Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals at Cowboys: Preview, Predictions, and More

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Cincinnati Bengals vs Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys enter their NFL Week 5 matchup with three straight wins, their most recent against the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday by a 24-17 score. The Cincinnati Bengals have two wins this year, including a win last Thursday over the Miami Dolphins. They’ll clash at AT&T Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Both teams have been very competitive to start the year. However, the Bengals through the first four games have played a tougher schedule compared to the Cowboys. Cincinnati’s rushing game isn’t what it needs to be, and they still could be without tight end Tyler Eifert, who suffered a setback in practice this week.

The Cowboys are battling injuries as well, with kicker Dan Bailey and offensive tackle Tyron Smith battling back issues, while Dez Bryant also has an injured knee. Cowboys owner and general manager, Jerry Jones, seems to think Bailey and Smith will play this week.

Cowboys Keys To Victory

1. Keep grinding the football: Ezekiel Elliott has rushed for over 130 yards in each of the past two games. For the Cowboys to have success, they need Elliott to keep gaining yards on the ground.

2. Dak Prescott staying close to mistake-free: Through four games, the rookie quarterback of the Cowboys has stayed close to mistake-free with over 130 pass attempts without an interception. He’s also not made any costly turnovers, but he’s been more than a game manager, too.

3. Keep Cincinnati one-dimensional: It is no secret the Bengals haven’t had much of a run game this season with Jeremy Hill having a team-high 221 yards on 58 carries. Hill is averaging 3.8 yards per carry and has three touchdowns to go with that. If the Cowboys can stop Hill, they have a good chance for a fourth straight win.

Bengals Keys To Victory

Continue to pass to A.J. Green: This might be the most basic key to winning for the Bengals, but it is the most important for them. Green has 468 yards on 32 receptions with two touchdowns on the season.

Stop the Cowboys rookies: There are two players on the offense of the Cowboys who, if stopped, will make the win for the Bengals obtainable. If Cincinnati can stop Prescott and Elliott, they will win this game, no doubt about it.

Improve the running game fast: The Bengals are 28th in the league in rushing, averaging just 80 yards per game. That won’t do in the NFL, especially playing in the AFC North. If this stat doesn’t get better this week, it could spell doom for Cincinnati. The Cowboys’ rush defense is 11th in the league, allowing 94 yards per game.

Odds

Point Spread: Cincinnati -2
Moneyline: Dallas +115 , Cincinnati -135
Over/Under: 45.5

Prediction

One of two things will happen with this game. The Cowboys could continue to grind away with their running game, control the clock and win a close game. However, the other possibility will be the Bengals’ passing game will be way too much to handle for the defensive of the Cowboys and gain the win. As far as what will actually happen, the latter seems more likely.

Pick: Dallas Cowboys: 21, Cincinnati Bengals: 35