Bengals-Cowboys Preview

 

SCOUTING REPORT

Barber, Jones should have big daysCincinnati continues to struggle, and it will be interesting to see how Dallas responds to a disappointing loss against Washington. The Cowboys need to get back to their strong ground game, but surprisingly that may be easier said than done because the Bengals did hold Browns RB Jamal Lewis to 3.2 yards per carry last week. Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips also has to handle the latest Terrell Owens soap opera. Owens feels like he isn't involved in the offense enough, even though he was targeted 17 times last week versus the Redskins. Cincinnati is not without talent and is going to surprise some teams down the stretch, so Dallas can't overlook this game.

· Full Scouting Report

Matchup
	W-L	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV	CONF
CIN	4-11	204	364	3-4	1-7	1-5	3-9
DAL	9-7	362	365	6-2	3-5	3-3	7-5
· Complete Standings

Individual Leaders

Cincinnati Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Palmer 60.5 3094 21 13 O'Sull... 36.4 40 0 0

Dallas Passing   CMP% YDS TD INT Romo 63.1 4483 26 9

Cincinnati Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Benson 301 1251 4.2 6 Scott 74 321 4.3 0

Dallas Rushing   CAR YDS AVG TD Barber 214 932 4.4 7 Jones 116 685 5.9 3

Cincinnati Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Ochoci... 72 1047 14.5 9 Coles 43 514 12.0 5

Dallas Receiving   REC YDS AVG TD Austin 81 1320 16.3 11 Witten 94 1030 11.0 2

Full Player Stats: Cincinnati | Dallas

TEAM AVERAGES & NFL RANKS
TEAM OFFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Total Yards	CIN	245.0
	DAL	345.0
Yards Passing	CIN	150.4
	DAL	236.8
Yards Rushing	CIN	95.0
	DAL	107.7
TEAM DEFENSE	TEAM	PER GAME AVERAGE
Yards Allowed	CIN	325.5
	DAL	294.3
Pass Yds Allowed	CIN	205.4
	DAL	187.7
Rush Yds Allowed	CIN	120.1
	DAL	106.6

HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS (SINCE 2001)
Series tied 1-1
Nov 7, 2004	CIN 26, @DAL 3

After impressive victories in their first three games of the season, the Dallas Cowboys suffered a disappointing loss their last time out, causing their brash wide receiver to criticize the team.

The Cincinnati Bengals probably only wish their problems were that minor.

The Cowboys try to bounce back from last week's loss Sunday when they host the winless Bengals, who may be without Carson Palmer again.

Dallas (3-1) looked like one of the favorites to come out of the NFC through their first three games. The Cowboys were averaging 32.0 points and 440.0 yards per game, and their defense was coming off a stellar performance in Week 3's 27-16 win at Green Bay.

Dallas was not as sharp last Sunday, however, suffering a 26-24 home loss to Washington. The offense gained a season-low 344 yards, while the defense yielded a season-high 381.

While one loss doesn't drop Super Bowl expectations for the Cowboys, it did drop them from the top of the NFC East, behind the New York Giants.

"The reality of it is, you have the opportunity to go 16-0 every year in the regular season, but that's not realistic," said Tony Romo, who was 28-of-47 for 300 yards with three touchdowns. "We're a confident bunch. I think we'll come back next week with a lot to prove."

Romo, though, also has to put aside the distraction caused by Terrell Owens, one that could potentially strain that quarterback-receiver relationship.

After Sunday's loss, Owens created more drama when he complained about not getting the ball enough.

"It's no secret, when I get involved, we move the chains. When I don't, we're more stagnant in our offense," Owens said.

If anything, however, it appeared the Cowboys were calling too many plays for Owens, who had seven catches for 71 yards, 11 yards rushing on two reverses and 11 other plays designed for him.

The catering of the offense to Owens limited a running game that gained 217 yards in the win over the Packers to just 44 yards on 11 attempts against the Redskins.

Dallas took the ball out of the hands of bruising running back Marion Barber, who had only eight carries for 26 yards after rushing for a career-high 142 yards and a touchdown against Green Bay. Rookie playmaker Felix Jones, who had scored a touchdown in each of his first three games, did not have one offensive touch last Sunday.

The running game should be able to get back on track against the Bengals (0-4), who are 28th in the league in rush defense, allowing an average of 164.3 yards.

A porous run defense might not even be among Cincinnati's biggest concerns right now, with the team off to its worst start since opening 2002 with seven straight defeats.

