Not many could have imagined that the Super Bowl runner-ups and a 12-win team from a season ago would both be 0-1 heading into Week 2. Now, both clubs look to turn things around against one another to avoid going 0-2.
Only 12% of teams starting 0-2 from 1990 to 2019 made the playoffs. Who will come out ahead on Sunday? Read on for a breakdown of the Cincinnati Bengals vs. Dallas Cowboys matchups, the key injuries, and game predictions from our NFL staff.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Dallas Cowboys preview
The Bengals entered the season with a ton of expectations. They worked to improve their roster in the offseason, particularly on the offensive line. After making an improbable push to the Super Bowl, making another playoff run is now the expectation in Cincinnati.
Losing to Pittsburgh was unexpected, but Joe Burrow won’t have five turnovers very often — if ever again — in his career. However, it’s worth keeping an eye on his performance over the next few weeks, given he is returning from appendicitis and may not have all of his core strength back yet.
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Meanwhile, the Cowboys were never supposed to be as good as a season ago. They allowed significant talent to leave the premises in the offseason and were starting the season off without Michael Gallup. Now, with Dak Prescott out for an extended period, the Cowboys have little hope for success.
Even with Prescott, the Cowboys’ offense was nonexistent against Tampa Bay. They finished with the worst EPA-per-play outing of the week, and similar production will likely continue with Cooper Rush at the helm.
Bengals vs. Cowboys prediction
Betting line (courtesy of Caesars)
Bengals -7; Bengals -355, Cowboys +278; O/U 41.5
Adam Beasley’s prediction
8-8-1 straight-up, 8-9 against the spread in 2022
Bengals 23, Cowboys 7
Dalton Miller’s prediction
9-7-1 straight-up, 8-9 against the spread in 2022
Bengals 23, Cowboys 7
Dallas Robinson’s prediction
9-7-1 straight-up, 6-11 against the spread in 2022
Bengals 21, Cowboys 10
How to watch Bengals vs. Cowboys
- Date/Time
Sunday, Sept. 18, 4:25 p.m. ET - Channel
CBS - Live stream
CBS All-Access, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV
Bengals vs. Cowboys matchup and stats
The interconference matchup between the Cowboys and Bengals does not happen often. In fact, it’s only occurred 13 times since 1973. However, they met relatively recently. The two teams faced off in December 2020, and the Cowboys won 30-7.
Overall, Dallas has dominated the series, going 9-4. But due to recent events, the Cowboys probably won’t be able to continue their dominance.
Cincinnati Bengals 2022 stats/rankings
- Scoring: 20.0 (t-17th)
- Yards: 432.0 (fifth)
- Yards per play: 4.6 (26th)
- Passing: 299.0 (fifth)
- Rushing: 133.0 (10th)
- Defensive scoring: 23.0 (t-21st)
- Yards allowed: 267.0 (sixth)
- Yards per play allowed: 4.38 (fourth)
- Pass defense: 192.0 (ninth)
- Rush defense: 75.0 (seventh)
Dallas Cowboys 2022 stats/rankings
- Scoring: 3.0 (32nd)
- Yards: 244.0 (30th)
- Yards per play: 3.81 (30th)
- Passing: 173.0 (27th)
- Rushing: 71.0 (27th)
- Defensive scoring: 19.0 (t-ninth)
- Yards allowed: 347.0 (15th)
- Yards per play allowed: 5.6 (19th)
- Pass defense: 195.0 (11th)
- Rush defense: 152.0 (25th)
Injuries to know
- DT Josh Tupou (shin, questionable)
- TE Devin Asiasi (quad, questionable)
- WR Tee Higgins (concussion, questionable)
- S Tycen Anderson (injured reserve)
- C Ben Brown (injured reserve)
- RB Elijah Holyfield (injured reserve)
- DE Khalid Kareem (injured reserve)
- OT Isaiah Prince (injured reserve)
- CB Cam Taylor-Britt (injured reserve)
- LB Joe Bachie (physically unable to perform)
- S Brandon Wilson (physically unable to perform)
- QB Dak Prescott (thumb, out)
- WR Michael Gallup (knee, out)
- DE Tarell Basham (thigh, out)
- S Jayron Kearse (knee, out)
- OG Connor McGovern (ankle, out)
- OT Tyron Smith (injured reserve)
- LB Davante Bond (injured reserve)
- TE Ian Bunting (injured reserve)
- LB Damone Clark (non-football injury list)