ARLINGTON, Texas — A devastating misstep for the Dallas Cowboys occurred after what could have been a game-winning blocked punt, causing them to lose not only against the Cincinnati Bengals but also effectively ending their playoff aspirations for the season.
Amani Oruwariye’s crucial mistake in the game’s final moments led to Cincinnati emerging victorious with a score of 27-20, leaving Dallas sitting with a 5-8 record, which significantly diminishes their chances of making the postseason this year.
As the season progresses, discussions around head coach Mike McCarthy’s future have intensified. This conversation accelerated following a surprising wild-card round defeat to the Green Bay Packers last January. McCarthy is now in the final year of his contract, and speculation about his job security is at an all-time high. Over the past week, prominent players like quarterback Dak Prescott and pass rusher Micah Parsons have expressed their support for McCarthy, despite the team’s struggles.
Prescott, who had been sidelined for the season due to a torn hamstring sustained after just eight games, remains a critical focal point for the team, especially since this was his second year under McCarthy’s direction. The Cowboys had one of the top offenses in the NFL during McCarthy’s first season, however, this year’s performance has struggled to replicate that success.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys are set to face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Despite this challenging phase, the team has secured Prescott for three additional seasons through a substantial four-year, $240 million contract established on opening day in September.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones has stated that there will be no coaching changes during the ongoing season, emphasizing his commitment to McCarthy for now. Jones also remarked that the benchmark for McCarthy should primarily revolve around how far he can advance Dallas in the playoffs. The team has not reached an NFC Championship game since their fifth Super Bowl victory, which concluded the 1995 season.
The playoff picture has become increasingly bleak for the Cowboys, exacerbated by injuries to key players. The absence of seven-time All-Pro right guard Zack Martin, who will be out for the rest of the season due to an ankle injury, and the sidelining of Parsons for four games because of a sprained ankle during a streak of defeats, have weakened the team considerably. Additionally, DeMarcus Lawrence has been out since Week 4 with a foot injury.
After the loss to the Bengals, Jones praised McCarthy, noting his coaching caliber and the benefits he brings to the team. He acknowledged the difficulties McCarthy faces and how performances like this one can be disheartening for all involved, reigniting memories of past mistakes that still haunt the franchise.
Dallas’s special teams coach, John Fassel, was notably distressed after the game, having urged his players not to touch the ball after Vigil blocked the punt. However, Oruwariye’s impulsive attempt to recover the ball allowed Cincinnati to regain possession, leading to the eventual loss for Dallas.
Moving forward, the Cowboys are now focusing on rebuilding their reputation rather than postseason goals. “Just do the math,” McCarthy said. “We’re still in a hole. We need a tremendous amount of help. This one stings. We had to have this one.”
On a positive note, running back Rico Dowdle has shown promising performance, achieving his first two career games with over 100 rushing yards within the last fortnight. Conversely, while KaVontae Turpin has contributed with touchdown returns this season, the special teams unit has shown inconsistency with various failed plays in crucial moments throughout the year.
Meanwhile, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb continues to be a reliable target, though his stats are unlikely to match his previous All-Pro achievements. He is on track for his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season. In contrast, the re-acquisition of Ezekiel Elliott has not made a significant impact, with only seven carries in the last four games.
Injury concerns remain as linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is set for season-ending surgery due to a knee injury sustained against the Bengals, a setback that compounds a series of injuries he had faced in his short career.
An interesting statistic is Dallas’s performance with the AT&T Stadium roof open; they hold a 2-6 record in this configuration, which is their only losing record scenario.
Next up for Dallas is their match with Carolina, a team striving for a better outcome as they seek the top pick in the upcoming NFL draft. Despite a rocky start, the Panthers have shown signs of improvement over the last month, securing two victories and demonstrating competitiveness against established teams like Philadelphia and Kansas City.