Rating the 2026 ‘Monday Night Football’ video games: Bills-Rams, Eagles-Bears, Mahomes’ return?

After months of mounting hype and idle house, the 2026 NFL schedule has lastly been unveiled in full. Rejoice, fair townspeople! Now is our time for projection and prediction.

Here, we’re rating the 17 “Monday Night Football” matchups that had been simply introduced. The league’s primetime spots are all cool in their very own methods, however there’s a particular maintain round MNF — its end-of-week finality, enduring theme music and disarming graphics. Though we’re nonetheless a couple of months away from listening to Joe Buck’s stately name and Troy Aikman’s straight-shot commentary, we are able to’t assist however already sit up for the brand new lineup.

Remember, the late-season matchups may find yourself getting flexed out attributable to accidents or underperformances. These rankings are only one author’s opinion based mostly on preliminary impressions. Let us know your No. 1 choose within the feedback under.

You can watch “Monday Night Football” on Fubo (Stream Free Now). Each sport is about for 8:15 p.m. ET.

The 2026 ‘Monday Night Football’ schedule

ABC is free over the air. All ESPN programming can be out there on ESPN Unlimited.

17. New York Giants at Detroit Lions (Week 16)

Detroit does have an electrical offense and a faithful house crowd. Jahmyr Gibbs minted a private 264-yard spotlight reel in opposition to this opponent final fall. But beat author Charlotte Carroll predicts a 6-11 end for John Harbaugh’s first Big Blue bid. Even with a promising draft haul and attainable leaps from Jaxson Dart and Malik Nabers, the crew might be completely out of rivalry come December. If nothing else, perhaps we get a second Jameis Winston touchdown catch?

Number to know: 4.9. That’s what number of wins the Giants have averaged throughout the final 9 years. Barring an enormous overachievement in Harbaugh’s debut, this late-season draw feels eminently flex-worthy.

16. Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Week 12)

Austin Mock’s up to date roster projections go away a lot to be desired right here — Tampa Bay sits nineteenth and Carolina is right down to twenty fifth. And that is the Monday evening following Thanksgiving weekend, so Panthers-Bucs is dinged by viewer fatigue after NFL broadcasts that Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday (plus school soccer’s Saturday rivalry slate). At least the contributors are properly acquainted and evenly matched.

Number to know: 5, the mixed margin of victory in final 12 months’s two conferences. Carolina gained the Week 16 sport 23-20, and Tampa Bay took the Week 18 finale by a 16-14 closing. This pairing may not be probably the most glamorous, but it surely ought to no less than be shut.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers at Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 14)

Trevor Lawrence had a star flip in his final house MNF second. The stumble-to-score winner versus the Kansas City Chiefs rightfully lifted Buck and Aikman out of their sales space seats. But skepticism is warranted about Pittsburgh’s quarterback state of affairs. If it’s Aaron Rodgers underneath heart, he’ll be 43 in December. Assuming it avoids flexing, this Week 14 contest could be the black and yellow’s third straight nationwide look. And attributable to stadium renovations, Jacksonville’s 2026 attendance shall be capped properly under its friends.

Number to know: 42,507, the capability at EverBank Stadium in 2026. It places a dimmer on Duval’s Monday evening highlight.

14. Cincinnati Bengals at Washington Commanders (Week 11)

There’s pleasure right here surrounding the LSU merchandise at QB. In 2024, Joe Burrow was the league’s main passer, whereas Jayden Daniels was the magnetic Offensive Rookie of the Year. However, Cincinnati and Washington have been executed in by unlucky accidents and organizational dysfunction. This Week 11 sport would be the Bengals’ third straight nationwide TV characteristic, and the third in 4 video games for Washington. There might be a litany of chaos round every quarterback, however their mixed presence does increase this matchup’s ceiling a bit.

Numbers to know: 38-33. That was the rating of the final Burrow-Daniels duel, which certainly went down on “Monday Night Football” in 2024. Burrow threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns in a loss; Daniels had 254 yards, three complete scores and simply two incompletions in a win.

13. Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (Week 4)

It’s buoyed by early-season optimism and slow-cooked regional animosity. The Superdome devoted deliver a singular spirit, and ATL has constructed some intrigue with new head coach Kevin Stefanski. Even so, it’s really onerous to belief the NFC South as a supply of high quality soccer. It stays to be seen if Tyler Shough can shine in a primetime outing. The identical goes for Michael Penix Jr. … or Tua Tagovailoa.

