Tag: Cincinnati Bengals

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NFL (American Football)

Joe Burrow and the Bengals, still fighting for a playoff spot, face off against the Steelers in Cincinnati

Joe Burrow walks off the field with Zac Taylor

The Cincinnati Bengals are on a four-game winning streak and need a Week 18 victory along with some help to make the playoffs.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, on the other hand, are looking to end their recent slump and improve their playoff chances.

Both teams have plenty at stake when the Bengals visit the Steelers on Saturday night.

Cincinnati (8-8) needs to defeat Pittsburgh and hope that the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins lose their respective games to make the playoffs.

“It’s going to be a bloodbath,” said Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton, who previously played for the Steelers. “One team is in the playoffs. We’re fighting for our playoff lives, so it’s going to be fireworks.”

Pittsburgh (10-6) has already clinched a playoff spot but missed two opportunities to win the AFC North. They now trail the Baltimore Ravens by one game in the division. Recently, the Steelers lost three straight games in just 11 days, getting outscored 90-40.

Pittsburgh can win the division if they beat Cincinnati and the Ravens lose to the Cleveland Browns. So, a win is crucial for the Steelers to get back on track.

Cincinnati Bengals players in the 1st half

“We got to get the stench of the last few performances off of us,” said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. “There’s no better way to do that than a home divisional win against a strong team going into the tournament, and so that’s our mentality as we stand here.”

In the first meeting between these two teams on December 1, the Steelers won 44-38 in Cincinnati. Russell Wilson threw for 414 yards and three touchdowns, while Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow passed for 309 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception.

Burrow has thrown for at least three touchdowns in eight straight games, including games with five and four touchdowns at the start of the streak. He leads the NFL with 4,641 passing yards and 42 touchdowns, with eight interceptions.

Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is close to completing the rare Triple Crown for a receiver. He currently leads the NFL with 117 catches, 1,612 yards, and 16 touchdowns.

“He works for it. He grinds for it,” Burrow said about Chase, his former college teammate at LSU. “He’s a once-in-a-lifetime-type player, and our careers will forever be tied together from college into the pro world. That’s just fun to be a part of.”

Burrow and Chase have been key to the Bengals’ strong run, and head coach Zac Taylor hopes to see more of the same against the Steelers.

“We know it’s a big game,” Taylor said. “We know what is at stake, but we want our guys to continue to approach every day like they have been.”

The Steelers had been on a hot streak with seven wins in eight games before their recent slide. They now understand the importance of getting back on track.

Joe Burrow looks to pass in the 1st half

“Everybody has got to realize what’s at stake,” said Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen. “Understand it’s one and done. There’s no room for error. No mistakes. You’ve got to go out there, have a complete game, and the best way to practice that is this week.”

“We’re anxious to get back out there and just play like how we’re supposed to be playing,” Queen added. “That’s the biggest thing, just going out there and showcasing it to the whole world on Saturday night.”

The Steelers are healthy heading into this game, with no players missing practice on Wednesday. Linebacker Cole Holcomb (knee) was limited, but he could return after missing most of the season due to a knee injury suffered against the Tennessee Titans 14 months ago. Holcomb, 28, had even considered retirement earlier in his rehab.

The Bengals, however, are dealing with some injury concerns. Running back Chase Brown (ankle) missed a second straight day of practice, and he’s Cincinnati’s leading rusher with 990 yards. Defensive end Sam Hubbard (knee) and tight end Drew Sample (groin) also missed practice on Wednesday.

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NFL (American Football)

The second matchup between Patrick Surtain and Ja’Marr Chase takes center stage in the Broncos-Bengals

Ja'Marr Chase and Jermaine Burton in the 2nd half

If anyone can slow down Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase, it’s Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II.

Surtain did it before in 2021 when both were rookies. In that game, Surtain limited Chase to just one catch for 3 yards on four targets, while Joe Burrow threw for only 157 yards.

“That was early in my career. Rookie year? Yeah, it was a good game,” Surtain said. “They came in with a high-striking offense and we knew that we had to eliminate the explosives, eliminate their top threat. Ja’Marr, he’s a great player, one of, if not the best, receivers in the league.”

This weekend, Surtain and the Denver defense will get some help with the expected return of second-year cornerback Riley Moss, who has been out for a month with a sprained MCL.

