The Dallas Cowboys just can't get out of their own way.
With Monday night’s game against the Bengals tied 20-20 late in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys had stopped the Cincinnati offense to force a punt, and were in position to set up a game-winning drive with two minutes to play.
Bengals rookie Ryan Rehkow's punt was blocked by Nick Vigil, but the ball fluttered forward, and Dallas cornerback Amani Oruwariye attempted to make a play. That’s when disaster struck.
The ball bounced to Oruwariye, but he muffed it, making it a live ball. Cincinnati's Maema Njongmeta immediately pounced on the ball, giving the Bengals a first down on near midfield.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! 😱
— ESPN (@espn) December 10, 2024
THE COWBOYS BLOCKED THE PUNT BUT CINCY GOT THE BALL BACK AFTER A DALLAS PLAYER TOUCHED THE BALL! #CINvsDAL | ABC, ESPN pic.twitter.com/vaMWLRHxIa
You can guess what happened next.
Three plays later, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow hit Ja'Marr Chase on the right sideline and he sprinted 40 yards for the game-winning touchdown with 1:01 remaining.
JA'MARR CHASE 40-YARD TD! 🔥
— ESPN (@espn) December 10, 2024
Incredible! #CINvsDAL | ABC, ESPN pic.twitter.com/tX8GXYA0Oq
A final possession for Dallas ended feebly near midfield and Cincinnati escaped with a 27-20 win.
The Cowboys fell to 5-8 thanks to that massive special teams blunder.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Cowboys Commit Disastrous Miscue on Blocked Punt to Hand Bengals Win.
