Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys Point Spread Pick

Jeff Scott
Date: October 9, 4:25 pm
Location: AT&T Stadium
TV: ESPN

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Bengals -1
Total: 45.5

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Cincinnati improved to 2-2 with a dominating 22-7 victory over Miami last Thursday. Dallas went to 3-1 after a 24-17 win at San Francisco last Sunday.
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The Bengals running game was shut down by the Dolphins and they are now averaging a paltry 3.2 ypc. The Cowboys run defense has not been good this year as they are allowing 4.5 ypc. Expect to see a lot of RB Jeremy Hill as he has assumed the lead dog role in the backfield with RB Giovani Bernard relegated to pass catching, a skill he is very adept at. QB Andy Dalton was sacked once last week after hitting the turf 12 times in the first 3 games. Dallas has only 5 sacks through 4 games so expect Dalton to have time to throw. Everybody saw what happens when Dalton has time to throw against Miami as he threw for 296 yards (173 to WR A.J. Green) and a TD with no interceptions. Other than QB Eli Manning (who the Cowboys lost to), Dallas hasn’t exactly faced a Murderer’s Row of QBs this year. Look for their secondary to have trouble containing Green, especially with the improving supporting cast he has around him.
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The Cowboys offense is averaging 25 points per game but they haven’t faced a defense as good as Cincinnati’s yet. They were all over the Dolphins, getting 5 sacks, forcing TOs and holding the Fins to only 62 yards rushing. The Bengals run defense has been stout this season and the return of OLB Vontaze Burfict helps. Cowboys’ rookie RB Ezekiel Elliott went off against the 49ers (138 yards, 6.0 ypc and a score) and will present a real challenge to the physical front seven of Cincy. Rookie QB Dak Prescott continues to impress after another solid outing against the 49ers. He has thrown only 3 TD passes on the year but has set a rookie record with no interceptions in his first 131 attempts. He is also an adept runner so the Bengals d-line has to stay in their lanes and keep him in the pocket. WR Dez Bryant was a no go last week and his status this week is iffy. WR Cole Beasley leads the team in catches but isn’t a player you have to game plan for. The Bengals secondary should do well against an offense without a true No.1 receiver.
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Public Money<br />
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It appears that the betting public is leaning towards the Bengals winning this matchup against Dallas and covering the 1 point spread at 66% confidence. The total bettors are definitively picking a side and that is the over 45.5 with 65% confidence .
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Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys Betting Odds - Free NFL Pick

Dallas has played food football in 2016 but I see this as a big step up in class for them. Dalton is better than any QB they have seen so far, as is Green. Cincinnati must get their ground game going and I believe they can get positive results in this matchup. The Bengals know they have to keep Elliott in check and I expect that to be their main priority. They will want Prescott to try and make plays from the pocket while they give him different looks on defense. With the Steelers and Ravens both at 3-1, this is a game the Bengals can’t lose.

Free Pick: Take the Bengals -1 (JS) Loss
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