Marion Barber had eight carries vs. Washington. He had his eighth carry Sunday in the Cowboys' third series. Felix Jones did not have a carry vs. Washington. His first on Sunday went for a 33-yard touchdown. Barber finished with 84 yards, and Jones had 96. The Cowboys had a season-high 38 carries for 198 yards.

The Cowboys entered Sunday allowing 19.9 yards per kick return. It looked as if they had solved a problem that plagued them in the preseason. And then came the second half Sunday. Glenn Holt twice returned the ball to Dallas territory. To make matters worse, the Bengals recovered an onside kick in the fourth quarter.

For the first time this season, the Cowboys didn't lose the turnover battle. Of course, they didn't win it, either. The Cowboys and Bengals had two turnovers apiece. The Cowboys have had at least one turnover in their last 19 regular-season games. The Cowboys can't continue to give their opponents extra chances.

A week after allowing Clinton Portis to rush for 121 yards, the Cowboys shut the door on Cincinnati's running game. Chris Perry (13 carries, 31 yards) and Cedric Benson (10 carries, 30 yards) were non-factors, and the Cowboys allowed only two 10-yard runs. Of course, Cincinnati entered with the 30th-ranked rush attack.