In a matchup of underperforming teams, the Cincinnati Bengals will face the Dallas Cowboys this Monday night. The Bengals enter the contest with a 4-8 record, clinging to the faintest hope of making the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Cowboys stand at 5-7, grappling with the absence of their starting quarterback, Dak Prescott, amid a disappointing season. Kickoff for the game is set for 8:15 pm EST.
Continue reading for insights on the Bengals-Cowboys game.
Bengals Struggling to Find their Offensive Rhythm
The Cincinnati Bengals find themselves on the brink of playoff elimination with a 4-8 record and just five games remaining in the season. Their recent performance was marked by a 44-38 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at home, which further compounded their struggles. This defeat left the Bengals with a disappointing 1-5 record at home and a mere 1-3 in divisional matchups.
The Bengals’ defense faltered significantly against a Steelers offense that has been average at best. They allowed a staggering 520 total yards, with 414 yards coming through the air. Despite recording two sacks and four tackles for loss, the defensive unit was overwhelmed. Germaine Pratt and Akeem Davis-Gaither each contributed with 13 tackles. On the offensive side, quarterback Joe Burrow displayed glimpses of brilliance, completing 28 of 38 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns. However, he also fumbled twice and threw an interception, which proved costly. Running back Chase Brown added to the score, and wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Andrei Iosivas each caught touchdown passes.
“It’s hard to process. We can’t seem to find a way to win right now,” Chase stated, reflecting on their ongoing difficulties. “Our margin for error has been slim for a while now.”
The Bengals face a dire situation; even winning their remaining games may not guarantee a playoff berth. They must start with a victory in Dallas, which is critical for their aspirations. The Bengals boast the fifth-best scoring offense and ninth-best total offense in the NFL, yet they rank 20th in rushing. They have the top passing attack in the league and are second in red zone efficiency. Conversely, their defense has been a weak point, ranking 31st in scoring defense and 27th in total defense. They are effective against the run, sitting at 12th, but struggle against the pass, where they rank 27th. Their red zone defense is a concern too, landing at 30th, while they are 29th in sacks per game.
Key Injuries: OT Orlando Brown Jr. is doubtful, while DT Sheldon Rankins, WR Charlies Jones, WR Ja’Marr Chase, and OT Amarius Mims are questionable.
Cowboys Refusing to Give Up Hope
A few weeks ago, the Dallas Cowboys appeared to be in disarray. Following the loss of quarterback Dak Prescott for the season and giving up 34 points in consecutive home games to Philadelphia and Houston, their playoff hopes seemed bleak. However, the Cowboys rallied to defeat the New York Giants at home, winning 27-20 on Thanksgiving Day, marking their second consecutive victory and keeping their playoff dreams alive at a 5-7 record.
In their recent win, the Cowboys accomplished feats they struggled with earlier this season: running the ball effectively and making crucial defensive plays. Running back Rico Dowdle achieved over 100 rushing yards for the first time in his career, finishing with 112 yards and a touchdown. On defense, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown made a significant impact with a timely interception, returning it 23 yards for a touchdown. The Cowboys amassed 317 total yards while limiting the Giants to just 247 yards and forcing them to go only 3-of-12 on third down.
“We really needed that victory to build momentum,” said quarterback Cooper Rush, reflecting on their comeback. “Everything is starting to come together, and we’re feeling good.”
For the Cowboys, maintaining their winning streak is essential to keeping their playoff hopes alive. A second consecutive win at home would provide a significant boost. With time to rest, they aim to capitalize on their recent success, despite facing injuries to key players like CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys currently rank 21st in scoring and 20th in total offense, and their rushing game is among the worst in the league at 31st, even after Dowdle’s breakout performance. They sit in 7th place in passing efficiency. Defensively, they rank 29th in scoring defense and 26th in total defense, while being 28th against the run but respectable against the pass, sitting at 13th. They struggle in the red zone, ranking last, and are 9th in sacks per game. This season, they also rank 27th in turnover margin.
Key Injuries: LB DeMarvion Overshown, CB Trevon Diggs, LB Nick Vigil, TE Jake Ferguson, and WR CeeDee Lamb are all questionable.
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