The game on December 9, 2024, between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium is shaping up to be a huge deal for both squads as they head into the final stretch of the NFL season. With their playoff hopes on the line, fans can expect an exciting showdown under the bright lights of Monday Night Football.
Matchup Overview
Date: December 9, 2024
Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Current Standings:
Bengals: 4-8 (AFC North)
Cowboys: 5-7 (NFC East)
The Cincinnati Bengals are sitting in third place in the AFC North right now. They’ve had a tough go this season, losing their last three games. In those games, they managed to put up 99 points but couldn’t snag a win. On the other hand, the Dallas Cowboys are also in third place, but in the NFC East. They’ve been dealing with their own issues, especially on the offensive side, where they’ve had a hard time staying consistent all season long.
Team Analysis
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are heading into this matchup with a 4-8 record and really need a win to keep their faint playoff dreams alive. Their offense has been a bit all over the place, putting up about 28 points in the last three games but not managing to turn those chances into wins. Some key players to watch are:
Quarterback: Joe Burrow has been a key player for the Bengals, racking up more than 3,000 passing yards this season along with 18 touchdown throws and 12 picks.
Running Back: Chase Brown is at the forefront of the rushing game, racking up 677 yards and scoring 8 touchdowns.
Wide Receiver: Ja’Marr Chase continues to be a top target, racking up more than 900 receiving yards and scoring 7 touchdowns.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are heading into this game with a 5-7 record and are trying hard to keep their playoff hopes alive. Lately, they’ve been a bit inconsistent, particularly on offense, where they sit near the bottom in efficiency stats. Some key players to watch are:
Quarterback: Cooper Rush is now the starting quarterback, but he’s been having a tough time, sitting at the bottom of the rankings for qualified quarterbacks in the EPA+CPOE composite metrics.
Running Back: Rico Dowdle plays a key role in the Cowboys’ running game, racking up more than 750 rushing yards and scoring 5 touchdowns this season.
Wide Receiver: CeeDee Lamb has been battling some injuries, but when he’s good to go, he’s still a top target.
Injuries have hit the Cowboys hard this season, with 17 players showing up on their injury report before this game. Among them are key players like CeeDee Lamb, which could really hurt their offense against a Bengals defense that’s been having a tough time.
Key Matchup: Offense vs. Defense
The Bengals’ offense is probably going to try to take advantage of a Cowboys defense that’s been struggling against both the pass and the run. On the other side, Dallas has to figure out how to put points on the board against a Bengals defense that can be taken advantage of, especially if they can get their running game going right from the start.
Betting Odds
Spread: Bengals favored at -5.5
Moneyline: Bengals -245; Cowboys +200
Total Points (Over/Under): 50 points
Considering how both teams have been performing lately, it looks like the Bengals are favored to win this matchup. Some advanced simulations indicate that Cincinnati has a 67% chance of coming out on top, especially given their strong offense going up against a Dallas defense that’s been having a tough time.
Sports Betting Ace’s Final Score Prediction: Bengals 27 – Cowboys 22
This score takes into account what both teams can do, factoring in injuries and how they’ve been playing lately. The Bengals are likely to make the most of their offensive skills, while Dallas might have a tough time keeping up because of some ongoing problems in their lineup.