Moss’s return would allow defensive coordinator Vance Joseph to switch back to mostly man coverage instead of zone coverage. This way, Surtain could focus on defending Chase (108 catches for 1,510 yards and 16 touchdowns), while Moss would cover Tee Higgins (58 receptions for 727 yards and seven touchdowns).

“They got a lot going on with themselves on the offensive side of the ball, so it’s gonna be a good challenge,” Surtain said. “Trying to eliminate them like how we did that time would be great.”

Patrick Surtain II reacts after breaking up a pass in the 2nd half

Slowing down Chase could be crucial for the Broncos (9-6) to eliminate the Bengals (7-8) from playoff contention. Cincinnati needs a win to stay in the race, while the Broncos can clinch their first playoff spot since 2015 with a win or tie on Saturday.

Back in 2021, both the Bengals and Broncos were 7-6 when Surtain and Chase faced off for the first time. Despite Chase having his worst statistical game of his career, the Bengals won 15-10 in Denver and went on to make a Super Bowl run.

The Broncos lost their last three games that season, finishing with a 7-10 record, which marked the end of seven straight losing seasons. They broke that streak this year.

The Broncos missed a chance to clinch a playoff spot last Thursday after blowing a double-digit second-half lead in a 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Although coach Sean Payton had written “Run It!!” in large letters on his play sheet, he only called 14 run plays after the Broncos drove down the field for a touchdown on their opening drive, with four running backs combining for seven carries and 43 yards, capped by Audric Estime’s 3-yard touchdown.

With rain expected on Sunday, the Broncos are likely to run the ball more, as they face Chase and Burrow on the other side.

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NFL (American Football)

Micah Parsons Acknowledges Joe Burrow As The Best QB of The NFL Season

Micah Parsons and Jim Burrow (Photo: Getty Images)

Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys have been on a roll, securing consecutive wins as they head into the holiday season. The Cowboys’ last defeat came against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 9, when they fell 27-20 at AT&T Stadium.

Reflecting on that game during a recent episode of his podcast, The Edge with Micah Parsons, the Dallas linebacker shared his thoughts on the loss and gave credit to Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.

Parsons highlighted Burrow’s standout performance, acknowledging the quarterback’s crucial role in the Bengals’ victory. Burrow threw for 369 yards and three touchdowns, leading Cincinnati’s offensive charge.

“This version of Joe Burrow is the best quarterback in the NFL,” Parsons remarked. “This healthy Joe Burrow—the anticipation, his IQ—if you’re talking about who’s playing the best quarterback football right now, it’s Joe Shiesty. He’s the best quarterback in the NFL.”

Jim Burrow (Photo: NFL)

Statistically, Burrow has been dominant this season. He has racked up 39 passing touchdowns, 4,229 yards, and a 68.9% completion rate. These numbers place him at the top of the NFL in both passing touchdowns and passing yards.

Burrow’s stellar play has also fueled the success of wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who leads the league in receptions (108), receiving yards (1,510), and touchdowns (16).

However, despite Burrow’s impressive performance and the Bengals’ offensive firepower, Cincinnati sits at a 7-8 record. The team’s early-season struggles have put them in a tough spot, though a recent three-game win streak has kept their playoff hopes alive.

While Burrow’s stats make a strong case for him as the NFL’s best quarterback this season, the Bengals’ record dampens what might have been an MVP-worthy campaign.

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NFL (American Football)

Joe Burrow Performs For Bengals As They Secure Win Over Cleveland Browns

Joe Burrow (Photo: NFL)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow may not be in line to win the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award this year, but it’s hard to argue that anyone in the league is playing at a higher level.

In Sunday afternoon’s victory over the Cleveland Browns, Burrow completed 23 of 30 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns, including a 32-yard scoring pass to Ja’Marr Chase in the game’s final two minutes.

With this performance, Burrow became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least 250 yards and three touchdowns in seven consecutive games.

His streak of three-touchdown games now trails only Peyton Manning (8) and Tom Brady (10) for the longest in NFL history.

Burrow has now thrown for 4,230 yards this season, with 39 touchdowns and just eight interceptions.

This marks his third career season with at least 4,000 passing yards (2021, 2022, 2024), the most in Bengals history. Carson Palmer (2006, 2007) and Andy Dalton (2013, 2016) each had two such seasons.

