Can the Bengals put the nail in another team’s playoff hopes?
The NFL is stuck showcasing two teams that were supposed to be meeting for a game with huge playoff implications at this point in the year. Well, there are implications, but it may be whoever loses between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys finally being mathematically eliminated from reaching the postseason.
The Bengals have found ways to lose in 2024 despite an MVP-caliber season from quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase being in serious contention for the receiving triple crown (leading the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns).
Most of the blame will be shouldered by the defense on the field, but we can also look at the cast of skill position players beyond Chase, Tee Higgins and at times Chase Brown not being able to step up when the defense is daring those guys to beat them.
On Dallas’ side, they are without quarterback Dak Prescott who is on injured reserve. That means we will see Cooper Rush for the second time in his career. In 2022, he led a win against Cincinnati in Week 2 to drop them to 0-2.
Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is expected to play, and pass rusher Micah Parson blew up whatever the Bengals tried to do offensively the last time they played. He had two sacks and lived in the backfield. Those are two names the Bengals will have to contain.
Who keeps their longshot hopes for the playoffs alive on Monday Night Football?
One other note: This game will have three unique viewing options for fans to enjoy.
First, the traditional main telecast of Monday Night Football will be on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN Deportes.
Second, there’s Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli that airs on ESPN2.
Finally, the Simpsons Funday Football stream will premiere on Disney+, ESPN+, and NFL+ (on mobile). The much anticipated, additive telecast will feature Bart as a member of the Bengals and Homer with the Cowboys as well as Lisa and Marge serving as on-field sideline reporters.
Fun!
Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) at Dallas Cowboys (5-7)
- Date/Time: Dec. 9th, 2024 at 8:15 pm ET
- Location: At&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
- Series Leader: Dallas leads 10-4, including 7-1 in games played in Dallas. The Cowboys have won the last five meetings. The Bengals’ most recent victory was a 26-3 victory at Cincinnati in 2004
- TV Channel: The game will air nationally on ABC. In the Bengals’ home region, it will be carried by WCPO-TV (Ch. 9) in Cincinnati, WKEF-TV (Ch. 22) in Dayton, and WTVQ-TV (Ch. 36) in Lexington. It will also be broadcast on ESPN.
- Broadcasters: Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (analyst), and Lisa Salters (sideline reporter)
- Simpsons Broadcast: The Simpsons Funday Football will premiere on Disney+, ESPN+, and NFL+ (on mobile). Read more about that here.
- Online Stream: ESPN+
- Replay: NFL+ and NFL Network (check local listings)
- Radio Broadcast: The game will air on the Bengals Radio Network, which is led by Cincinnati flagship radio stations WLW-AM (700), WCKY-AM (1530) and WEBN-FM (102.7). Broadcasters are Dan Hoard (play-by-play) and Dave Lapham (analyst). In addition, the game will air nationally on Westwood One Radio. Broadcasters are Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Kurt Warner (analyst).
- SB Nation Cowboys’ site: Blogging the boys
- Rosters: CIN | DAL
- Stats to Know: CIN | DAL
- Weather: According to NFL Weather, it will be mostly clear, around 60 degrees. There is also a retractable roof at AT&T Stadium.
- Odds: The Bengals are currently 5.5-point favorites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Expert Predictions
- USA Today has four experts predicting a win for the Bengals
- All 11 of ESPN’s 11 experts are taking Cincinnati on the road.
- CBS Sports has five of their eight experts taking the Bengals
- NFL Pick Watch — which takes into account expert picks from across the web — has Cincinnati receiving 94% of the picks.
