How to watch, what to watch for Cowboys vs. Bengals in Week 14

The Dallas Cowboys were blown out by the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday but will get a chance to bounce back in Week 14 against the Cincinnati Bengals, who could be forced to start their third-string quarterback. Can the NFC East’s worst team get it done against the worst team in the NFC North?

Andy Dalton threw for a season-high 285 yards on Tuesday Michael Gallup resurfaced by leading Dallas with seven catches for 86 yards and a score. Ezekiel Elliott remained mediocre though and failed to rush for a touchdowns for a seventh straight week. The Cowboys still have the worst overall defense in the NFL this year but the Bengals have had the wind taken out of their sails following Joe Burrow’s season-ending knee injury.

Cincinnati hasn’t scored at least 20 points in four weeks, and backup quarterback Brandon Allen suffered a chest injury that caused him to be removed from Sunday’s game. If he’s ruled out for Week 14, Ryan Finley will start in his place, and the NC State product is just 9-of-17 passing with 70 yards and three interceptions. It’s unlikely that Giovani Bernard will be a true workhorse out of the backfield while Joe Mixon is on the IR. Tyler Boyd, A.J. Green, and Tee Higgins could have a hard time producing with Finley under center.

TV Info

Date: Sunday, Dec. 13
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
Broadcast map

Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)

Cowboys: #27 Overall — #25 offense, #30 defense, #13 special teams
Bengals: #31 Overall — #30 offense, #29 defense, #6 special teams

DraftKings Sportsbook odds

Cowboys: -3.5, -190
Bengals: +3.5, +165
Total: 42.5

Fantasy football start/sit advice

Cowboys

Amari Cooper, WR, $6,500

Cooper hasn’t failed to reach double-digits in DKFP yet in a Dalton start and has scored a touchdown in two straight games against teams that are better than the Bengals defensively. He remains the Cowboys’ most dangerous and consistent offensive weapon.

Dalton Schultz, TE, $3,500

Schultz has caught at least four passes in five straight games and will be up against a defense that ranks 31st against tight ends on DraftKings. He’s just outside the top 10 at his position in PPR leagues is cheaper than 17 other starters in the main slate. This price is a major bargain.

Bengals

Giovani Bernard, RB, $5,000

Samaje Perine ($4,000) has hardly been involved in the running game while Bernard has eclipsed 10 carries for seven straight weeks. The starter’s upside doesn’t seem high but conservative play with an unreliable quarterback could help him remain a focal point in the offense.

Tyler Boyd, WR, $4,900

Boyd and Higgins are neck and neck with one another when it comes to DKFP average and Boyd is just $100 pricier. Higgins won’t be as much of a downfield threat with Finley under center, so I’d opt to pay a little more for the player who leads the Bengals in receptions and receiving yards.