Cowboys nearly
blow big lead, hold on to defeat Bengals 31-22
Three drives, three scores. The way the Dallas Cowboys were
treating the winless Cincinnati Bengals, it looked as if they’d have all
afternoon to work out their kinks, especially whatever’s going on between Tony
Romo and Terrell Owens.
But these Cowboys don’t do things the easy way.
They let a 17-point lead shrivel to one, then had to break up a 2-point
conversion that could’ve tied it midway through the fourth quarter. Then, in the
final minutes, they caught a break when a pass went through Miles Austin’s hands
at the 1 and right into Patrick Crayton’s hands in the end zone, pushing
Sunday’s winning margin to 31-22.
Even Dallas coach Wade Phillips said winning “doesn’t make up for everything,”
not when the Cowboys go from losing a division game at home to nearly blowing
this one...
Felix Jones rushed to the right for 33 yard gain (Nick
Folk made PAT)
0 - 10
2nd Quarter
12:12
DAL
TD
Tony Romo passed to Jason Witten down the middle for 4
yard gain (Nick Folk made PAT)
0 - 17
8:15
CIN
FG
Shayne Graham kicked a 41-yard field goal
3 - 17
0:34
CIN
FG
Shayne Graham kicked a 31-yard field goal
6 - 17
3rd Quarter
7:59
CIN
TD
Carson Palmer passed to T.J. Houshmandzadeh down the
middle for 18 yard gain (Shayne Graham made PAT)
13 - 17
4th Quarter
14:02
CIN
FG
Shayne Graham kicked a 40-yard field goal
16 - 17
11:46
DAL
TD
Tony Romo passed to Terrell Owens down the middle for 57
yard gain (Nick Folk made PAT)
16 - 24
7:39
CIN
TD
Carson Palmer passed to T.J. Houshmandzadeh down the
middle for 10 yard gain (2pt attempt failed, Carson Palmer pass to Ben
Utecht)
22 - 24
1:52
DAL
TD
Tony Romo passed to Patrick Crayton to the left for 15
yard gain (Nick Folk made PAT)
22 - 31
Team Statistics
CIN
DAL
First Downs
19
16
Passing
13
7
Rushing
5
7
Penalty
1
2
Third Down Efficiency
6-14
8-15
Fourth Down Efficiency
0-1
1-1
TOTAL NET YARDS
269
373
Total Plays
64
62
Average Gain Per Play
4.2
6.0
NET YARDS RUSHING
61
198
Rushes
23
38
Average Per Rush
2.7
5.2
NET YARDS PASSING
208
175
Completions-Attempts
23-39
14-23
Yards Per Pass Play
5.1
7.3
Times Sacked
2
1
Yards Lost to Sacks
9
1
Had Intercepted
1
1
PUNTS
4
3
Average Punt
46.3
55.3
PENALTIES
7
6
Penalty Yards
44
52
FUMBLES
1
2
Fumbles Lost
1
1
TIME OF POSSESSION
28:15
31:45
Pregame Previews, Storylines,
and News
New Page 1
Preview:
After impressive victories in their first three games of the
season, the Dallas Cowboys suffered a disappointing loss their last time out,
causing their brash wide receiver to criticize the team. The Cincinnati Bengals
probably only wish their problems were that minor.
The Cowboys try to bounce back from last week's loss Sunday when
they host the winless Bengals, who may be without Carson Palmer again. Dallas
(3-1) looked like one of the favorites to come out of the NFC through their
first three games...more
Notable:
Dallas is back on the field for the
first time since wide receiver Terrell Owens criticized the offense and
quarterback Tony Romo in the wake of a Week 4 loss to the Redskins.
Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer
(elbow) is considered questionable, and Ryan Fitzpatrick could start in
his place for a second straight week if necessary.
Wide receiver Chris Henry could be
active for Cincinnati after serving a four-game suspension for violating
the league's personal conduct policy
Bengals are one of four remaining
winless NFL teams, joining the Lions, Rams, and Texans
Cincinnati signed ex-Bears running back Cedric Benson on Tuesday
and placed DeDe Dorsey (hamstring) on season-ending injured reserve
Dallas guard Kyle Kosier
(foot) is regarded as questionable, and safety Roy Williams (forearm) remains out
24.6
10.4