Back in 2011, the Cincinnati Bengals managed to acquire two top NFL Draft picks for a quarterback who would’ve rather retired than play for them again. The Oakland Raiders, Carson Palmer’s new team, would play the Bengals the following season and ended up losing 34-10 in what was Andy Dalton’s 15th win in just his 27th regular season game.
Fast forward eight years and now it’s Dalton making his Cincinnati return to face the team that drafted and eventually replaced him. The only differences are that Dalton wasn’t traded away, and that Palmer was supposed to play against the Bengals that year. Dalton was supposed to watch this game from the sidelines while Dak Prescott and Joe Burrow duel it out.
But, it’s 2020, so we get Dalton vs. Brandon Allen.
Along with the fact that both teams are starting their backup quarterbacks, the Cowboys and Bengals have some other parallels between the two of them. Their receivers are good, their offensive lines are hot garbage, and their defenses are clueless. Okay, that last one may apply more for the Cowboys, but the Bengals still can’t rush the passer no matter whom they face.
Oh, and this game will have huge ramifications for the draft order. The Bengals are currently in the No. 3 slot with the Cowboys right behind them at No. 4. As much as Bengals fans collectively are eyeing offensive tackle Penei Sewell, Cowboys fans probably wouldn’t mind an upgrade along the offensive line either.
Will the Bengals get to three in-season wins for the first time in the Zac Taylor era, or will Dalton get revenge against his former team? This stream has all the news, updates and analysis you could want for the Bengals’ Week 14 matchup against the Cowboys.