NFL Week 14 Staff Picks & Predictions: Cowboys vs. Bengals (Part Two)
Every week of the NFL regular season, we ask all of The Landry Hat writers and contributors to submit their picks and predictions for the upcoming Dallas Cowboy game. This week, we asked our experts for their predictions for Sunday’s game between our Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals. To see part one of this story, click here.
Dec 2, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) attempts to catch a fourth quarter pass as San Diego Chargers cornerback Quentin Jammer (23) defends at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Reid Hanson, Staff Writer: Former Cowboys Coach and fan favorite, Mike Zimmer will be excited for this matchup. He holds one of the best linemen in the League in Geno Atkins and will be looking for ways to move him around and create havoc in the backfield. The Cowboys will need to practice misdirection and short passes to neutralize Atkins’ impact on the game. Defensively Dallas must double cover A.J. Green who has already become a top 3 WR in this league. This means single coverage elsewhere and a front 7 scheme designed to limit red-hot BenJarvus Green-Ellis in the run game. Dallas 28, Cincinnati 24 .
Artie Cappello, Senior Writer: I’m more shocked than I should be that most are picking the Bengals to beat the Cowboys this week. Me? I’m more optimistic, if Tony Romo doesn’t force anything, I think the Cowboys can win. That being said I pick the….. Oh, what the heck – I pick the Cowboys in an upset! Dallas 27, Cincinnati 24.
Jeff Federspiel, Staff Writer: The Dallas Cowboys are at a point in their season where they need 3 wins to keep their hopes alive for the playoffs. Their defense has been destroyed with injuries and their offensive line has been poor at best. The Cowboys go to Cincinnati to face a team on a 4 game winning streak with an explosive offense and an attacking defense. I don’t feel good about this at all, but I think the Bengals will be too much for the Cowboys to handle this week. Cowboys 24, Bengals 31.
Mark Lane, Senior Writer – A wet field and a pounding Cincinnati ground game dampen the Cowboys’ playoff hopes. Though the score is closer than it seems, the game always has that feel of being insurmountable. Romo tries to carry the offense without a rushing attack but can’t and is summarily blamed. Cowboys lose 17-6.
John Lavin, Staff Writer: The Dallas Cowboys end the Cincinnati Bengal’s winning streak in a close one. Cowboy’s kicker, Dan Bailey, makes a late fourth quarter field goal for the win. Dallas 23, Cincinnati 20.
Todd Toombs, Senior Writer: I’ve tried to analyze this game every which way to find an angle that indicates the Cowboys have a chance to win against the Bengals. I just can’t find one other than “on any given Sunday…”. Anything is possible which is why they play the actual games. But, the Bengals are a likely playoff team. They aren’t the Eagles. Would love for the Cowboys to prove me wrong. But once again I don’t think Jason Garrett will have this team ready to play. I see us falling behind early and making a comeback that falls short. We will have to hope the Saints rise up and beat the Giants and the Ravens take care of the ‘Skins to keep us in the hunt. Bengals 35, Cowboys 31.
Brad Austin, Senior Writer: The Bengals aren’t Super Bowl contenders, but they are a solid wildcard type team with a chance to get a playoff win. Looking around both the offense and defense, they really are a solid, balanced group with few glaring weaknesses. Getting the ball down field on deeper routes to Miles Austin and especially Dez Bryant would have been the mismatch areas. However, the weak Cowboys o-line and ferocious Cincy pass rush will shut that window quickly. The Cowboys match-up VERY unfavorably to a strong, balanced team like this but won’t go down without a fight. Both times Dallas was considered outclassed and given little chance to win (Baltimore, Atlanta), they came out swinging and almost stole the show. Bengals 27, Cowboys 23.
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