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The Dallas Cowboys game on "Monday Night Football" against the Cincinnati Bengals became a seemingly perfect representation of the team's season.
They started the season 3-5 before losing quarterback Dak Prescott to a season-ending injury in Week 9. Fast forward some time and with backup quarterback Cooper Rush and two straight wins, there felt like potential hope that they could make the NFC playoffs.
But on Monday, a special teams blunder dropped the team that Jerry Jones built to 5-8 after a 27-20 loss. In addition to the heartbeat at home, DeMarvion Overshown suffered a serious right knee injury.
The linebacker, who missed his entire rookie season with a torn left ACL, was helped off the field by trainers and quickly ruled out.
Cowboys believe linebacker DeMarvion Overshown ruptured several ligaments in his knee. More severe than an ACL. Will know more on Tuesday. Whole team is devastated @DLLS_Cowboys
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) December 10, 2024
The heartbreak was evident in different players on the team, but most noticeably, edge rusher Micah Parsons and wideout CeeDee Lamb.
Parsons was beside himself on the bench after the special teams error. The Cowboys blocked a Bengals punt with the game tied 20-20, but after a Cowboys player touched and couldn't recover the punt, the Bengals recovered it and regained possession. Joe Burrow threw a lightning pass to Ja'Marr Chase to gain the lead.
pic.twitter.com/Hj0zuDSNEM
— Nick Piccone (@_piccone) December 10, 2024
In their final possession with less than 90 seconds to play, Rush and the Cowboys were unable to put together a drive and turned it over on downs to seal the loss.
Parsons walked off the field before time expired, clearly frustrated and refusing to congratulate any Bengals players. He was even more upset in the locker room, showing signs of crying.
Micah Parsons is DISGUSTED pic.twitter.com/8BqWuwfUmA
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod ?? (@big_business_) December 10, 2024
"That hurt, alright?" the All-Pro told the media. "I won't wish this on anybody. You can't even put that in words, bro."
"This one hurt me more than any loss this year, probably even worse than a playoff loss to be honest, because of where we were going, how we were playing, playing good football," Parsons said. "I'm going to sit on this, but I have to find a way to keep these guys alive. There's still football to be had. There's still openings to be had. We have to take advantage of every opportunity the rest of the way. We can't let these type of games slip away like we did today."
In addition to fumbling away a win, Parsons was visibly upset about Overshown's injury. Before the Monday night injury, the 24-year-old linebacker had 84 tackles, five sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery on the season.
"He don't deserve that," Parsons said. "He really don't. So knowing, understanding what he's going to go through, physically and mentally, is just so challenging. He's so talented. The year he was having, I mean, I really just don't think that's fair."
Lamb was also quite upset after the loss. The 25-year-old star, who was drafted by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2020 draft, made it clear he needs some "help." It's unclear if this means a new quarterback – Prescott is expected to be the starter again in 2025 – or to be paired with a different wide receiver.
“I NEED HELP. I NEED HELP.”
- #COWBOYS WR CEEDEE LAMB AFTER THE GAME
pic.twitter.com/h51xuHg86k
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) December 10, 2024
Lamb has only caught five touchdowns this season, but he is third in the league in receptions (85) and third in yards (973).
The Cowboys have a quick turnaround, traveling to play the Carolina Panthers (3-10) in Charlotte on Sunday.