Cowboys vs. Bengals MNF Picks, Predictions & Player Props: Must-Win Game for Both Teams on Monday Night Football

• Cincinnati’s four wins this season have come against teams with a combined record of 10-38

• The Bengals have given up 99 total points over their last three games, going 0-3

• Dallas running back Rico Dowdle has 192 rushing yards on 41 carries over his last two games

Unfortunately, the 2024 season has been a disappointment for both the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals as those teams prepare to play one another on Monday night to close out Week 14. Yet, with five games left in the season, both teams are clinging to slim playoff hopes if they can win their remaining games. That makes Monday’s game a must-win game for both teams, which should lead to a competitive game.

Cowboys vs. Bengals Odds

It’s a little surprising to see the Bengals favored by 5.5 points in this game, especially on the road. On paper, Cincinnati is easily the better team. The Bengals surely have the more potent offense. But they’ve also struggled to hold onto leads. On the other hand, Dallas is just 1-5 at home this season and relying on Cooper Rush against a team that has Joe Burrow, which is probably the best explanation for why the Bengals are road favorites.

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Cowboys vs. Bengals My Pick

• My Pick: Cowboys 5.5-point Spread (-110) at bet365 

The Bengals might have the best passing attack in the NFL, but they also have one of the worst defenses in the league. They’ve also lost three games in a row with their only wins this season coming against teams that have a combined record of 10-38. The Cowboys, meanwhile, have somehow won back-to-back games to get to a respectable 5-7 record. Given the state of Cincinnati’s defense, I don’t believe the Bengals will be able to maintain a comfortable lead in this game and cover the spread.

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Cowboys vs. Bengals Predictions

There is no question that the Bengals can put points on the scoreboard. Joe Burrow is currently the NFL leader in both passing yards and passing touchdowns. He’s done it while throwing just five interceptions. As a result, the Bengals are averaging 33 points per game over their last three games, doing so against elite defensive teams like the Chargers and Steelers.

The obvious caveat is that the Bengals haven’t won any of those three games. No matter how many points Burrow and the Bengals manage to score, the Cincinnati defense can’t hold up its end of the bargain. The Bengals have allowed at least 34 points in four of their last five games, which is why they’ve given up the second-most points in the NFL this season. It’s why they are a hard team to trust as a 5.5-point favorite.

The biggest question for Monday’s game is whether Cooper Rush and the Dallas offense can take advantage of such a porous defense. Rush was abysmal soon after taking over for the injured Dak Prescott. But he’s managed to put together some decent performances in recent weeks. He threw for over 350 yards in a loss to the Texans and was close to perfect when the Cowboys pulled off a shocking win over the Commanders two weeks ago.

The caveat is that the Dallas defense will have its hands full against a potent Cincinnati offense. The Cowboys have looked a little better on that side of the ball against the Commanders and Giants in recent weeks. But they’re also among the worst defensive teams in the NFL, yielding at least 30 points five times this season. That will put some pressure on Rush to execute and allow the Cowboys to keep pace in what could be a high-scoring game.

Cowboys vs. Bengals Best Player Props

Rico Dowdle Over 67.5 Rushing Yards (-110) at bet365 Sportsbook

While the focus in this game could be on Rush, the Cowboys might actually find their most success against Cincinnati’s defense on the ground. Dowdle has been the bell cow for Dallas over the last two weeks, getting 41 carries and turning it into 192 rushing yards. In the five games he’s gotten at least 12 carries, Dowdle has gone over 67.5 rushing yards four times. Given his recent success, there’s no reason for the Cowboys to stop giving him the ball. That should give Dowdle a chance to go over 67.5 rushing yards again this week, especially since the other Dallas running backs barely touched the ball last week.

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Chase Brown Anytime Touchdown (-138) at bet365 Sportsbook

Similar to Dowdle, Cincinnati’s starting running back is worth watching closely in this game. Brown has eight touchdowns - six rushing and two receiving - this season, including four in his last five games. Over his first eight games, Brown had no more than 17 touches in any single game. But he’s averaging 24 touches per game over his last four games, so the Bengals are making him a bigger focal point of the offense. The kicker is that the Cowboys have given up the most rushing touchdowns in the NFL this season, making Brown a safe candidate to reach the end zone on Monday.

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Joe Burrow Over 274.5 Passing Yards (-110) at bet365 Sportsbook

Surprisingly, the Dallas defense is giving up just under 230 passing yards per game. However, those numbers have to be adjusted against Burrow, who has thrown for over 300 yards in three straight games. In a must-win game, the Bengals will put their trust in Burrow to keep chucking the ball all over the field. Keep in mind that the Cincinnati defense probably isn’t going to stop the Cowboys, so the Cowboys won’t have an opponent that is looking to run the ball and run the clock down. Instead, the Bengals will throw the ball early and often, likely leading to another 300-plus passing yards for Burrow.

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Cowboys vs. Bengals How to Watch

• When: 8:15 PM, EST on Monday, December 9

• Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

• How to Watch: ESPN & ABC

Cowboys vs. Bengals Best Promos and Sportsbooks

For Monday night games, bet365 Sportsbook is always among the top platforms. There is no shortage of player props, not to mention competitive odds. New users will also have a choice between a safety net of $1,000 on their first bet or merely receiving $150 in bonus bets for making a $5 bet. That makes bet365 a great choice for every bettor during Monday Night Football.

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More of our favorite NFL betting promos can be found in the table below.

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Cowboys vs. Bengals Injuries

Cowboys Injuries

• QB Dak Prescott (Injured Reserve)

• WR CeeDee Lamb (Questionable)

• TE Jake Ferguson (Questionable)

• OT Tyler Guyton (Questionable)

• OG Zach Martin (Questionable)

• DE Demarcus Lawrence (Injured Reserve)

• CB Trevon Diggs (Questionable)

• CB Josh Butler (Questionable)

Bengals Injuries

• RB Zack Moss (Injured Reserve) 

• WR Charlie Jones (Questionable) 

• OT Trent Brown (Injured Reserve)

• DT Sheldon Rankins (Questionable)

• LB Logan Wilson (Doubtful)

• CB DJ Turner II (Injured Reserve)

• CB Dax Hill (Injured Reserve)

• PK Evan McPherson (Injured Reserve)

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