The Bengals like to think they're not far from being competitive. A quarter here or there, they say.
History suggests they're dreaming.
But they could have made a case Sunday. Their third quarter was a disaster. The Bengals trailed the Dallas Cowboys 7-6 at halftime. Safety Darryl Williams had made a big hit on Emmitt Smith, to force a fumble at the Cincinnati 1-yard line. Corey Dillon was in a groove, and the Cowboys were falling all over themselves with penalties.