The season didn’t turn out the way the Cowboys expected.

Cincinnati can say the same.

The Cowboys and Bengals were ranked among the top teams in their conference at the start of the season. But with five games left in the regular season, it will be difficult for any team to finish above .500.

But hey, if the game drags on, you can always fall back on the alternate broadcast at Atoms Stadium in Springfield. That’s right. This game will be broadcast at the same time as The Simpsons.

Homer with the Cowboys? Beard with the Bengals?

D’oh!

Related:Everything you need to know about the Cowboys-Bengals: Dallas carries the winning streak into Monday night’s contest

All eyes are on Burrow

The Cowboys game on Thanksgiving gave Mike McCarthy time to watch some football over the holiday weekend. Of course, he attended Cincinnati’s game against Pittsburgh.

While the Cowboys head coach was looking for plays that could work against the Bengals’ defense, that didn’t stop him from being impressed by the work of quarterback Joe Burrow.

“Just the way he digs in the pocket,” McCarthy said. “So instinctive with the football. Obviously has a great understanding of what they do. Knows where everyone is. His ability to throw on time…

“The unique route to the left is the one in the fourth quarter that really stands out. “Throwing it into coverage with anticipation and hitting it with speed because I think it was a 32-yard gain.”

Burrow led the NFL in passing yards (3,337) and touchdown passes (30) entering Week 14. He’s proud of an offense that’s averaged 35 points over the last four games.

“Well, they have outstanding speed on the outside,” defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said. “Burrow is really, really good. He is accurate. Moves well in the pocket, climbs. We didn’t play particularly well against a struggling quarterback.

“His timing is impeccable as he gets the ball out much earlier, before the receiver looks, and gets it to the right spot.”

Half of Burrow’s touchdown passes this season have come in the last four games. This season he threw five touchdowns in a game twice, four touchdowns once and three touchdowns three times.

“He’s first class,” McCarthy said. “We understand what the records are, but their offense has been extremely productive. Often it just looks like they are playing 7 on 7 with their passing game.

“It will be a big challenge for us.”

Part of Parsons’ DNA

Dallas’ defensive goal on Monday night is simple. Make Burrow as uncomfortable as possible.

“It’s going to be extremely important,” pass rusher Micah Parsons said. “I have to do my job at an extremely high level.

“I have to be the best player on the field.”

Parsons had a slow start – his standards – to this season. He then missed four games due to a severe ankle sprain. But in recent weeks he has become dominant.

He only needs 3.5 sacks for every 10 sacks the rest of the season.

“I told you I was going to make it to 10,” Parsons said. “I told you, it’s in my DNA.

“The question is whether I turn 17, that’s what I’m talking about. Now you’re talking about a standard that I reach for. “How do I manage to get two players per game at the end of the season?”

To be clear: Parsons starts every season with 10 sacks as the basis of his performance?

“Ten is like going to dinner on Friday night,” Parsons said. “You know what I mean?

“I think when it comes to size and consistency, 10 should be the bare minimum. You know what I mean? You’re talking about someone who’s great in the league and doesn’t average 10?

“If you get 10 and play 10 years, that’s 100 careers. “Maybe you’ll go into the Hall of Fame.”

A methodical approach

Cincinnati’s offense is productive.

It’s not the Cowboys. If this game turns into a shootout, it’s hard to imagine Dallas being able to keep up. That will impact what McCarthy calls the game.

“Didn’t I dodge that question (recently)?” McCarthy asked. “Check my memory.

“How about we move on to a different topic?”

The bottom line is that the explosiveness of Cincinnati’s offense has an impact on how McCarthy calls the game. He needs to be more methodical and aim to win time of possession. Ball security is key.

“We have to build on how we’ve been playing as a team recently and then that’s our focus,” McCarthy said. “So No. 1 is just ball security.

“We did a good job of taking the ball away and we need to do a better job of taking it away. The ball has been on the ground too many times, so stick to the basics.

“They (the Bengals) are playing at a very high level right now. But yeah, we want to control the clock every game we play.”

A healthy secondary school

It’s not a done deal yet. Trevon Diggs is listed as questionable.

But if he’s able to play Monday night, it would be the first time this season that the team’s top three cornerbacks — Diggs, DaRon Bland and Jourdan Lewis — are all available for a game.

The three trained together on Thursday and McCarthy said their presence was noticeable.

“The whole competitive spirit in this arena is increasing,” McCarthy said. “Yes, it would be great to have the entire secondary intact for Monday night’s game.”

One is quiet, one is bigger

Zimmer has two stints on the Cowboys coaching staff.

In between, he was Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator for six years. He has worked for Jerry Jones and Mike Brown.

His thoughts?

“There are a lot of similarities,” Zimmer said. “There are also many differences.

“Mike Brown has always been great to me. His father was a coach, so he was very interested in trainers and making them comfortable.

“He’s a little calmer. Jerry likes it a little bigger.”

A little.

“Both have very good ways of getting things done,” Zimmer said. “I can only say good things about both of them.”

Catch David Moore and Robert Wilonsky as they co-host Intentional Grounding on The Ticket (KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM) every Wednesday during the Super Bowl from 7-8 p.m.

Twitter/X: @DavidMooreDMN

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