Bengals at Cowboys
NFL offenses led by rookies aren’t supposed to be effective, but the first-year duo of Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott is getting the job done for the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys and their surprising pair of rookies aim for a fourth consecutive victory when they host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Elliott figured to be an impact player, but the Cowboys couldn’t have expected what has come to pass - the product of Ohio State leads the league in rushing (412 yards) and is tied for the fifth-most rushing yards all-time by a rookie through four games. Prescott’s performance has been more of a surprise, as the fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State has passed for more than 1,000 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions while filling in for the injured Tony Romo. Cincinnati hopes to keep pace with an offense that boasts one of the league’s most prolific duos in quarterback Andy Dalton and receiver A.J. Green, who have connected 32 times for 468 yards and a pair of scores this season. The Bengals have recorded only one win in six trips to Dallas, with that coming in 1988.
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Bengals -1. O/U: 45
ABOUT THE BENGALS (2-2): Dalton (1,234) leads the AFC and ranks third in the league in passing yards while Green has made an NFL-best 32 catches, but the Bengals have had a tough time finding the end zone. They rank last in the red zone, as they’ve produced only four touchdowns in 13 trips inside the 20. Cincinnati’s pass rush has been solid and will need to have a strong game and put pressure on Prescott to be successful.
ABOUT THE COWBOYS (3-1): Prescott and the offense could be without star receiver Dez Bryant for a second straight contest, but that did little to slow down the running game in last week’s 24-17 win at San Francisco. Cole Beasley has picked up some of the slack with Bryant injured, leading the team with 23 catches, although he doesn’t have a touchdown reception. The defense is coming off its best performance of the season, albeit against a struggling 49ers offense, as it allowed only 295 total yards.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Prescott has made 131 pass attempts without an interception, an NFL record to begin a career.
2. The Bengals have won 10 straight and are 27-3 all-time when Dalton has a passer rating of 100 or better.
3. Cincinnati is one of two teams which have not surrendered a rushing touchdown this season, while Dallas leads the league with eight rushing scores.