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The Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys have both failed to meet expectations during the 2024 season, but their Week 14 matchup on Monday Night Football won’t be flexed.
According to SI.com’s Jay Morrison, the game isn’t eligible to be flexed because of the “drawings, voiceovers and other work” that has already been done for The Simpsons Funday Football alternate broadcast.
ESPN and Disney announced the alternate viewing presentation on Oct. 28, which will air on Disney+ and ESPN+. A traditional broadcast of the game is also still available on ESPN and ABC.
The Bengals erased a 21-point deficit against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday but couldn’t emerge victorious, losing their third game in four weeks and dropping to 4-7 on the season as a whole.
Starting quarterback Joe Burrow has been stellar despite Cincinnati’s poor record, completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 3,028 yards and 27 touchdowns compared to just four interceptions.
As for the Cowboys, they own a 3-6 record heading into a clash with the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football. Dallas has also struggled mightily after reaching 12 wins in each of the previous three seasons and is currently in the midst of a four-game losing streak.
Cowboys starting signal-caller Dak Prescott won’t suit up against Cincinnati. Prescott suffered a hamstring injury during a Week 9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons and was placed on season-ending injured reserve.
While both teams are on track to miss the playoffs, their upcoming battle on Dec. 9 will still be featured on ESPN due to the preparation for the alternate broadcast.