Jinxx13x
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Alright fellow Cowboy Fans. The Bengals are coming to town ! I keep hearing how the Cowboys haven't been tested and the Bengals will be the first test, while some think this is a automatic loss for us. I would argue that this game is a far closer matchup then most would think.
First Let's look at some historical stats on Bengals after a bye week:
Bengals Record coming off bye week all time is - 62 wins - 54 loses - 2 ties
Bengals Record coming off bye week under Marvin Lewis is - 4 wins 7 loses 1 tie (that is subpar but does it really mean anything? )
Bengals have 1 win - 5 loses playing the Cowboys away from the Jungle - they last won here in 1988 ( does this change our home field advantage which most would agree we don't have. It seems to be there vs the Bengals.
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The Matchup Via Stats:
Offensive:
Cowboys hold a slight edge in Yards per Game - 395 - 378 = Basically Tie
Bengals hold edge in Passing Yards per Game - 291 - 246 = Edge Bengals
Cowboys hold edge in Rushing Yards per Game - 149 - 80 = Edge Cowboys
Cowboys hold edge in TOP 35:20 - 30:35 = Edge Cowboys
Cowboys hold major edge in 3rd down conversion% 50% - 28% = Major Edge Cowboys
Defensive:
Bengals hold slight edge in Yards allowed per game - 322 - 358 = Basically Tie
Bengals hold edge in passing yards allowed per game - 225 -263 = Edge Bengals
Cowboys hold slight edge in rushing yards allowed per game - 94.8 - 97.5 = Basically Tie
Cowboys hold slight edge in PPG allowed = 19.2 - 20.5 = Basically Tie
Bengals hold slight edge in 3rd down percentage allowed - 36 - 43 = Basically Tie
Dallas holds slight edge in T/O +3 to +1 = Basically Tie
Key Players to Watch:
1) Of course Andy Dalton and AJ Green - like every team when they face the Bengals AJ Green is the main weapon and Daltons BFF just like Witten is to Romo - AJ Green is a great receiver and always has the ability to do damage if not game planned for.
2) Jeremy Hill - Worries me just a tad, he averages 3.8 yards per rush but is a Big Back who has speed. If we lose it would be IMO because Hill has a huge day. He needs to be controlled !
3) Tyler Eiffert - Is listed as doubtful for game but most think he will play and be available for the first time this year. He is talented and helps there offense in the redzone. If he plays he will not be 100% but he will draw attention for sure thus taking away from our ability to focus more on AJ Green.
4) Vontaze Burflict - Is back for his 2nd game since his suspension so the rust may be off not to mention he is the attitude of there D
5) Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap - Both have multiple sacks this season and should be schemed for but i worry less since our Offensive Line is the strength of this team.
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Where I believe we can and will take advantage and the keys to victory:
Run Game - EE has clearly improved each and every week the game is slowing down for him and you can see it - Leary replacing Collins is a luxury other teams would kill for - he affords us 0 loss in terms of talent at that position and some would argue Leary is better. Possible return of Tyron Smith would put us in great position to dominate the LOS.
Secondary - Some are like what ? but hear me out - we held our own vs Giants 3 headed WR's and the Skins bevy of WR's - I believe they are deeper at the Wr position then the bengals AJ Green catches the majority of the passes. We seem to handle OBJ pretty well every time we play him. So if we apply the same plan of action we use on OBJ to Green it will force Branden Lafell to try to beat us or a less then 100% Tyler Eiffert to pick up the slack.
Dak Prescott - Has the ability to control the game with his poise and leadership he methodically marches this cowboys team down the field time and time again to get points. He doesn't turn the ball over and goes through his progressions like a seasoned vet. He also adds another dimension by being able to run when things breakdown. Cole Beasley should have a huge game the slot corner for the bengals has been struggling this year. If Dez returns this week it will just be more for the Bengals to worry about.
Momentum - Cowboys are on a 3 game win streak and it should be 4. Cowboys continue to roll even with key personal loses all over the roster. There is a different feeling for sure with this team a quiet confidence exuding from our new 4th round pick QB - Bengals are 2-2 and not playing IMO as good as they should. Marvin Jones and Sanu were huge loses for this team and i think that shows.
I would argue that Dallas has every right/reason to feel confident vs. the Bengals. This will be a hard fought close game but i think the Cowboys will prevail because our running game will dictate everything. Make no mistake though we should not be written off in this one & this will not be a Bengals Blowout.