Bengals vs Browns (Photo: AP)

The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft has also become just the fourth quarterback in NFL history to pass for at least 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in three of his first five seasons, joining Dan Marino, Patrick Mahomes, and Josh Allen.

But on Sunday, none of those accomplishments took precedence.

“This is a big win for us,” Burrow told NFL after the game. “That’s a team that’s had our number, and we came out and played well. … Now, we’ve put ourselves in a good position for next week.”

The Bengals’ victory keeps them in contention for the final AFC playoff spot. However, Cincinnati will need to win its final two games of the season and get some outside help. The road ahead is clear, though complicated, and there will be time to address that later.

“I’m gonna enjoy this one first,” Burrow said. “Spend some time with the family tonight… Merry Christmas, everybody.”

Then, all attention will shift to Denver, who will visit next week. “It’s a big week for us,” Burrow said. “We’ll get back to work, but we’ll enjoy tonight.”

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NFL (American Football)

Bengals Embarrass Raiders in Week 9 Blowout, Leading to Firing of Offensive Coordinator and Coach Pierce’s Job on the Line

Bengals Embarrass Raiders in Week 9 Blowout, Leading to Firing of Offensive Coordinator and Coach Pierce's Job on the Line
Bengals Embarrass Raiders in Week 9 Blowout, Leading to Firing of Offensive Coordinator and Coach Pierce's Job on the Line

Sunday’s Week 9 NFL games delivered several surprises, with one of the most notable disappointments stemming from the matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Las Vegas Raiders. The Bengals, favored by -7.5 odds, entered the game seeking redemption after a tough loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8. Meanwhile, the Raiders were reeling from a four-game losing streak and struggling to turn their season around. The stage was set for a clash at Paycor Stadium, but the outcome would be more lopsided than anticipated.

The Bengals lived up to their favored status by delivering a decisive 41-24 victory over the Raiders. Cincinnati’s quarterback Joe Burrow led his team to improve their record to 4-5, while the Raiders fell to a dismal 2-7. This marked the Raiders’ seventh loss in nine games, further deepening their season’s struggles. The defeat highlighted the stark contrast between the Bengals’ drive for improvement and the Raiders’ ongoing issues on both sides of the ball.

Bengals Embarrass Raiders in Week 9 Blowout, Leading to Firing of Offensive Coordinator and Coach Pierce's Job on the Line
Bengals Embarrass Raiders in Week 9 Blowout, Leading to Firing of Offensive Coordinator and Coach Pierce’s Job on the Line

The loss left Raiders fans frustrated and searching for accountability, with much of the criticism directed at head coach Antonio Pierce. Social media platforms were flooded with calls for Pierce’s firing, with fans describing his decision-making as “embarrassingly bad” and demanding his resignation. Many felt the loss epitomized the team’s broader struggles under his leadership, adding to the pressure on the embattled coach.

In response to the backlash, the Raiders made significant staff changes, firing offensive coordinator Luke Getsy along with offensive coaches James Cregg and Rich Scangarello. Despite fans’ outcry, Pierce retained his position as head coach, leaving many to question whether these moves would be sufficient to reverse the team’s fortunes. The organization’s decision reflects a cautious approach to addressing the team’s challenges while avoiding further immediate upheaval.

The changes are a pivotal moment for the Raiders, with fans hopeful they will lead to improved performances on the field. However, if results don’t improve quickly, the chorus of voices calling for Pierce’s removal is likely to grow louder. For now, the spotlight remains on the Raiders’ ability to regroup and salvage what remains of their season amid mounting pressure and scrutiny.

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NFL (American Football)

Joe Burrow breaks the franchise record, leading the Bengals to a 37-27 victory over the Titans

Tee Higgins reacts after scoring in the 1st half

Joe Burrow understands that the Cincinnati Bengals’ chances of making the playoffs are slim, as they are currently at the bottom of the AFC playoff race. However, he still wants the team to improve, no matter how the season ends.

Burrow threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns, setting a new franchise record with 36 touchdown passes, surpassing the previous record of 35 set in 2022.

The Bengals boosted their playoff hopes with a 37-27 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. TV cameras caught Burrow looking frustrated while speaking with coach Zac Taylor after the team’s final touchdown.

