Cowboys at Bengals: Opponent player(s) of the week and Cowboys X-factor players

Opponent Player(s) of the Week

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Wide Receivers - Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins

Combined 2020 Stats: 1,526 receiving yards, nine receiving touchdowns

The Cowboys were unable to stop the rushing attack of last week’s opponent, the Ravens. This week they will be going up against two big receivers in Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins who lead the Bengals in receiving yards and touchdowns. They both have the ability to take over games and move the chains in short yardage situations as well as picking up big yards with deep shots down field.

They will be the biggest test for the Cowboys this week even with a backup quarterback under center for the Bengals. The Cowboys would be in better shape if Trevon Diggs, Chidobe Awuzie, and Anthony Brown were able to play. Unfortunately they won’t be available for the Cowboys and they will have to hope that a depleted secondary can make some stops. But if the Cowboys safeties, also minus Donavan Wilson, can play sound defense and not let anything get behind them, they can stay in this game and potentially win it.

Cowboys Offensive X-Factor Players

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Running Backs: Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard

The Cowboys know the Bengals haven’t been able to stop the pass at all this season but before the Cowboys can take advantage of that they need to get their ground game going. Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard will need to get it going against a Bengals defense ranked 29th in the league in yards giving up on the ground.

We’ve seen the Cowboys go up against defenses where they should have the advantage but were unable to get the upper hand thanks to their injuries along the offensive line. That shouldn’t be a problem this week, but stranger things have happened, so don’t count out anything from happening with the way this season has gone.

Cowboys Defensive X-Factor Players

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Defensive Ends: DeMarcus Lawrence, Aldon Smith, and Randy Gregory

This week the Cowboys defensive ends are going up against an offensive line that has given up 44 sacks on the season. They should be able to create enough chaos around the quarterback to disrupt the passing game of the Bengals and help their secondary in the process. We know that this pass rush has the talent and ability to get the job done but have been very disappointing to this point. Hopefully they can prove their worth and lead this defense to another victory even if it cost them a better draft pick in the process.