The Cowboys find themselves in a similar position - and underdog at home. Only this time, they actually have the better record of the two teams. Dallas is 5-7 after winning two straight games and play host to the 4-8 Bengals, who still have some of the best offensive weapons in the NFL.
Can the Cowboys win three straight games, including two in a row at AT&T Stadium. Will the return of Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland help slow down the Bengals' two dynamic receivers?
Let's see what the staff writers predict for Monday's game.
Patrik: This is a tough one to call. On one hand, the Bengals' defense is abhorrent and that is not an exaggeration. That unit is statistically one of the worst not only this season, but in the history of the league and most certainly over the past five NFL seasons. On the other hand, Joe Burrow and his band of unmerry men are torching scoreboards, and you have to defend every blade of grass against them. Even if Trevon Diggs returns to finally form the trio with DaRon Bland and Jourdan Lewis, the task is tall. If he doesn't, it becomes that much more daunting. That means the name of this game, for the Cowboys, will to control time of possession with an offensive rushing attack (hi, Rico) and to play off of that to neutralize the only weapon the Bengals have defensively (Trey Hendrickson) and Burrow's onslaught by keeping him on the sideline. Do that, and you eek out a third consecutive win. Don't do it and you'll get 50 points dropped on your head, and this Cowboys' offense isn't one that's shown it can win that kind of a shootout. My prediction will be based on one thing and one thing only: the Cowboys' hammering at them with Dowdle and sacking Burrow at least three times. If they don't, it's gonna get ugly. 24-21, Cowboys
Tommy: I could realistically see this game going so many different ways given the roller coaster that both of these teams have been on this season in their own respective ways. At the end of the day, I'm going with the givens about both of these teams: Dallas' defense is getting some of their best players back, and the Bengals offense can score points against the best of them. Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase have been on a tear this year, which is no different from what they've been able to do during their time together in both Cincinnati and Baton Rouge. If Dallas gets Trevon Diggs back, then we get to watch a fantastic chess match between Burrow, Chase, and Tee Higgins against Diggs, DaRon Bland, and Jourdan Lewis. Even in that case, I still like the Bengals because they can outscore this Cowboys offense even with their defense being one of the worst in the league. If Dallas wants to win this game, it'll have to be by controlling the clock and getting Burrow down to the ground. I don't think they'll be able to do that enough to win, so give me the Cincinnati in this one. Bengals 31, Cowboys 21.
Nick: I might end up regretting this one - wouldn't be the first time this year. But I've done enough podcasts over the years, and I've done enough interviews with other media members to know how the Cowboys don't ever get the benefit of the doubt. If they lose games, it's a huge story and no one cares if they had a key injury or three along the way. No excuses right? And if you try and hint that maybe the Cowboys are a little better than this 5-7 record, you'll get the Bill Parcells "you are what you are" line. And he's right, you always are what you are. But for some reason, the 4-8 Bengals don't apply here? I get it, Burrow is having a great season and he's got two great weapons to throw to. But didn't he have them two years ago vs. Dallas? I know every season is different but Burrow was throwing to Higgins and Chase back in 2022 and scored 17 points and had 199 passing yards. The Cowboys - also playing with Cooper Rush - managed to win the game with Noah Brown as the leading receiver. This time around, as the Bengals might be playing better, the record doesn't show it. And this is Rush's fifth start of the season and he's got better weapons around him than he did last time. And just like that game, Micah Parsons has to wreck the game again. I'm sorry, but if the Cowboys are going to make any kind of run here in December, go beat a 4-8 team at home. I'll go Dallas, 28-27.
Mickey Spagnola: This is a difficult task having to deal with Bengals QB Joe burrow Monday night. So, to defeat the guy who leads the NFL in passing attempts, completions, yards passing and passing touchdowns (30) the Cowboys not only are going to need to apply immense pressure on Joe, but also score some points. Score touchdowns, not kick field goals. My gut tells me in order to win this game the Cowboys must score 34 points. A tall order but the 4-8 Bengals, by the way still 5陆 point favorites on the road against a team with a better record (5-8), have given up more than 33 points six times this year, going 2-4. Bottom line.
