The clash between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys in December 2024 delivered high drama, clutch plays, and standout individual performances that ultimately shaped the final outcome. In particular, the bengals vs dallas cowboys match player stats revealed critical battles in every phase: passing, rushing, receiving, defense, and special teams. This article dives deep into those stats to tell the full story behind a defining 27‑20 victory for the Bengals.
🏈 Game Summary & Key Metrics
On Monday Night Football, the Bengals defied expectations against the Cowboys in Arlington, breaking a three-game losing streak. Final score: Cincinnati 27, Dallas 20. Key team stats from the bengals vs dallas cowboys match player stats include:
- Total yards: 433 (CIN) vs. 322 (DAL)
- Time of possession edge: Bengals held the ball for 33:11 vs. Cowboys’ 26:49 ESPN.com+9Forbes network+9matchplayerstats.co.uk+9
- Red zone conversion: both teams went 2-for-4 Forbes network
Joe Burrow vs. Cooper Rush: QB Performance Comparison
At the heart of the bengals vs dallas cowboys match player stats is the quarterback duel:
- Joe Burrow: Completed 33 of 44 passes for 359 yards, with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception, finishing with a 112.8 rating. His accuracy—especially on crucial third downs—carried Cincinnati’s offense early and late Sportskeeda+1Forbes network+1.
- Cooper Rush, starting for the injured Dak Prescott, went 16-for-31 for 183 yards, with 2 TDs and 1 INT, rating 77.8. He showed flashes, but missed key throws under pressure en.wikipedia.org+15Sportskeeda+15bengals.com+15.
Ground Game: Running Back Contributions
Looking into the bengals vs dallas cowboys match player stats, the running games shaped offensive balance:
Cincinnati Rushing:
- Chase Brown: 14 carries for 58 yards, and 1 receiving touchdown among 6 receptions for 65 yards statmuse.com+10Sportskeeda+10gmru.co.uk+10.
- The run game averaged just over 4 YPC but was effective to set up play-action opportunities.
Dallas Ground Game:
- Rico Dowdle led the charge with 98 rushing yards on 18 carries.
- The Cowboys’ backs added 52 receiving yards, stretching the Bengals secondary with check-downs Sportskeeda.
Receiving Leaders: Chase & Lamb Shine
Receiving stats are vital to the bengals vs dallas cowboys match player stats, and a few players stand out:
- Ja’Marr Chase: A season‑high 14 receptions for a staggering 177 yards and 2 TDs, including a game‑winning 40-yard strike from Burrow with just over a minute left gmru.co.uk+1Forbes network+1.
- CeeDee Lamb: Dallas’s top target posted 6 catches for 93 yards and a TD, finding consistent separation against tight coverage Sportskeedaen.wikipedia.org.
Complementary receivers—Iosivas, Higgins, Gesicki, and Hudson—combined for valuable yards and first downs, illustrating Burrow’s distribution beyond a single star Sportskeeda+1bengals.com+1.
Defensive Standouts & Game-Changing Plays
Player performance on both sides of the ball defined the bengals vs dallas cowboys match player stats, and defenses delivered:
Cincinnati Defense:
- Trey Hendrickson added another sack to lead the league—his sack in the fourth quarter helped shut down a late drive, pushing his season total to 12.5 Forbes networkbengals.com.
- Joseph Ossai notched a sack in the first half, part of his three-game sack streak, and helped force punts that flipped field position bengals.com+1Sportskeeda+1.
- Geno Stone recorded an interception, while Akeem Davis-Gaither made eight tackles and Germaine Pratt forced a pivotal fumble—all of which arrested Dallas momentum AS USA+2Sportskeeda+2bengals.com+2.
Dallas Defense:
- Eric Kendricks led Dallas with 12 tackles, while Donovan Wilson added 9 and strong run support Sportskeeda.
- The cornerback tandem of Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland limited big plays; Bland had 5 tackles and solid coverage while Diggs chipped in multiple breakups despite missing time due to injury en.wikipedia.org+1Sportskeeda+1.
Special Teams & Field Position Insights
Special teams stats are often overlooked but were pivotal in the bengals vs dallas cowboys match player stats:
- The final sequence came after Nick Vigil blocked a Cowboys punt, which Bengals recovered at midfield. That turnover set up Burrow’s decisive drive cbssports.com.
