Welcome everyone. It’s another beautiful Sunday afternoon in Dallas, with clear skies and a very nice temp in the mid-70s. It’s perfect for some NFL football. The Cincinnati Bengals have traveled to town to meet the Dallas Cowboys for their 11th game against each other.
I’m sure you all know exactly where things stand this week, from Jeff Heath being added as the backup kicker to A.J. Green and the challenge he presents for Morris Claiborne and the Dallas secondary.
The Cowboys are currently 3-1, having won their last three games after a rough outing and close loss to the Giants on opening day. Rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott have looked better each game they’ve played and are starting to look like the real deals. Elliott is even the NFL’s leading rusher coming into this week. Dez Bryant will likely miss another game, Tyron Smith is still having issues, and Dan Bailey seems to be pushing through his issues enough to kick a few this afternoon.
The Bengals are currently sitting at 2-2 on the season and haven’t played the Cowboys since 2012, when they lost 20 to 19. In a rare matchup today, the Bengals are looking to walk away with their third win of the year and have unfamiliarity on their side. The Bengals aren’t the same team we played in 2012.
But enough with the stuff you already know. Today’s game is going to be interesting, we get that. So let’s get to the picks.
Ian Koplowitz | @BleedingTheStar
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I’d love to be wrong here. But this is the first opponent on our schedule that actually has a very solid team. The banged up left side of the line may show a little too much against this high powered Bengals defensive line. I’m not sure we’ll be able to do what we need to do on the ground to pull out the win.
Cowboys 17 – Bengals 27
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Brian Martin | @Bmart0204
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The Cincinnati Bengals might just be the most complete team the Dallas Cowboys have played thus far in 2016. I think we will finally get the first glimpse of what this year’s squad is made of in all three phases of the game. I expect a close game but I think the Cowboys can squeak by and come away with a victory in their last home game before the bye.
Cowboys 24 – Bengals 21
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Kevin Brady | @Kevinbrady88
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This is going to be a tough one. Defensively, the Cowboys have to deal with A.J. Green, but I expect their improved secondary to play better than most do. The return of DeMarcus Lawrence results in some increased pressure on Andy Dalton, and the Cowboys offensive line wins at the line of scrimmage despite the tough match up. Dan Bailey wins it, bad back and all, to get the Cowboys to 4-1.
Cowboys 26 – Bengals 23
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Sean Martin | @ShoreSportsNJ
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The Ezekiel Elliott hype train is about to take off and never look back, as the Cowboys will outscore the Bengals with their rookie RB and rookie QB Dak Prescott. I see Dallas sustaining long drives, and finishing them off with touchdowns, allowing the defense to do just enough late in this game to secure the win. DeMarcus Lawrence forces a fumble at some point in the win.
Cowboys 31 – Bengals 21
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John Williams | @John9williams
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The Cincinnati Bengals continue to struggle scoring touchdowns and the Dallas Cowboys rushing attack leads the way to their fourth straight victory.
Cowboys 24 – Bengals 20
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Justin Grohowski | @Grohowknowhow
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It’s time to finally see if the 2016 Dallas Cowboys are for real as they face off against a truly complete team. Dallas’ offensive line has gotten better with each passing week, and so has Ezekiel Elliott. This group alone allows the team to dictate games on their own terms, and they continue that trend again today against Cincinnati. DeMarcus Lawrence is back, and the pass rush shows some signs of improvement here. For as good as Morris Claiborne has been, A.J. Green gets the better of him in this one. Dak Prescott makes just enough plays in the passing game, and the team pulls out a close one down the stretch. Brice Butler has a big game here, and Dan Bailey sinks the game winner.
Cowboys 27 – Bengals 26
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RJ Ochoa | @RJOchoa
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This is a great litmus test for the 2016 Cowboys. The Bengals are unarguably the best team they’ll have faced this season, but with an offense that can move the ball slowly and methodically – taking time off the clock – it’s hard to bet against Siegfried and Roy, aka Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott.
Cowboys 27 – Bengals 23
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Bryson Treece | @BrysonTreece
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The Bengals are a team we rarely face, who have improved greatly since we last faced them, and who happen to be the best team we’ve played this year, so far. Their defense and offense pack some punches these Cowboys haven’t yet gone up against, and I expect some struggles early. I expect some struggles middle and late, too. But in the end, I’ve got the ‘Boys coming away with the W. Continued clock management with Zeke Elliott and decisive play by Dak Prescott to go on the run and spread the ball around. Brice Butler will score today.
Cowboys 24 – Bengals 21
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I don’t think anyone really knows what to expect today. The Bengals are capable of being 3-1 and the Cowboys are just as capable of being 2-2, if not for luck of the draw. So we’ll just have to wait and see how Dallas handles the stiffer competition.
As always, stay safe, drink responsibly, and LET’S GO COWBOYS!!!
