Bengals Seek to Extend Monday Night Road Success Against Cowboys
The Cincinnati Bengals are gearing up for a pivotal Monday Night Football showdown against the Dallas Cowboys, hoping to continue a trend that has seen road teams dominate in these prime-time matchups.
Road Teams Thrive in Monday Night Football
As the Bengals prepare for their matchup, the trend is clear: road teams have been remarkably successful on Monday nights. So far this season, road teams are a perfect 4-0, extending a streak that has seen them win five consecutive games dating back to 2017.
In Week 1, the Minnesota Vikings secured a narrow 27-24 victory over the Chicago Bears, despite being favored by only 1.5 points. The following week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers both emerged victorious as underdogs, while the Detroit Lions, another underdog, pulled off a stunning upset against the Baltimore Ravens, winning 38-30. This string of victories underscores a growing trend that has seen road teams win 10 of the last 13 Monday night contests.
Bengals’ Monday Night History
The Bengals are no strangers to Monday Night Football, and they bring their own momentum into this game. Last year, they defeated the Cowboys 20-14 in a gripping contest in Dallas. Earlier this season, they made headlines by upsetting the Jacksonville Jaguars as 10.5-point underdogs, clinching a thrilling 34-31 overtime victory, marking Jake Browning’s first career win.
However, the Bengals have historically struggled on the road in Monday night games, holding a dismal 3-20 record prior to the past two seasons. Their most recent win before this resurgence was in 1990, making their road performance a subject of scrutiny. Since the inception of Monday Night Football in 1970, the Bengals’ .200 winning percentage on the road ties them for the worst in the league with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Comparison with Other Teams
In contrast, teams like the Cowboys have thrived at home on Monday nights, boasting a solid 28-18 record, which translates to a .609 winning percentage. Other successful franchises include the Seahawks, 49ers, Ravens, and Steelers, showcasing the disparity in home and away performance.
On the other side of the coin, the Denver Broncos have established themselves as a formidable force at home, with a 25-13-1 record, while the Steelers set the standard with an impressive 31-6 record on their home turf.
Bengals’ Road Game History
Here’s a look at the Bengals’ last 25 appearances on Monday Night Football:
12/09/2024: Wk. 14, CIN 27 @ DAL 20
12/04/2023: Wk. 13, CIN 34 @ JAC 31
10/31/2022: Wk. 8, CIN 13 @ CLE 32
09/30/2019: Wk. 4, CIN 3 @ PIT 27
11/14/2016: Wk. 10, CIN 20 @ NYG 21
12/28/2015: Wk. 16, CIN 17 @ DEN 20
09/10/2012: Wk. 1, CIN 13 @ BAL 44
12/18/2006: Wk. 15, CIN 16 @ IND 34
10/19/1992: Wk. 7, CIN 0 @ PIT 20
12/09/1991: Wk. 15, CIN 13 @ MIA 37
10/21/1991: Wk. 8, CIN 16 @ BUF 35
10/22/1990: Wk. 7, CIN 34 @ CLE 13
10/01/1990: Wk. 4, CIN 16 @ SEA 31
12/25/1989: Wk. 16, CIN 21 @ MIN 29
11/13/1989: Wk. 10, CIN 24 @ HOU 26
09/30/1985: Wk. 4, CIN 37 @ PIT 24
10/01/1984: Wk. 5, CIN 17 @ PIT 38
11/28/1983: Wk. 13, CIN 14 @ MIA 38
12/20/1982: Wk. 15, CIN 34 @ SD 50
12/11/1978: Wk. 15, CIN 20 @ LA 19
10/09/1978: Wk. 6, CIN 0 @ MIA 21
10/17/1977: Wk. 5, CIN 14 @ PIT 20
12/06/1976: Wk. 13, CIN 20 @ OAK 35
12/02/1974: Wk. 12, CIN 3 @ MIA 24
11/02/1970: Wk. 7, CIN 10 @ PIT 21
As the Bengals take the field against the Cowboys, they not only aim to uphold their recent Monday night success but also strive to rewrite their legacy in one of the NFL’s most storied venues. The energy from the crowd, the stakes of a prime-time game, and the quest for NFL glory make this matchup a must-watch for fans and analysts alike.
