Football <\/p>\n
The 2026 NFL schedule<\/a> has arrived, and per usual, there’s a great slate of primetime matchups. It doesn’t get any more “primetime” than “Monday Night Football,” which has been bringing every regular-season week (except the last one) to a close since 1970. ABC owned the broadcast rights until 2006, when it shifted over to ESPN — both are part of the Disney company — and as you’ll see, this year, several games air on both channels.<\/p>\n In a welcome change in most fans’ eyes, there will be no “Monday Night Football” doubleheaders in 2026. The “MNF” slate begins with a bitter AFC West rivalry as the Broncos<\/a> visit the Chiefs<\/a>. It could be the first game back after major injuries for both quarterbacks; Patrick Mahomes<\/a> suffered a torn ACL in December, and Bo Nix<\/a> suffered a fractured ankle in the playoffs one month later.<\/p>\n Here’s a rundown of every Monday night game for the 2026 season. Each contest will kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET:<\/p>\n In a loaded year, someone has to finish last. In this case, it’s the Falcons visiting the Saints. Atlanta presents an underwhelming offseason quarterback battle between Tua Tagovailoa<\/a> and Michael Penix Jr<\/a>. Even if one of those two can improve upon underwhelming 2025 seasons, neither looks like a long-term answer at the moment. The Saints hope they have a long-term answer at the position in Tyler Shough<\/a>, but that’s also TBD. Just like the NFC South as a whole, this matchup just isn’t quite up to par with its competitors.<\/p>\n The Giants are getting a lot of love with Jaxson Dart<\/a> entering Year 2, John Harbaugh coming in and two top-10 draft picks (Arvell Reese<\/a> and Francis Mauigoa<\/a>). But Harbaugh will be the first to tell you building a contender doesn’t happen overnight. The Giants should be better than last year, but by Week 16, they might not be in the playoff picture. The Lions should be. Jahmyr Gibbs<\/a> will be licking his lips considering what he did against the Giants last year.<\/p>\n The Panthers made big upgrades at edge rusher (Jaelan Phillips<\/a>) and linebacker (Devin Lloyd<\/a>), and if Bryce Young<\/a> can take even a half-step forward, they’ll make a push to repeat as NFC South champions. The Buccaneers might be their stiffest competition. But this matchup ranks just 15th, mainly because it’s at the end of an absolutely loaded week: one game on Thanksgiving Eve, three on Thanksgiving, one on Black Friday and 10 on Sunday. I’ll never be football-ed out, but this will push even my limits.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>. There’s a chance the partnership between him, ace play caller Kevin O’Connell and superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson<\/a> 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<\/a> facing defensive mastermind Brian Flores. But there are more sure things elsewhere on this list.<\/p>\n Let’s just watch the “Monday Night Football” highlights from Jayden Daniels<\/a> and Joe Burrow<\/a> in 2024.<\/p>\n More of that, please. (Though both teams, after making major defensive investments this offseason, will hope for better defense.)<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n C.J. Stroud<\/a> 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<\/a>) and along the offensive line. The Packers should have their own elite defender, Micah Parsons<\/a>, back with several games under his belt. How does Jordan Love<\/a> do against Houston’s defense? Does weather play a factor? Green Bay winters can be … unpleasant.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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<\/a> look in a new offense? How will Caleb Williams<\/a> look in his second season under Ben Johnson?<\/p>\n 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<\/a> 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<\/a>) and two teams looking to show last year was no fluke.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>, George Pickens<\/a> and CeeDee Lamb<\/a>. Will the Cowboys’ defense be improved enough for it to matter?<\/p>\n 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<\/a> is looking for a bounce-back year. Justin Herbert<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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. \u00a0<\/p>\n 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<\/a>, 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<\/a> vs. Patrick Mahomes? We’re here for it.<\/p>\n Whenever these two meet, sparks fly and tempers flare. Remember Jalen Carter<\/a> getting ejected for spitting on<\/a><\/span> 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>. Josh Allen. Puka Nacua<\/a>. DJ Moore<\/a>. Davante Adams<\/a>. James Cook<\/a>. Let’s sit back and enjoy this one.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
Football Ranking 2026 ‘Monday Night Football’ Games<\/h2>\n
17. Falcons at Saints (Week 4)<\/h3>\n
16. Giants at Lions (Week 16)<\/h3>\n
15. Panthers at Buccaneers (Week 12)<\/h3>\n
— tier break —<\/h3>\n
14. Commanders at 49ers (Week 6)<\/h3>\n
13. Giants at Rams (Week 2)<\/h3>\n
12. Steelers at Jaguars (Week 14)<\/h3>\n
11. Bills at Vikings (Week 9)<\/h3>\n
10. Bengals at Commanders (Week 10)<\/h3>\n
— tier break —<\/h3>\n
9. Texans at Packers (Week 17)<\/h3>\n
8. Eagles at Bears (Week 3)<\/h3>\n
7. Bears at Seahawks (Week 8)<\/h3>\n
6. Cowboys at Seahawks (Week 13)<\/h3>\n
5. Chargers at Ravens (Week 10)<\/h3>\n
4. Broncos at Chiefs (Week 1)<\/h3>\n
3. Patriots at Chiefs (Week 15)<\/h3>\n
2. Cowboys at Eagles (Week 7)<\/h3>\n
1. Bills at Rams (Week 5)
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