You’re sitting there, wings getting cold, staring at a blank TV screen because you can't figure out which of the fourteen streaming apps actually has the game. We've all been there. It used to be simple—turn on ABC, see Al Michaels, and call it a day. But nowadays, finding out who plays Monday Night Football what channel feels like trying to crack a safe at a casino.
The 2025-2026 season has been wild, and as we hit the mid-January home stretch, the confusion only ramps up. If you're looking for the game tonight, Friday, January 16, 2026, here is the blunt truth: there isn't one. The regular season wrapped up with the Atlanta Falcons edging out the Rams 27-24 back on December 29th. The "Monday Night Football" banner just finished its final appearance of the year this past Monday, January 12th, with that absolute slugfest between the Houston Texans and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Confusion Over Monday Night Football What Channel
Why is it so hard to find the game lately? Basically, the NFL decided to split the rights like a messy divorce. For most of the season, ESPN is the primary home. However, the "Monday Night Football" brand now jumps between ESPN, ABC, and even ESPN+ depending on the week.
If you were watching earlier this season, you probably noticed those "doubleheader" nights. On dates like September 15th and October 13th, the NFL ran two games at once. One would be on ABC at 7:00 PM ET, while the other kicked off on ESPN at 8:15 PM ET. It’s great for the fantasy football addicts, but a nightmare for the casual fan who just wants to see the score.
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Where to Watch the Rest of the Playoffs
Since the Monday night window is officially closed for the 2025-2026 season, your attention needs to shift to the Divisional Round happening this weekend. The Monday night "Wild Card" game was the finale for that specific time slot.
Here is where the action is moving for the next 48 hours:
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos at 4:30 PM ET on CBS.
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots at 3:00 PM ET on ABC/ESPN.
- Sunday, Jan 18: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears at 6:30 PM ET on NBC/Peacock.
Honestly, the fact that the Texans are playing on Sunday after just finishing a Monday night playoff game is a brutal turnaround for those players. But that's the playoff grind.
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Why the "What Channel" Question is Getting Harder
You've probably heard of the "ManningCast." That’s the alternate broadcast on ESPN2 where Peyton and Eli Manning basically roast the players (and each other) while the game happens. For a lot of people, that is the Monday Night Football experience now.
But if you’re a cord-cutter, the "channel" is often an app. Fubo, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV are the big three for catching these games without a cable box. If a game is scheduled for ABC, you can sometimes get away with a cheap digital antenna, but for the heavy-duty ESPN exclusive games, you’re going to need a login.
Pro Tip: Don't assume your ESPN+ subscription covers every game. Usually, it only simulcasts the games that are also airing on ABC. If the game is only on the main ESPN cable channel, a standalone ESPN+ sub won't always cut it.
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Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
If you’re already planning your life around the 2026-2027 schedule, keep in mind that the NFL usually drops the official dates in mid-May. Expect the same chaos: more doubleheaders, more flex scheduling, and definitely more "exclusive" streaming windows.
The league has seen record-breaking numbers this year. The Packers-Bears Wild Card game on Prime Video just shattered records with over 31 million viewers. This means the NFL is only going to move more games toward digital platforms. If you're asking who plays Monday Night Football what channel next year, the answer might be "an app you haven't downloaded yet."
Your Next Steps for Playoff Coverage
Since there is no game tonight, the best thing you can do is prep your setup for tomorrow's Divisional games.
- Check your CBS and FOX access: Saturday is a double-header. Make sure your digital antenna is positioned or your streaming login hasn't expired.
- Download the NFL App: It's actually pretty reliable for local games on mobile if you're stuck away from a TV.
- Sync your fantasy or betting apps: With the Bills and Broncos kicking off tomorrow afternoon, the lines are already shifting.
The road to Super Bowl XL in February is narrowing down. The Monday night drama is over for now, but the weekend is just getting started.