5 reasons the Cowboys can steal a win over the Bengals in Week 2

4. Cooper Rush won’t be intimidated

With Prescott likely out for the next two months, Cooper Rush will get several starts. In his career, he’s had just one previously which came in 2021. With Prescott out due to a calf injury, the Central Michigan product played in a Sunday Night Football contest against the Minnesota Vikings.

Rush entered that Week 8 game with just three career passes but played as though he was a seasoned veteran. He hit on 24-of-40 attempts for 325 yards with two touchdowns, including a game-winner to Amari Cooper.

In the Week 1 loss to Tampa Bay, Rush replaced Prescott and completed 7-of-13 passes for 64 yards, and had one play to forget. With CeeDee Lamb wide open downfield, Rush put too much air on the ball and it sailed past the intended target. If that throw was more accurate, Dallas wouldn’t be entering Week 2 without a touchdown to their name.

That shouldn’t be the norm this week, because Lamb and Rush did have a solid connection in 2021. In fact, Lamb hasn’t recorded a 100-yard game since the Minnesota game last year when Rush was the quarterback.

The rapport between the two is just one reason for Rush to feel confident in the starting spot. He’s also spent several years in this system, giving the coaching staff enough faith in him to open up the entire playbook.

He won’t be as good as Prescott, but he’s not going to be afraid and that could keep the offense moving in the right direction.