Our NFL betting expert offers picks and predictions for the Week 2 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals at AT&T Stadium on Sunday at 4:25 pm ET on CBS.
Cooper Rush is in for the injured Dak Prescott as the Cowboys host the Bengals in a meeting of teams with high expectations facing the prospect of starting the season 0-2.
Cowboys vs. Bengals predictions
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Cowboys vs. Bengals picks and analysis
With Dak Prescott, the Cowboys’ offense was stagnant, and there are concerns about how the running game flailed and No. 1 WR CeeDee Lamb performed. Without Prescott? The Cowboys entered the danger zone with the Bengals entering off of a poor showing and plenty of firepower on both sides of the ball.
Week 2 NFL pick: Bengals -7
Joe Burrow handed the ball to the Steelers five times in a 23-20 overtime loss, the team had every chance to win despite looking more like the Bungles of old.
Dallas has a respectable defense but that only holds up if the Cowboys can move the chains and keep the bout of Burrow’s hands. Linebacker Micah Parsons had two sacks of Tom Brady last week and the worry for Cincinnati would be a leaky edge blocking scheme that allowed too much pressure to get to Burrow.
The equalizer becomes running back Joe Mixon, a bruiser who should be able to mimic the big game from Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette.
Our Pick: Bengals to cover -7
Week 2 NFL player prop picks
Burrow could have Tee Higgins (concussion) back after he left the loss to Pittsburgh. The arsenal at his disposal includes Ja’Marr Chase and Mixon, who tied his career-high with seven receptions last week.
Burrow said he’s wary of cornerback Trevon Diggs, who had 11 interceptions last season, but that won’t keep him from attacking Chase.
Burrow passed for 338 yards and two touchdowns last week and is shooting for his fourth game in a row with 235 yards or more and two TDs or more.
Our Pick: Joe Burrow over 1.5 TD passes -130
Betting on the NFL?
The Cowboys won’t be able to tap the brakes with a running game that spun its wheels in Week 1 and relies on Prescott to keep defenses honest. Not with the modest backup Rush at the helm for the first time since beating the Minnesota Vikings 20-16 last season.
Cincinnati’s man-heavy pass defense won’t bite on misdirection and that means Rush will have to use his arm talent and hope for far better from Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. That’s not a winning recipe for Rush or Dallas.
Our Pick: Cooper Rush over 0.5 interceptions -154
Cowboys vs. Bengals Odds
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook, accurate at the time of publication and subject to change.
| Team | Total: 41.5 | Spread | Money line |
| Bengals | Over -110 | -7.0 (-110) | -355 |
| Cowboys | Under -110 | +7.0 (-110) | +278 |
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