas, and a leaner, more focused rotation at end.

Dallas fell 30-27 to Carolina as its offense kept pace but the defense continues to lag, creating weekly fantasy volatility. Prescott showed elite upside with three TDs and a 120+ rating for a third straight game, yet a red-zone fumble and late checkdowns cost the Cowboys a win. Carolina controlled clock and capped the night with a game-winning FG after a lengthy final drive. Pickens flashed big-play potential for fantasy previews while the Cowboys’ run defense remains a concern.

Rico Dowdle gashed his former team, rushing 30 times for 183 yards, adding 56 receiving yards and a TD as the Panthers upset the Cowboys 30-27. He warned Dallas to buckle up, then delivered with violent, decisive runs that stamped the game plan. Dallas’ run defense faltered again, yielding 360 yards on 60 carries across Jets and Panthers. Panthers coach Dave Canales praised Dowdle’s plan-taking yards mindset, while Dowdle and his ex-Cowboys peers kept the tone light but pointed.

Nik Bonitto now leads the NFL with seven sacks, underscoring a true breakout and making him a matchup-proof IDP core in 2025. Carolina reshuffles at linebacker, elevating Trevin Wallace over Christian Rozeboom, signaling a shift that could boost Wallace into more formats. Week 5 waiver targets rise across teams: Dorian Williams and Shaq Thompson in Buffalo, Wallace in Carolina, Shemar James in Dallas, Elandon Roberts in Las Vegas, and K.J. Britt and Juanyeh Thomas stepping into larger roles in Miami and Dallas. Arizona’s page highlights Josh Sweat’s sleeper upside if he can approach full-time snaps, while the Ravens and Cardinals present deeper stream options. The overall IDP landscape tightens as teams juggle roles and opportunity through Week 5 and beyond.

Dak Prescott threw four touchdown passes as Dallas defeated the Jets in Week 5, while George Pickens delivered a standout moment by tossing a TD on a trick play. Jake Ferguson continued his scorching start to 2025, and the Cowboys’ O-line held its own despite four starters missing. This performance reinforces Dallas’ high-end fantasy ceiling and signals a versatile, multi-fryer offense moving forward.