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The Bengals vs. Cowboys betting line has dropped from Cincinnati -5.5 to -4.5 for this Monday Night Football game.
Bengals Player to Watch
Joe Burrow is one of five QBs in NFL history with at least 30 touchdown passes and no more than five interceptions through 12 games. Aaron Rodgers has done it three times, with one each for Patrick Mahomes, Drew Brees and Tom Brady. The worst record among the six previous instances was 9-3, while Burrow sits at a hard-to-imagine 4-8. Two of those teams started 12-0: Green Bay with Rodgers in 2011 and Tom Brady with New England in 2007. Burrow leads the NFL in passing yards (3,337), completions (302) and touchdowns (30) entering Week 14.
Cowboys Player to Watch
LB DeMarvion Overshown had a coming-out moment with his spectacular 23-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Giants. The second-year player, who missed his rookie season with a knee injury, tipped a pass from Drew Lock, ran down the deflection and scored untouched to put Dallas ahead for good. There's talk of him forming quite a tandem with two-time All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons. It's a little early for that, but the “Monday Night Football” audience will be looking for an encore.
Key Matchup
WR Ja'Marr Chase vs. the Dallas secondary. The question is whether 2021 All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs will be among the defenders going up against his former Southeastern Conference rival (Chase played for LSU; Diggs for Alabama). Diggs has missed two games with groin and knee issues. There was some trash talk involved in Dallas' 20-17 win two years ago when the Bengals were defending AFC champs. Chase finished with 54 yards as Cincinnati was held to 254 yards and one touchdown. If Diggs can't go, 2023 All-Pro DaRon Bland figures to see plenty of Chase. Bland is set for his third game after missing the first 10 following surgery for a stress fracture in his foot. Chase leads the league in receiving yards (1,142) and touchdowns (13) entering Week 14.
Key Injuries
Bengals K Evan McPherson (groin) and LB Logan Wilson (knee) were placed on injured reserve this week. Cade York, the LSU kicker when Burrow and Chase led the Tigers to the 2019 national championship, was signed to replace McPherson. ... LT Orlando Brown Jr. is out again with a fibula injury after ending a three-game absence with a return against the Steelers. ... Cowboys RG Zack Martin has opted for ankle surgery that will end an injury-filled season for the seven-time All-Pro. Martin missed the past two games. ... It appears Dallas will have to wait at least one more week before DE DeMarcus Lawrence returns from a foot injury. His practice window hasn't opened, and he stayed in the rehab group to start the week. Lawrence hasn't played since Week 4. ... Rookie LT Tyler Guyton has been dealing with a shoulder injury and added an ankle sprain last week. He is likely to sit this week in favor of veteran Chuma Edoga, who made his season debut against the Giants after injuring a toe in training camp.
