The 2026 NFL schedule has been unveiled, and as expected, it promises an exciting lineup of primetime showdowns. A staple of such high-stakes games is “Monday Night Football,” which has been the traditional closer for every regular-season week since 1970, with the exception of the final week. While ABC originally held the broadcasting rights, ESPN took over in 2006, though both networks fall under the Disney umbrella. This year, fans can catch several games airing on both channels.
In a move likely to please many fans, the 2026 schedule will not feature any “Monday Night Football” doubleheaders. The season kicks off with an intense AFC West rivalry, as the Denver Broncos face off against the Kansas City Chiefs. This game could mark the return of both quarterbacks from serious injuries: Patrick Mahomes is recovering from an ACL tear suffered in December, while Bo Nix is on the mend from an ankle fracture incurred during the playoffs.
Here is the lineup of Monday night games for the 2026 season, with each matchup starting at 8:15 p.m. ET:
Ranking 2026 ‘Monday Night Football’ Games
17. Falcons at Saints (Week 4)
Ending the list is the Falcons taking on the Saints. Atlanta’s offseason has been marked by a lackluster quarterback battle between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. Despite hopes for improvement following disappointing performances in 2025, neither seems to be the long-term solution. Meanwhile, the Saints are banking on Tyler Shough as their potential quarterback of the future, though that remains uncertain. Unfortunately, this NFC South duel falls short compared to other matchups.
16. Giants at Lions (Week 16)
The Giants are generating buzz with Jaxson Dart entering his second year, John Harbaugh stepping in as head coach, and the addition of top-10 draft picks Arvell Reese and Francis Mauigoa. However, Harbaugh is quick to remind that building a championship team takes time. Despite being improved from last year, the Giants might find themselves out of playoff contention by Week 16, unlike the Lions, who are likely playoff-bound. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs will be eager to replicate his past success against New York.
15. Panthers at Buccaneers (Week 12)
The Panthers have fortified their defense with key acquisitions like edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd. If quarterback Bryce Young can elevate his game, the team could challenge for another NFC South title. Their stiffest competition might come from the Buccaneers. However, this game is ranked only 15th due to the packed week of football, featuring a game on Thanksgiving Eve, three on Thanksgiving Day, one on Black Friday, and ten on Sunday. Even for the most ardent football fans, this lineup could be overwhelming.
— tier break —
14. Commanders at 49ers (Week 6)
The Commanders were the darling team entering 2025. Now, they’re one of the least discussed. That’s what an injury-riddled 5-12 season will do. The 49ers, meanwhile, will be a popular playoff pick, and for good reason, especially if healthy. Also, the Commanders will be on a brutal travel schedule: vs. the Colts in London in Week 4, back home for the Giants in Week 5, then off to the West Coast. After a Week 1 game in Australia, the 49ers don’t leave the West Coast until Week 7.
13. Giants at Rams (Week 2)
As I’ve already said, the Giants should be improved. I’ve also already said it doesn’t happen overnight, and it certainly doesn’t happen by Week 2. The Rams are the Super Bowl favorites, and this will be a really tall task for New York. Also, the Rams play in Australia on Thursday in Week 1, so they’ll have a rest advantage over New York, which opens its season on Sunday Night Football.
12. Steelers at Jaguars (Week 14)
There’s nothing “wrong” per se about this game. Both teams made the playoffs. It’s just not quite as exciting as the next games in these rankings. We still don’t know what’s happening with Aaron Rodgers, but even if we did, the Steelers present as a low-ceiling outfit. The Jaguars will hope their excellent second half of 2025 carries over after a quiet offseason.
11. Bills at Vikings (Week 9)
There’s a chance this game could rise. But “could” is a dangerous word when it comes to the talented-but-inconsistent, oft-injured Kyler Murray. There’s a chance the partnership between him, ace play caller Kevin O’Connell and superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson goes perfectly. There’s also a chance it doesn’t go well, or Murray can’t stay healthy. He didn’t play in Week 9 in 2021, 2023 or 2025. Maybe this is a great game, with Murray getting a chance to shine in the spotlight and Josh Allen facing defensive mastermind Brian Flores. But there are more sure things elsewhere on this list.
10. Bengals at Commanders (Week 10)
Let’s just watch the “Monday Night Football” highlights from Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow in 2024.
