You’ve felt it, right? That weird emptiness on a Monday night when you click over to ESPN expecting Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, only to realize the NFL season has shifted gears. We are officially in the thick of the 2025-26 postseason, and if you're looking for the nfl schedule for monday night, things just got a little complicated.
Honestly, the "Monday Night Football" we know from September through December isn't the same beast in January.
The regular season ended with a bang on December 29, 2025, when the Falcons clipped the Rams 27-24 in a thriller. That was the last "true" Monday night game of the 2025 calendar year. Since then, the league has moved into its high-stakes playoff bracket, where Mondays are rare but incredibly heavy.
What Happened to the Monday Night Playoff Game?
If you were looking for a game this coming Monday, January 19, 2026, you’re going to find a different kind of pigskin on your screen. The NFL usually loves a Monday Wild Card game—we saw that just a few days ago on January 12 when the Houston Texans absolutely dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 at Acrisure Stadium.
But next Monday?
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It's actually dark. Or rather, it's "College Dark." The NFL intentionally cleared the deck for the College Football Playoff National Championship. It's a massive showdown between Indiana and Miami at Hard Rock Stadium. Even the shield doesn't want to compete with that kind of ratings juggernaut.
Instead of an NFL game, we're seeing some weirdly fascinating crossovers. Bill Belichick—yes, that Bill Belichick—is actually joining the ESPN/ACC Network broadcast for the college game. Since his North Carolina team finished a rough 4-8, he’s back in the media seat alongside Mark Richt. It's a strange timeline, but that’s 2026 for you.
The 2025-26 Monday Night Schedule Breakdown
To understand where we are, you have to look at the path we just traveled. This season was one of the most balanced we've seen in years. We had doubleheaders. We had "After Dark" games on the West Coast. We even had some Saturday games that were branded as "Monday Night Football" because, well, marketing.
Here is how the nfl schedule for monday night actually played out during the critical home stretch:
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- Week 16: The 49ers steamrolled the Colts 48-27.
- Week 17: The Atlanta Falcons secured their spot by beating the Rams 27-24.
- Wild Card Monday: Houston Texans 30, Pittsburgh Steelers 6.
That Wild Card game on January 12 was technically the finale for the Monday night brand this season. It pulled massive numbers, mostly because people wanted to see if the Steelers' defense could contain C.J. Stroud. They couldn't.
Why There’s No Game This Monday
People get frustrated. You plan your wings, you settle into the couch, and suddenly it's a documentary about Tom Brady’s diet or a college game you aren't invested in.
The NFL’s Divisional Round is happening right now (January 17-18). We’ve got Buffalo at Denver and San Francisco at Seattle on Saturday. Sunday features the Texans at the Patriots and the Rams at the Bears.
Because the league wants to give the winners of those games a full week to prep for the Conference Championships on Sunday, January 25, they don't schedule a Monday Divisional game. It would be a competitive disadvantage. Imagine playing a physical game in Foxborough on a Monday night and then having to fly to Denver or Buffalo for a Sunday title game. Players would revolt.
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Looking Ahead: Super Bowl LX and Beyond
Even though the Monday night schedule has dried up for the postseason, the road to Santa Clara is short.
- Conference Championships: Sunday, Jan 25.
- The Pro Bowl Games: Feb 3.
- Super Bowl LX: Feb 8 at Levi’s Stadium.
If you’re desperate for that Monday night fix, you’re basically waiting for the 2026 schedule release in May. Expect more "flexible scheduling." The NFL has been aggressive about moving "dud" games out of the Monday slot and replacing them with high-stakes matchups. This year, we saw that with the Week 13-17 window, and it kept the ratings from cratering.
Actionable Steps for the Off-Season
Since the Monday night lights are off for the NFL until next fall, here is how you stay ahead:
- Check the CFP National Championship: If you need a football fix this Monday (Jan 19), tune into ESPN at 7:30 PM ET. It’s the only game in town.
- Watch the Divisional Replays: If you missed the Texans/Patriots or Rams/Bears games from this weekend, NFL+ usually has the condensed "all-22" versions available by Monday morning.
- Set Your Calendar for May: That is when the 2026-27 Monday Night Football schedule drops. Usually, it's the second week of May.
The NFL hasn't officially announced if they will keep the Monday Wild Card game for next year, but given the 30 million+ viewers the Texans/Steelers pulled, it’s a safe bet. For now, enjoy the Divisional results and get ready for Championship Sunday.