Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs During a broadcast of Monday Night Football that was being simulcast as an animated fever dream in the mind of Homer Simpson, the biggest joke of the night was a gaffe on special teams that sent the Dallas Cowboys to their eighth loss of the season and snapped their meager two-game winning streak.With the game tied coming out of the two-minute warning, Nick Vigil of the Cowboys blocked a punt by Cincinnati’s Ryan Rehkow. Dallas special teamer Amani Oruwariye should have just left the bouncing ball alone as the Cowboys would have been given possession. Instead, Oruwariye attempted to field the ball but couldn’t hold on and Bengal Maema Njongmeta recovered at the Cincinnati 43-yard line with 1:53 remaining.
Read more: Week 14 sees Raiders, Giants improve chances of landing top quarterback in NFL draftPredictably, that was the straw that broke the Cowboys’ collective back as Cincy QB Joe Burrow was able to lead a game-winning drive that ended with a 40-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Marr Chase, who had 177 yards on a season-high 14 catches and is the NFL leader in receiving yards and touchdowns (15).With the win, the Bengals (5-8) stopped a three-game losing streak and may have given their hopes of qualifying for the postseason in a watered-down AFC a slight boost. “We needed a break,” Burrow said after the game. “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.”
Bill Belichick, former NFL coach, looks on during a game between the Huskies and the Wolverines. Belichick is looking to return to coaching.
Bill Belichick, former NFL coach, looks on during a game between the Huskies and the Wolverines. Belichick is looking to return to coaching.
Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
It’s a different story for the Cowboys, who have a winnable game against the Panthers this week before tough matchups with the Bucs, Eagles and Commanders to close out the season. If Dallas doesn’t win out to get above .500 at 9-8, the odds seem good that head coach Mike McCarthy will be gone.Should that happen, McCarthy can thank his special teams unit and coach John Fassel. “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.”Read more: Raiders’ Aidan O’Connell Escaped Season-Ending Injury Despite Being Carted Off FieldAs that play illustrated, what the Cowboys really need is a tough teacher. Fortunately for Dallas, there’s one on the market who specializes in prioritizing special teams play. However, Bill Belichick is publicly flirting with UNC’s head coaching vacancy and it’s possible he accepts the job as soon as today after having “good conversations” with the university’s chancellor.Is it possible those conversations don’t amount to anything after the Dallas disaster in last night’s game if Cowboys owner Jerry Jones comes to his senses and gets Belichick’s phone number out of his Rolodex? Yes. Is it probable? it certainly doesn’t feel like it as Belichick to UNC kind of sounds like a done deal.But, it’s not done yet and there’s still a chance that the Dallas meltdown on special teams will be enough to get Jones to make Belichick a special offer he can’t refuse.For more on the NFL, visit Newsweek Sports.