So i say - COWBOYS IN A CLOSE ONE
What say you ?
First Let's look at some historical stats on Bengals after a bye week:
Bengals Record coming off bye week all time is - 62 wins - 54 loses - 2 ties
Bengals Record coming off bye week under Marvin Lewis is - 4 wins 7 loses 1 tie (that is subpar but does it really mean anything? )
Bengals have 1 win - 5 loses playing the Cowboys away from the Jungle - they last won here in 1988 ( does this change our home field advantage which most would agree we don't have. It seems to be there vs the Bengals.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Matchup Via Stats:
Offensive:
Cowboys hold a slight edge in Yards per Game - 395 - 378 = Basically Tie
Bengals hold edge in Passing Yards per Game - 291 - 246 = Edge Bengals
Cowboys hold edge in Rushing Yards per Game - 149 - 80 = Edge Cowboys
Cowboys hold edge in TOP 35:20 - 30:35 = Edge Cowboys
Cowboys hold major edge in 3rd down conversion% 50% - 28% = Major Edge Cowboys
Defensive:
Bengals hold slight edge in Yards allowed per game - 322 - 358 = Basically Tie
Bengals hold edge in passing yards allowed per game - 225 -263 = Edge Bengals
Cowboys hold slight edge in rushing yards allowed per game - 94.8 - 97.5 = Basically Tie
Cowboys hold slight edge in PPG allowed = 19.2 - 20.5 = Basically Tie
Bengals hold slight edge in 3rd down percentage allowed - 36 - 43 = Basically Tie
Dallas holds slight edge in T/O +3 to +1 = Basically Tie
Key Players to Watch:
1) Of course Andy Dalton and AJ Green - like every team when they face the Bengals AJ Green is the main weapon and Daltons BFF just like Witten is to Romo - AJ Green is a great receiver and always has the ability to do damage if not game planned for.
2) Jeremy Hill - Worries me just a tad, he averages 3.8 yards per rush but is a Big Back who has speed. If we lose it would be IMO because Hill has a huge day. He needs to be controlled !
3) Tyler Eiffert - Is listed as doubtful for game but most think he will play and be available for the first time this year. He is talented and helps there offense in the redzone. If he plays he will not be 100% but he will draw attention for sure thus taking away from our ability to focus more on AJ Green.
4) Vontaze Burflict - Is back for his 2nd game since his suspension so the rust may be off not to mention he is the attitude of there D
5) Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap - Both have multiple sacks this season and should be schemed for but i worry less since our Offensive Line is the strength of this team.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where I believe we can and will take advantage and the keys to victory:
Run Game - EE has clearly improved each and every week the game is slowing down for him and you can see it - Leary replacing Collins is a luxury other teams would kill for - he affords us 0 loss in terms of talent at that position and some would argue Leary is better. Possible return of Tyron Smith would put us in great position to dominate the LOS.
Secondary - Some are like what ? but hear me out - we held our own vs Giants 3 headed WR's and the Skins bevy of WR's - I believe they are deeper at the Wr position then the bengals AJ Green catches the majority of the passes. We seem to handle OBJ pretty well every time we play him. So if we apply the same plan of action we use on OBJ to Green it will force Branden Lafell to try to beat us or a less then 100% Tyler Eiffert to pick up the slack.
Dak Prescott - Has the ability to control the game with his poise and leadership he methodically marches this cowboys team down the field time and time again to get points. He doesn't turn the ball over and goes through his progressions like a seasoned vet. He also adds another dimension by being able to run when things breakdown. Cole Beasley should have a huge game the slot corner for the bengals has been struggling this year. If Dez returns this week it will just be more for the Bengals to worry about.
Momentum - Cowboys are on a 3 game win streak and it should be 4. Cowboys continue to roll even with key personal loses all over the roster. There is a different feeling for sure with this team a quiet confidence exuding from our new 4th round pick QB - Bengals are 2-2 and not playing IMO as good as they should. Marvin Jones and Sanu were huge loses for this team and i think that shows.
I would argue that Dallas has every right/reason to feel confident vs. the Bengals. This will be a hard fought close game but i think the Cowboys will prevail because our running game will dictate everything. Make no mistake though we should not be written off in this one & this will not be a Bengals Blowout.
So i say - COWBOYS IN A CLOSE ONE
What say you ?
