Dallas Cowboys linebacker Nick Vigil (41) blocks a punt by Cincinnati Bengals punter Ryan Rehkow (8) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Joe Burrow threw a tiebreaking 40-yard touchdown pass to Ja'Marr Chase after Dallas botched a blocked punt to give the ball back to Cincinnati in the final two minutes, and the Bengals beat the Cowboys 27-20 on Monday night.
The Cowboys were about to get the ball back with the score tied on the first play after the two-minute warning when Nick Vigil blocked a punt by Cincinnati's Ryan Rehkow.
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.
Three plays later, Burrow threw to Chase, who evaded DaRon Bland and ran untouched the rest of the way for the lead with 1:01 to go.
Get top local stories in DFW delivered to you every morning. >Sign up for NBC DFW's News Headlines newsletter.
The winning TD secured a fourth consecutive game of at least 300 yards passing and three touchdowns for Burrow, who finished with 369 and three scores, two to Chase.
This was the first victory in that stretch as the Bengals (5-8) ended a three-game losing streak. Chase, the NFL leader in yards receiving and touchdowns, had 177 yards and is up to 15 TDs.
Cooper Rush threw two TD passes and Rico Dowdle ran for a career-high 131 yards as the Cowboys (5-8) saw the end of a modest two-game winning streak after losing five in a row.
Sports Connection
Connecting you to your favorite North Texas sports teams as well as sports news around the globe.
The Bengals ended a five-game losing streak against the Cowboys with the first victory in the series since 2004.
The Cowboys lost linebacker DeMarvion Overshown to a right knee injury in the fourth quarter. It came in the first game for Dallas since his spectacular 23-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 27-20 victory over the New York Giants on Thanksgiving.
Overshown was second on the team in sacks to pass rushing star Micah Parsons going into the Cincinnati game. The former Texas standout had five to Parsons’ 6 1/2.
Injuries
Bengals: LB Joe Bachie was ruled out in the fourth quarter with a right groin injury.
Cowboys: Rookie C Cooper Beebe sustained a concussion and was ruled out at halftime. RG Brock Hoffman, the replacement for injured seven-time All-Pro Zack Martin (ankle), moved to center. T.J. Bass took over at right guard. … Special teams ace C.J. Goodwin was ruled out in the second half with a hamstring injury.
Up next
Bengals: At Tennessee on Sunday.
Cowboys: At Carolina on Sunday.
