Cowboys vs Bengals: 3 daring predictions for Monday’s matchup

After a 10-day layoff, the Dallas Cowboys return to motion on Monday night time as they host the Cincinnati Bengals. That is mainly an elimination sport for each groups, so it figures to be a aggressive contest.

Earlier than the 2 groups sq. off, listed below are three daring predictions for the matchup.

Photograph by Cooper Neill/Getty Pictures

1) Joe Burrow continues his dominant season, throwing 3+ landing passes for the fifth-consecutive sport

Once you take a look at Joe Burrow’s season stats, it’s arduous to consider the Bengals have a 4-8 report. The previous number-one general choose resides up the the billing, having the perfect season of his younger profession. Burrow leads the NFL with 30 landing passes and three,337 passing yards with simply 5 interceptions.

The 27-year-old quarterback has recorded 9 multi-touchdown video games on the 12 months, together with throwing three or extra in a single sport six occasions. Burrow is high six within the NFL in EPA + CPOE (0.159), EPA/Play (0.214), CPOE (4.8), and Success Charge (52.1%).

Burrow has been removed from the rationale why the Bengals are all however out of playoff rivalry. He and the Bengals’ offense have scored 30 or extra factors in a sport six occasions this season, however have only a 2-4 report in these video games. If Cincinnati didn’t have such a foul protection, Burrow could be a near-lock to take house this 12 months’s MVP award.

This week Burrow ought to proceed his dominant season towards a Cowboys’ protection that has struggled towards high offenses. The signal-caller places collectively one other nice efficiency, throwing three or extra landing passes for the fifth consecutive sport.

Photograph by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Pictures

2) CeeDee Lamb information a season-high 150 receiving yards

As talked about above, the Bengals’ protection as a complete has been atrocious this season. Cincinnati has given up the fourth-most passing touchdowns (22) and sixth-most passing yards (2,892) within the league. In addition they have the third-worst defensive success charge (47.35) and fourth-worst defensive Rush EPA (0.023) and Dropback EPA (0.140).

When Cincinnati’s protection has struggled, the Bengals haven’t received video games. When the Bengals have given up 26 or extra factors, they’re 0-7. Once they’ve given up 25 or fewer, they’re 4-1. If the Cowboys can rating three or extra touchdowns on this sport, they need to have shot at strolling away with a win.

One in all Cincinnati’s largest issues on protection this season has been slowing down the opposing group’s high receiving threats. Under are among the finest receivers the Bengals have confronted this season and the way they’ve accomplished towards Cincinnati’s protection.

Zay Flowers = 7 receptions, 111 yards
Terry McLaurin = 4 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD
A.J. Brown = 5 receptions, 84 yards
DeVonta Smith = 6 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD
Ladd McConkey = 6 receptions, 123 yards
Jakobi Meyers = 8 receptions, 105 yards

This bodes very nicely for Dallas’ high wideout CeeDee Lamb. The 25-year-old has been a bit quiet the previous two weeks, however that can change Monday night time. Lamb places on show top-of-the-line performances of his profession, recording 150+ receptions yards on 11 receptions.

Photograph by Wesley Hitt/Getty Pictures

3) Each groups mix to attain 60+ complete factors

There’s going to be loads of offense on this sport. The O/U complete for the matchup at present sits at 49.5, and the groups are going to soar previous that complete.

For the primary time in weeks, the Cowboys face a protection that they need to have the ability to transfer the ball via the air towards. CeeDee Lamb and Dallas’ receivers will constantly have favorable matchups, permitting Cooper Rush to get the ball out shortly to open receivers.

We’ve seen what the Bengals’ offense has accomplished this season, even towards among the higher defenses within the NFL. Dallas’ protection is enjoying significantly better, however they nonetheless are a unit that has its fair proportion of points. Burrow and firm will reap the benefits of this, utilizing their dynamic passing assault to harm Dallas via the air.

This sport turns into one of many extra entertaining Monday Evening Soccer matchups of the season as each offenses mild up the scoreboard.