Welcome football lovers, the NFL is back! What a way to get started, the Bengals vs. the Cowboys, Terrell Owens vs. his old team in the Hall of Fame Game. Emmitt Smith of 'Da Boys going into the Hall yesterday with Jerry Rice, very fitting for the best two, EVER, at their prospective positions. Just check our all of the stats they both hold and lead in their positions.

For a Pre-Season game, I have done a lot of homework for this opener, please read the following stats and information.

Cincinnati's defensive coordinator is Mike Zimmer, who's last job was being the Cowboys defensive coordinator. So, he knows not only Dallas' players, but their schemes and how they approach pre-season football. They may not admit it, but Zimmer and T.O. will make this game personal, and meaningful.

In addition, the game is being played in Canton, Ohio - right down the road from Cincinnati. There will be some Dallas fans there (they travel well in general) but a few extra due to Emmitt's entry into the Hall of Fame. It's still a road game for Dallas though.

The Cowboys' rookie sensation Dez Bryant, a stud WR from Oklahoma State, is out 4-6 weeks as is starting DE Marcus Spears. Old man Jon Kitna will play alot after Romo's early exit. J.T. O'Sullivan will play after Carson Palmer comes out, but I get the feeling Palmer wants to win this and play with his new toy, T.O. and they also have another TV reality star, Chad Ochocino. I never thought I see the day where one, let alone two, NFL guys on the same team had reality shows, it's bizarre.

Bernard Scott is an excellent back-up for Cedric Benson, and I expect Mr. Scott to have a big day. However, Dallas is deeper at running back with the three headed monster, Felix Jones, Marion Barber and Tashard Choice, who will all play. Cincinnati is much deeper at WR however, especially with Roy Williams now being, at least temporarily, the #2 WR in Dallas.

Dallas was #2 in overall defense last year, but Cincinnati made huge strides and ended up #4. The Bengals won the tough AFC North last year without T.O. Dallas is also trying to win now and trying to become the first team to ever play in it's home stadium in the Super Bowl (it's in Dallas this year), but I digress.

On to the game. The Bengals are favored by 2 points with an over/under of 32. Vegas is daring you to take Dallas plus the points (I normally love the dogs), but I think the home game factor for the Bengals and the emotion of Dallas' Emmitt Smith going in to the Hall will all work in the Bengals favor.

The Bengals and the Cowboys have never met in the pre-season before, but Dallas beat the Bengals by 12 last year in Dallas, so the Bengals also have the revenge factor, plus home crowd, Zimmer and T.O. The Bengals are 6-2 ATS away from their home field the last 8 pre-season match-ups.

Take the Bengals -2. Prediction, Bengals 23, Cowboys 17.

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