Dallas Cowboys linebacker Nick Vigil (41) reacts after the Cincinnati Bengals recovered their own kick after he blocked the punt in the fourth quarter on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Amanda McCoy amccoy@star-telegram.com
With the score tied 20-20 at the two-minute warning during their Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Dallas Cowboys were in position to win their third game in a row.
The Cowboys’ defense had forced the Bengals to punt on fourth down at their own 29-yard line.
Then disaster struck. What happened in the next seven seconds wound up costing the Cowboys the game and likely ended any opportunity of getting back into the playoff hunt.
Instead of moving to 6-7 with a winnable game at Carolina next week, the Cowboys dropped a 27-20 decision and fell to 5-8 with four games remaining.
All because of one play.
The Bengals lined up to punt the ball and Cowboys linebacker Nick Vigil surged into the backfield and blocked the punt which then wobbled 13 yards past the line of scrimmage where cornerback Amani Oruwariye attempted to recover the ball, which slipped out of his hands and was recovered by Bengals linebacker Maema Njongmeta.
“Things worked out well and we got the block,” Vigil said. “It was a good scheme by the coordinator. We pulled the guard out of the protection and it left a big hole in their protection.”
“It was unfortunate that we ended up touching it. But those things happen. That’s just football. That kind of stuff happens.”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones called the mistake costly after the game.
“I don’t know that we would say anything to him, just he made the mistakes out there, that mistake he made at the end was very impactful,” said Jones, “After blocking the punt, we touched the ball. That all should be figured in before you decide to block the punt, especially you weigh your odds up against catching the ball...and getting in field goal range.”
If Oruwariye hadn’t attempted to field the ball, the Cowboys would’ve started their offensive possession on the Bengals side of the field with a chance to win the game with under two minutes remaining.
The Bengals would win the game on the ensuing drive off a 40-yard touchdown throw from Joe Burrow to Jamar Chase and Cowboys player
It was the Penn State product’s first game back after being activated off injured reserve following a back injury suffered earlier in the season.
After the game, CeeDee Lamb explained what was going through his mind in the moment and what he would say to the cornerback.
“We should’ve got the ball,” said Lamb, “At that point, we just can’t be a superhero you gotta do what you gotta do.”
Fellow special teamer C.J. Goodwin declined comment on Oruwariye’s behalf in the locker room after the game before escorting him out along with three teammates. In the moments after the loss, the Cowboys poured support into Oruwariye.
“It’s tough, we just have to be there for our teammates,” offensive lineman Brock Hoffman said. “It’s more than just the player, it’s the person as well.”
The Cowboys play the Carolina Panthers at 12 p.m. on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Lawrence Dow is a digital sports reporter from Philadelphia. He graduated with a Master’s degree in journalism from USC. He’s passionate about movies and is always looking for a great book. He covers the Texas Rangers and other sports.