Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton (14) celebrates a touchdown throw with wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)CINCINNATI – Andy Dalton was good enough in his return to Cincinnati, tossing two touchdown passes and helping lead the Dallas Cowboys to a 30-7 win over the Bengals on Sunday. The Bengals fumbled the ball away on their first three drives, one fumble returned for a touchdown, and leading to 17 first-half points by the Cowboys (4-9). Dalton was serviceable, going 16 for 23 for 185 yards, as the Cowboys stayed in contention in the weak NFC East. Dalton signed with the Cowboys as a backup, and stepped in when Dak Prescott went down.

Dak Prescott stuck with his virtual hiatus trying to get a long-term contract that never came during the offseason. Im not a guy that looks at my future to be honest, Prescott said Wednesday, two days before the first practice of training camp for the Cowboys. He was an almost instant star with the Cowboys, winning 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year as a fourth-round pick who replaced injured 10-year starter Tony Romo during his first preseason. The Cowboys made the hotel available to their players, and Prescott estimated 90% of them had essentially agreed to create their own bubble. The Cowboys cleared their COVID-19 reserve list early this week by activating WR Jon'Vea Johnson and CB Saivion Smith.