Dallas Cowboys' Week 5 disaster demands accountability: 5 players who should be benched

The Dallas Cowboys needed a response in Week 5. Instead, they suffered one of their most embarrassing defeats in recent memory, losing at home to a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that entered Thursday night 0-4 and started an undrafted quarterback.

Three turnovers, costly coverage breakdowns and critical offensive mistakes doomed Dallas. For head coach Brian Schottenheimer , the loss should prompt more than another film session. It should force a hard look at the players who are hurting the team's chances of winning. Benching a starter won't fix every problem, but reducing the playing time of underperforming players would give Dallas a chance to test its alternatives and establish a clearer standard for execution.

1. DaRon Bland, cornerback

DaRon Bland is the clearest candidate for a reduced role after another disastrous performance in coverage. Against Tampa Bay, Bland allowed six receptions for 83 yards, with opposing quarterbacks posting an 85.7% completion rate and a 116.1 passer rating when targeting him. His coverage mistakes repeatedly put Dallas in trouble.

The Cowboys need better play from a cornerback expected to anchor their secondary. If Cobie Durant returns, Dallas should consider giving him more snaps while Bland works to correct his coverage issues. Jerry Jones , however, remains confident Bland can recover.

"He's paid because of how he played in the past," Jones said on 105.3 The Fan , arguing that players who have demonstrated high-level ability should be capable of doing so again if their physical skills remain intact. Bland's past success deserves consideration, but it cannot erase his current struggles. Dallas needs to evaluate him on what he is producing now, not simply what he has done before.

2. Jake Ferguson, tight end

Jake Ferguson's fourth-quarter drop was among the most damaging plays of the night. Dak Prescott's pass went through Ferguson's hands , bounced off his facemask and landed with a Buccaneers defender. The interception killed a Cowboys possession when the offense needed a response.

It was not an isolated concern. Ferguson also lost a fumble in Week 3 against Baltimore , a turnover that proved costly in a three-point defeat. His blocking has been another area of concern.

Ferguson remains a capable receiving tight end, but Dallas should consider giving Brevyn Spann-Ford and Luke Schoonmaker more opportunities. A temporary change would allow the coaching staff to assess whether either can provide more dependable production.

3. Ryan Flournoy, wide receiver

Ryan Flournoy produced his best statistical performance of the season against Tampa Bay, but a costly drop overshadowed his progress. In the third quarter, Prescott delivered a pass that hit Flournoy's hands before bouncing into the air and becoming an interception. Tampa Bay scored a touchdown five plays later, turning the mistake into a major swing in momentum.

Flournoy had been relatively quiet during the first four weeks, so his improved production was encouraging. Still, the turnover showed why Dallas needs greater consistency from its receiving corps. The Cowboys could give offseason standout Camden Brown an opportunity to make his debut. At minimum, Brown should be considered for a roster spot ahead of Jonathan Mingo if the coaching staff believes he offers more upside.

Flournoy's productive night makes this decision less straightforward than Bland's, but Dallas should keep competition open rather than assume the current rotation is working.

4. KaVontae Turpin, return specialist

KaVontae Turpin's explosiveness makes him a valuable special-teams weapon, but his fumble against Tampa Bay was an avoidable mistake. Turpin lost the ball on a kickoff return, giving the Buccaneers possession. Tampa Bay converted the turnover into a field goal, adding to the damage caused by Dallas' other giveaways.

His ability to generate big returns remains important, so removing him from the role permanently would be excessive. But the Cowboys should consider a temporary reduction in responsibilities if his ball security becomes a recurring problem. The priority has to be keeping the football. Turpin's speed cannot compensate for turnovers that give opponents extra scoring opportunities.

5. Von Miller, edge rusher

Von Miller's case is about production rather than one defining mistake. Through five games, the veteran edge rusher has recorded zero sacks and just six quarterback pressures. He also struggled to set the edge against the run in Thursday's loss, leaving Dallas vulnerable to plays outside.

Miller arrived with a decorated résumé, but his impact has been limited. He is averaging just 14.4 snaps per game, and his playing time has declined in each of the past three contests. The Cowboys should consider making him inactive in Week 6 if healthier, more productive alternatives are available.

With so little pass-rushing production, Dallas needs to determine whether those snaps would be better spent developing younger players or giving another defender a chance. Miller's reputation cannot generate pressure on its own. At this point, the Cowboys need measurable contributions.