NFL schedule Week 5: Which teams have a bye this week?

It’s the first official week of byes in the NFL regular season. Here’s a look at who won’t be playing in Week 5.

Week 5 of the NFL season brings us the first round of official bye-weeks. The Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers had their bye weeks in Week 1, but they were moved because of the events of Hurricane Irma. From Week 5 to Week 11, every other team will have a bye-week.

It’s a time for teams to rest and rejuvenate after the first quarter of the season. By this point, players are already banged up and most teams are desperate for some time off. Luckily, four teams get to do that this week.

Here’s a look at the teams who are off in Week 5.

NFL Week 5 byes

Atlanta Falcons (3-1)

Denver Broncos (3-1)

New Orleans Saints (2-2)

Washington Redskins (2-2)

All four teams deserve much needed rest after the first quarter of the season. The Saints especially, coming off a trip to London last week. They’re the first team this season to use their bye week the week following a trip across the pond.

Each team comes into the bye week in pretty good shape. The Saints come off a shutout win over the Dolphins and the Broncos came out victorious in a divisional matchup against the Oakland. The Redskins lost on the road to a tough Chiefs team and and the Falcons dropped a very winnable game against the Bills. Either way, both of these teams are still very much in the playoff picture going forward.

Most people only concern themselves with bye-weeks for their fantasy football teams, but it’s an important component of a team’s success during the season. A 16-game schedule is grueling and it’s really the one time teams can catch a break. Any other week they’re playing on a short schedule or recovering from the week before.

Next: Best NFL games of Week 5: Pats, Bucs meet in Color Rush showdown

We’ll be looking to see how these four teams fare coming off a bye in Week 6.