Clarence Hill: Who has the edge between the Dallas Cowboys and Bengals?

With quarterback Dak Prescott out for the next four-to-six weeks after fracturing his right thumb in the 19-3 season-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the hopes of the Dallas Cowboys have plunged significantly.

While the Cowboys are trying to remain confident that Cooper Rush can run the team until Prescott returns, outside pundits are giving them no chance in Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Cowboys were a 2.5-point betting favorite by odds makers before the Prescott injury.

They are now 7.5-point underdogs in a home game at AT&T Stadium against the defending AFC Champions.

The Bengals are also coming into the match up 0-1 following a 23-20 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

So who has the edge?

Cowboys offense vs. Bengals defense

Without quarterback Dak Prescott, the Cowboys will try to lean on Ezekiel Elliott and the run game. Elliott rushed 19 times for 52 yards in the opener. But that will tough to do with defenses likely loading the box and daring backup quarterback Cooper Rush and a questionable receiver corps to beat them through the air.

The Cowboys need to find a way to cash in on third downs. Their 20 percent conversion rate in the opener with quarterback Dak Prescott won’t cut it.

The Bengals defense is solid and physical, picking up where it left off last season. Cincinnati surrendered just 267 total yards in five quarters in the overtime loss to the Steelers and allowed just a 26.6% third-down conversion rate. The Steelers scored 17 points after a came Bengals turnovers. The Steelers running backs rushed just 13 times for 30 yards against the Bengals.

Edge: Bengals

Bengals offense vs. Cowboys defense

The Bengals offense is coming off a game in which they gave up five turnovers, including four interceptions and fumble by quarterback Joe Burrow, punctuated by a pick six on the opening play of the game. Burrow was also sacked seven times in the game. Yet, they had enough playmakers and explosion to win the game if not for a blocked extra point and missed field goal in overtime.

The Cowboys defense was solid in the season opener, limiting Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay offense to 19 points, allowing just one touchdown. They will try to take advantage of a subpar Bengals offensive line that gave up seven sacks in the opener. Micah Parsons had five pressures and two sacks on Tom Brady. He should get at least two on Sunday, while taking advantage of former Cowboys right tackle La’el Collins.

The big question is can Cowboys cornerbacks Trevon Diggs and Anthony Brown contain explosive Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase? They must also do better against the run after allowing 127 yards to Leonard Fournette. Bengals running back Joe Mixon is next.

Edge: Even

Special Teams

Cincinnati’s loss to the Steelers showed the value of long snapper Clark Harris who injured his biceps and was replaced by third-string tight end Mitchell Wilcox. His two attempts included a blocked extra point to win the game with no time remaining, and a high snap on a field goal attempt in overtime, leading to kicker Evan McPherson’s potential game-winner sailing wide left.

The Bengals signed rookie Cal Adomitis from the practice squad. His snaps will bear watching on Sunday.

The only issue the Cowboys had on specials in the season opener was blocking for returner KaVontae Turpin. Special teams coach John Fassel blamed having a number of rookies in their first game for not adhering to their assignments. Turpin is a weapon the Cowboys are counting on to provide a spark for the offense without Dak Prescott.

Edge: Cowboys

Coaching

The Bengals staff is an example of consistency and resilience paying off. Zac Taylor was 6-25-1 in his first two seasons with the Bengals before going 10-7 in 2021 and leading the team to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1989. The group is confident and have a system in place to win for the long haul.

The Cowboys season-opening loss a turned the heat up on coach Mike McCarthy one week into a season that was already make or break in terms of making a deep run in the playoffs to keep his job. Now, he must find away to salvage the season without quarterback Dak Prescott. The heat needs to be on offensive coordinator Kellen Moore after that 3-point effort in the opener.

Edge: Bengals

Intangibles

The Cowboys will be without three key starters against the Bengals in quarterback Dak Prescott, left guard Connor McGovern and safety Jayron Kearse as well as backup defensive end Tarrell Bashem who were all injured in the season opener.

Edge: Bengals

Prediction: Bengals 24, Cowboys 10