Dan Oransky compares Cowboys to Joe Burrow and the Bengals

Stacey Mickles

Dan Oransky compares Cowboys to Joe Burrow and the Bengals image

The Dallas Cowboys may not have beaten the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, but one thing they did prove is that they have an offense that can go against anyone, including a team that many considered has one of the best defenses in the NFL. 

The problem is they also have one of the worst defenses in the league as well. 

Which brings us to ESPN NFL analyst Dan Oransky. On Thursday morning’s “Get Up,” Oransky compared the 2025 Cowboys to the Cincinnati Bengals.

"Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys are this year's Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. An absolutely atrocious defense, but a quarterback that's playing like an MVP."

He’s not wrong. With the exception of the Chicago Bears game, the Cowboys offense has been on fire, especially since the addition of George Pickens, who had a breakout game against the Packers, torching them for over 150 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

The Bengals offense, when Joe Burrow is healthy, is one of the best, most effective offenses in the NFL. Without him, as we have seen, they are one of the worst teams in the league. It mirrors what happens to the Cowboys every time they lose Dak Prescott.

When the Cowboys have lost Prescott to injuries, they look like this year’s Bengals team: hopeless. The Bengals also look hapless without Burrow. They look defeated, similar to the years the Cowboys look without Dak.

At least with Prescott, the Cowboys still have a chance to be competitive and make the playoffs; the Bengals, without Burrow, not so much. 

 

Stacey Mickles

Stacey Mickles is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. She is a graduate of the University of Alabama and has worked for several sports publications, including Sports Illustrated and Saturday Down South. The Birmingham native has also worked in sports information for the Southeastern Conference and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.