Does the Bengals defense concern you at all?
Previously we broke down the offenses for this week’s upcoming game for the Dallas Cowboys. Now we dive back into the position battleground, this time looking at how the defensive positions and special teams stack up against each other.
DEFENSIVE LINE
You want to make an argument for giving Micah Parsons a contract extension then just look at his numbers since returning and how he’s transformed this Cowboys defense. The Cowboys defense ranks 31st this year in rushing yards allowed, but in the last three games and with Parsons in full swing the Cowboys have allowed 134 rush yards per game- that’s 20th in that time frame. It’s not great but it shows the steep jump the team has taken with Parsons back. On top of that, Parsons has also contributed six sacks in the four games he’s been back, that’s insane production. Mazi Smith has played much better and Osa Odighizuwa is finding a level of form again. Keep an eye on both Marshawn Kneeland and DeMarcus Lawrence on the practice reports this week. Both are trying to come back from injury.
In the offense review we mentioned how Joe Burrow led the league in touchdowns and passing yards, and how productive the wide receiver corps is and that it leads the league currently. If that’s the case, how is this team on only four wins? Simple answer, the defense. This Cincinnati defense is allowing more total yards than Dallas and only Carolina is allowing more points per game. Dallas has had issues this year stopping running backs going for first downs, they rank second-worst in that category. Well Cincinnati ranks right behind them. They also rank fifth-worst in rushing touchdowns allowed and to add to that, Cincinnati has the second-fewest sacks this year. What is most confusing about the sack situation in Cincinnati is how the league is being led by Trey Hendrickson from the Bengals, and he accounts for more than half the teams sack total. Sheldon Rankins is questionable so a keep watch on his status.
Win: Push
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LINEBACKER
Eric Kendricks led the team in tackles last week, plus he had a sack and he registered a fumble. That’s quite a stat line, but for a guy like Kendricks, that’s a normal day in the office. DeMarvion Overshown is proving he’s the future at the linebacker position for Dallas. He managed to catch his own pass deflection and run it in for a touchdown, a score that would prove to be very important in getting the win. An unbelievable performance from the crafty linebacker.
Germaine Pratt leads the Bengals in tackles and has totaled three more than Kendricks. He also has 15 missed tackles this year which also leads the team. Logan Wilson is second on the team with 104 tackles but he’s questionable this week after missing last week’s game with a knee injury.
Conclusion:
The Cowboys linebackers have totaled more pressures and sacks, where the Bengals have more tackles. The deciding factor here, Overshown’s abilities.
Win: Cowboys
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Trevon Diggs is the one to watch here. There’s a good chance we finally get to see Diggs and DaRon Bland start together. Diggs will be needed now after the news on Josh Butler came out that he tore his ACL. The USFL breakout defensive back will hopefully be back next year and will look to pick up where he left off. But for now the Cowboys cornerback depth looks in serious trouble. This defensive back unit has an uphill battle this week facing the best and most productive passing attack in the NFL and will really have their work cut out for them.
The Bengals defensive backs have allowed the fourth-most passing touchdowns and sixth-most passing yards this year. The lack of pressure up front is a good reason these defensive backs have so much work, but also penalties and third-down conversion rate allowed are killing their efforts. This defense is allowing the fifth-worst third-down conversion rate (44.3%) which leaves the defensive backs a lot of work to do. Expect guys like CeeDee Lamb and KaVontae Turpin to get open easily against this defensive back unit that has allowed more passing yards than any other team in the last three weeks.
Conclusion:
The loss of Butler for Dallas is sad news but getting Diggs will be key here. Cincinnati have a lot of work to do with this defensive back unit after the season is done.
Win: Cowboys
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
SPECIAL TEAMS
We welcome you back to the Brandon Aubrey section of the breakdown. Aubrey was another key player last week in securing victory by making two field goals and hitting all three of his extra points. In field goal attempts of 50-yards or more, no other kicker this year has been more consistent. The unfortunate part of having field goals blocked is it gets classed as miss against the kicker, otherwise things would look better on the percentages for him this year.
Evan McPherson has had a tough year and is 16 from 22 field goal attempts. All six of his misses have come from 40-yards or more. His 72% field goal percentage ranks 31st among 36 kickers this year. Then the big news drops this week that Cincinnati have moved McPherson to IR due to a groin injury, so they will be without him for at least four games. As a result the team has placed Cade York on the roster ready for the matchup on Monday night.
KaVontae Turpin is so scary on kickoffs that the New York Giants told their kicker to just kick it out the backfield. No team wants to face him returning balls upfield and last week he got zero returns off kickoffs. Expect this trend to continue.
Jermaine Burton returns kicks for Cincinnati and averages 28.7 yards per return which ranks 35th among specialists.
Win: Cowboys