Hey there, football fans! If you’re anything like me, there’s nothing quite like diving into the stats after a big NFL matchup. The recent clash between the Cincinnati Bengals vs Dallas Cowboys Match Player Stats on December 9, 2024, was one of those games that had everyone on the edge of their seats. It was Monday Night Football at AT&T Stadium, with the Bengals pulling out a 27-20 victory in a game full of twists, turns, and game-changing plays. Whether you’re a die-hard Bengals supporter cheering for Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase or a Cowboys fan hoping for a miracle from the backup crew, this game delivered on excitement.
In this article, we’re going to break down all the key Bengals vs Dallas Cowboys Match Player Stats. I’ll keep it straightforward and easy to follow—no jargon overload here. We’ll look at the overall team performance first, then zoom in on the stars of the game with tables for quick reference. If you’re new to football or just want a refresher, think of it like this: stats tell the story of who ran the ball, threw the passes, caught the big ones, and stopped the other team. Let’s jump in and see what made this game memorable.
Setting the Scene: Why This Bengals vs Dallas Cowboys Match Player Stats Mattered
Before we get to the numbers, a quick backstory. Both teams entered Week 14 at 4-8, fighting to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. The Bengals had been on a rough three-game skid, while the Cowboys were without their star quarterback Dak Prescott due to injury. Cooper Rush stepped in for Dallas, and the game lived up to the hype with a blocked punt blunder that swung momentum Cincinnati’s way late in the fourth quarter.
The Bengals’ offense, led by Burrow, exploded for 466 total yards, while the Cowboys ground out 335 yards but couldn’t capitalize in the red zone. Defensively, Cincinnati forced key turnovers, including an interception, to seal the deal. This win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Bengals against Dallas, dating back to 2004. Now, let’s dive into the player stats that powered these performances.
Bengals Player Stats: Burrow and Chase Light It Up
The Cincinnati Bengals’ offense was firing on all cylinders, thanks to Joe Burrow’s precision passing and a balanced attack on the ground. Burrow had one of those nights where he looked unstoppable, threading the needle through a tough Cowboys secondary. His connection with Ja’Marr Chase was pure magic—Chase torched Dallas for career-night numbers.
Here’s a table summarizing the top Bengals offensive performers:
| Player | Position | Passing/Rushing/Receiving Yards | TDs | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Burrow | QB | 369 passing yards | 3 | 33/44 completions, 1 INT; Fourth straight 300+ yard game |
| Ja’Marr Chase | WR | 177 receiving yards | 2 | 9 catches on 11 targets; Game-winning 40-yard TD |
| Chase Brown | RB | 123 rushing yards | 1 | Career-high; Added 34 receiving yards for a versatile night |
| Tee Higgins | WR | 61 receiving yards | 0 | Solid support; 5 receptions |
| Mike Gesicki | TE | 32 receiving yards | 1 | Key red-zone target |
Burrow’s stat line is impressive when you think about it—he completed over 75% of his passes and spread the ball around, but Chase was the go-to guy. That 177 yards for Chase? It’s the most he’s had in a single game this season, and those two touchdowns included a toe-tapping score in the first quarter and the dagger late. Chase Brown stepped up big time without Joe Mixon in the mix, showing why the Bengals’ backfield depth is a strength. He averaged over 6 yards per carry and broke tackles like a veteran.
On the defensive side, the Bengals weren’t flashy but got the job done. They sacked Rush twice and limited Dallas to just 3.8 yards per rush outside of Rico Dowdle’s big game. Standout defenders included:
| Player | Position | Tackles | Sacks | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germaine Pratt | LB | 8 | 0 | Led the team; Forced a fumble recovery opportunity |
| Trey Hendrickson | DE | 6 | 1 | Pressure on Rush; Disrupted key drives |
| Maema Njongmeta | LB | 5 | 0 | Rookie hero: Recovered the muffed punt for game-changing field position |
The Bengals’ defense bent but didn’t break, especially in the red zone where they forced a turnover on downs to ice the game. Overall, Cincinnati controlled the ball for 33:11, which is huge in a close contest like this.
Cowboys Player Stats: Dowdle Shines, But Special Teams Stumbles
Over on the Dallas side, it was a tale of what-ifs. Without Prescott, Cooper Rush did his best to steady the ship, but the offense couldn’t sustain drives. The running game, led by Rico Dowdle, was the bright spot—Dowdle had a breakout performance that kept Dallas in it. CeeDee Lamb made some highlight-reel catches, but the passing attack lacked punch.
