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Week 14 of the NFL season brings us a clash between two teams with fading playoff hopes as the Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) travel to Dallas to face the Cowboys (5-7) on Monday, December 9, at 8:15 PM ET, airing on ABC/ESPN. While both teams sit below .500 and are likely out of the postseason race, this matchup promises plenty of fireworks, as the Bengals boast one of the league’s most electrifying offenses and the Cowboys look to build on recent momentum.
Despite their struggles in the standings, the Bengals offense has been a consistent bright spot. Quarterback Joe Burrow leads the NFL with 264.3 passing yards per game, orchestrating an attack that ranks fifth in scoring offense (27.9 points per game). His connection with star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has been spectacular. Chase leads the league with 1,142 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, and his 79 receptions rank second in the NFL.
Adding to the Bengals’ firepower is the emergence of second-year running back Chase Brown, who has proven to be a versatile threat on the ground and in the passing game. Brown’s dynamic play complements the Bengals’ aerial assault, making them a difficult team to contain offensively.
However, Cincinnati’s defensive struggles have undermined their offensive output. Ranked 27th in total defense, the Bengals have often been forced into shootouts, as evidenced by last week’s 44-38 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. If the Bengals want to leave Dallas with a win, they’ll need to make critical stops on defense – something they’ve struggled with all season.
The Cowboys are coming off back-to-back wins, including a 27-20 Thanksgiving victory over the New York Giants, which marked their first home win. However, Dallas is navigating life without starting QB Dak Prescott, who is out for the season. Backup QB Cooper Rush has taken the reins and has been serviceable, but the Cowboys offense lacks the explosiveness it had under Prescott.
Still, WR CeeDee Lamb remains a standout weapon for Dallas. Lamb has continued to show why he’s one of the league’s premier receivers, but the lack of consistent quarterback play has hindered his ability to truly take over games. The Cowboys also lean on an improving ground game, led by RB Rico Dowdle, to try to control the tempo and keep their defense off the field.
Speaking of defense, Dallas ranks 26th in total defense, struggling to contain opposing offenses, especially through the air. Against a Bengals team that thrives on the passing game, the Cowboys’ secondary will need to step up to avoid a repeat of previous high-scoring losses.
This matchup is shaping up to be a high-scoring affair, with both teams boasting potent offenses and porous defenses. For the Bengals, the game plan will revolve around Burrow and Chase, as well as utilizing Brown to keep the Cowboys defense guessing. On the other side, Dallas will likely rely on Dowdle to establish the run and set up Rush for easier throws.
The key matchup to watch will be Ja’Marr Chase vs. the Cowboys’ secondary. Can Dallas slow down the league’s leading receiver, or will Chase add another big game to his résumé? Additionally, both defenses will be under the spotlight, as their ability (or inability) to get stops could determine the outcome.
With Joe Burrow at the helm and Chase amid a dominant season, the Bengals’ star wideout is poised for another big performance. Dallas’ defensive struggles against the pass make this a favorable matchup for Chase to shine on Monday Night Football. Expect plenty of fireworks in what should be an entertaining contest.
Zach has been a published sports writer since 2018 specializing in college football & basketball, MLB and NFL content for multiple publications.