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Who plays on Sunday Night Football? Game, start time for week 6

Who plays on Sunday Night Football? Game, start time for week 6
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NBC presented a historic rivalry game in Week 5 of its “Sunday Night Football” schedule. Week 6 won't have the same story, fans will get a chance to see at least one desperate team in action.

The Cincinnati Bengals are fighting to avoid a 1-5 start that would make it extremely difficult for them to compete for a spot in the postseason. They are fresh off a disappointing 38-41 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, a game in which Cincinnati led by 10 points twice in the fourth quarter before losing in overtime.

The New York Giants want to block the Bengals' path back into the AFC competition. New York was defeated by the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1, but has gone 2-2 in the four weeks since. Their losses were each by one point, while their victories over the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks were considered upsets.

A Giants win would send shockwaves throughout the NFL and could push the Bengals into seller territory ahead of the NFL trade deadline. Therefore, this “SNF” fight could have far-reaching implications throughout the NFL.

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Here's everything you need to know about the Sunday Night Football Week 6 matchup.

Who's playing on Sunday Night Football tonight?

  • Matchup: Cincinnati Bengals at New York Giants
  • Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

The Bengals (1-4) travel to New Jersey to take on the Giants (2-3) in a game that is almost winnable for Cincinnati.

The Bengals got off to another slow start under Zac Taylor, but it continued beyond the first few weeks of the season. Cincinnati's offense was great, Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins shined against the Ravens in Week 4, but the Bengals' defense was one of the worst stopping units in the NFL.

Lou Anarumo's defense has typically been solid during his tenure, but Cincinnati entered Week 6 scoring the second-most points per game in the NFL (29) and the seventh-most yards per game (365.4). Part of the problem has been the cumulative effect of a few key defensive losses in recent seasons (DJ Reader, Jesse Bates, Chidobe Awuzie). Still, the Bengals will have to hold their own against a Giants offense that had a strong performance against the Seahawks.

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The Giants surprised many with their win in Seattle. Many assumed Daniel Jones would struggle to move the ball without his top receiver, Malik Nabers. Instead, Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton put in top-notch performances, while Tyrone Tracy Jr. recorded 129 rushing yards in place of the ailing Devin Singletary.

If Jones and Co. can continue to move the ball consistently, New York may be able to keep this contest close. The Giants feature a dominant pass rush led by Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the outside and Dexter Lawrence on the inside. Lawrence already has six sacks this season and claims he is the NFL's best interior defender in the post-Aaron Donald era.

So it won't be easy for Burrow and the Bengals to improve to 2-4 this season and compete in the early days of the AFC Wild Card race. And if the Giants can pull off an upset for the second straight season, Brian Daboll's roster will suddenly be at .500 and he'll be dreaming of a possible playoff spot.

Still, it's worth noting that all of the Bengals' losses in 2024 were by six points or less. At some point, one would expect the tide to turn and Cincinnati to close out games in a way that has eluded them so far in 2024.

What time is the NFL game tonight?

  • Date: Sunday, October 13th
  • Time: 8:20 p.m. ET

“Sunday Night Football” begins Week 6 at 8:20 p.m. ET, the typical start time for most of NBC's NFL broadcasts during the 2024 NFL season. Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (color analyst), and Melissa Stark (sideline reporter) will cover the Giants vs. Bengals game.

NBC will also begin airing its pregame show “Football Night In America” at 7 p.m. ET. Maria Taylor will host the show alongside NBC talent including Jason Garrett, Tony Dungy, Devin McCourty and Matthew Berry.

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What channel is Sunday Night Football on tonight?

“Sunday Night Football” will air on NBC in 2024, just as it has since the network purchased the rights to the show in 2006.

Cord cutters can still watch the game on NBC's streaming service Peacock or on Fubo, which is offering a free trial.

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