DALLAS (105.3 the Fan) - The Dallas Cowboys finally got back in the win column on Sunday, defeating the Bengals 30-7 at Paul Brown Stadium in Andy Dalton's return to Cincinnati, moving them to 4-9 on the season.
Dalton, who played in Cincinnati for nine seasons and made three Pro Bowls with the Bengals before his move to Dallas, had a successful return to his old stomping grounds, completing 16-23 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns, with a quarterback rating of 122.6, all behind a patchwork offensive line.
“Everybody obviously wanted to win today," Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said after the game. "But everybody really wanted to win this game for Andy.”
Dalton was also aided by a solid rushing attack, that ran for 101 yards on 25 carries, averaging just over an even four yards per carry. Ezekiel Elliott carried the ball just 12 times on the Day but ran for 48 yards, including a season-long 26 yard gain in the fourth quarter.
Back up running back Tony Pollard also added 39 yards on 11 carries, while hauling in two catches for nine yards, and one of the Dalton touchdown throws. Amari cooper led the way for the Dallas receivers, catching four passes for 51 yards and a score.
Defensively, Dallas had their best game of the season from top to bottom, forcing three turnovers (with the offensive scoring 17 of the 30 points off of those turnovers) in the first three possessions of the game for the Bengals, allowing their offense to build to an insurmountable lead.
Dallas did bend, giving up over 300 yards of total offense, but did not break, surrendering their lowest scoring output of the season as a defense.
Jaylon Smith led the way for the defense with 11 total tackles and a fumble recovery, while defensive back Rashad Robinson added nine total tackles of his own. Tyrone Crawford also added two sacks (his first two of the season), while Aldon Smith added a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
Jourdan Lewis also ended up with the third fumble recovery for Dallas.
The Cowboys (4-9), who are technically still alive in the NFC East race, will be back in action next week at AT&T Stadium in Arlington against the San Francisco 49ers.
