When the final shot rang, the Cincinnati Bengals cruised to a 27-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in what was arguably their most complete game of the season.

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The Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys will begin their Week 14 showdown on Monday Night Football. Game time is set at 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. You can also stream the game online via ESPN+, including the Simpsons Funday Football broadcast.

We’ve heard the phrase “you have to win” all season long – that’s what an 0-3 start means to you – but that’s really it. The Bengals can theoretically still win, finish 9-8, and make the NFL playoffs with a little help.

But for this miracle scenario to happen, it will have to be one win after another starting tonight in Dallas. One more slip and it’s over.

As usual, this will be a live blog that we will update every quarter and will ultimately become the full recap of the game. So follow along throughout the evening and join the discussion in the comments section!

Oh, and as always, WHO DEY!!

First quarter

The Bengals started the game on offense but were quickly escorted off the field with a three-and-out. Then it didn’t take long for quarterback Cooper Rush to make an impact. They started with a short field, and he was able to hit wide receiver CeeDee Lamb from 11 yards out when he left Mike Hilton in the dust on a corner route from the slot.

However, Cincinnati didn’t let its star wide receiver outplay it. Ja’Marr Chase had 33 yards on the 70-yard drive. That included a touchdown pass on a breakout route at the pylon that Joe Burrow threw before Chase even turned around. That brought the game to seven apiece to finish.

Second quarter

The Cowboys gained momentum at the end of the first quarter and started the second quarter at the Bengals’ 12-yard line. Then disaster struck for them. Dallas attempted to run a rub route, with Lamb running into safety Jordan Battle to clear the tight end on the wheel route.

It worked, except Rush threw it to Lamb, who had collided with Battle. This led to a top drill in which safety Geno Stone got away with a diving interception. Cincinnati later failed to convert a 4th and 3 pass that had just happened at midfield.

That failed conversion — combined with a couple of decent runs from running back Rico Dowdle — set up the go-ahead field goal with just over six minutes left in the half.

Burrow wasn’t going into halftime without a fight. He threw 42 yards before hitting running back Chase Brown for a quick screen, from which he was able to break free and rush down the sideline for a 19-yard score.

The Bengals defense was finally stopped on the next drive. With just under a minute to go everything seemed to be going well. They made it to the Dallas 22-yard line, but after a couple of misses for Chase near the end zone, they had to settle for a Cade York field goal to take the lead by seven, with the Cowboys expecting a goal Ball to start the second half.

Third quarter

Dallas began the second half with a touchdown drive capped by Rush throwing a touchdown to Brandin Cooks from three yards out. Dawdle was responsible for the big play, a 27-yard run that got them into the red zone and tied the game at 17.

The Bengals had a promising drive that ended with a diving interception by Burrow. He tried to hit Chase on a deep cross route, but the linebacker underneath him rammed into him, limiting his reach to catch the ball. Cincinnati was within reach.

Fourth quarter

The ensuing drive went to Cincinnati’s 29, but Germaine Pratt helped sell a personal foul that cost Dallas 15 yards and derailed the drive. The Cowboys got back into field goal range and took a 20-17 lead.

Moving the ball didn’t seem to be a problem for the Bengals’ offense. Burrow was able to cross midfield on almost every drive. It made this play that at least puts them in field goal range.

On this drive they got into field goal range. The touchdown eluded them after a pass intended for Tee Higgins soared innocently in the end zone and out of his reach. The field goal tied the game at 20-0.

The defense had a moment to shine, with numerous stops, including one that had Cincinnati at midfield before the penalty kill put the game away. Then the whole game took a turn. Stay here with me.

The Cowboys blocked the punt, which would have been a huge play for them. However, one of the returners then touched the ball, making it winnable for the Bengals. Pretty much like a botched barge. They recovered it 24 yards further. A real Leon Lett moment.

Burrow then finds Chase, who runs off a 40-yard touchdown to gain a touchdown lead.

The Cowboys then endured a desperate drive with Rush unable to get anything going. The Bengals invaded the house Jerry built and defeated the Cowboys.

This win still keeps the Bengals’ playoff hopes within single digits. It prevents them from being mathematically eliminated. It’s one of those games where you look at a fan and think, “Why couldn’t we have done this sooner?”

Still, it’s fun to see Burrow and everyone on this team have good moments. People like him and Chase deserve games like this. At least they were on the right side of one of these egregious mistakes for a change.