“What’s pushing me most this year with the (team) record is just making memories with the guys I have around me,” Chase said. “Who knows what will happen in the next year?”
In the meantime, here are five things to know about Monday’s game:
1. Defense still on notice
Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo seems to be running out of solutions to the struggles of his unit, but it doesn’t help that now he has to dig further onto the bench to replace another starter.
Logan Wilson went on injured reserve this week after two weeks of rest for his injured knee did not do the trick and he ended up needing it scoped. Shaka Heyward signed from the practice squad to fill the spot, but Wilson’s snaps will go to a combination of Akeem Davis-Gaithers and Joe Bachie. Germaine Pratt wore the green dot for communication last week, and the defense seemed even more lost than usual without Wilson in command.
Ja'Marr Chase speaks to the media.
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 6, 2024
https://t.co/WWBMug9bXs
Dallas has been picking up steam the past two games after Cooper Rush replaced injured Dak Prescott four weeks ago. The Cowboys beat the Commanders and Giants, combining for 61 points and just one turnover, and the offense has produced three straight games with 300 net yards of offense or more.
Wilson’s absence can be felt especially in the run defense, but the Bengals have another chance to see if they can at least tackle one of the worst running teams in the league. Dallas averages just 85.6 rushing yards per game, better than just one team.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
2. Establishing the run
Cincinnati’s running game could be doing more this year, but the plans altered earlier this season when Erick All suffered a season-ending injury and then Zack Moss went on injured reserve. This game could be an opportunity to get things going again with Chase Brown, who five weeks ago produced 120 yards on 27 carries and has been up and down since.
The Cowboys have the second-worst run defense in the league, allowing 147.6 rushing yards per game, and their defense has struggled to get stops in the redzone, allowing touchdowns in 30 of 37 trips inside the 20 for a league-high (worst) percentage of 76.9 percent.
Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense will be looking to put on another show, but the Cowboys are starting to get healthier on defense after guys like linebacker Micah Parsons and cornerback DaRon Bland missed time due to injuries. Parsons has played just eight games, and Bland has been back from a stress fracture in his foot for two games now.
“They’re doing their pressure packages advance, so you gotta be ready for that on third down,” Burrow said. “They’ve got Micah Parsons. He’s an unbelievable player. You gotta be ready for him and not let him wreck the game, and they’re getting their corners back healthy. So those guys are aggressive ball hawks. They want to go get the ball. So you got to be aware of them to jump routes. You know, it’ll be a challenge.”
3. Fresh leg
Evan McPherson’s inconsistency was a concern before a groin injury popped up during last week’s loss to Pittsburgh and landed him on injured reserve. Now, the Bengals are hoping Cade York can give them something in the kicking game after he lasted just one game with the Commanders and has been out of a job since their opening loss to Tampa Bay when he missed his two field goal attempts.
The former Browns kicker at least has familiarity with the AFC North and will feel at home this week returning to Dallas, where he grew up.
York was full of confidence in his interviews this week since joining the Bengals following a workout Tuesday, and he will have some extra motivation with his girlfriend, Zoe, on the sidelines as a cheerleader for the Cowboys – but rooting for him, of course.
The key for him will be getting the timing down with long snapper Cal Adomitis and holder Ryan Rehkow.
“It’s a lot of just watching and paying attention to the timing of stuff, and just getting used to like the visual of how guys look, because everyone’s just, even though the outcome is the same, a lot of times everyone will look a little bit different,” York said. “So just getting used to things visually, just the difference between every guy.”
4. Injuries of note
The Bengals will be without Sheldon Rankins, who remains out due to illness, and Orlando Brown Jr. has been ruled out after another setback with his lower leg injury that he had just returned from last week. He did not practice all week, and with Cincinnati almost certainly out of the playoffs, there’s no need to rush him back.
Cody Ford, who replaced Cordell Volson at left guard last week as a coaches’ decision, likely steps back in at left tackle, where he had filled in for the three other games Brown missed. That means Volson should have his job back.
Wide receiver Charlie Jones (groin) remains questionable.
For the Cowboys, cornerback Trevon Diggs is questionable due to a knee injury that limited him all week in practice after he missed the last two games. He has yet to play a game with Bland, so it would be a huge boost to the secondary if Diggs can go.
Right guard Zack Martin (ankle/shoulder) and safety Juanyeh Thomas (knee) are out, and former Bengals linebacker Nick Vigil (foot) and left tackle Tyler Guyton (ankle/knee) are also questionable. Tight end Jake Ferguson is back from a concussion.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
5. Alternate viewing option
Burrow said this week he loves Monday Night Football for a chance to showcase how entertaining of a player he can be to watch. If that doesn’t move the needle for disappointed Bengals or Cowboys fans, there’s a unique alternate viewing option this week with a real-time animated version, The Simpsons Funday Football, available on ESPN+ and Disney+ streaming.
The game will be transformed into the iconic Simpsons world using Sony’s Beyond Sports Technology, bringing a fully immersive fan viewing experience from “Atoms Stadium” in Springfield, Ill., to Disney+, ESPN+ and on mobile with NFL+.
A traditional telecast still will be available on ESPN and ABC, but in the alternate viewing option, each Bengals and Cowboys player will appear as a motion-enabled, animated player with Bart Simpson making appearances for Cincinnati and Homer Simpson siding with Dallas.
MONDAY’S GAME
Bengals at Steelers, 8:15 p.m., ESPN, 700, 1530, 102.7, 104.7
About the Author