Only one game separates the records of the two teams playing in tonight’s Monday Night Football, but the 4-8 Cincinnati Bengals and 5-7 Dallas Cowboys are entering the matchup on different trajectories.

Even after losing their starting quarterback earlier this season, Cooper Rush has led the Cowboys to two straight wins over the past two weeks, while Joe Burrow and the Bengals have lost four of their last five. Whoever wins today will still have the slightest hope of making the playoffs in a wildcard spot, while the loser will be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

The matchup comes with a little extra pizzazz, though; on ESPN+ and Disney+, the game will air as The Simpsons Funday Football, a fully-animated game transformed in real-time into the world of “The Simpsons.”

Here’s everything you need to know about Bengals vs. Cowboys, from start time and channel, to how to watch for free.

Bengals-Cowboys date and time: When is the Cowboys vs. Bengals MNF game?

Kickoff at the Cowboys-Bengals game is set for 8:15 p.m. ET tonight, December 9.

What channel is the Cowboys vs. Bengals airing on?

The Monday Night Football matchup between the Cowboys and the Bengals is airing on ABC and ESPN, so if you have cable, all you have to do is turn the channel to either of those around 8:00 p.m. tonight. It is also streaming on ESPN+.

How to watch Cowboys vs. Bengals for free:

If you don’t have cable, the only way to stream Monday Night Football for free is to use a live TV streaming service with a free trial.

We recommend DIRECTV Stream, which offers a five-day free trial for new subscribers. When the trial is over, you’ll pay $86.98/month and gain access to over 90 live channels including ESPN, ABC, and ESPN2.

Other ways to stream Cowboys vs. Bengals:

While Sling TV doesn’t offer any free days, you’ll save money on a whole month of streaming rather than just five days free.

Sling TV’s Orange plan includes ESPN (and ESPN2, if you want to check out the ManningCast), and right now, you can get 50% off your first month. Instead of $40, you’ll pay $20 and get access to a few more Monday Night Football games before the second-month payment is due.

Is there a ManningCast tonight?

Yes, the ManningCast returns for its final regular season game tonight! It will air on ESPN2 in addition to tonight’s regular broadcasts on ABC and ESPN.

Eli and Peyton Manning will be joined by their typical first guest, coach Bill Belichick, before welcoming musician John Legend, and Sunday Night Football announcer, former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Cris Collinsworth.

Monday Night Football 2024 NFL schedule: Who is playing in Monday Night Football?

• Week 14: Cincinnati at Dallas – Monday, December 9 at 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN+, ABC)
• Week 15: Chicago at Minnesota – Monday, December 16 at 8:00 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+)
• Week 15: Atlanta at Las Vegas – Monday, December 16 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Week 16: New Orleans at Green Bay – Monday, December 23 at 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)
• Week 17: Detroit at San Francisco – Monday, December 30 at 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN, ESPN+, ABC)

Where is the Cowboys vs. Bengals being played tonight?

The Cowboys and Bengals are playing tonight’s MNF matchup at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.

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This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Writer/Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping and New York Post’s streaming property, Decider. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on each streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. Prior to joining Decider and New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews