Match Preview v Cowboys

If it wasn't for Canberra's and Parramatta's futile efforts throughout the opening rounds we would've been calling the Cowboys the most disappointing team over the first month of the season.

Widely tipped to win it all in 2018, the 'Cows' could've easily started 0-4 if the emotion of Johnathan Thurston's 300th NRL game hadn't carried them to a narrow home win over the Sharks in round one.

The Bulldogs were never really out of the game last week against Canberra, but they were also never really in it in terms of matching the Raiders' sense of urgency. They are at long odds to win in North Queensland, but the Cowboys aren't exactly brimming with confidence and everybody knows canines have a sixth sense for detecting fear and rattled nerves. 

The key match-up: Johnathan Thurston v Kieran Foran. Both sides struggled to score points last week and these players are the key to their respective sides' attacking structures, so whichever one fires will go a long way to securing the win.

For the Cowboys to win: Johnathan Thurston, Michael Morgan and the rest of the Cowboys backline needs to click in attack, while the entire team needs to be consistent in defence for 80 minutes.

For the Bulldogs to win: They need to complete above 80 per cent to give themselves a chance to score points.

Cowboys Stat Attack: As reported by NRL.com this week the Cowboys have found themselves outside the Telstra Premiership top eight after five rounds three times in the past five seasons – and in every season they fought back to play finals football. That includes their premiership-winning 2015 campaign.

Bulldogs Stat Attack: Last week they had 56 per cent of the ball, but only completed at 73 per cent and scored two tries, so if they hold the ball more consistently they'll likely notch up a few more four-pointers. 

And another thing: Neither of these sides have been at their best, expect a scrappy game of football where discipline and ball control are all-important.

Prediction: Cowboys by 2.