It may be a year late, but the Cincinnati Bengals are counting on their top two picks from the 2017 draft class to transform the offense. The Bengals were dead last in total yards last season and the hope is that John Ross and Joe Mixon are ready to be a bigger part of the equation. Ross, the ninth overall selection, missed most of last season dealing with injuries and is close to being labeled a bust. Mixon led the team in rushing in 2017, but Cincy is looking for more than the 626 yards he amassed. The two were bright spots last week and they look to continue their resurgence against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2 of the preseason.
This contest in Week 2 of the preseason will go down Saturday, August 18, 2018, at 7 p.m. ET at ATT Stadium. The game will be televised live on NFL Network.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Cincinnati Bengals +3
Dallas Cowboys -3
Over/Under 41
Odds Analysis
We have a straightforward opening line for this Week 2 matchup with the Cowboys favored by the standard field goal for home field advantage. Both teams covered last week and the Boys have won three straight and five of their last six preseason home games. After both clubs cashed the over last week, the total opened at 41.
Quarterback Rotation
The Bengals were pleased with their offensive performance in last week’s win over the Bears, but that doesn’t mean they’ve overcome the issues that had them last in yards per game in 2017. Cincy retooled the offensive line and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor added more creativity to the play calling. The new show was a hit in its debut.
Andy Dalton was deadly directing the first act, completing 6 of 8 for 103 yards with all three of his drives resulting in points. Unfortunately, one was a defensive score when Ross slipped on a route and Dalton’s pass turned into a pick six. Around that miscue, Dalton tossed scoring passes to Mixon and Tyler Boyd. The battle for the backup job intensified after Jeff Driskel had a nice outing, earning reps with the second team ahead of Matt Barkley.
All the concerns about Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ passing game were put to rest on their first possession against the Niners last week. Prescott hit Michael Gallup in stride with a 30-yard touchdown pass and called it a night after going 3 of 3 for 39 yards. Backups Cooper Rush and rookie Mike White didn’t fare nearly as well and showed plenty of work is needed for the duo.
Prescott will likely get an additional series of work this week, but the Boys seriously need Rush to show some promise. He completed 15 of 23 for 145 yards with a touchdown in his six full series and led two scoring drives. However, the other possessions were empty and he needs to be more consistent. White finished 6 of 11 for 63 yards playing the fourth quarter and is in line for mop up duty if he sees the field.
Coaching History
In the last two preseasons the Bengals finished 1-3 and proceeded to have a pair of losing regular seasons. The offense struggled in exhibition games last year and failing to get it fixed resulted in a change of offensive coordinators. Cincy is looking for a fast start and last week was a good indicator. Marvin Lewis leveled his preseason record at 31-31 with last week’s victory.
Jason Garrett doesn’t have the best preseason record and the Cowboys lost for the 11th straight time on the road in tune-up games with last week’s defeat. They’ve been better on the star winning their last four while going 3-0-1 ATS.
Free ATS Pick
Cincinnati is putting a lot of stock into this preseason and Marvin Lewis has nothing to lose after a surprising return as coach. And while the Bengals have things to work on, they also have players who are hungry and eager to show that last season, and the season before, was a fluke. Taking over early last season, Lazor helped the offense. Now it’s his group and the first unit looked good last week.
Of course it’s only one game, and things vary from week to week. Dallas will get more time from Prescott as he continues to get in sync with his group of receivers. We won’t see Ezekiel Elliott, so expect the Boys to throw a lot. And if things work out for Dallas, they could put up some points making the over a solid play in this contest.
NFL Odds: Cowboys 30, Bengals 24
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