Check out the top Cowboys offensive stats in this table:
| Player | Position | Passing/Rushing/Receiving Yards | TDs | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Rush | QB | 183 passing yards | 2 | 16/31 completions, 1 INT; Solid but turnover-prone in red zone |
| Rico Dowdle | RB | 131 rushing yards | 0 | Career-high; 5.2 yards per carry, kept chains moving |
| CeeDee Lamb | WR | 84 receiving yards | 1 | 6 receptions; Big first-quarter TD but quiet after |
| Brandin Cooks | WR | 62 receiving yards | 1 | Third-quarter tying TD; Veteran presence |
| Jake Ferguson | TE | 28 receiving yards | 0 | Targeted in clutch moments |
Dowdle’s 131 yards were a season-best, and he deserved every bit of it—Dallas leaned on him to control the clock, especially in the second half. Rush’s two TDs went to Lamb and Cooks, showing flashes of the Cowboys’ potential, but that red-zone interception at the Bengals’ 7-yard line was a killer. It prevented Dallas from taking an early lead and shifted momentum.
Defensively, the Cowboys had their moments, like Malik Hooker’s pick-six setup, but Micah Parsons couldn’t quite dominate as usual. They pressured Burrow into one interception but allowed 369 passing yards overall. Here’s a quick defensive stats table:
| Player | Position | Tackles | Sacks | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micah Parsons | DE | 7 | 1 | 9 pressures total; Sacked Burrow once but Bengals O-line held firm |
| DeMarvion Overshown | LB | 9 | 0 | Led tacklers; Injured late in fourth quarter |
| DaRon Bland | CB | 5 | 0 | Covered Chase well early; 1 pass breakup |
| Malik Hooker | S | 4 | 0 | Interception off Burrow; Set up field goal |
The Cowboys’ defense sacked Burrow three times early, but fatigue set in as Cincinnati possessed the ball longer. Special teams was the real villain here—a blocked punt that Dallas touched first gave the Bengals free field position and led directly to the winning score. It’s the kind of mistake that haunts a team all season.
Head-to-Head Highlights: Key Matchups That Decided the Game
One of the coolest parts of any Bengals vs Cowboys game is watching the star power collide. Burrow vs. the Cowboys’ pass rush? Chase vs. DaRon Bland? It was electric. Burrow outdueled Rush handily in yards and efficiency, finishing with a 102.3 passer rating to Rush’s 85.1. Chase’s out-breaking routes shredded Dallas for 122 yards on those plays alone—stats like that don’t happen by accident; it’s chemistry between him and Burrow.
Dowdle vs. the Bengals’ run defense was a battle too. He gashed them for big gains, but Cincinnati stuffed him on third downs when it mattered. And let’s not forget the special teams gaffe: Bengals punter Ryan Rehkow’s kick was blocked, but Dallas’ touch on the loose ball turned a potential momentum swing into a gift-wrapped drive for Cincinnati.
If we compare the QBs head-to-head from this game:
- Joe Burrow: 369 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, 75% completion – The difference-maker, evading sacks and delivering in crunch time.
- Cooper Rush: 183 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 51.6% completion – Kept errors low until the red zone, but couldn’t match Burrow’s volume.
Historically, the Cowboys lead the all-time series 10-5, but this win evens things up a bit for Cincinnati fans. Burrow now has a 1-1 record against Dallas, avenging a tough loss from 2022.
What the Stats Tell Us About the Bigger Picture
Looking at these Bengals vs Dallas Cowboys Match Player Stats, a few things stand out. First, the Bengals’ passing game is elite—Burrow and Chase are a duo that can carry a team, especially when the run game (shoutout to Brown) complements it. Their 466 total yards dwarfed Dallas’ 335, showing balance and execution.
For the Cowboys, Dowdle’s emergence is huge; with 131 yards, he’s proving he’s more than a backup. But without Prescott, the offense feels one-dimensional, and those red-zone woes (converting just 1 of 3 trips into TDs) are a season-long issue. Defensively, Parsons is still a beast, but the unit needs more consistency to contend.
This game also highlights trends: The Bengals are now 4-3 on the road, sneaky good away from Paycor Stadium. Dallas, meanwhile, dropped to 1-6 at home—a brutal stat for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. Playoff odds? Cincinnati’s slim hopes got a boost to about 10%, while Dallas is mathematically alive but fading fast.
Final Thoughts: A Win That Feels Like Momentum
What a night in Arlington! The Bengals vs Dallas Cowboys Match Player Stats will be remembered for Burrow’s heroics, Chase’s fireworks, and that wild special teams moment. If you’re analyzing fantasy football or just love the numbers, these stats show why this league is so unpredictable. The Bengals improve to 5-8, keeping the faith alive, while the Cowboys sit at 5-8, pondering what could have been.