Ja’Marr Chase Shines as Bengals Capitalize on Cowboys’ Special Teams Blunder
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Cincinnati Bengals may not be playoff-bound this season, but they finally found a way to stop the bleeding. In a dramatic Monday night showdown, the Bengals snapped their three-game losing streak with a 27-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, thanks to a late-game special teams miscue by Dallas that set up a game-winning touchdown.
With just under two minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys appeared to have made a game-changing play by deflecting a punt. But in a bizarre twist, the ball was touched by Dallas and recovered by Cincinnati at their own 43-yard line. Three plays later, Joe Burrow connected with Ja’Marr Chase for a stunning 40-yard touchdown that sealed the win with just 1:01 remaining on the clock.
For the Bengals, this victory was a much-needed morale boost in what has been a frustrating season. At 5-8, they remain mathematically alive in the playoff race, but the odds are stacked heavily against them. Still, a win is a win, and for a team that has struggled to find consistency, this one felt particularly sweet.
Burrow and Chase Deliver in the Clutch
Burrow was under constant pressure throughout the game, taking hit after hit and even donning a compression sleeve on his left leg in the fourth quarter. Despite the adversity, he delivered when it mattered most. Burrow finished the night completing 33 of 44 passes for 369 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. His connection with Chase was electric, as the star wide receiver hauled in 14 catches for 177 yards and two touchdowns.
Chase, who thrives under the bright lights of “Monday Night Football,” made history with his fourth consecutive 100-yard receiving game on MNF. This feat ties him with legends like Randy Moss, Davante Adams, and Cooper Kupp for the most 100-yard games in MNF history. Chase is also making a strong case for All-Pro honors and has his sights set on the coveted Triple Crown: leading the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
Defensive Struggles Persist for Cincinnati
While the Bengals’ offense came through in the clutch, their defense once again showed its vulnerabilities. The unit struggled to contain Dallas’ fourth-year running back Rico Dowdle, who torched them for a career-high 131 yards on 18 carries, averaging an impressive 7.3 yards per attempt. This continues a troubling trend for Cincinnati, which entered the game ranked 30th in the league in defensive rush success rate, according to ESPN Research.
Missed tackles were another glaring issue. The Bengals allowed CeeDee Lamb to rack up 42.8 yards after catch over expectation on a single play, turning a quick throw into a 43-yard gain. Despite rotating starters and making adjustments, the Bengals have yet to solve their tackling woes, which have plagued them all season.
Cowboys’ Playoff Hopes on Life Support
For the Cowboys, this loss was a gut punch. At 5-8, their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread, and they’ll likely need to win their final four games while getting help from other teams to have any chance of sneaking into the postseason. The absence of starting quarterback Dak Prescott, who is on injured reserve, has been a significant hurdle, and backup Cooper Rush struggled to capitalize on opportunities.
Dallas’ special teams blunder in the final minutes was the most glaring mistake, but it wasn’t the only one. Earlier in the game, Rush threw a costly interception in the red zone, squandering a chance to put points on the board. The Cowboys’ offense also failed to sustain drives against a Bengals defense that has allowed an average of 28.3 points per game this season.
Bright Spots and Lingering Concerns
- Promising Trend: Dowdle’s back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances have been a rare bright spot for the Cowboys. He became the first Dallas running back to achieve this feat since Tony Pollard in 2022.
- Troubling Trend: Injuries continue to decimate the Cowboys’ offensive line. Pro Bowl right guard Zack Martin was placed on injured reserve earlier in the day, and rookie center Cooper Beebe exited the game with a concussion.
- Eye-Popping Stat: Lamb’s 43-yard reception in the first quarter was one of the longest plays of the season for Dallas, but the drive ended with a Rush interception, highlighting the team’s inability to capitalize on big plays.
As both teams look ahead to Week 15, the Bengals will travel to face the Tennessee Titans, while the Cowboys will take on the Carolina Panthers. For Cincinnati, the focus will be on building momentum and addressing their defensive shortcomings. For Dallas, the road to the playoffs is now a steep uphill climb, and they’ll need to play near-perfect football to keep their slim hopes alive.
Originally Written by: Ben Baby
