IRVING, Texas - The Cowboys aren't strangers to playing against top receivers.
Dallas has already played against Braylon Edwards, DeSean Jackson, Donald Driver and Santana Moss this season. The Cincinnati Bengals bring two Pro Bowl receivers with them to Texas Stadium Sunday for this 3:15 p.m. (CDT) contest.
The Cowboys also aren't strangers to opinionated receivers. On Wednesday, Bengals receiver Chad Ocho Cinco, formerly Chad Johnson, said he was going to kiss the star when he scored a touchdown on Sunday. That doesn't bother Cowboys' cornerback Adam Jones.
"I don't think he'll get in (the end zone). If we do our job, we can keep him out," Jones said. "When Sunday gets here I'll be ready, I don't have anything to say to him."
Ocho Cinco's season has not gotten off to a strong start, nor has the season for the Bengals, still looking for their first victory after four starts. After putting up a 1,000 yards receiving every season since 2002, Ocho Cinco only has 11 catches for 116 yards and one touchdown in four games this year.
"I expect him to have the same horrible game that he had the first four weeks," said Jones, who could be starting at left corner if Terence Newman, listed Friday as questionable after aggravating his groin, is unable to play - or start - come Sunday. "He really hasn't gotten in so far, so hopefully we can keep it like that."
But it's not just Ocho Cinco, the Bengals offense has started slowly. Cincinnati after four games ranks 31st in total offense, 30th in points per game and 29th in passing yards per game. That this team is averaging just 13 points a game is quite surprising.
The lack of offense and the 0-4 record doesn't have the Cowboys looking past Sunday's game, especially after falling to 3-1 last Sunday in the 26-24 loss to Washington at Texas Stadium. The Cowboys probably can't fathom losing back-to-back regular-season home games since the final two of the 2006 season.
"They're all talented, two starting receivers made it to the Pro Bowl, their quarterback made it to the Pro Bowl," Cowboys safety Ken Hamlin said. "They're all talented, they're all fast, they all can move in the slot and do different things."
Those Pro Bowl receivers were Ocho Cinco and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, whose numbers are a little better than Ocho Cinco's so far, but not by much. He has caught 24 passes for 266 yards and a touchdown.
Plus there is a good chance the Bengals will lean on recently-reinstated wide receiver Chris Henry, once released by Cincinnati this year and having just completed his four-game NFL suspension after last Sunday's game. Henry practiced all week.
"Chad is a more speedy guy, 'Houshy' is a possession receiver," Jones said. "We just have to do our job. It's never about the Cincinnati Bengals, I worry about the Cowboys."
The Pro Bowl quarterback could be another story for the Bengals. Carson Palmer was forced to sit out last week's game against Cleveland with an inflamed elbow. In his place, backup Ryan Fitzpatrick got the start, and struggled in the 20-12 loss to Cleveland.
Palmer did very little in the first two practices this week, but the Bengals, on their latest injury report, noted that he fully participated in practice on Friday. They are listing him as questionable for the game, meaning he has a 50-50 chance to start. That is the exact same designation the Bengals listed Palmer last Friday, but he was not active against the Browns.
"We know Fitzpatrick is also a good player," said Cowboys safety Pat Watkins, doubtful for this game. "We don't want to look at it like a production fall off. Carson probably knows the offense better, but I'm pretty sure Fitzpatrick knows what he's doing."
Whoever is taking the snaps for Cincinnati the Cowboys know what they have to do.
"We just have to come out and do what we do best and that's get pressure on the quarterback and then handle our stuff on the back end," Jones said. "If we do that, we'll be alright. They got a good team, if we let them hang around there is the possibility they can win the game."
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