Bengals vs Cowboys Free Pick, NFL Free Picks, NFL Predictions 12/9/24

CINCINNATI @ DALLAS (CIN -5.5, 49.5)

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Bengals vs Cowboys Free Pick, NFL Free Picks, NFL Predictions 12/9/24

BENGALS @ COWBOYS 12/10/24

It's a crossroads of hope and heartbreak as the rejuvenated Dallas Cowboys face the struggling Cincinnati Bengals in a Monday night NFL showdown. The Cowboys, fresh off their first home victory over the New York Giants, are surging forward despite a rocky season, banking on a two-game winning streak and hoping to extend it against the beleaguered Bengals.

While the Cowboys have seen a late-season resurgence, the Bengals are drowning in their second three-game losing streak. They dropped an intense matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, losing 44-38. Both teams, marred by leaky defense and injury-plagued rosters, are looking to salvage their seasons.

The Cowboys' defensive struggles have been evident, with average points allowed standing at an alarming 28.3 per game. The team, however, has been showing signs of optimism. Despite the loss of Dak Prescott, key players like Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, DaRon Bland, Trevon Diggs, and Zack Martin are slowly inching towards recovery. Cowboys' head coach, Mike McCarthy, remains hopeful for the return of Diggs and Martin in time for tonight's showdown.

Meanwhile, the Bengals have also been struggling through injuries, with key players like Evan McPherson and Logan Wilson out. Their absence, coupled with the loss of defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins and cornerbacks Dax Hill and DJ Turner, poses a significant challenge for the defense.

Despite the struggles, Bengals QB Joe Burrow leads the NFL in touchdown passes with 30. He remains optimistic, but the clock is ticking. Cincinnati is 4-8 in a division where the Pittsburgh Steelers are 10-3 and Baltimore is 8-5.

In addition to their 5-7 SU record, Dallas is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games. The Cowboys are just 1-7 ATS in their last eight home games. Because the defense has played so poorly this season, the over has cashed in 10 of the Cowboys last 14 games. It’s a similar story for the Bengals. Each of their last five games have gone Over the total and their O/U record for the season is 9-3.

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GAME TOTAL OVER 49.5

There’s a reason why this number is almost 50. These two defenses are absolutely horrendous and Cincy’s offense can light it up. Burrow leads the NFL in TD passes and Cincy ranks sixth in the NFL in scoring averaging 27 points per game. The defenses rank 28th (CIN) and 30th (DAL) in the NFL in points allowed. Both teams give up at least 27 per game. In their last five, Cincy has allowed 44, 34, 35, 24, and 37. Dallas has allowed 20, 26, 34, 34, and 27. Since Week 6, the Cowboys have allowed 31 points per game and their O/U record in that span in 5-2. For the season, the Bengals O/U record is 9-3.