The 2026 NFL schedule has arrived, and as always, there's a great slate of primetime matchups. Monday Night Football 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 this year, several games air on both channels.
In a welcome change for most fans, there will be no Monday Night Football doubleheaders in 2026. The MNF slate begins with a bitter AFC West rivalry as the Broncos visit the Chiefs. It could be the first game back after major injuries for both quarterbacks: Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in December, and Bo Nix suffered a fractured ankle in the playoffs one month later.
Here's a rundown of every Monday night game for the 2026 season. Each contest will kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET:
Ranking 2026 Monday Night Football Games
17. Falcons at Saints (Week 4)
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 and Michael Penix Jr. 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, but that's also to be determined. Just like the NFC South as a whole, this matchup just isn't quite up to par with its competitors.
16. Giants at Lions (Week 16)
The Giants are getting a lot of love with Jaxson Dart entering Year 2, John Harbaugh coming in and two top-10 draft picks (Arvell Reese and Francis Mauigoa). 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 will be licking his lips considering what he did against the Giants last year.
15. Panthers at Buccaneers (Week 12)
The Panthers made big upgrades at edge rusher (Jaelan Phillips) and linebacker (Devin Lloyd), and if Bryce Young 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.
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.