On Monday Night Football, the Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) take on the Dallas Cowboys (5-7) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Our Bengals vs Cowboys prediction is for the teams to score more than 49.5 points.
Both teams have been major disappointments. That has led to speculation about the job status of Bengals head coach Zac Taylor and Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy.
Head-to-head, Dallas has a 10-4 record.
Offshore Odds: Cincinnati is Favored by 5.5 Points on the Road
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bengals | -5.5 (-105) | -225 | O 49.5 (-110) |
| Cowboys | +5.5 (-115) | +195 | U 49.5 (-110) |
Cincinnati Tries to Break a 3-Game Skid
The Bengals’ offense has spurts when they seemingly score at will. Their defense has been abominable. So far, they have lost games in which they scored: 25, 33, 38, 34, 27, and 38 points.
That’s difficult to do.
Regarding Taylor, it is important to note that owner Mike Brown is reluctant to burn money and Taylor is signed through 2026. Brown retained Marvin Lewis as head coach for 16 years despite Lewis never winning a playoff game with some excellent teams.
A likelier scenario is that the defense will be revamped and changes are made to Taylor’s staff, but he is retained.
If the team was contending, quarterback Joe Burrow would be a frontrunner for MVP. He leads the NFL in completions, yards, and touchdown passes. He has thrown only five interceptions.
Cincinnati’s problem against Dallas is that the Cowboys are better than average defending against the pass and their defense is as healthy as it’s been all season with ball-hawking defensive back DaRon Bland back from a foot injury. Cornerback Trevon Diggs is questionable with a lower-body injury.
The Bengals’ rushing attack is 27th in the league in yards per game, but that is due more to Taylor’s preference to throw and not due to an absence of backfield talent. Chase Brown is a solid back. To win, they must incorporate the run.
Dallas’ Playoff Aspirations Are Not Dead
Somehow, after losing quarterback Dak Prescott to a torn hamstring and the rampant drama that is as much a part of Cowboys lore as the star on the helmet and the “America’s Team” monicker, they are still breathing in the playoff hunt.
They’re on life support, but they’re alive. Owner Jerry Jones publicly mused about granting McCarthy a contract extension.
If Dallas gets past Cincinnati, they have a winnable game against Carolina in Week 15 to get to 7-7. It is mathematically possible that the final NFC Wild Card spot will be decided in their last game of the season hosting Washington.
They have to beat Cincinnati first.
Can Cooper Rush get into a Texas shootout with Burrow and win?
The key is how well Dallas’ defense holds Burrow’s aerial show in check.
Bengals vs Cowboys Prediction: A Scoreboard Laser Show
Neither team will stop the other from marching up and down the field. They will go well beyond 49.5 points.
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