The Jets host the Cowboys at MetLife with a rare 0-4 start on the line, facing a Dallas squad hit by injuries and a recent 40-40 tie. New York leans into a run-heavy game plan to blunt Dallas' offense, while leveraging tight ends Mason Taylor and Jeremy Ruckert as reliable mismatches to free Garrett Wilson. Dallas’ edge hinges on pressuring Zach Wilson and forcing turnovers, a task the Jets hope to flip by pressuring Dak Prescott and stifling the Cowboys’ aerial attack.

Key x-factors include the Jets’ revamped run scheme led by Hall with depth charts reshuffling around Khalil Herbert, and the defense seeking its first takeaway of the season. If Sauce Gardner locks down George Pickens and the Jets create negative plays, they can control the pace and keep Prescott off schedule. The Cowboys must compensate for Lamb’s absence and protect their fragile rotation along the line while the Jets’ pass rush tries to tilt the balance in a tense Week 5 showdown.

Braelon Allen’s 8–12 week IR stint tightens the Jets’ backfield, pushing Justin Fields into a more prominent Week 5 role and elevating Jarvis Brownlee as he arrives in a high-stakes matchup against Dallas. Sauce Gardner faces a pivotal test and New York’s front office is openly exploring trades, including calls around Breece Hall, as the Cowboys visit for a critical early-season game. Expect multiple dynamic wrinkles and a few rookie breakouts in a game that could redefine non-Rodgers-era fantasy value for NYJ.

Jets vs Cowboys in Week 5 centers on the Jets’ aim to start fast and fix a leaky pass defense, while Dallas leans on Prescott’s air attack even if Lamb is limited. Jarvis Brownlee makes his Jets debut, potentially reshaping the boundary depth. If Lamb sits, George Pickens could rise, and Chicago Fields is cited as a benchmark for the Jets’ passing efficiency. Expect a run-game element to influence fantasy upside and game script.

Fantasy angles hinge on target share volatility, defensive stops, and potential turnover leverage. The Jets’ ability to contain Dallas’ aerial punch and the Cowboys’ willingness to lean on the pass will drive value for QBs, pass catchers, and backfield options depending on health and situational script.

Brandon Stephens delivered a notable Week 4 breakout for the Jets, showing improved coverage and strong tackling as New York battled Miami. He allowed just two yards on two targets, added seven tackles and a pass breakup, and posted a career-best coverage grade. The performance came amid a roster shuffle that could keep him in the mix even with Brownlee nearing health.

With Jarvis Brownlee potentially reclaiming snaps, Stephens’ fantasy impact rests on sustaining this level of play and the Jets’ defensive workload. For IDP and CB-streaming managers, this is a promising sign that Stephens can be a viable, if not steady, contributor in the near term, especially in favorable matchups.