More of that, please. (Though both teams, after making major defensive investments this offseason, will hope for better defense.)
— tier break —
9. Texans at Packers (Week 17)
OK, here we go. From here on out, all of the teams included are projected playoff teams, and we’re pumped to see each and every one.
C.J. Stroud faces a hugely important year ahead, as the Texans look like a serious Super Bowl contender almost everywhere else. The defense is absurdly good. Houston made upgrades at running back (David Montgomery) and along the offensive line. The Packers should have their own elite defender, Micah Parsons, back with several games under his belt. How does Jordan Love do against Houston’s defense? Does weather play a factor? Green Bay winters can be … unpleasant.
8. Eagles at Bears (Week 3)
Last year, the Bears entered their Black Friday showdown against the Eagles with an 8-3 record, but the perception was that they weren’t quite as good as their record. Then they hammered the Eagles with 281 yards on the ground and a 28-14 first downs advantage in a 24-15 win. Now, these two reigning division champs meet again in a standalone game. How will Jalen Hurts look in a new offense? How will Caleb Williams look in his second season under Ben Johnson?
7. Bears at Seahawks (Week 8)
The Seahawks feel like one of the least talked-about Super Bowl champions in recent memory. Give them some credit. This was an excellent team: third in scoring offense, first in scoring defense. That’s rare air. This game will feature one of the NFL’s premier offensive minds (Ben Johnson) vs. one of the NFL’s premier defensive minds (Mike Macdonald), two former USC star quarterbacks (Caleb Williams and Sam Darnold) and two teams looking to show last year was no fluke.
6. Cowboys at Seahawks (Week 13)
The Seahawks really flexed their muscle down the stretch of last season, winning their final seven regular-season games before their playoff run to the Super Bowl title. If all goes to plan, this will be a classic offense-vs.-defense showdown; there aren’t many passing-game triumvirates than Dak Prescott, George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. Will the Cowboys’ defense be improved enough for it to matter?
5. Chargers at Ravens (Week 10)
We get a mentor vs. mentee here, as Jim Harbaugh faces his longtime defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter. Minter did excellent work with Harbaugh at Michigan (2022-23) and with the Chargers (2024-25) before taking over in Baltimore this offseason. Lamar Jackson is looking for a bounce-back year. Justin Herbert has a new offensive coordinator (Mike McDaniel) and hopefully a much healthier offensive line. The only other time Jackson and Herbert met on “MNF,” Jackson threw for two touchdowns and ran for another in a 30-23 comeback win.
4. Broncos at Chiefs (Week 1)
This one might be a few spots higher if both Patrick Mahomes and Bo Nix weren’t coming off significant injuries. While both are expected to play, we can’t be 100% sure until it’s here, and even if they do play, both will be shaking off considerable rust. Even so, this is a terrific divisional rivalry to open “MNF.” The AFC West should be highly competitive once again.
3. Patriots at Chiefs (Week 15)
This is the final “MNF” conference game of the year, with playoff implications for both teams. Mahomes will be over a year removed from his ACL tear and should be back in the swing of things. Kenneth Walker III, who dominated the Patriots to the tune of 161 yards in the Super Bowl, will look to have a repeat performance in his new home. The Patriots, meanwhile, will look not only to limit Walker but also to take advantage of an overhauled Chiefs’ secondary. Drake Maye vs. Patrick Mahomes? We’re here for it.
2. Cowboys at Eagles (Week 7)
Whenever these two meet, sparks fly and tempers flare. Remember Jalen Carter getting ejected for spitting on Dak Prescott before the first snap of the season opener last year? Jalen Hurts has never lost at home against Dallas. By the time we’re this far into the season, we’ll have a good inkling of how Hurts is adapting to the new offense and if the Cowboys’ defensive upgrades are enough.
1. Bills at Rams (Week 5)
When two teams this good meet up, it doesn’t matter that it’s not a conference game and not late in the season; it has to be at or near the top of any ranking. Two years ago, they produced a high-flying 44-42 Rams win that featured over 900 yards of combined offense. Matthew Stafford. Josh Allen. Puka Nacua. DJ Moore. Davante Adams. James Cook. Let’s sit back and enjoy this one.
