Cincinnati Bengals vs. Dallas Cowboys Prediction: Teams With High Expectations Look to Shake Off Opening Losses

Dak Prescott-less Cowboys host Joe Burrow and the Bengals.

Author:
Matt Josephs (Mid Major Matt)
Publish date:
Sep 16, 2022

Before the season, this game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys could have been deemed a Super Bowl preview. Circumstances have changed, and both teams enter the contest 0-1, although the Cowboys' future has dimmed with the loss of quarterback Dak Prescott for an extended period.

These two teams played each other just two years ago with the Cowboys winning 30-7. Neither team had much of a playoff future back then, combining for six wins at the time as the quarterbacks were Andy Dalton (Dallas) and Brandon Allen (Cincinnati).

Week 1 was a tough way to start the season for the Bengals as the Steelers blocked what would have been the game-winning PAT with no time left. Later, the usually reliable Evan McPherson missed on a 29-yard field goal attempt in overtime. He was successful on a 59-yarder in the first quarter, but an injury to long snapper Clark Harris impacted the entire kicking operation throughout the game and played a big role in Pittsburgh's 23-20 win.

Joe Burrow wasn't at his sharpest, either. He threw four interceptions in the game, including on his first pass attempt of the season, which Minkah Fitzpatrick turned into a pick-six. Burrow also lost a fumble as he was constantly under pressure from the Steelers' defensive front even after reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt left with a pectoral injury. Cincinnati's defense did its part, holding Pittsburgh to just 75 rushing yards and 192 through the air.

Meanwhile, Dallas was outclassed by Tampa Bay in a disappointing 19-3 home loss on Sunday night. Prescott suffered a thumb injury that required surgery, and backup Cooper Rush didn't fare any better against the Buccaneers' stiff defense. The Cowboys attempted 42 passes compared to just 18 runs, a balance that won't work with Rush at quarterback. The defense did a good job keeping Tom Brady and the passing game in check, but Leonard Fournette finished with 127 rushing yards on 21 carries (6.0 ypc).

Cincinnati (0-1) at Dallas (0-1)

Kickoff: Sun Sept. 18, 4:25 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Live Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)
Spread: Bengals -7.5
Tickets: As low as $49 on SITickets.com*

Three Things to Watch

1. Intangibles
It's a very small sample size at this point, but the rebound factor is in full effect for both teams. Cincinnati will play four of its next five games on the road, including trips to Baltimore and New Orleans in this span. There also will be a new long snapper introduced with Clark Harris set to miss extended time due to a biceps injury. That may not seem like a big deal, but just take a look at last week's game film and ask McPherson about Harris' absence. For Dallas, the Prescott injury is extremely deflating, but the Cowboys have a chance to send a statement to their fans and the rest of the league that they are still a threat to make noise without him. Things don't get any easier for Mike McCarthy's team, either, with three of the next four on the road, including games against the Rams and Eagles.

2. Cooper Rush
Rush, who went undrafted in 2017 after a prolific career at Central Michigan, will be making his second career start on Sunday. The first one came last season when he filled in for Prescott (out with a calf injury) against Minnesota in Week 8. He finished that game with 325 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, leading the Cowboys to a 20-16 come-from-behind road victory over the Vikings. That was by far the most playing time he's seen in the league, although he's plenty familiar with this offense, so there shouldn't be much change to the game plan. Running the ball more effectively and pass protection will be critical because Rush isn't the most mobile of signal-callers and the beat-up offensive line gave up four sacks last week.

Left tackle Tyron Smith (torn hamstring) is already out for an indefinite period, and guard Connor McGovern is expected to miss multiple games after suffering an ankle injury on Dallas' first drive of the season. Cincinnati's pass rush isn't as fierce as Tampa Bay's, but regardless, the Cowboys' O-line will be far from full strength. Wide receiver Michael Gallup could be reaching the end of his recovery from last season's torn ACL. He has been able to take part in practice this week, albeit in a limited fashion. His return would give the passing game a much-needed boost but it may be too optimistic to count on him for this week.

3. Shake it off
We'll see which team abides by the classic Taylor Swift song as both got punched in the mouth early last Sunday. There were a lot of expectations for Cincinnati and Dallas entering the 2022 campaign and at least in the Bengals' case, those goals can still be achieved. Even in a losing effort, Ja'Marr Chase and Joe Mixon had fantastic games last week, so the hope is that the offensive line will improve after a miserable Week 1 performance and that Burrow can cut down on his mistakes. Declarations that the Cowboys are already done this season after Prescott's injury is all that anyone is talking about when it comes to Dallas, so it's a matter of how the team responds. The defense did its job for the most part last week and this unit is capable of carrying the load during Prescott's absence. Micah Parsons sacked Tom Brady twice and was virtually unblockable against Tampa Bay. He'll have to be a force once again this week.

Final Analysis

I just can't see the Bengals moving to 0-2 on the season. McPherson is not going to miss an extra point again, and Burrow is unlikely to turn the ball over so much. I do think the Cowboys will cover the spread. I know Dallas' offense is weak, and so is their head coach, but I think the defense can keep the Cowboys in this game and at least make things interesting to start the fourth quarter.