The Dallas Cowboys are looking to extend their late-season resurgence and keep their slim playoff hopes alive as they prepare to host the struggling Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.

Dallas, fresh off their first home victory of the season—a Thanksgiving win over the New York Giants—has now won two straight games. With a 5-7 record, the Cowboys are eyeing their next two matchups against teams with losing records as opportunities to stay in the playoff hunt.

Meanwhile, the Bengals (4-8) are battling through their second three-game losing streak of the season. Most recently, they dropped a 44-38 thriller to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a game that highlighted their ongoing defensive struggles. Both Dallas and Cincinnati have had disappointing seasons, with their defenses being a primary culprit. The teams are tied for 29th in points allowed, each surrendering an average of 28.3 points per game. Despite the Bengals scoring 99 points across their last three games, they’ve given up 113 and lost all three contests.

Injuries have also plagued both squads. For the Cowboys, the absence of key players like quarterback Dak Prescott, who underwent season-ending hamstring surgery, and Pro Bowlers Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence, Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, and Zack Martin has been a challenge. However, there’s a silver lining: Dallas is starting to get healthier.

Wide receiver Brandin Cooks recently returned to action, and head coach Mike McCarthy is hopeful that Diggs and Martin will be back for Monday’s game. Diggs, recovering from a knee injury, practiced in a limited capacity on Thursday, while Martin, dealing with an ankle and shoulder issue, will undergo season-ending surgery. Wideout CeeDee Lamb missed Thursday’s practice with a shoulder injury but is expected to play.

McCarthy, now in the final year of his contract, received public support from Prescott in a recent interview with Yahoo Sports. While McCarthy said he hadn’t seen Prescott’s exact comments, he acknowledged the broader context of his tenure: “We are in Year 5 of a program. We have a lot of excellent things in place. I think we have some things we can do better, and I think it’s all part of growing.”

Lawrence, who remains on injured reserve with a foot injury, is unlikely to play Monday but is making progress toward a return.

Stepping in for Prescott, backup quarterback Cooper Rush has done his part to keep the Cowboys afloat. Rush has won his last two starts against the Commanders and Giants, playing mistake-free football in the process. With a 2-2 record in his starts this season, Rush is set to face the Bengals for the second time. The first was a 2022 game where he led Dallas to a narrow 20-17 victory while Prescott was sidelined.

On defense, Parsons has been a game-changer since returning from a high ankle sprain. Over his last four games, the dynamic pass rusher has recorded 5.5 sacks, including three multi-sack performances. He leads the team with 6.5 sacks in eight games this season and is on track to top the Cowboys in sacks for the fourth consecutive year.

The Bengals, on the other hand, are struggling to overcome mounting injuries. This week alone, they placed kicker Evan McPherson on injured reserve due to a groin injury, and linebacker Logan Wilson underwent knee surgery, likely ending his season.

Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins has been sidelined by a viral illness, and key players like cornerbacks Dax Hill (knee) and DJ Turner (clavicle) are out for the year. Left tackle Orlando Brown (fibula) also missed practice on Thursday.

Despite their struggles, the Bengals boast some of the league’s top performers. Joe Burrow leads the NFL with 30 touchdown passes, Ja’Marr Chase is the league’s top receiver with 1,142 yards, and Trey Hendrickson is tied for the most sacks with 11.5. Yet, their collective efforts haven’t translated into wins.

“It’s been a tough season,” Burrow admitted. “The cornerstones of this organization are going to be remembered by more than just this season. We will be remembered by how we handled this. It’s still an exciting opportunity to go out and play for this city and this team every week. That’s something that I don’t take for granted.”

As both teams head into Monday night’s clash, they’re fighting not just for a win but for pride, momentum, and a chance to rewrite their narratives in a season full of adversity.