Cowboys Special Teams Error Hands Bengals Much-Needed Win

Full Recap: Bengals vs. Cowboys

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Dallas Cowboys 27-20, snapping a three-game losing streak, on a day that featured a costly special teams mistake by the Cowboys late in the fourth quarter.

With a little less than two minutes left, the Cowboys blocked a Bengals punt but then fumbled the ball, which Cincinnati recovered at its own 43-yard line. Three plays later, Joe Burrow found Ja’Marr Chase on the game-sealing 40-yard touchdown pass.

This victory keeps Cincinnati, at 5-8, mathematically in playoff contention, though their path forward remains improbable. The Cowboys, now 5-8, saw their own playoff hopes dwindle further, with self-inflicted errors and injuries defining their season.

Bengals’ Key Takeaways

1. Burrow’s Brilliance Under Pressure
   Despite constant pressure from Dallas, Joe Burrow completed 33 of 44 passes for 369 yards and three touchdowns, offset by one interception. His resilience, even after donning a compression sleeve for a left-leg injury, was pivotal in securing the win.
2. Chase Shines on MNF
   Ja’Marr Chase cemented his reputation as a prime-time performer, tallying 177 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Chase also became the first player in NFL history with 100+ yards in each of his first four Monday Night Football appearances.
3. Ongoing Defensive Struggles
   Cincinnati’s defense continued to falter, particularly against the run. Rico Dowdle exploited their weaknesses, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. This trend reflects Cincinnati’s season-long struggles, as they rank near the bottom of the league in defensive rush success rate.

Cowboys’ Performance

1. Costly Mistakes in Key Moments
   The special teams error wasn’t Dallas’ only misstep. A red-zone interception by Cooper Rush in the second quarter wasted a prime scoring opportunity. Despite solid defensive efforts for most of the game, their inability to capitalize on offense cost them dearly.
2. Rico Dowdle Emerges
   Dowdle delivered another 100-yard rushing performance, finishing with 131 yards on 18 carries. His contributions were a rare bright spot for a team plagued by inconsistency.
3. Injury Woes on the Offensive Line
   The Cowboys’ offensive line suffered yet another blow as rookie center Cooper Beebe exited with a concussion. Injuries to key players, including Zack Martin, continue to derail their season.

Statistical Highlights

• Joe Burrow: 369 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
• Ja’Marr Chase: 177 yards, 2 TDs (first-ever with 100+ yards in first four MNF games)
• Rico Dowdle: 131 rushing yards, 7.3 YPC

Final Thoughts

For Cincinnati, the victory is a morale booster but also underlines the need for improvement in defense if they are to have any meaningful contention. As for Dallas, this loss points to missed opportunities and repeated mistakes that leave their playoff dreams hanging by a thread.