Arlington TX- In a Monday Night Football clash at AT&T Stadium, the Dallas Cowboys fell to the Cincinnati Bengals 27-20, snapping the Cowboys’ 2-game winning streak and Cincinnati’s three-game losing streak.

Game Summary:

The Cowboys, despite coming off a two-game winning streak, couldn’t hold off the Bengals’ and a frantic final 2 minutes. The game was marked by strategic errors and key plays that ultimately favored Cincinnati. The Cowboys had a chance to secure the victory, but a critical special teams blunder late in the game handed the Bengals the ball after a 4th and 27 and Joe Burrow capitalized on it.

Key Player Stats:

• 🏈 Joe Burrow (Bengals QB):
• 33/44 passing
• 369 passing yards
• 3 Touchdowns / 1 Interception
• 🏈 Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals WR):
• 14 catches
• 177 receiving yards
• 2 Touchdowns
• Chase’s second touchdown was the decisive score with just over a minute left in the game.
• 🏈 Cooper Rush (Cowboys QB):
• 16/31 passing
• 183 passing yards
• 2 Touchdowns / 1 Interception
• 🏈 Rico Dowdle (Cowboys RB):
• 131 rushing yards on 18 carries
• Averaged 7.3 yards per carry
• 🏈 CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys WR):
• 6 receptions for 93 yards
• 1 Touchdown

Deciding Moment:

The key moment came when the Cowboys’ special teams fumbled the ball after blocking a Bengals punt. After the blocked punt Amani Oruwariye tried to field the bouncing ball when leaving it alone would have given Dallas possession. Oruwariye couldn’t hold on, and the Bengals’ Maema Njongmeta recovered at the Cincinnati 43-yard line with 1:53 remaining. This error put Cincinnati in a prime position, allowing Burrow to connect with Chase for the go-ahead touchdown.

The Cowboys’ defense had moments where they pressured Burrow, but failed to contain Chase, who had a huge night in terms of receptions and yardage. The Cowboys’ defense did their job overall, holding the Bengals to just 20 points prior to the special teams blunder that set them up in scoring position with just minutes left in the game.

Looking Ahead:

With this loss, the Cowboys’ playoff hopes are now all but gone, sitting at a 5-8 record. They’ll need a near-miraculous turnaround, including wins in their remaining games and help from other results to make the postseason. Meanwhile, the Bengals, improving to 5-8, keep their slim playoff hopes alive, showcasing Burrow and Chase as the duo that can still make a difference in tight games. Burrow is having a MVP caliber year.

The Cowboys suffered more concerning injuries Monday as well. DeMarvion Overshown was having a big night before a hit to his knee put him out of the game. A MRI will reveal the extent of the injury. The Cowboys also lost center Cooper Beebe to a concussion and he will be concussion protocol this week. Dallas will need to regroup quickly as they face the Carolina Panthers next, while the Bengals look to build on this momentum against the Tennessee Titans.

Photos courtesy of AP, NFL, SI, CBS, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, NBC, and Dallas Morning News. 

“Cowboy Regg” – Co-Host of the “Sons of the Star” Podcast. The podcast is available on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. 

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