The Dallas Cowboys are still in no-man’s land at 5-7, in large part because of some massive struggles at home. But they’ll look to continue to add to some momentum on their home field after a 27-20 win over the Giants at home on Thanksgiving. As a playoff hopeful heading into the season, the Cincinnati Bengals find themselves in a similar spot at 4-8, and setting NFL records along the way — and not the ones you want to be known for. They’ve lost four times this season while scoring 30 or more points, which is tied for the NFL record for the most such losses in a season.
Joe Burrow has put up some monster numbers, leading the NFL in passing yards (3,337 yards) and passing touchdowns (30 TD passes) on a 67.7% completion rate. Over the past three weeks, his numbers have been particularly electric, throwing for 1,093 yards and 10 touchdowns, with just one interception. The rough part for the Bengals is that Cincinnati lost all three of those games and averaged 33 points per game in those losses.
Time: 8:15 pm ET
Location: Ford Field | Arlington, Texas
TV Channel: ESPN, ESPN2 (ManningCast)
Streaming: ESPN, Fubo
Live8 updates
4th-down gamble pays off in Cowboys TD
This is as good of a start as the Cowboys could have drawn up. After forcing a Bengals 3-and-out, the Cowboys marched 60 yards on a balanced drive that ended with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Cooper Rush to a wide open CeeDee Lamb in the end zone.
The Cowboys scored on fourth-and-1 with Mike McCarthy rolling the dice against a porous Bengals defense.
Bengals go 3 and out to start
The Cowboys defense was aggressive to start against a dangerous Bengals offense. Trevon Diggs comes up with the pass breakup on a third-and-6 pass to Tee Higgins on a seven-man rush of Joe Burrow. Bengals punt.
Joe Burrow’s been brilliant this season with an NFL-best 30 touchdowns and five interceptions through 12 games. But Cincinnati can thank a porous defense for a 4-8 start. Can the Bengals defense provide enough support tonight against the Cowboys?
We’re moments from kickoff. The Cowboys have won the toss and deferred. The Bengals will receive the opening kick.
CeeDee Lamb will continue to play tonight with a shoulder injury that’s limited him for multiple weeks. He’s dressed and ready for tonight’s game.
Trevon Diggs active for Cowboys
Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs was limited at practice and previously considered questionable for Monday’s game, but he’s active and will suit up to face the Bengals after missing two games. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who previously said that he expects to play with a nagging shoulder injury, is indeed active.
The @dallascowboys inactives against the Cincinnati Bengals:
#18 Damone Clark (LB) #25 Andrew Booth (CB) #30 Juanyeh Thomas (S) #42 Deuce Vaughn (RB) #83 Jalen Brooks (WR) #91 Tyrus Wheat (DE)
— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR) December 9, 2024
Bengals inactives include left tackle Orlando Brown
Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown will miss a fourth game with a fibula injury. He returned last week from the injury to play the Steelers but was ruled out for Monday after missing practice on Thursday.
