2026 NFL ‘Monday Night Football’ schedule: Broncos-Chiefs in opener

The 2026 NFL schedule is here, and as usual, there’s a big slate of primetime games. It doesn’t get more “prime time” than “Monday Night Football,” which has closed out every week of the regular season (except the last) since 1970. ABC held the broadcast rights until 2006, when it moved to ESPN — both are part of the Disney company — and as you’ll see, this year several games are being shown on both networks.

In a welcome change in the eyes of most fans, there will be no “Monday Night Football” doubleheader in 2026. The “MNF” slate begins with a bitter AFC West rivalry as the Broncos visit the Chiefs. This could be the first game back from serious injuries for both quarterbacks; Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in December and Bo Nix broke his ankle in the playoffs a month later.

Here’s a look at every Monday night game for the 2026 season. Each contest will begin at 8:15 p.m. ET:

‘Monday Night Football’ game rankings 2026

17. Falcons at Saints (week 4)

In a busy year, someone has to finish last. In this case, it’s the Falcons visiting the Saints. Atlanta features a disappointing offseason quarterback battle between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. While either of those two can improve on the disappointing 2025 seasons, neither appears to be a long-term answer at this time. The Saints hope to have a long-term answer at the Tyler Shough position, but that too remains to be determined. Much like the NFC South as a whole, this matchup simply doesn’t measure up to its competition.

16. Giants vs. Lions (Week 16)

The Giants are getting a lot of love with Jaxson Dart entering year two, John Harbaugh and two top-10 draft picks (Arvell Reese and Francis Mauigoa). But Harbaugh will be the first to tell you that building a competitor 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 will be licking his lips considering what he did against the Giants last year.

15. Panthers at Buccaneers (week 12)

The Panthers have made big improvements at edge rusher (Jaelan Phillips) and linebacker (Devin Lloyd), and if Bryce Young can take even a half step forward, they will make a push to repeat as NFC South champions. The Buccaneers might be their toughest competition. But this game only ranks 15th, mainly because it takes place at the end of an absolutely busy week: one game the day before Thanksgiving, three on Thanksgiving, one on Black Friday and 10 on Sunday. I will never give up on football, but it will even push my limits.

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14. 49ers Commanders (Week 6)

The Commanders were the darling team heading into 2025. Today, they are 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 they’re healthy. Additionally, the Commanders will follow a brutal travel schedule: against 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 won’t leave the West Coast until Week 7.

13. Giants at Rams (week 2)

Like I said before, the Giants should be improved. I’ve also said before that this won’t happen overnight, and certainly not by Week 2. The Rams are the Super Bowl favorites, and this will be a very tall order for New York. Additionally, the Rams will play in Australia on Thursday in Week 1, so they will have a rest advantage over New York, which opens its season on Sunday Night Football.

12. Steelers vs. Jaguars (Week 14)

There is nothing inherently “wrong” about this game. Both teams made the playoffs. It’s just not as exciting as the next few games in this ranking. We still don’t know what’s going on with Aaron Rodgers, but even if we do, the Steelers are shaping up to be a low-ceiling team. The Jaguars hope their strong second half of 2025 continues after a quiet offseason.

11. Bills at Vikings (week 9)

There is a chance that this game will increase. But “could” is a dangerous word when it comes to the talented but inconsistent and oft-injured Kyler Murray. There’s a chance the partnership between him, ace Kevin O’Connell and superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson plays out perfectly. There’s also a chance it won’t go well or Murray won’t be able to stay healthy. He hasn’t played in Week 9 in 2021, 2023 or 2025. This may be a great matchup, with Murray getting a chance to shine in the spotlight and Josh Allen facing defensive mastermind Brian Flores. But there are safer things elsewhere on this list.

10. Bengals at Commanders (week 10)

Let’s just look at Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow’s “Monday Night Football” highlights in 2024.

More of that, please. (Though both teams, after making major defensive investments this offseason, are hoping for better defense.)

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9. Texans at Packers (week 17)

Okay, here we go. As of now, all of the teams included are projected playoff teams, and we’re excited to see each and every one of them.

CJ Stroud faces an extremely important year ahead, as the Texans look like a serious Super Bowl contender almost everywhere else. The defense is absurdly good. Houston made improvements 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 perform against Houston’s defense? Does the weather play a role? Green Bay winters can be…unpleasant.

8. Eagles among bears (week 3)

Last year, the Bears entered their Black Friday matchup against the Eagles with an 8-3 record, but the perception was that they weren’t as good as their record. Then they hammered the Eagles with 281 rushing yards and a 28-14 first down advantage in a 24-15 victory. Now, these two reigning division champions meet in a standalone matchup. What will Jalen Hurts look like in a new offense? What will Caleb Williams look like 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 credit. It was an excellent team: third in attack, first in defense. It’s a rare look. This matchup will feature one of the best offensive minds in the NFL (Ben Johnson) against one of the best defensive minds in the NFL (Mike Macdonald), two former USC star quarterbacks (Caleb Williams and Sam Darnold), and two teams looking to show that last year was no fluke.

6. Cowboys vs. Seahawks (Week 13)

The Seahawks really showed strength throughout last season, winning their final seven regular season games before their playoff run to the Super Bowl title. If all goes as planned, it will be a classic showdown between offense and defense; there aren’t many passing game triumvirates other than Dak Prescott, George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. Will the Cowboys defense improve enough for it to matter?

5. Chargers at Ravens (week 10)

Here we have mentor versus mentee, as Jim Harbaugh faces off against his longtime defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter. Minter did a great job 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 two touchdowns and ran for another in a 30-23 comeback victory.

4. Broncos at Chiefs (week 1)

This one could be a few spots higher if Patrick Mahomes and Bo Nix don’t come out of serious injuries. While both are expected to play, we can’t be 100% sure until they get there, and even if they do play, both will be shaking off some considerable rust. Despite that, it’s a great divisional rivalry to open “MNF.” The AFC West should once again be very competitive.

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 out from his torn ACL for over a year and should be back in the swing of things. Kenneth Walker III, who led the Patriots with 161 yards in the Super Bowl, will look to repeat his performance in his new home. The Patriots, meanwhile, will look to not only limit Walker, but also take advantage of a revamped Chiefs secondary. Drake Maye vs. Patrick Mahomes? That’s what we’re here for.

2. Cowboys at Eagles (week 7)

Every time these two meet, sparks fly and tempers flare. Remember Jalen Carter getting kicked out 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 idea of ​​how Hurts is adjusting to the new offense and whether the Cowboys’ defensive improvements are enough.

1. Bills at Rams (Week 5)

When two teams this good meet, it doesn’t matter if it’s not a conference game or late in the season; it must be at or near the top of any ranking. Two years ago, they took a high-flying 44-42 Rams win with 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.