“We know the chances are very slim,” Burrow said. “What I’m focused on right now is playing as good as we can play myself, playing up to my standard. That’s why I was so frustrated because I didn’t feel like we did that today.”

The Bengals (6-8) achieved their 400th regular-season win. They still need to win all their remaining games to keep their streak of winning seasons alive for the fourth year in a row, regardless of where they finish in the AFC playoff race.

Joe Burrow looks to pass in the 1st half

The Bengals were missing starting defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, and they lost defensive end Sam Hubbard to a knee injury after he caught a 2-yard touchdown pass. Hubbard became the first Bengals defensive player to score a touchdown on a run or pass since safety Bobby Hunt did so on October 6, 1968, in the franchise’s first season.

Despite these setbacks, the Bengals capitalized on six turnovers to score 24 unanswered points, including a 39-yard pick-six by Geno Stone in the third quarter. The Bengals missed a chance to score more points after a 61-yard fumble return for a touchdown, as Jordan Battle fumbled just before crossing the goal line, resulting in a touchback.

The Bengals also committed 14 penalties for 113 yards.

“Unacceptable but really happy with the way the (defense) got the turnovers,” said Taylor. “(Six) turnovers. Three of them in the second half was huge for us … It was a strange game that way.”

The Titans (3-11) benched quarterback Will Levis after he threw his NFL-leading fourth pick-six of the season and his fourth turnover of the game. Mason Rudolph came in, looking ready to lead a comeback, but he was intercepted by Josh Newton.

Tennessee lost its third straight game and fell to 1-6 at home in coach Brian Callahan’s first season, marking his first game against his former team with the Bengals and their coach Zac Taylor.

Callahan praised Burrow for his performance and expressed disappointment about his team’s mistakes, including six turnovers and 12 penalties for 110 yards.

“If you can’t stop them on third down and you turn the ball over six times, it’s going to be tough to win,” Callahan said.

The Bengals played without left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., and Cody Ford was a late scratch due to illness. The Bengals started rookie Devin Cochran, who had only one offensive snap in his previous five appearances. Despite receiving help, Cochran gave up pressure that led to the first of Burrow’s two interceptions.

T’Vondre Sweat runs with the ball in the 1st half

The Bengals also had four turnovers. The game set a record for the NFL’s first 10-turnover game since Week 2 of 2007, when the Lions and Vikings each had five turnovers in a game that went into overtime.

The Titans led 14-7 at the end of the first quarter after opening the game with back-to-back touchdown drives, their first such performance since Week 4 of the 2022 season. Tony Pollard ran for a 3-yard touchdown, and Tyjae Spears scored on a 1-yard run after his initial touchdown attempt was ruled short.

Burrow answered with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Chase Brown and a 2-yard touchdown pass to Hubbard. The Bengals took the lead for good after Cam Taylor-Britt intercepted Levis, and Burrow connected with Tee Higgins on a 38-yard touchdown pass to give the Bengals a 21-14 lead.

That touchdown gave Burrow his new franchise record for touchdown passes, a milestone he celebrated while lying on his back.

“I was just hoping it got there,” Burrow said.

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NFL (American Football)

Cincinnati’s Jordan Battle and Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor fumble the ball just before crossing the goal line

Jonathan Taylor in the 2nd half

Cincinnati safety Jordan Battle thought he had returned a fumble 61 yards for a touchdown, but he dropped the ball just before reaching the goal line. As a result, the touchdown was turned into a touchback, and Tennessee took possession of the ball.

To make matters worse, Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor also thought he had scored a touchdown with a 41-yard run. However, replays showed that he had dropped the ball just before crossing the goal line, and the play was ruled a touchback.

“That can’t happen,” Taylor said after apologizing to his teammates and promising that it would never happen again. “No, you’re never consciously aware you’re dropping the ball, otherwise, you wouldn’t do it.”

This mistake cost the Colts a touchdown, and Denver capitalized on the error, outscoring Indianapolis 24-0 for a 31-13 victory. The win brought the Broncos closer to their first playoff appearance since their Super Bowl 50 win in 2015.

“If he would have scored that touchdown, it would have been even more of a dogfight to get back,” Denver pass rusher Jonathon Cooper said.

