Macon, Ga. — After a hard-fought, and shocking, loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, the Bengals look to bounce back this week at the depleted Dallas Cowboys. The Bengals entered this season with high expectations, and they are still there despite the loss last week. But this week is a take-care-of-business game against a Cowboys team that is depleted with injuries, a game they have to win to keep those expectations high.
Opening Kickoff Thoughts: This was a marquee game when the schedule came out in May. It was billed as Joe Burrow vs. Dak Prescott, the two quarterbacks who were up for Comeback Player of the Year with Burrow narrowly beating out Dak for the award.
Speaking of Joe Burrow, last week couldn’t have gone worse for him. Yet there he was TWICE putting the Bengals in position to win in the fourth quarter and overtime. I expect a very business-like performance from him and the Bengals this week. He’s pissed off, and so too is the entire team. They know the expectations that are in place, and they know this is a game they need to win to set themselves up for where they want to go.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Dallas Cowboys
Television: 4:25 p.m. on CBS (Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson)
Radio: ESPN1530, 102.7 WEBN, 700WLW (700WLW will join coverage following Reds @ Cardinals)
Bengals on Offense: Despite five turnovers, the Bengals offense still rolled up 432 yards on the Steelers defense. If this offense doesn’t turn the ball over, they are going to be ridiculously good. And the Bengals still did what they did without Tee Higgins for nearly three quarters of the game.
But the biggest downfall from last week’s game was the offensive line, allowing seven sacks. Every member of the offensive line is a player to watch this week, and it’s not just to see if they can protect Joe Burrow. It’s because you never know where Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is going to line up on a given play. The offensive line must account for him and stay in their protections. If they can do that, then that will help keep Burrow upright so he can throw to the horses on the outside.
Cowboys on Defense: Believe it or not, this is the strength of this team. It starts with Micah Parsons, who in just year two is already the face of the defense. But the pass rush also consists of DeMarcus Lawrence and Osi Odighizuwa. And on the back end, cornerback Trevon Diggs is a ball magnet hauling in 11 interceptions in 2021. It’s a defense that lives on its ability to force turnovers, but there’s an element of physicality to this defense that has not been associated with this franchise in a long time.
Cowboys on Offense: A lot of their main players are out, so who do you watch for? I would say the running back tandem of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. If the Cowboys are able to run the football, they can stay competitive in this game. The problem is the Bengals run defense is stout, holding Pittsburgh to just 75 yards on the ground last week.
Bengals on Defense: Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard. If the Bengals two edge rushers can get after Cooper Rush, that’s going to set the tone for this game. The Bengals defense is driven through it’s defensive line with Hendrickson and Hubbard making a difference off the edge. They were quiet in week one (seven tackles, two quarterback hits), but they cannot be on Sunday.
Matchup to Watch: The stars will be out on Sunday when Bengals wide receiver and reigning offensive rookie of the year Ja’Marr Chase goes toe-to-toe with Cowboys all-pro cornerback Trevon Diggs. Chase has proven to be no match for some of the NFL’s best cornerbacks, and his performance last week has him off to a hot start in year two. Diggs led the NFL with 11 interceptions last year with two returned for a touchdown. The last time these two went toe-to-toe was in the 2019 LSU-Alabama game. In that game, Chase cooked Diggs for six catches, 140 yards and a touchdown.
Opposing Quarterback Thoughts: Cooper Rush
Rush has been “rushed” into the starting role with the injury to quarterback Dak Prescott. Don’t think that makes this game easier for the Bengals (again, remember Mike White?) Rush has played in just 11 games with one start in his NFL career. That one start was a win at Minnesota last week on Sunday Night Football, so the moment may not be too big for him.
Preparing for a backup quarterback can be tricky, and the Bengals have struggled against them in years past (remember T.J. Yates)? And the Bengals defense can’t let him get comfortable with a clean pocket and checkdowns. Make him go win the game by putting some pressure on him.
Frankie’s Gameplan to Victory:
1. Protect. The. Franchise. – No further explanation needed, Your Honor.
2. Creative Playcalling – Complaints ruled Twitter and Cincinnati sports talk radio this week about the lack of creativity in the Bengals play calling. There is too much talent on this offense to be predictable. Mix it up when Burrow is under center and in shotgun. And use Chase as a runner out of the backfield.
3. Convert in the Red Zone – The Bengals are a big-play offense. But they have got to finish drives in the red zone. This is where creative playcalling comes into play. You got to be able to finish drives and put points on the board, and not in the form of field goals. Speaking of which, ease the stress of a new kicking operation by scoring touchdowns instead of forcing new long snapper Cal Adomitis into too many field goals.
Where this Game will be Decided: Two areas. First, the Cowboys offensive line against the Bengals pass rushers. If Hendrickson and Hubbard are able to get after Cooper Rush, it’s going to be a long afternoon for Dallas. Second, Chase vs. Diggs. The Bengals offense can win without a big game from Chase. But when Chase goes off, this offense is incredibly hard to stop.
Game pick: Bengals 24 Cowboys 17
I think the Bengals will win because they have more talent and they’re healthier. But this is the NFL, and teams are competitive regardless of their situations. That’s why I think the Cowboys will keep this game close, but the Bengals will prevail in the end.
Let me be Frank and Cut to the Chase 