The Cowboys will be facing the Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) and the pressure is really on the Bengals to come out of this game with a win, since they will be playing the New England Patriots the following week. That still isn’t to say the Cowboys must win this game either. The Cowboys have Green Bay on the road next week, the bye week and possible QB controversy.
Either way this game should promise to be a good one. I’m hoping the Cowboys can continue where they have left off the last two weeks and dictate this game with the offensive line and I assume we will.
There is some thinking that the Bengals run defense is pretty stout, when in fact they just a little above the middle of the pack. The Bengals currently have the #14th best run defense in the league.
Their passing defense, however is #11 in the league and this is were the Cowboys game plan could go awry if they don’t plan accordingly. The Bengals will look to shutdown the running game by leaving more LBs in the box, and hope that their secondary can do enough to limit the Dez-less Cowboys receivers.
Expect to see Jason Witten and Geoff Swaim used heavily in this game as a way to chip the Bengals’ lanky DEs and as a way to provide extra run blocking.
Here are my five keys to victory against the Bengals:
— Feed the beasts
Feed Ezekiel Elliott the ball in the running game and feed Cole Beasley in the passing game. Zeke will have some success against the Bengals run defense and we should see the offensive line continue to gel more and more with Zeke as the lead back. They are hitting a groove and this could mean another century mark for the young back. I’m not so sure Terrance Williams has a decent game against the Bengals and likewise for Brice Butler, so we’ll need to go to Mr. 1st down, Beasley on regularity.
— Pressure Dalton from the middle
If the Cowboys can get in Dalton’s face from the middle of the line, he’ll turn the ball over and get rattled; moreover, this may flush him out to the defensive ends, and we could see a multi sack game from the ends in this game. Bengals, Clint Boling is a bit banged up, so we could see the pressure come from that side. Terrell McClain has been stout against the run and has collapsed the pocket each game.
— Limit A.J. Green
Green is among the true elite receivers in the game, and the Cowboys will have their hands full. The key will be to limit Green. The Cowboys did great job against Odell Beckham limiting him to 73 yards and zero TDs, and this is what the Cowboys will need to do with Green on Sunday. He’ll get his plays, but you need to limit the big splash plays.
— Win the down and distance
The Cowboys have done a nice job converting their 3rd downs in their victories this year, and that has come from the offensive line. We’ve down a nice job in putting the offense in manageable positions to convert on 3rd down. When the Cowboys are in 3 & 7 and above they tend to get off the field sooner than they’d like. If we can pick up decent yardage on 1st and 2nd down, we’re in business.
— Force turnovers
The defense has done just enough in most of our games to not cost us the game, but also enough to let the offense close out the win. This week will be no different, and a key to locking up the “W” will be turnovers. The Cowboys have come up with the ball in several decisive drives, and we’ll need that from the defense again. Good news is that the Bengals have turned the ball over in every game this year and a few multi-turnover games as well. Let’s feast on defense!
Other thoughts:
It’ll be interesting to see who the Cowboys activate on the offensive side of the ball. Tyron Smith is expected to play, but Chaz Green has not practiced this week and listed as questionable. If Smith re-aggravates his injury, who steps in if Chaz is out.
Tyler Eifert will miss the game, so Byron Jones should have a nice day on the job Sunday. Let’s see if he can get us a turnover, I’m calling on him to get the ball this game.
Anthony Brown probably gets another start under his belt and he has down a nice job. You have to wonder if Scandrick will just sit it out until the bye-week.
Demarcus Lawrence returns to the field after serving his 4-game suspension. The Cowboys like him at right end, and I honestly don’t expect much from him as they’ll probably work him into the lineup this week. He’s been a slow starter in previous seasons, but he really needs to show that leap in his 3rd year, we gotta have it.
Geno Atkins vs Zack Martin will be a battle of goliaths, I do however like Martin right now. He is on a tear and still on the upward tick.
Bengals WR A.J. Green is averaging 2.96 yards per route run, the second-best rate for receivers this season. (PFF)
Cowboys RG Zack Martin owns the fourth-best pass-blocking efficiency among right guards. (PFF)
Dan Bailey has missed a FG in his last two games, will he make it three in a row — let’s hope not. Jeff Heath is the emergency kicker for this game. Let’s rack up points and hope this does not come down to a FG, because Bailey is not his automatic self right now.
Blinded by the light 2.0? Sing it with me! just joking… The Cowboys will have the late game at 3:25PM, and this means the sun light could come into play yet again unless Jerry puts the curtains up. Let’s win the coin toss and choose the side of the field wisely.
What are your thoughts on the game? How do you think we’ll win or lose this game? Any concerns with the offensive line or Dan Bailey?
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