The Bengals rank 31st in total offense (249.8 ypg) and 30th in scoring (13.0 ppg), leaving vocal wide receiver Chad Ocho Cinco relatively quiet. Ocho Cinco has been limited to 11 receptions for 116 yards.

Making matters worse, Palmer may miss this game with a sore throwing elbow. He was knocked around during a 26-23 overtime loss to the Giants in Week 3, getting his nose bloodied and hurting his elbow. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis told Palmer last Saturday night that he was going to sit out Sunday's game against Cleveland.

"It happens a lot," said Palmer, who also has suffered a broken nose and a sprained ankle this year. "Sometimes it takes a little while to come back. Hopefully it won't take too long."

Ryan Fitzpatrick stepped in at quarterback for Palmer, but the results weren't pretty, as the Bengals managed only 211 yards -- the third time this season they've had 215 or fewer -- in a 20-12 loss to the Browns.

Fitzpatrick, who admitted there were some plays called that he hadn't run in weeks, threw three interceptions and finished as Cincinnati's leading rusher with 41 yards on four scrambles. He expects to be much better prepared if he has to start again on Sunday.

"If Ryan Fitzpatrick is the guy as we go forward this week, we go into it a little differently," Lewis said. "That's the way we'll have to approach it. More than likely, the coaches will have to prepare to play with Fitzpatrick, and everybody has to understand that."

Fitzpatrick might not be the only new face for Cincinnati's offense.

Receiver Chris Henry was cleared to practice on Monday, having completed a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's conduct policy, and could be added to the roster by Saturday. The Bengals also signed running back Cedric Benson on Tuesday after he was let go by Chicago for two alcohol-related arrests in Texas.

This will be the first meeting between Cincinnati and Dallas since the Bengals' 26-3 victory on Nov. 7, 2004. The Cowboys have won the last two meetings at Texas Stadium, and are 4-1 all-time versus Cincinnati at home.

Mosley: Payton part of Cowboys' super staff

Obstructed View: Tuna's helpers with Cowboys were super, and Saints' Payton shows that.

Wickersham: The future of the NFL

Seth Wickersham looks at the labor dispute that is hanging over the NFL and what the future may hold for the league.

Hoppes: Into the mind of Chad Ochocinco

Page 2 takes a glimpse into the mind of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco

Scouts Inc.: AFC offseason needs

You can think of this as the ultimate primer for the NFL offseason, or at least the AFC offseason: Gary Horton of Scouts Inc. breaks down all the squads in the AFC and tells you their top three needs to address, be it via the draft or free agency.

Chad Ochocinco: I will be at Bengals minicamp

Besides warmer weather, what is another sure sign that Bengals minicamp is drawing closer? Talk about a wide receiver not at the team?s OTAs starts to dominate the conversation.

Palmer: We still need Chad

Carson Palmer has always been about loyalty, which is why during the past two weeks he has talked about the progress of the receivers who are participating in the Bengals offseason program.

Bengals' Hall pleads guilty to reduced charge in DUI case

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Leon Hall pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in his drunken-driving case Monday, allowing him to avoid jail time.

Odom: I know I have to play better

You would expect when someone adds 28 pounds, that it would slow a player. Not in the case of Antwan Odom.

Bengals counting heavily on Henry

This time last year, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry was entering a dark period of his NFL career.

Greg Ellis officially an ex-Cowboy

As expected, the Cowboys weren't able to find a team willing to trade for Greg Ellis, so they released him today.

Already interest in Greg Ellis

When news broke of the Cowboys' release of Greg Ellis earlier today, the phone of Ellis' agent, James D. Williams, started to ring from interested parties.

Money is no longer flowing for Dallas Cowboys

I don't mean GM broke. Or Michael Vick broke. Or even Tom Hicks broke. But it certainly appears as though Jerry is paying more attention to the bottom line when it comes to the Cowboys than he's ever done in the past.

Kitna knows his job with Dallas Cowboys is be ready if Romo isn't

By MAC ENGEL CARROLLTON - Jerry Jones was just kidding, but the sad part of what he said a few days before the 2009 NFL Draft was true.'Last year we had one quarterback who was hurt and another quarterback who was playing like he was hurt,' Jones said.The comment drew uncomfortable laughter, and Jones immediately recognized what he had just ...

Dallas Cowboys have plenty to prove in 2009

Jean-Jacques Taylor has been at the DMN for 16 years. He covered the Rangers and Cowboys before becoming a columnist.