Number to know: 2, the variety of video games that separated first and final place within the 2025 NFC South. Carolina, Tampa Bay and Atlanta all went 8-9; New Orleans trailed the group at 6-11. Again, this division lacks sheen, however all 4 members are viable winners.

12. New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams (Week 2)

Another pairing that undoubtedly advantages from September freshness. A wholesome Nabers may line up throughout from new Rams nook Trent McDuffie. The brick-and-mortar Harbaugh will get to face off in opposition to scheme wizard Sean McVay. L.A. provides the star wattage with Matthew Stafford, Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. It’s Week 2, so we’ll all be tuned in. But Giants-Rams may need the best blowout potential of those 17 Monday evening clashes.

Number to know: -8.5, this sport’s opening unfold in line with a number of sportsbooks. Right now, it’s the one MNF matchup with a two-score hole.

11. Washington Commanders at San Francisco 49ers (Week 6)

Dan Quinn and Kyle Shanahan reunite from opposing sidelines. They’re in search of their first Super Bowl breakthroughs after experiencing the 28-3 mega-heartbreak collectively. It’s a aid to see these two groups assembly up early, given their lack of unpolluted well being in latest seasons. San Francisco’s crowds are at all times popping, and this sport will look additional glossy if the hosts rock their all-black uniforms.

Number to know: 33.5, San Francisco’s factors per sport in its final 4 “Monday Night Football” appearances. The Niners gained three of these 4 video games, and the lone loss was an entertaining 40-34 battle with the Lions in 2024.

10. Houston Texans at Green Bay Packers (Week 17)

We’re right here for the prospect of snowfall at Lambeau Field. We’re additionally right here for the C.J. Stroud-Jordan Love showdown, and for Micah Parsons and Will Anderson Jr. sharing turf. If it isn’t flexed, this could be Green Bay’s third highlight sport in 4 weeks and a second straight one for Houston. Viewer fatigue is much less of an element when stakes are raised down the stretch, although. Gameplay may get messy with frigid climate and top-flight go rushes, but it surely must also carry acute postseason stress.

Number to know: 3. Both sides have reached the final three postseasons, which supplies us religion that this Week 17 date may have playoff implications.

9. Buffalo Bills at Minnesota Vikings (Week 9)

Vikings author Alec Lewis has Minnesota at 10-7 this season. Bills counterpart Tim Graham sees Buffalo going 12-5. Justin Jefferson is thrilling and swish alongside the sidelines; Josh Allen is a turbo-engine bulldozer underneath heart. These fanbases are uniquely devoted, too, using with the one two franchises with 0-4 Super Bowl data. We don’t know precisely how the Vikes’ quarterback state of affairs will play out, however this sport has a buzz round it both manner.

Number to know: 193, the yards Jefferson racked up the final time he confronted the Bills. That 33-30 OT banger is price revisiting, even when each rosters have modified within the subsequent years.

8. Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks (Week 13)

Year after 12 months, Seattle’s 12s crinkle up audio ranges and bellow via our audio system. We know the neon inexperienced die-hards are going to loudly help the reigning champions … and defiantly so in opposition to Dallas’ “America’s Team” branding. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens can tease vertical pop on each possession, whereas the Cowboys have gone all in to rebuild their protection for 2026. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is mesmerizing in house, and dynamic playmakers adorn each stage of this Seahawks roster. The solely danger to think about right here is Seattle’s pure dominance at house.

Number to know: 8. Dallas and Seattle each ranked within the high eight in scoring, complete yards and passing offense final season. Load up the fireworks upfront.

7. New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs (Week 15)

Sports enterprise scribe Dan Shanoff projected this as one of many most-watched video games for 2026. By Week 15, Patrick Mahomes must be duly adjusted in his ACL restoration. After Kansas City’s dynasty took a one-year compelled hiatus, Arrowhead shall be rocking off its hinges for an announcement title battle. Drake Maye excelled in his inaugural “Monday Night Football” showcase, with a 126 QB score in opposition to the Giants in Gillette Stadium. His first street MNF will get final-boss therapy.

Number to know: 9. In the final 10 years, both New England or Kansas City has gained the AFC Championship Game all however one time (the Bengals beat the Chiefs in extra time in January 2022).

6. Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (Week 7)

There’s some oversaturation right here — it’ll be Dallas’ third nationwide broadcast in a row, and Philadelphia has 4 in an early six-week stretch. Still, this is among the NFL’s most potent and outstanding rivalries. Both of their 2025 video games had been one-score affairs, the second of which was particularly memorable. Philly’s followers present out like few others can, they usually’ll be leveled up within the presence of such acquainted foes.

Number to know: 21. Dallas staged a three-touchdown rally in its most up-to-date bout with Philadelphia, sealed by Brandon Aubrey’s walk-off discipline purpose. It was one of many season’s most stirring comebacks.

5. Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks (Week 8)

No crew was extra enjoyable on a week-to-week foundation final 12 months than the relentless Bears. Caleb Williams’ two playoff performances pulled from the surreal and the otherworldly. Remember, Bears-Seahawks was wanting just like the NFC Championship Game matchup till “Iceman” and firm fell simply quick in OT within the divisional spherical. Here’s our probability to see what may’ve been. The defending champs deserve all their primetime consideration, and the Bears have earned their heightened expectations till confirmed in any other case.

Number to know: 6. That’s what number of instances the Bears gained final 12 months when trailing in a sport’s closing two minutes. In doing so, Chicago made NFL historical past and have become nationwide appointment TV.

4. Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore Ravens (Week 10)

We’re a easy individuals — we see Lamar Jackson on “Monday Night Football” and we tune in. Throughout his profession, Jackson has been totally good on this time slot. He’s turn out to be the inverse Garfield, along with his joystick swagger solely intensifying on Mondays. Baltimore’s captain is countered by Justin Herbert, who provides his personal clean tenacity for Los Angeles. Week 10 will mark the Chargers’ first primetime snaps of the season. This can be a particular dance companion for brand spanking new Ravens coach Jesse Minter, who takes over after two seasons as L.A.’s defensive coordinator. Maybe Baltimore will dons its reimagined alternate jerseys for the event.

Numbers to know: 25-0, Jackson’s TD-INT ratio via 10 MNF begins. He’s averaging 67.9 speeding yards per Monday sport, too. The two-time MVP is a consummate showman on this window.

3. Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears (Week 3)

The Eagles have established themselves as perennial contenders within the Nick Sirianni period. Ben Johnson’s Bears are pioneers within the discipline of crazy comebacks. Jalen Hurts arrives with one of many NFL’s lowest interception charges at a profession mark of 1.9 %. And the Chicago protection tries to duplicate its lockdown protection, following a league-best 23 interceptions final 12 months. Soldier Field was a scene all all through 2025 — do cheese graters work on birds of prey? A Week 3 meet-up serves because the seasonal primetime debut for 2 convention contenders.

Number to know: 6, the Eagles’ present streak of one-score video games on Monday, courting again to September 2023. Furthermore, Chicago’s two Monday video games in 2025 had been settled by 4 mixed factors. This feels destined for drama.

2. Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs (Week 1)

Good fights promote themselves, and worthwhile films hook us by the trailer. If all the things traces up correctly, this MNF starter has an extended narrative arc with wealthy, emotive tensions. From one finish comes the attainable return of Bo Nix. His damaged ankle proper on the finish of Denver’s divisional playoff win was an all-time stunner. From the opposite finish is Mahomes, who tore his ACL and LCL final December as he tried to will Kansas City ahead. Evidently, the league’s schedule makers count on each quarterbacks to be out there for the season opener.

Number to know: 2009, the final time the AFC West was gained by a crew aside from the Broncos or Chiefs. In addition to the QB storylines, this Week 1 kickoff has established aggressive edge.

1. Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Rams (Week 5)

It’s a tangling of the final two MVPs. It’s a possible Super Bowl preview. It’s Bills Mafia versus Hollywood Park. A Week 5 date nonetheless feels contemporary, but it surely provides either side sufficient time to shake off any rust, which is important for Los Angeles’ older core and for Buffalo’s new head coach Joe Brady. The passers plaster the marquee, however their co-stars are headliner-worthy — James Cook is the NFL’s incumbent speeding king, and Adams caught extra touchdowns than anybody within the league final season. We have each motive to purchase this as a full-fledged blockbuster.

Numbers to know: 44-42. That’s how the final Bills-Rams bash led to December 2024. Despite taking the loss, Allen was superhuman as he mixed for 424 yards and 6 complete touchdowns. Stafford posted 320 yards and two TDs via the air. Both QBs performed turnover-free ball straight away game-of-the-year contender. We eagerly await the reprisal.

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