- Baltimore’s punter Ryan Rehkow averaged 40.3 yards, while Cade York went 2-for-2 on field goals, including a long 49-yarder Sportskeeda+2AS USA+2cbssports.com+2.
- Dallas’s punter averaged slightly less and their return coverage units avoided any catastrophic mistakes but couldn’t match Cincinnati’s special-teams edge.
Historical Context: Recent Bengals vs Cowboys Trends
This matchup fit a broader pattern between these two franchises. Reviewing the bengals vs dallas cowboys match player stats in recent games shows a recurring trend:
- Over the last 10 meetings, the Bengals average 320.8 total yards per game vs. Dallas’s 348.0, often losing these matchups—but this time turned the tide with 433 yards statmuse.comstatmuse.com.
- The Bengals’ passing offense had ranked first in the NFL for yards-per-game in 2024—Detroit’s ability to lean on the air attack paid dividends here statmuse.comstatmuse.com.
Tactical Takeaways from the Player Stats
Offensive Efficiency
The bengals vs dallas cowboys match player stats confirm that Cincinnati’s aerial dominance—359 passing yards to Dallas’s 166—carried the day. Burrow’s composure under pressure and decisive throws turned statistical edge into victory.
Running Game Balance
While neither team leaned heavily on the ground, Cincinnati’s ability to mix in short runs and effective check-downs kept the Cowboys honest, opening lanes in the secondary.
Defensive Consistency
Key playmakers like Hendrickson, Stone, Davis-Gaither, and Pratt consistently disrupted Dallas’s rhythm and forced turnovers, underscoring the importance of situational awareness and positional discipline.
Special Teams Edge
The blocked punt by Vigil and sharp placement by Rehkow swung the field position battle decisively in Cincinnati’s favor, highlighting how non-offensive stats matter most in tight games.
📊 Summary Table: Key Player Stats Recap
| Player | Team | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Burrow | Bengals | 33/44, 359 yds, 3 TDs, 1 INT, 112.8 rating |
| Chase Brown | Bengals | 14 carries / 58 yds, 6 rec / 65 yds, 1 TD |
| Ja’Marr Chase | Bengals | 14 rec / 177 yds, 2 TDs |
| Cooper Rush | Cowboys | 16/31, 183 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 77.8 rating |
| CeeDee Lamb | Cowboys | 6 rec / 93 yds, 1 TD |
| Trey Hendrickson | Bengals | Sack in 4Q boosts season total to 12.5 |
| Joseph Ossai | Bengals | Sack + critical tackles in first half |
| Geno Stone | Bengals | 1 interception |
| Akeem Davis-Gaither | Bengals | 8 tackles |
| Germaine Pratt | Bengals | 7 tackles + forced fumble |
| Nick Vigil | Bengals | Blocked punt that set up final drive |
| Cade York | Bengals | 2–2 FG including 49-yarder |
What the Stats Tell Us About Team Momentum
The bengals vs dallas cowboys match player stats point to a game decided by fine margins and timely execution. Cincinnati executed their offensive plan more efficiently, disrupted Dallas defensively at key moments, and controlled special teams in the final quarter. These stats highlight that while raw talent matters, situational intelligence often seals the deal.
Why Fans and Analysts Value Player Stats
Comprehensive stats like these do more than record numbers—they explain how and why a team wins. From Burrow’s clutch throws and Chase’s explosive catches to Hendrickson’s defensive pressure and Keen special-teams execution, each metric paints a part of the scoreboard that the naked eye might miss.
Final Thoughts & Closing Analysis
In examining the bengals vs dallas cowboys match player stats, it’s clear how critical individual contributions turned into team success. Joe Burrow’s accuracy, Ja’Marr Chase’s explosiveness, defensive playmakers delivering key stops, and the blocked punt at a pivotal moment all combined to deliver a signature win for Cincinnati.
Stats are more than numbers—they’re narratives. And in this matchup, they told the story of a Bengals team that capitalized on every edge. For Cowboys fans, it should serve as a lesson on how momentum can shift with execution, pressure, and one sudden error.
