Associated Press

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals finally managed to win a close game.

Seven of Cincinnati’s eight losses this season have come by a margin of one point. The frustration of not being able to finish these games began to simmer among the bewildered Bengals.

That’s why Monday night’s 27-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys was so satisfying.

Joe Burrow threw a game-winning 40-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Marr Chase with 1:01 left. The reason for this was a failed punt block that put the ball back in Cincinnati’s hands with less than two minutes left.

“I guess I could say we got lucky here,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said.

Almost every other good thing that happened to Cincinnati (5-8) through a three-game skid was deserved. Burrow finished the game 33-for-44 for 369 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Chase caught 14 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns.

“We needed that feeling because the last three locker rooms weren’t like that,” Taylor said. “So just feeling that the joy and work of the week has paid off for you, and then you turn the page and move on to the next page. But it helps you during the week to just have that confidence. We got one, and now we have to do it again.”

The Bengals outscored the Cowboys 433-322.

“It’s an opportunity for the world to see and we’re going to keep fighting,” Taylor said of the win on Monday Night Football. “So when the Bengals take the field, they’re going to bring our best effort.”

What works

The Burrow-to-Chase connection is as robust as ever.

“Coming into this game, I wanted to feed Ja’Marr,” Burrow said. “I felt like he had some chances last week (in the 44-38 loss to the Steelers) that we didn’t quite capitalize on. So I just wanted to make sure that if I got a chance with him, I gave him the chance.”

Both are enjoying productive seasons. Burrow leads the league in passing yards (3,706) and touchdowns (33). Chase, who is awaiting a contract extension that will make him one of the highest-paid receivers in the league, leads the NFL in receptions (93), receiving yards (1,319) and touchdowns (15).

“We feed off each other,” Burrow said. “We make each other better. We’re both really smart players.”

Trey Hendrickson’s crucial sack on Cooper Rush late in the game increased his NFL-leading total to 12 1/2.

What needs help

The secondary is still inconsistent. The protection Burrow received from a reshuffled offensive line was subpar. Granted, he often moves outside the pocket to make an impact, but the franchise quarterback gets hit too hard too often.

Stock up

Chase Brown continues to grow each week in his role as the team’s No. 1 running back following Zack Moss’ season-ending injury. Brown carried 14 balls for 58 yards and caught six passes for 65 yards and a touchdown. … Cade York, filling in for the injured Evan McPherson, was 2-for-2 on field goals and made all three of his extra points.

Inventory reduced

A spongy defense allowed Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle to rush for 131 yards on 7.3 yards per carry. WR CeeDee Lamb badly beat Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton on the Cowboys’ first touchdown. Lamb had six catches for 93 yards.

Injuries

Burrow limped off the field after being dragged to the ground by his facemask by the Cowboys’ Marist Liufau in the fourth quarter. He was seen applying a compression sleeve to his left knee before returning on the Bengals’ next possession. Afterwards he said he was fine.

“It’s nothing crazy,” he said. “I just landed on it a few times. We’ll see. It’s going to hurt for a while, but I’m fine.”

Key number

4 – Consecutive games in which Burrow passed for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns. The victory on Monday evening was the first victory during this time.

Next Steps

The Bengals have a short week to prepare for the Tennessee Titans (3-10) on Sunday.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

---