ARLINGTON, Texas — In a dramatic turn of events, Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals finally caught a much-needed break in their season. The Dallas Cowboys faced a heartbreaking moment reminiscent of some of the toughest losses in their franchise history.
Burrow connected with Ja’Marr Chase for a crucial 40-yard touchdown after a botched blocked punt by Dallas, leading the Bengals to a 27-20 victory on Monday night. With the score tied and just under two minutes remaining, the play unfolded when Nick Vigil blocked a punt by Cincinnati’s Ryan Rehkow.
Amani Oruwariye attempted to field the loose ball, which he should have let bounce, allowing the Cowboys to regain possession. Unfortunately for Dallas, Oruwariye failed to secure it, and Maema Njongmeta of the Bengals recovered the ball at the Cincinnati 43-yard line with 1:53 on the clock.
Just three plays later, Burrow threw a perfect pass to Chase, who dodged a tackle from DaRon Bland and galloped into the end zone with just 1:01 remaining, snapping a three-game losing streak for Cincinnati and improving their record to 5-8 this season. This marked the second narrow victory for the Bengals in a season filled with closely contested games; they had previously lost seven of their eight defeats by seven points or fewer.
“We needed a break,” Burrow expressed after the game. “It hasn’t been easy for us this year, but it felt great to finally come out on top.”
The situation leading up to the game-winning touchdown flashed back memories for the Cowboys, echoing the reminder of a fateful Thanksgiving Day game in 1993. During that game, Leon Lett infamously slid to recover a blocked field goal, allowing the Dolphins to secure a last-minute victory.
Oruwariye’s mistake was particularly painful, coming in his return after a five-game absence due to a back injury. His fellow defensive backs, Jourdan Lewis and C.J. Goodwin, shielded him from reporters in the locker room following the loss. Special teams coach John Fassel was seen frantically signaling players to steer clear of the ball after the block.
“It’s a tough learning moment,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy remarked, acknowledging the challenging circumstances surrounding Oruwariye’s decision.
Burrow delivered yet another impressive performance, throwing for 369 yards and three touchdowns, marking his fourth consecutive game with at least 300 passing yards and three touchdowns. Chase was instrumental in the win, securing 177 receiving yards on a career-high 14 catches and finding the end zone twice. “Joe and I were synced up on that play,” Chase noted. “He placed the ball perfectly so I could turn upfield.”
Cooper Rush, meanwhile, threw two touchdown passes for the Cowboys, and Rico Dowdle recorded a career-high 131 rushing yards. However, Dallas’s hopes for a fourth straight playoff appearance seemed to dim with this loss, putting them at a disappointing 5-8. McCarthy commented, “We are aware of the hole we’ve dug ourselves. This was a must-win, and it’s a huge letdown.”
The victory marked a significant milestone for the Bengals, as it ended a five-game losing streak against the Cowboys; their last win in this matchup had come in 2004.
In injury news, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown left the game in the fourth quarter with a right knee injury, suffering in the aftermath of a stellar performance just weeks prior, where he had returned an interception for a touchdown. McCarthy indicated that this injury could be serious, further compounding the team’s struggles.
Burrow, although spotted with a noticeable limp after the game, reassured fans that his knee wouldn’t hinder his ability to play in the upcoming matches. “It’s nothing major,” he stated. “I just landed on it a couple of times. It’ll be sore, but I’ll be alright.”
For the Bengals, linebacker Joe Bachie was ruled out in the fourth quarter due to a groin injury. Additionally, the Cowboys lost rookie center Cooper Beebe to a concussion at halftime, forcing a reshuffle along their offensive line.
Looking ahead, the Bengals are set to face Tennessee this Sunday, while the Cowboys will take on Carolina the same day.
