5 reasons the Cowboys can steal a win over the Bengals in Week 2
By Randy Gurzi
All hope feels lost for the Dallas Cowboys after Dak Prescott was injured in Week 1. A thumb injury that required surgery could have him out for eight weeks — or maybe half as long if they trust the second opinion of renowned surgical guesser Dr. Jerry Jones.
With Prescott sidelined, Dallas is set for a tough matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals coming to AT&T Stadium. It might feel like all hope is lost but there are some reasons to have faith that the Cowboys might be able to steal a win.
5 reasons the Cowboys can steal a win over the Bengals in Week 2
5. Ezekiel Elliott really looked rejuvenated
Every year we hear the same comment — Ezekiel Elliott looks younger and more explosive than ever. Then, when the season begins, he looks as though he’s struggling to make it through the games since he’s getting so banged up.
That wasn’t the case in Week 1 as he really did look much younger than we have seen in recent years. But unlike the years when Elliott was hurting, Dallas seemed to avoid handing him the ball at all costs.
On a night when nothing was working in the passing game, Elliot was given just 10 carries despite the score being close into the third quarter.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott gained between 5 and 7 yards on eight of his 10 carries Sunday vs. Buccaneers. Last year, when limited by knee injury, he went 11 straight games (Weeks 6 to 17) without recording that many gains of 5 or more yards in same outing. Good sign for run game. pic.twitter.com/YlroD18lFP
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 12, 2022
This coming weekend, the Cowboys are going to need Elliott more than ever. The Bengals’ offense is loaded and keeping them on the sidelines will be the best defense. As long as he looks as quick as he did against the Bucs, there’s a chance he does that for them.
Cincinnati did slow down the Ravens’ run game in Week 1, holding them to just 63 yards on 21 rushes, but they were without J.K. Dobbins. Elliott will be the first running back to truly test this run defense and while they were top-5 in yardage last season, he could use that as motivation to prove he still has it.