Dallas Cowboys vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Thanksgiving Predictions

Thanksgiving…a time to reflect on weeks past to actually make a confident wager in Week 12. No NFL team has a real true weekly prep for a Thursday game, let alone a Thanksgiving game, so the mental aspect and the rhythm the team is in matters more than other factors.

With teams like the Cowboys and Bengals, the outcome could be an absolute coin-flip for any fan or expert.

With the way the league has been brutalizing the Cowboys and the Bengals, how can a person make a confident pick for them?

You have one team in the Cowboys who have all the talent and finally show it when another coach takes the helm. It says a lot about the character of the team. When you get an interim coach who has been there consistently, the team should have had that same framework when Wade Phillips was there.

When the team looks to the coach as the reason for failure, they need to take a look in mirror and realize they do have an integral part of unattained potential. Players know now that they are auditioning for the 2011 roster (if there is a full season?).

Dez Bryant has been the go-to guy since Tony Romo’s injury and Jon Kitna’s return to pass-first glory. Miles Austin has taken a backseat and the running game is starting to show that Felix Jones should carry some of the load.

With all the Cowboys running backs, they should have an intricate Wildcat offense because of the athleticism of the receivers and backs. Unused potential describes the Cowboys and the Bengals are not far behind that culture.

The Bengals were the sweetheart of the media during training camp and VH1 sweeps. The team looked to have a defense that was competitive in the AFC. The secondary and linebacking core was some of the premier groups in the league.

With Cedric Benson coming off of his best year and gaining a receiving tight end in Jermaine Gresham, the Cincinnati faithful had hope for a deep run in the playoffs.

Now, Terrell Owens is gaining production from the double teams on Chad Ochocinco, which will eventually cause a rift between the offensive side. Even Carson Palmer is being questioned about how effective he is with all of these weapons on the field. Marvin Lewis has to feel so frustrated that a team currently constituted could not finish quarters efficiently enough to have a more respectable record.

Both of these teams have to look deep inside to see what they have to offer, whether it be roster spots for next year or a miraculous run at a wildcard spot. Parity would have to be at its best for these two teams to have any success in February.

Choose your bets on Thanksgiving wisely; anything is bound to happen (as with any family gathering)…that is the true essence of the Cowboys and Bengals this season.

Kids love to play these teams in Madden, but why don’t the player and team ratings translate into real on-the-field situations? The Bengals and Cowboys could be the paper champs they are and earn their turkey dinner or blow up like a frozen turkey dropped in a deep fryer.

Play the roulette wheel or put some cash on the Cowboys or Bengals. Your chances will be pretty equal.