Dallas Cowboys (5-8) – Cincinnati Bengals (5-8): 20-27
When a punt is blocked, if the team that successfully blocked it does not touch the live ball and lets the play complete, it regains possession. When Nick Vigil deflected the Bengals' punt with a little less than two minutes to go, the Cowboys were going to get the lead on the opposing field. Except that Amani Oruwariye decided to try to take the ball, that he touched it but was unable to control it, and that it was ultimately a Bengals player who caught it.
Ball to the Bengals. Oops.
The Cowboys blocks the punt… but it was then touched by a Dallas player… and then recovered by the Bengals 🤯
Chaos. @Bengals ball pic.twitter.com/Uw0l4ebH3v
— NFL (@NFL) December 10, 2024
Three actions later, Joe Burrow found Ja'Marr Chase, who put DaRon Bland and the entire defense in the wind for a 40-yard touchdown synonymous with victory. Oops.
Finally a defensive victory for the Bengals (or almost)
This meeting is far from being perfect for the Cincinnati defense. But at the end of the game, Lou Anaroumo's squad was able to preserve the result. The Cowboys' final three possessions ended with two punts and a failure on fourth down. Also before halftime, Cincinnati had locked down, with only three points conceded in four possessions in the second quarter.
With the inevitable Burrow-Chase duo to start the match and finish it, the Bengals are logically coming out of it, in a match that they dominated in almost all statistical categories. They gained more yards (433 to 322), lost fewer balls (1 to 2) and kept the ball longer.
The Cowboys solid on the lines
If the Cowboys almost held on to this meeting, it is because they still won important duels: those of the lines. Joe Burrow was put under pressure very regularly, which prevented the Bengals from displaying too frantic a pace in attack.
And above all, the Dallas offensive line took advantage of the weakness of the opposing defense to open up gaps for Rico Dowdle. The runner made interesting gains, and put Cooper Rush at ease at the same time.
This duo allowed Dallas to take the advantage with a field goal at the start of the last quarter (20-17). But Cincinnati's defense finally woke up, and Oruwariye's mistake on special teams hurt a lot.
There is no longer any hope of the playoffs for these two teams, but they can at least say that they tested the Simpsons version broadcast.
What a night in Springfield!
The best moments from @TheSimpsons Funday Football 🍩 pic.twitter.com/JAvn0Y0oP6
— NFL (@NFL) December 10, 2024
