Cincinnati Bengals vs. Dallas Cowboys Odds & Predictions

Cincinnati Bengals (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS) vs. Dallas Cowboys (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS)

NFL Football Week 2

Date/Time: Sunday September 18th, 2021. 4:25PM (EST)

Where: AT&T Stadium Arlington, T.X.

TV: CBS

Betting Odds:

Point Spread: CIN -7.5/DAL +7.5 (BAS – Why are you still wagering on NFL games at -110 when you could be laying only -105? HUGE savings and like getting a bonus every time you bet!)

Total: 43

The Dallas Cowboys were embarrassed in the season opener last week in front of a Sunday night audience against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While the embarrassment was mainly aimed at the Cowboys offense which mustered just 3 points, the Cowboys did not look like the playoff-contending team that was fielded last season under Head Coach Mike McCarthy. The pressure was already on McCarthy going into the start of the 2022 campaign, and now McCarthy may need his best coaching effort to date as starting QB Dak Prescott suffered a hand injury that will keep him sidelined for multiple weeks.

When the Cowboys return to action on Sunday at home against the defending AFC Champions, quarterback Cooper Rush is expected to be the starter. In fact, Rush is currently the only other quarterback on the Cowboys roster as Dallas is desperately looking for additions at the most important position on the field. Either way, the Cowboys will be sizable underdogs when they host the Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium this Sunday and likely sizable underdogs for the foreseeable future until Prescott is back under center.

For Cincinnati, there was also some disappointment around their opening performance as well. The Bengals suffered a 23-20 loss to the Steelers in overtime, and it was a game full of ups and downs. The Bengals fell behind 17-3 quickly after QB Joe Burrow threw a pick-6 on his 1st attempt and turnovers remained an issue all day for the Bengals’ star quarterback. After fighting back with the help of WR Jamarr Chase, the Bengals had multiple opportunities to win the game. Placekicker Evan McPherson had a PAT blocked that forced overtime, and McPherson missed another field goal in overtime that would have been a winner. As a result, the Steelers were able to drive down the field and kick a field goal to secure the Steelers’ victory. Needless to say, Cincinnati has a lot to clean up before they are considered an AFC frontrunner on the heels of last year’s Super Bowl appearance.

RB Ezekiel Elliott to be focal point moving forward

While everyone will be talking about Prescott, Rush, and the Dallas Cowboys quarterback dilemma, RB Ezekiel Elliott has been given the opportunity to become the Cowboys focal point once again. After a disappointing 2021 campaign which saw the rise of backup RB Tony Pollard, both tailbacks split time in the opener. While Elliott looked good, the Cowboys did not exactly feed him the ball either. In the weeks upcoming, Dallas will not have the luxury to do anything but feed Elliott. While I am not advocating any less time from Pollard, the only way the Cowboys will survive Prescott’s absence is to feature the power running game. For what it’s worth, the Bengals were solid against the run last year and have the majority of the same defense back again this year. By no means am I insinuating that Dallas will run and will in this game. Instead, I am simply stating that the offense will be forced to run the ball and put Elliott back as the centerpiece.

WR Tee Higgins expected to return in week 2

Aside from the loss to the Steelers, the Bengals offense suffered a scary moment in the opener when WR Tee Higgins was knocked out of the contest with a concussion. Fortunately, Higgins has progressed through the early part of the week, and all early indicators point to his return on Sunday. For Bengals fans, this is encouraging news against an inferior Cowboys offense. Despite a couple of tough turnovers last week, QB Joe Burrow is still an excellent quarterback, and the Bengals have tons of weapons with Higgins, Chase, WR Tyler Boyd, and newly acquired TE Hayden Hurst. Unless Dallas can run the ball far more effectively than I expect, I just don’t see the Cowboys’ defense coming up with enough stops or turnovers to keep the Bengals at bay.

More Picks: Houston at Denver Week 2 Recommended Bet

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Dallas Cowboys Betting Prediction

I know this is a square pick, but sometimes that is the only pick. Expect a lower-scoring game like the Tampa/Dallas Sunday night affair, with the Bengals eventually pulling away.

Jay’s Pick: Take Cincinnati -7.5. Make the Bengals a +11.5 underdog by inserting them into a massive 19 point NFL teaser found at Wagerweb Sportsbook!