Lions vs. Cowboys: Start time, TV schedule for ‘Monday Night Football’

The regular season Monday Night Football finale will feature one team that has already clinched its spot in the playoffs and another hoping to do the same. The Dallas Cowboys have locked up the NFC East title along with a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the postseason. They’ll host a Detroit Lions team looking to secure a playoff berth.

The Cowboys have had more primetime games this season than any in league history thanks to the dynamic duo of Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. The rookies have been blasting franchise and league records throughout the team’s 12-2 season. Prescott has 3,418 passing yards and 20 passing touchdowns so far this season, and is second in rushing with 238 yards and six touchdowns.

Wide receiver Cole Beasley has been a favorite target for Prescott with 68 receptions for 759 yards and five touchdowns. Along with tight end Jason Witten and deep threat wideout Dez Bryant, the rookie quarterback has plenty of offensive weapons, which have opened the flood gates for the rushing attack of Elliott. The rookie sensation has 1,551 rushing yards for 13 touchdowns in his first year in the league.

This Cowboys team might boast the more successful run game in the matchup against the Lions, but with quarterback Matthew Stafford under center, Detroit’s passing game is the star. Despite losing one of his favorite targets in the offseason when Calvin Johnson retired, Stafford still has the likes of Golden Tate and Marvin Jones downfield wreaking havoc. Jones is having a career year with 838 receiving yards and could still snag his first 1,000-yard season.

The Lions also have a reliable red zone target in 14-season veteran Anquan Boldin, who leads the team with seven touchdowns. The team doesn’t plan to change its pass-heavy offense despite the Week 14 injury of Stafford. After dislocating his middle finger and tearing some ligaments, the quarterback has committed to finishing the season wearing a glove.

The run game suffered a setback two weeks ago with Theo Riddick missing time with a wrist injury. He has been a multi-use back for the Lions, splitting his time between rushing (357 yards, 1 touchdown) and receiving (371 yards, 5 touchdowns). Riddick was working with a trainer on the sideline this week at practice and is expected to return soon -- but couldn’t return soon enough for his quarterback.

“Theo is obviously a playmaker for us, a guy that’s really tough to bring down in space not only in the run game but in the pass game,” Stafford said, according to MLive.

In Riddick’s absence, Dwayne Washington and Zach Zenner stepped in, but it was Washington who saw most of the load with 14 carries for 31 yards and two receptions in Week 15. The rookie will benefit from the extra snaps, and is a good sign for the Lions’ run game heading into the offseason — although they really need the help now as they first get ready for the playoffs.

The last time these two teams met was in 2013, and both teams had a much different lineups. The Lions came away with a one-point victory after a game-winning, 1-yard rushing touchdown by Stafford.

The Lions can’t clinch their division this week, but with a win, they can punch their ticket to the postseason. Win or lose, though, the NFC North title will come down to their game against the Green Bay Packers next week.

Time: 8:30 p.m ET

Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

TV: ESPN

Announcers: Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters

Online Streaming: WatchESPN