.png)
Another week, another one-score loss, such is the 2024 Bengals season. It's depressing in many ways but, but the chief one has to one we can't answer- "How good would this Bengals team be with even an average defense?" We won't know, and maybe it's better not to, the "what ifs" will make you crazy.
This week is another winnable game against a team that is also playing out the string but has managed to win a couple of games the last two weeks, the Cowboys. Since Dak Prescott went down just over a month ago with a hamstring injury that required season-ending surgery the Cowboys have turned to Cooper Rush, a seventh-season backup out of Central Michigan who, to this point, has been relegated to injury fill-ins and mop-up duty. Rush hasn't been the reason the Cowboys have a two-game winning streak, but he's also not the reason they have been losing tossing five touchdowns to only a single interception since taking over.
Regardless, the Cowboys have been scoring points, the twenty points they allowed to the Giants last week was the best showing the 'Boys have had since they allowed seventeen to the Steelers in Week Six. The last time the Bengals allowed that few points was in the middle of October. I don't know how this game plays out, but I'd take the over.
Bengals (4-8) @ Cowboys (5-7)
Kickoff - 8:15p ESPN/ABC/ESPN+
Line - Bengals -5.5 O/u 49.5
Series - Dallas leads 10-4
Last matchup - Dallas 20-17 September 18, 2022 in Dallas, TX
Looking Ahead
With playoffs a no-go in Cincy this season, we'll look ahead over the remaining weeks at what positions the Bengals may be targeting in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Bengals are a team with many pluses right now—a legitimate franchise quarterback, an "S-tier" receiver, a solid offensive line, and a defensive end who is leading the league in sacks. Unfortunately, they also have several minuses and I'm not sure which ones need to be addressed first. so, with my non-professional eye, I'm saying that the Bengals' biggest needs (in order) are: EDGE, CB, OT, DL, WR, RB, and S.
I'm starting with EDGE this week and, much like this Browns who are finding (or should be) a bookend for Myles Garrett, I believe the Bengals will be targeting an EDGE rusher with their first pick. With the Myles Murphy pick of a couple of years ago looking more and more like a bust (though some simply believe he needs to be turned loose and let his athleticism show) I feel it's like the Bengals can help the pass rush and the secondary by getting someone other than Trey Hendrickson who put fear into an opposing lineman. After all, if you have to cover for less time as a corner instead of four, five, or six seconds (or, god forbid, longer) you're going to be better.
The Bengals are being slotted in the tenth position in multiple drafts so that's where we're starting at. While it's likely that at least one team ahead of them will be eyeing an EDGE rusher of their own if you're picking in the Top 10 you probably have a lot of problems.
For those that read the Browns/Steelers preview you know what's coming, but I'll throw a twist in here. We've seen how teams value running backs, or rather DEvalue them in the draft for several years. Two years ago we saw teams, specifically the Falcons and Lions, unafraid to take a running back in the early first round and those players have been HUGE for their teams since. With that said, I believe that during the evaluation process teams will recognize the potential of Ashton Jeanty and that he could well be the Bengals' first-round selection.
If an EDGE rusher is on tap for the Bengals' first-round selection it will likely be one of these three players.
Nic Scourton (Texas A&M) - A transfer from Purdue, Scourton would be a great addition as an end who can set the edge and be a menace to opposing QBs.
and as a bonus, here's him matching up against fellow first-rounder Will Campbell of LSU.
My second pick is a bit of a shoehorn here as I'm not entirely sure how he would fit into the Bengal's defensive scheme, but I believe he has the frame (6'5") to put on enough weight to be an effective end or at least be a third down "package" end.
Mykel Williams (Georgia) - A very athletic EDGE with powerful hands, scouts feel he's scheme-diverse, but I like to see guys play where they did in college, and Williams was mostly aligned at LB.
The last of the top EDGEs is one Big 10 fans are probably glad to see go in-
Abdul Carter (Penn State) - Carter feels more like someone who is going to need to stay at LB but could still impact the pass rush. He's going to be compared to Micah Parsons (who you'll be watching tonight) for a lot of reasons, but mostly because they share a build and a school, and they both began as Mike linebackers. This, I feel, is an over-correction on the part of scouting departments after not recognizing Parson's skillset in the 2021 Draft.
Bits and Baubles
This is the Bengals second 3-game losing streak this season. The Bengals have the 2nd best touchdown percentage inside the Red Zone (71.1%), while the Cowboys have the 2nd worst (53.8%).
The last time the Cowboys and Bengals played it was also under Cooper Rush under center for Dallas after taking over for an injured Dak Prescott. Dallas has four sacks in the last four games.
Injury Report
Bengals
Sheldon Rankins - DT - OUT (Illness)
Orlando Brown Jr. - OT - OUT (Fibula)
Logan Wilson - LB - OUT/IR (Knee)
Evan McPherson - PK - OUT/IR (Groin)
Charlie Jones - WR - Questionable (Groin)
Cowboys
Tyler Guyton - OT- Questionable (Ankle/Knee)
Trevon Diggs - CB - Questionable (Knee)
Juanyeh Thomas - S - OUT (Knee)
Josh Butler -CB - OUT (ACL tear)
Zach Martin - OG - OUT (Ankle)
Fantasy Advice
There's not a lot of advice I can give you with the Bengals, the receivers are dominant, Chase Brown has a stranglehold on the RB1 spot, and Mike Gesicki will occasionally show up and be a player in the offense.
If you can still get Rico Dowdle as your RB, do so, but it's likely after Thanksgiving's game against the Giants that he'll be on someone's roster. Cooper Rush may be a potential fill-in, especially given that the Bengals' defense has been atrocious this year.
Prediction
Bengals 35-31
Kommentare