Monday night is going to be a test for the Dallas Cowboys.
The Dallas Cowboys have a good chance of extending their win streak to three in a row after back-to-back victories against division rivals, but the Cincinnati Bengals aren’t a team to take lightly despite their 4-8 losing record. This is a team who could give the Cowboys all they can handle and more if they aren’t careful.
Normally playing at home would give the Cowboys a slight advantage, but considering they’ve had only one victory so far this season at AT&T Stadium that may no longer be the case. They are also riding a two-game winning streak, so that should boost their confidence entering this Week 14 matchup as well. But again, Cincinnati shouldn’t be taken lightly.
If the Cowboys want to extend their winning streak to three in a row they will need to win some key matchups this week against the Bengals. Today, we’re going to share with you three big matchups.
RB Rico Dowdle vs. Bengals’ run defense
Rico Dowdle is coming off the best game of his career where he rushed for 112 yards and one touchdown last week against the Giants and will be squaring off against another team that has struggled to stop the run in this Week 14 matchup with the Bengals. Cincinnati is giving up 128.2 rushing yards per game and allowing 4.34 yards per carry. If the Cowboys continue to commit to the running game and Dowdle continues to produce like he has the last couple of weeks, No. 23 could end up with his second consecutive 100-yard game.
LT Tyler Guyton vs. DE Trey Hendrickson
Whether it’s Tyler Guyton, Asim Richards, or Chuma Edoga starting at left tackle for the Cowboys this week, Cincinnati’s DE Trey Hendrickson is a nightmare matchup for them. Hendrickson is currently leading the league in quarterback sacks (11.5) and will look to add to that total against the carousel of blindside protectors Dallas has rolled out so far this year. Whoever ends up starting for the Cowboys will more than likely need some more help to contain the current sack leader, otherwise he could wreck the game by himself.
Cowboys’ secondary vs. WR Ja’Marr Chase
The Cowboys secondary has been decimated by injuries here recently and will be going up against the league’s leading receiver in both receiving yards (1,142) and touchdowns (13), Ja’Marr Chase. This definitely looks like a matchup that heavily favors the Bengals. Even if Dallas’ secondary was 100% healthy, Chase is the type of receiver who can sway the outcome of the game all by himself. To be undermanned against such a dynamic weapon will be something Mike Zimmer will have to accommodate for if Dallas wants to win.
