At the end of a busy Week 14 in the NFL, Monday Night Football will showcase a battle between teams with clear urgency. The Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) travel to Arlington, Texas, to face the Dallas Cowboys (5-7) in a must-win for both teams.
Sportsbook betting promos for Bengals vs. Cowboys on Monday Night Football
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Betting on MNF: Bengals vs. Cowboys
The Bengals are 4-8 after suffering three consecutive losses, all by a single score. The Bengals likely must run the table to have a fighting chance at reaching the playoffs. Cincinnati is 3-3 on the road this season.
The Cowboys are 5-7 following a Thanksgiving victory over the New York Giants. Dallas has won two straight after losing five in a row and falling sharply in the NFC standings. The Cowboys have a slim path to the postseason and must string wins together. They will look to improve on a dismal 1-5 record at AT&T Stadium this season.
The Bengals are currently 5.5-point favorites. The over/under for total points in the game is 49.5.
Here are some the best odds for the matchup on Monday, from across the industry's sportsbooks.
Best betting odds and lines for Bengals vs. Cowboys on MNF
| Money line | Point spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
Bengals | -230 (multiple) | -5.5 (-105, Caesars) | Over 49.5 (-108, FanDuel) |
Cowboys | +200 (BetMGM) | +5.5 (-110, multiple) | Under 49.5 (-108, DraftKings) |
Why the Bengals can cover
Cincinnati has one of the NFL's best offenses, ranking in the top five in scoring offense (27.9 points per game). Over the last four outings, the Bengals have averaged 35.0 points per game. They are also elite in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on 71.1% of trips inside the 20-yard line. Cincinnati also ranks near the top of the league in converting 45.5% of third downs.
Quarterback Joe Burrow and receiver Ja'Marr Chase form one of the best passing combinations in the NFL and the collective centerpiece of Cincinnati's attack. Burrow leads the NFL in pass completions (302), passing yards (3,337) and passing touchdowns (30) this season and has 1,093 passing yards and 10 touchdowns against only one interception in the last three games. Chase is also putting up gaudy numbers, sitting atop the league with 1,142 receiving yards, 13 receiving touchdowns and 14.4 yards per touch.
Cincinnati faces a Cowboys team that has struggled with ball security, having committed 21 turnovers. The Cowboys are also scuffling on the ground, landing in the bottom three of the league in rushing yards (1,030), yards per carry (3.7) and rushing touchdowns (four). On the other side, Dallas has allowed 31.1 points per game in the last seven outings, which bodes well for Cincinnati's offense.
Why the Cowboys can cover
Dallas has an appetizing matchup against a woeful Cincinnati defense. The Bengals have the second-worst scoring defense in the NFL this season, allowing 28.3 points per game. They've been worse over the last five games, allowing 34.8 points a game. The Bengals are also in the bottom five of the league in third-down efficiency allowed (44.4%) and red zone efficiency allowed (68.4%), and opponents have converted 266 first downs against Cincinnati.
Dallas is operating without its offensive hub in quarterback Dak Prescott, but the Cowboys have stout offensive numbers in key categories. The Cowboys rank in the top eight of the league in passing offense, producing more than 2,800 yards through the air in 12 games.
Dallas also has two gamebreaking skill players in CeeDee Lamb and Rico Dowdle. Lamb led the NFL in receptions (135) last season and ranks second in the league with 79 receptions in 2024. He is also putting up big yardage totals, including 880 receiving yards, and is a consistent safety valve for quarterback Cooper Rush.
While Dallas has not been outstanding in the running game this season, Dowdle has looked sharp since he's become the de facto starter. He is coming off a career-best 123 yards from scrimmage last week and is averaging 99.0 rushing yards per game over the last two outings.
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