Dallas at Cincinnati

Here we have a late season inter-conference game that typically doesn't have the value of conference games. The difference here is that both of these teams need this game and the playoff implications are big. They are both fringe-playoffs teams, and a loss definitely hamstrings the loser in a big way. Expect a lot of intensity and defensive effort. The Bengals have really stepped things up on the defensive side of the ball since the mid-point of the season. They allowed 27.3 points per game in their first eight games, but have since allowed 10.5 ppg over their last four, becoming a tough stop-unit. Dallas has been involved in some high-scoring games of late, but when they have had to step up vs. the Giants they allowed 17. And, they held Atlanta to just 19 points. The return of DeMarco Murray for the Cowboys, and the emergence of Benjarvis Green-Ellis in Cincinnati will mean a lot of running in this game, which will shorten the game. Dallas has brought the defense on the road where they are 7-2 to the UNDER in their last nine road games. The Bengals are also 6-0 to the UNDER in their last six after allowing 14 or less in their last game. Dallis is 2-4 UNDER on the road while Cincinnati is 4-2 UNDER at home. Under Marvin Lewis, the Bengals are 33-20 UNDER vs. teamst hat complete 61%+ of their passes and 21-11 UNDER vs. teams that pass for 235+ yards per game. Play the UNDER in this game.