The Cincinnati Bengals snapped a three-game losing streak with a 27-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14 of the 2024 NFL season, a win that hinged on one of the most chaotic sequences in Monday Night Football history and showcased the immense talent of two franchises searching for answers in a frustrating year.
At AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the contest came down to a moment of sheer opportunity mixed with catastrophic execution. With the score tied at 20-20 and just over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Bengals’ fortunes shifted on a deflected punt. Nick Vigil, a Dallas linebacker, blocked Cincinnati’s punt attempt by Ryan Rehkow, but in a stunning miscue, Cowboys cornerback Amani Oruwariye attempted to field the bouncing ball—a decision that proved calamitous. Rather than allowing the deflection to roll through the end zone for a touchback or loose ball possession, Oruwariye fumbled the recovery, and Maema Njongmeta of the Bengals pounced on the loose ball at the Cincinnati 43-yard line with 1:53 left on the clock.
The turnover gifted Joe Burrow and the Bengals one final chance. Three plays later, Burrow connected with wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase on a 40-yard touchdown pass. Chase evaded Dallas cornerback DaRon Bland and glided untouched into the end zone, securing the go-ahead score with just 1:01 remaining. The Cowboys never recovered, leaving the field with another loss that deepened their frustration.
The Bengals, now 5-8 on the season, had desperately needed the victory. Coming into Monday night, Cincinnati had lost three straight games and was staring down a season that appeared to be slipping away. That losing streak had been bookended by two particularly painful losses to Pittsburgh and Jacksonville, games that forced questions about whether the Bengals’ All-Pro quarterback had enough support around him to contend. The win, while still leaving Cincinnati in precarious playoff position, at least provided a jolt and halted the momentum crisis that had been building since November.
Joe Burrow’s performance against the Cowboys demonstrated why, despite the team’s inconsistent record, he remains a quarterback of exceptional caliber. His impressive comeback in 2024 earned him extraordinary accolades and showed his resilience. Burrow finished the evening completing 33 of 44 passes for 369 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception.
Most significantly, Monday marked Burrow’s fourth consecutive game with at least 300 passing yards and three touchdowns, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to record such a streak regardless of whether his team won or lost both contests. The previous three outings had resulted in defeats, a sequence that seemed to underscore a familiar narrative: Burrow doing his part while the team around him faltered. Against Dallas, the script finally flipped.
Burrow’s individual performance was nearly flawless aside from one third-quarter interception thrown to Chase in double coverage. His ability to escape pressure and create outside the pocket was evident on several plays, and his decision-making in the final moments, when stakes are highest, did not waver.
Yet if Burrow was the architect, Ja’Marr Chase was the instrument. The Bengals’ generational talent caught 14 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns—numbers that again positioned him as the league’s premier receiver and kept him firmly in the conversation for the NFL’s receiving triple crown. It is clear that continues to impress with his remarkable performance.
The depth of Chase’s 2024 campaign cannot be overstated. By the season’s conclusion, he would finish with 127 catches for 1,708 yards and 17 receiving touchdowns, joining an exclusive club that includes legends like Don Hutson and modern greats such as Cooper Kupp. For a franchise searching for reasons to believe in 2025 and beyond, Chase’s continued excellence was a north star in otherwise murky waters.
For the Cowboys, the loss represented another chapter in a disappointing season. With starting quarterback Dak Prescott sidelined, the team has faced playoff aspirations that have been derailed and the challenges faced, impacting their chances to contend.
Running back Rico Dowdle provided the Cowboys’ most consistent offensive execution, accumulating 131 yards on 18 carries. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb finished with six receptions for 93 yards and one touchdown.
The Monday night contest between the Bengals and Cowboys will likely be remembered more for its chaotic finish than any individual statistical accomplishment, joining some of the season’s most remarkable plays that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
This game was a testament to the high stakes and fluctuating fortunes that define the NFL. The players’ exemplary player performances illuminated the contest, promising more excitement in the weeks ahead.
