FRISCO, Texas — Once on the same trajectory downward, the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals are now on different roads heading into their primetime matchup in Week 14, and that's largely due to the fact the Cowboys are on a two-game win streak while the Bengals try to stop a three-game slide.
It's been said that you are what your record says you are, but that's not entirely true of the Bengals, who sit at 4-8 on the season but not in any way because of Joe Burrow and the prolific offense.
That offense does have a weak spot, however, and Cincinnati's defense could find themselves having a long day against the Cowboys — a handful of players being ones you should truly lock in on when things get underway on Monday night.
Cooper Rush, QB
The last time the Cowboys took on the Bengals, it was at AT&T Stadium. The year was 2022, and it was also not Dak Prescott taking the snaps under center in that matchup. It was Rush, due to an injury suffered by Prescott prior, and the backup quarterback went on to mount a game-winning drive that ended in a field goal for a 20-17 victory. Can Rush repeat or best his previous effort against the Bengals? He and the Cowboys certainly hope so, and against a defense that will, more often than not, allow some big plays.
DeMarvion Overshown, LB
I mean, come on. You know Overshown would make this list because, and let's be blatantly honest here, there is zero reason you should ever turn your eyes away from him on any given week. He's emerged as one of the best defensive players not only in Dallas, but in the entire NFL, and he has only 12 games on his resume, and he's coming off of a torn ACL and a hip pointer, and and and. Joe Burrow has been sacked an average of 2.5 times per game, and Overshown will likely add to that tally, but his ability to play sideline-to-sideline will help determine how well the Cowboys do or do not defend the run on the high-powered offense.
Brandin Cooks, WR
His yardage won't reveal the full story, but Cooks' return to the field against the Giants on Thanksgiving generated a major impact on the outcome of that game. The veteran wideout showed zero signs of rust and his touchdown catch from Cooper Rush ended up being the deciding factor for the Cowboys, then nailing the Giants' coffin closed for good with an acrobatic catch and conversion late in the fourth quarter. He'll now go against one of the worst defenses in NFL history, so how many arrows might the archer fire on Monday night?
Rico Dowdle, RB
Things have been steadily building to this point for Dowdle, and not simply this season. For the entirety of his NFL career with the Cowboys, he's had to scratch and claw for every opportunity, and that's been no different in 2024. But with the committee approach now buried, Dowdle is taking the lead role with both hands. Coming off of his first-ever 100-yard game, stabilizing things with his chunk runs and first rushing touchdown of the season, he'll get a chance to better his production against the Bengals' defensive front.
Mazi Smith, DL
Quiet as it's kept, Smith has been steadily improving in Year 2. One look at his last three games tells the tale of a young player who is beginning to figure it out, and his confidence ticks upward more and more with every impact play he makes. He's leveled up in run defense but also in his ability to rush the passer, and though he's not on par with, say, Osa Odighizuwa on either front quite yet, the fact he's now meeting Micah Parsons at the quarterback (after destroying a combo block, no less) is promising. And with the Bengals' offensive line being most vulnerable in the middle, there's a great chance that Smith could feast well — leftovers from Thanksgiving, if you will.
DaRon Bland, CB
Having been back for two games now, Bland has still not had the benefit of teaming with Trevon Diggs. Given the firepower offered up by the Bengals, it would be very meaningful to have both of the All-Pro cornerbacks present and accounted for in Week 14, lest there be trouble in the air. But whether Diggs plays or not, Bland is on the hunt for his first interception of 2024. He's already showing great coverage and tackling (having earned nine tackles on Thanksgiving, second only to Eric Kendricks), but you just know he wants more; and he'll get opportunities with how often Burrow likes to throw the ball.
