Just when everyone thought that the Dallas Cowboys could finally salvage their miserable season and make a late push for the playoffs, the Cincinnati Bengals threw cold water on their hopes. And super fan Skip Bayless was left “devastated”.
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Dallas came into the game on the back of two consecutive victories, hoping to get a third to keep their playoff hopes alive. However, Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase combined yet again for another game-winning TD, leaving the Cowboys reeling.
Bayless took to X (formerly Twitter), to express his emotions following the loss:
I AM DEVASTATED.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 10, 2024
Prior to the game, Bayless had even predicted that they would win 27-24 at home. Soon after it, he also went live on YouTube, and described the loss as his “worst nightmare”. After all, this game was supposed to be a “season-turning” one for Dallas.
The Cowboys have had their fair share of losses this season. So why was this one so heartbreaking for Bayless? Well, it has got to do with how well they played, especially the defense.
The Cowboys made a crucial stop with just over two minutes remaining by sacking Burrow on 3rd-and-20. This forced the Bengals to punt, and Dallas’ special teams came up big by partially blocking the kick.
The ball landed around the 40-yard line, putting the Cowboys in an excellent field position. It all depended on whether they recovered the punt or allowed Cincinnati to get it.
Disaster struck when Amani Oruwariye fumbled the ball while trying to recover it. The Bengals’ kicking team capitalized on the mistake. They recovered the ball, giving Burrow and the offense another shot to seal the game.
This time, they didn’t waste the opportunity. On the second play of the drive, Burrow found Ja’Marr Chase, who eluded Daron Bland and sprinted 40 yards to the end zone for a game-winning TD.
The fact that it was just one fumble in the dying minutes of the game that led to the loss perhaps made it more devastating for Bayless. Fans, however, had a field day mocking him.
One fan joked that only the Cowboys could find a way to lose in such dramatic fashion, while others reminded Skip that even with a win, his team wasn’t making the playoffs.
Many took shots at his emotional investment, saying that he should be used to the Cowboys losing by now. Some even wondered if Skip would break down in tears — just like Micah Parsons.
Damn skip, only the cowboys could muff a play that badly lol
RIP da boys
— biz (@bizmarktini) December 10, 2024
Another user wrote,
you were never making the playoffs anyways
— Crypto Savant (@215NFTS) December 10, 2024
A fan commented,
Aren’t you used to it by now?
— Ktenn4 (@Ktenn41) December 10, 2024
You gonna cry like Micah….
— NorcalinLv (@norcalinlv) December 10, 2024
The Cowboys are 5-8 now, and are sitting third in the NFC East. They have fallen six spots out of the 7th wildcard position and have less than 1% chance of making the playoffs. If they don’t, then it would be the first time since 2021 that the team failed to reach post-season.
It’s perhaps time for Dallas to shift focus to next season. Prioritizing losses from here on could help improve their draft position. Key offseason priorities will include hiring a new head coach, strengthening the offensive line, and securing an extension for Parsons.
