Once a marquee matchup circled on every NFL fan’s calendar, the Week 14 “Monday Night Football” clash between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys has taken on a much different tone. Both teams entered the season with playoff aspirations, but injuries and inconsistent performances have left them scrambling to keep slim postseason hopes alive.

The Bengals (4-8) find themselves in third place in the AFC North, reeling from a three-game losing streak. Their season has been a tale of missed opportunities and narrow defeats. Even if Cincinnati wins out and finishes 9-8, they no longer control their destiny. The Bengals would need a series of favorable outcomes across the league to secure a wildcard spot–a tall order for a team struggling to find its rhythm.

On the other sideline, the Cowboys (5-7) have endured their own rollercoaster campaign. After a promising 3-2 start, Dallas stumbled through a five-game losing streak and lost starting quarterback Dak Prescott to a hamstring injury. Backup quarterbacks have stepped in admirably in recent weeks, helping the Cowboys notch consecutive wins over division rivals. Now sitting third in the NFC East, Dallas faces a similarly steep climb to the playoffs. Winning their final five games would give them a 10-7 record, but their playoff hopes also hinge on favorable outcomes in a tightly contested NFC.