Tony Pollard runs with the ball past Jodan Battle in the 2nd half

Broncos safety P.J. Locke believed that the mistake changed the game, calling it an “early Christmas present.” He noted how the game’s dynamics shifted after the Colts’ error.

“It’s a different ballgame, man,” Locke said. “Everybody’s calling plays different then. Like the time management where they’re just running the ball and controlling the game and we can’t run the ball as much as we want to, controlling our game. (Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph) has to be a little bit more aggressive. So, it’s a lot.”

Colts coach Shane Steichen called the fumble a “game-changer,” acknowledging that Taylor’s mistake hurt the team. He added, “he’s our guy, and that’s what you say to him.”

Taylor finished the game with 107 yards but no touchdowns on 22 carries.

The Broncos (9-5) now have a 91% chance of making the playoffs, according to NFL projections, while the Colts’ chances dropped to just 6%. Had the Colts won, their odds would have been 51%, equal to Denver’s.

In Cincinnati, the Bengals won 37-27 against the Titans, but Jordan Battle’s fumble prevented them from scoring more points off six turnovers. Coach Zac Taylor said the team addresses these issues every week.

“We show these clips and it’s not something we can ever have happen. It’s within our control,” Taylor said. “You go two yards across the goal line, letters and logos, it’s very simple.”

Jonathan Taylor runs with the ball in the 1st half

This wasn’t the first time a player dropped the ball before scoring. Earlier in the season, New York Jets rookie Malachi Corley did the same, though the Jets still won 21-13 against Houston.

Zac Taylor mentioned that mistakes like these usually happen to players who are less experienced at carrying the ball, like Battle, rather than wide receivers such as Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins.

Jonathan Taylor, who led the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns in 2021, knows how to carry the ball into the end zone, but on Sunday, the ball slipped out as he was nearing the goal line. He didn’t realize the fumble until he saw the crowd’s reaction after the replay was shown on the video board.

“I didn’t know until they said they’re reviewing it and I’m thinking, why are they reviewing it?” Taylor said.

While Taylor wasn’t sure how the game would have gone had he scored, he knew one thing: “I do know we would have six more points.”

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NFL (American Football)

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow expresses regret over the loss of his privacy after his home was broken into

Joe Burrow in an interview

Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow kept his statement brief on Wednesday when talking to the media about his home being broken into two nights before, while he and the Bengals were playing the Dallas Cowboys on the road.

“I feel like my privacy has been violated in more ways than one,” Burrow said. “Way more is out there than I would want out there and that I care to share. So that’s all I’ve got to say about that.”

Late last month, both the NFL and NBA issued security alerts to their players after multiple homes were broken into while athletes were away for games.

The NFL’s alert followed break-ins at the homes of Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce in October.

“Obviously it’s frustrating, disappointing,” Mahomes said after the alert was issued.

Burglaries of homes belonging to Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr. led the NBA to send out an alert the following day.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa shared on Wednesday that he hired personal security after one of his cars was broken into about a year ago.

Joe Burrow walks onto the field before the game

”(It was) a little too close for my comfort with my family being in the house,” Tagovailoa said. “So we got personal security to take care of all of that. When we’re on the road, we’ve got someone with my wife, got someone also at the house, surveying the house.”

No one was hurt in the break-in at Burrow’s home, which was reported as being ransacked by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

A person employed by Burrow arrived at his home in Anderson Township on Monday night to find a broken bedroom window and the house in chaos.

“We live a public life, and one of my least favorite parts of that is the lack of privacy,” Burrow said. “That has been difficult for me to deal with for my entire career. I’m still learning. I understand that’s the life that we choose, but it doesn’t make it any easier to deal with.”

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NFL (American Football)

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow targeted by burglars on game day

Joe Burrow speaks during an NFL football press conference

One week after revealing that he owns a $3 million Batmobile, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s home was burglarized on Monday, continuing a pattern of home invasions targeting NFL players and other professional athletes on game days.

At the time of the break-in, a security guard and a woman known to Burrow were in the house. The police were alerted to the situation after the woman’s mother called 9-1-1. The 22-year-old in the home, who works for Burrow, told police about the missing items.

The Hamilton County (Ohio) Sheriff’s Office confirmed the burglary and stated that an investigation was underway. The break-in occurred at 9:14 p.m. ET while the Bengals were playing the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas.

