Instant analysis: Dallas Cowboys give Cincinnati Bengals' starters a reality check

ARLINGTON, Texas – The onset of actual football couldn’t have started much better a week ago for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018. Aside from a fluky turnover against the Chicago Bears, the first-string offense was impressive. The first string defense was similarly strong with good coverage and excellent pressure.

Saturday at AT&T Stadium, both groups got a bit of a reality check in the Bengals' 21-13 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

The offense couldn’t do a thing and would not have converted a single third down if not for Andy Dalton deciding to scramble for one – in the second quarter. The right side of the offensive line struggled, and the entire group couldn’t get much push. Dalton…