Dallas Cowboys vs Cincinnati Bengals Picks and Predictions December 9th 2024

Dallas Cowboys vs Cincinnati Bengals December 9th 2024

On Monday, December 9th, the Bengals and Cowboys will face off at 8:15 ET on ESPN. The game, being played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, is a non-conference matchup. The Cowboys are the home team and are +197 on the money line, while the Bengals are favored by -5.5 points with an over/under line set at 50.5 points.

Sign Up now!

Cincinnati vs. Dallas Key Information

• Teams: Bengals at Cowboys
• Where: AT&T Stadium Arlington
• Date: Monday, December 9th
• Betting Odds CIN -240 | DAL +197 O/U 50.5

The Bengals Can Win If…

Heading into week 14, the Bengals are looking to snap a three-game losing streak, which includes a 44-38 loss to the Steelers in week 13. Cincinnati was a 3-point favorite at home, but the loss dropped their record to 4-8. The Bengals now sit 3rd in the AFC North and 15th in our power rankings, giving them just a 2.3% chance of making the playoffs.

Against the spread, the Bengals are 6-6, but they have failed to cover in two straight games. Their O/U record stands at 9-3, with the over hitting in five consecutive games. This includes 82 points in their matchup with the Steelers, easily surpassing the 46-point line.

Joe Burrow has been putting up impressive numbers, with his latest performance in week 13 against the Steelers featuring 309 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and a passer rating of 112. Before that, he threw for 356 yards in week 11 and 428 yards in week 10. However, the Bengals have struggled to protect Burrow, as he has been sacked 10 times in his last three games. Ja’Marr Chase led the team in receiving in week 13 with 6 catches for 86 yards and a touchdown, while Chase Brown had 70 rushing yards on 12 carries.

Heading into week 14, the Bengals rank 6th in our offensive power rankings. They are 5th in the NFL in points per game, averaging 27.9, and they lead the league in passing yards with 264.3 per game. Cincinnati ranks 5th in 3rd-down conversions, with a 45.5% success rate, but they are 23rd in red zone conversion percentage.

In the Bengals’ 44-38 loss to the Steelers, they allowed 520 yards of offense. The Bengals’ defense struggled to defend the pass, giving up 410 yards through the air on 29 completions, with Pittsburgh averaging 10.8 yards per attempt. Despite this, the Bengals’ defense did manage to come up with one interception.

On third downs, the Bengals allowed the Steelers to convert on 44.4% of their chances. Even though they didn’t get a lot of pressure on the quarterback, they did come away with two sacks and two tackles for loss.

• Cincinnati has put together a record of 0-3 in their last three games (regular season). Across these games, their ATS record was just 1-2, while posting an over-under record of 3-0.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Bengals have gone 4-6 straight up. Their record vs the spread sits at 5-5 in these matchups, while posting a 8-2 over-under mark.

The Cowboys Can Win If…

After snapping a four-game losing streak with two consecutive wins, the Cowboys now sit at 5-7. In week 13, they defeated the Giants 27-20, covering the 4-point spread, and in week 12, they beat the Commanders 34-26 as 10.5-point underdogs. Despite these wins, Dallas ranks 30th in our power rankings and has just a 1.1% chance of making the playoffs.

Against the spread, the Cowboys are 4-8 this season, with a -7.6 average scoring margin. Their O/U record is 8-4, with the over hitting in three straight games. Their matchups have averaged 48.9 points, compared to an average line of 45.5.

Heading into week 14, the Cowboys rank 28th in our offensive power rankings. They lead the NFL in passing attempts per game (39.9) and are 7th in passing yards, averaging 236.8 per game. Cooper Rush threw for 195 yards (21/36) and a touchdown in week 13 against the Giants. Dallas is 24th in rushing attempts and 31st in rushing yards, with 85.8 per game. Rico Dowdle had 22 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown in week 13.

Dallas ranks 20th in both points (20.7) and yards per game (322.7). They are 24th in 3rd-down conversions, with a 35.4% success rate, but 2nd in red zone conversions. After scoring 24 points in the 4th quarter in week 12, they were held scoreless in the 4th quarter of week 13.

In their 27-20 win over the Giants, the Cowboys’ defense was impressive, allowing just 131 passing yards. They defended the run well, giving up 116 yards on 21 attempts, and their secondary limited big plays, as the Giants averaged only 4.1 yards per pass attempt. Dallas also recorded six sacks and held the Giants to a 25% third-down conversion rate.

The Cowboys didn’t give up any passing touchdowns and came away with one interception. Despite allowing 247 total yards, their ability to pressure the quarterback and disrupt the Giants’ passing game was a key factor in their defensive performance.