Last month, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce revealed that their homes were also broken into during a Monday night game against the New Orleans Saints in October.

In all three incidents, security personnel were stationed in the neighborhood or at the homes. The home of Cowboys defensive tackle Linval Joseph in Minnesota was also burglarized this season. The NFL issued a memo to all 32 teams warning about a “crime ring” targeting the homes of professional athletes.

Patrick Mahomes in the 1st half

The first 9-1-1 call on Monday night came from a woman, who said that her daughter was inside Burrow’s house and someone was trying to break in.

“Someone is trying to break into the house right now. My daughter is there. This is Joe Burrow’s house,” the caller said. “She is staying there. He’s at the football game. She’s wondering what she should do, if she should be hiding, or if she should go outside. She said someone was in the house.”

Shortly after, dispatchers received a call from the woman inside the house. “Someone broke into my house,” she said. “It’s like completely messed up.”

Burrow and the Bengals (5-8) returned to Cincinnati early Tuesday morning after defeating the Cowboys 27-20.

Burrow injured his knee during the game but stayed in to finish. The NFL leader in passing yards (3,706) and touchdown passes (33) said he didn’t expect the injury to keep him from playing against the Tennessee Titans this week.

“It’s nothing crazy. I just landed on it a couple of times. We’ll see. It’ll be sore for a while but I’ll be all right,” Burrow said.

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Joe Burrow’s home was burglarized during the Monday Night Football game, marking the latest incident of a pro-athlete’s home being invaded

Joe Burrow walks off the field with Zac Taylor

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s home was broken into during Monday Night Football, making it the latest home invasion involving a pro athlete in the U.S., authorities said Tuesday.

No one was hurt in the break-in, but the house was left in disarray, according to a report from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were unable to immediately figure out what items were stolen. Someone working for Burrow arrived at the Anderson Township home Monday night and found a shattered bedroom window and the house in chaos. The person called their mother, and then 911 was contacted, according to the report.

Deputies reached out to neighbors to try to gather surveillance footage.

“Our investigators are exploring every avenue,” said public information officer Kyla Woods.

In October, the homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were broken into. In the NBA, Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis had his home burglarized on Nov. 2, and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr.’s home was broken into on Sept. 15 while he was at a Minnesota Vikings game.

Joe Burrow passes the ball in the practice session

Portis had offered a $40,000 reward for information.

After these break-ins, both the NFL and NBA issued security alerts to players, advising them to take extra steps to secure their homes.

The NFL said in league memos that homes of professional athletes in several sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.” The NBA shared that the FBI has linked some of these burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups,” which are “well-organized, sophisticated rings” using advanced techniques like pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.

Officials said some of the burglary groups have watched their targets closely, including trying to deliver packages to homes or pretending to be grounds maintenance workers or joggers in the area.

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NFL (American Football)

Burrow and Chase lead the Bengals to a 27-20 win following a failed blocked punt by the Cowboys

Brandin Cooks celebrates after a touchdown

Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals finally caught a break. The Dallas Cowboys were reminded of one of the most painful moments in their history.

Burrow threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Marr Chase to break the tie after a botched blocked punt by the Cowboys gave the Bengals the ball back in the final two minutes. The Bengals won 27-20 on Monday night.

The Cowboys were about to get the ball back with the score tied after the two-minute warning when Nick Vigil blocked a punt by Cincinnati’s Ryan Rehkow.

Amani Oruwariye tried to field the bouncing ball when leaving it alone would have given Dallas possession. Oruwariye couldn’t hold onto the ball, and the Bengals’ Maema Njongmeta recovered it at the Cincinnati 43-yard line with 1:53 left.

Three plays later, Burrow threw to Chase, who avoided DaRon Bland and ran untouched for the lead with 1:01 remaining. The Bengals (5-8) ended a three-game losing streak.

This second one-score win in a confusing season for the Bengals came after all three losses in their second three-game losing streak — and seven of their eight losses this season — were by seven points or less.

Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after a touchdown

“We needed a break,” Burrow said. “We haven’t got many this year, but it was nice to get that one and nice to come out of this with a win.”

For the Cowboys, the scene that set up Burrow and Chase’s game-winning play was eerily similar to a snowy Thanksgiving Day in 1993 at Texas Stadium.

Leon Lett mistakenly slid to try to recover a blocked field goal in the final seconds, which would have given Dallas a win over Miami. The Dolphins recovered and kicked a field goal on the last play to win 16-14.

Oruwariye’s mistake happened in his first game back after missing five games with a back injury. Fellow defensive backs Jourdan Lewis and C.J. Goodwin kept reporters away from Oruwariye in the locker room after the game.

Special teams coach John Fassel waved frantically from the sideline for all players to move away from the ball after the block, but Oruwariye didn’t hesitate to try to grab it.

“You see why it happened,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said. “He turns and the ball’s there. And he reacted to it. I haven’t seen the video. I saw it live. It’s definitely a tough learning opportunity.”

The winning touchdown secured Burrow’s fourth straight game with at least 300 passing yards and three touchdowns. He finished with 369 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to Chase. It was his first win in this stretch.

Chase, who leads the NFL in receiving yards and touchdowns, had 177 yards on a season-high 14 catches, bringing his total to 15 touchdowns. Chase easily got past Bland on the winning play.

“Me and Joe were on the same page,” Chase said. “He threw to my inside shoulder so I can turn upfield after the catch.”

Cooper Rush threw two touchdown passes, and Rico Dowdle ran for a career-high 131 yards as the Cowboys (5-8) saw their two-game winning streak end after a five-game losing streak.

DeMarvion Overshown leaves after an injury

A fourth consecutive playoff trip was already a long shot for Dallas and is now almost out of reach.

“We understand that we dug ourselves a hole,” McCarthy said. “We had to have this one tonight. This is a very disappointing loss.”

The Bengals ended a five-game losing streak against the Cowboys with their first win in the series since 2004.

The Cowboys also lost linebacker DeMarvion Overshown to a right knee injury in the fourth quarter. This was the first game for Dallas since his spectacular 23-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 27-20 win over the New York Giants on Thanksgiving.

McCarthy said the injury was serious. Overshown missed all of his rookie season in 2023 due to a torn ligament in his left knee.

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NFL (American Football)

Joe Burrow is confident that the Bengals can retain wide receiver Tee Higgins and is ready to offer his support in making it happen

Joe Burrow
Joe Burrow (NFL)

Joe Burrow says he is ready to do whatever it takes to help the Cincinnati Bengals keep receiver Tee Higgins, who will become a free agent in the offseason.

After the Bengals defeated the Dallas Cowboys 27-20 on Monday night, Burrow didn’t say if he would consider restructuring his contract to help make room for Higgins. “We’ll see,” Burrow said when asked why he was confident the team would bring Higgins back.

Higgins, who is in his fifth season, is playing under the $21.8 million franchise tag. The price for a second year on the franchise tag would go up, but many players don’t want to sign the tag again.

At 25 years old, Higgins is the second-best receiver on the Bengals, behind 2021 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Ja’Marr Chase, who currently leads the NFL with 1,319 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.

Higgins has been consistent since the Bengals selected him in the second round of the 2020 draft, the year before they picked Chase in the first round. While Higgins has had some issues with hamstring and quadriceps injuries this season, he’s one of only three NFL receivers to have at least five touchdowns in each of the past five seasons.

Tee Higgins
Tee Higgins (NFL)

“I’m confident we are going to be able to do what it takes to bring Tee back,” Burrow said. “I know that I am going to do what it takes to get him back. So he can have those talks; those are going to be offseason discussions. I think we are excited about that opportunity.”

This past offseason, the Bengals picked up the fifth-year option on Chase’s rookie contract, keeping him with the team through 2025.

Dallas star receiver CeeDee Lamb missed all of the 2024 offseason because of a contract holdout ahead of the fifth year of his rookie deal. Chase could decide to do the same after this season. Lamb’s holdout ended with a $136 million, four-year deal late in the preseason.

Burrow signed a five-year, $275 million extension in 2023, and the Bengals could restructure his deal to create salary cap space for other signings, including for Higgins and Chase.

After the Bengals’ victory over the Cowboys, Burrow was asked if he could imagine playing without Chase, his teammate at LSU when they won the 2019 national championship.

“I don’t want to have that,” Burrow said. “We feed off each other. We make each other better. We are both really smart players. It is tough to take that away when you have a really smart receiver that you can move around and do a lot of things with. Hopefully we can play together as long as we are in this league together.”