• Across Dallas’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. In these contests, the team went just 1-2 against the spread, while going 2-1 on the over-under.
• Dallas has put together a record of 4-6 in their last ten games (regular season). Against the spread, Dallas went 2-8 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 7-3.

The Lean

Our model has the Cowboys winning this week 14 matchup against the Bengals by a score of 30-19. With the Cowboys coming in as 5.5-point favorites, we actually like them to not only win but cover the spread as home underdogs.

For the over/under, with the line sitting at 50.5 points, we have these teams combining for 49 points, making the under a great pick in this one.

Expert NFL Picks

Cowboys on the Upswing Ahead of Monday Night Clash with Struggling Bengals

The Dallas Cowboys look to extend their late-season surge and strengthen their playoff hopes as they prepare to host the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. Meanwhile, the Bengals, despite their star-studded roster, are in the throes of another losing streak, searching for answers to salvage their season.

Cowboys Finding Momentum at the Right Time

The Cowboys (5-7) are riding a two-game winning streak, including a Thanksgiving victory over the New York Giants, their first home win of the season. With games against teams with losing records on the horizon, Dallas has an opportunity to build on its momentum and inch closer to a playoff berth.

Backup quarterback Cooper Rush has filled in admirably for the injured Dak Prescott, guiding the team to consecutive victories without committing turnovers. Rush’s poised play, combined with an improving defense led by Micah Parsons, has given the Cowboys a renewed sense of optimism.

Parsons, who recently returned from a high ankle sprain, has been a game-changer. With 5.5 sacks over the past four games and 6.5 sacks in eight games this season, he continues to be the driving force behind Dallas’ defense. His ability to pressure quarterbacks will be key against the Bengals’ prolific passing attack.

Bengals: Offensive Stars, Defensive Struggles

The Bengals (4-8) have been a paradox this season. They feature some of the NFL’s top individual performers—Joe Burrow leads the league in touchdown passes (30), Ja’Marr Chase is the top receiver with 1,142 yards, and Trey Hendrickson boasts a league-high 11.5 sacks. Yet, Cincinnati has managed just four wins, largely due to defensive lapses and a mounting injury list.

Cincinnati has allowed 113 points in its last three games, including a 44-38 loss to Pittsburgh last week. Despite scoring 99 points in that span, the Bengals’ inability to protect leads has doomed their season. Injuries have only added to their woes, with key players like kicker Evan McPherson, linebacker Logan Wilson, and cornerbacks Dax Hill and DJ Turner sidelined. Additionally, left tackle Orlando Brown’s absence (fibula) further hampers the offensive line’s ability to protect Burrow.

Burrow, however, remains steadfast. “This is a tough season,” he admitted. “But we’re defined by how we handle adversity. Every game is an opportunity to play for this city, and that’s something I never take for granted.”

Defense a Common Weak Point

Both teams have struggled defensively, ranking 29th in points allowed (28.3 per game). For Dallas, injuries have been a major factor, but the unit has shown improvement in recent weeks. Parsons’ return has bolstered the pass rush, while the potential return of cornerback Trevon Diggs could strengthen the secondary. However, guard Zack Martin is now out for the season due to ankle surgery, adding a new challenge.

The Bengals’ defensive woes are tied to a lack of depth, compounded by injuries to key players. Without leaders like Logan Wilson and Sheldon Rankins, Cincinnati has been unable to contain opposing offenses, even as Hendrickson delivers consistent pressure.

Get Started with Sports Betting

Key Players to Watch

• Micah Parsons (Cowboys): His ability to disrupt Burrow’s rhythm will be crucial. If Parsons can force mistakes, Dallas could take control early.
• Joe Burrow (Bengals): As the league’s top touchdown passer, Burrow must find ways to exploit Dallas’ secondary and avoid Parsons’ relentless pressure.
• Cooper Rush (Cowboys): The backup quarterback has been a steady presence. His turnover-free football has been instrumental in Dallas’ recent success.
• Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals): Cincinnati’s star receiver will challenge the Cowboys’ defensive backs, making big plays downfield a likely game-decider.

Playoff Implications and Final Thoughts

For Dallas, a win would keep their playoff hopes alive in a tight NFC race, while a loss could prove catastrophic. The Bengals, on the other hand, are playing for pride and a chance to prove they are more than their disappointing record suggests.

Monday’s matchup pits two teams with talented rosters but significant flaws. The Cowboys’ recent momentum and defensive resurgence give them a slight edge. However, if Burrow and Chase can replicate their high-flying connection, the Bengals could make this a high-scoring, unpredictable battle.

Prediction: Cowboys 27, Bengals 21.