You've probably been there. It's Monday night, the work week just started its slow grind, and you’re ready to collapse onto the couch. You grab the remote, flip to the usual channel, and... nothing. Or maybe it’s a game you didn't expect, or it’s on a streaming service you forgot you subscribed to last year.
The nfl tv schedule monday used to be a simple affair. One game. One channel. 8:30 PM. Everyone watched.
But honestly, the "Monday Night Football" (MNF) brand has evolved into a bit of a logistical puzzle. We’re deep into the 2025-2026 season cycle now—specifically looking at the fallout of the regular season and the high-stakes playoff atmosphere—and if you haven't kept up with the "doubleheader" madness or the ABC/ESPN split, you're going to miss some of the best matchups of the year.
The New Reality of Monday Night Scheduling
Gone are the days when you could just bank on a single game. This season, the NFL leaned heavily into staggered starts. Sometimes you get two games at once; sometimes you get one game on ABC and an entirely different one on ESPN.
For example, we saw some wild splits earlier this year. Remember Week 2? You had the Buccaneers and Texans kicking off at 7:00 PM ET on ABC, while the Chargers and Raiders didn't start until 10:00 PM ET on ESPN. If you were a West Coast fan, that was basically a dinner-to-bedtime marathon.
Key Takeaway: The schedule isn't a monolith anymore. Always check if it's a "simulcast" (same game on both channels) or a "split" (two different games).
Looking at the 2025-2026 Playoff Picture
As of right now, we are officially in the thick of the postseason. The nfl tv schedule monday for the Wild Card round just wrapped up with a massive showdown between the Houston Texans and the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 12, 2026.
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The Texans ended up pulling off a 30-6 stunner at Acrisure Stadium. It was the final game of the opening weekend, and it aired on both ESPN and ABC. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman were on the call, bringing that big-game energy that only Monday nights seem to provide.
But what’s next?
The Divisional Round and Beyond
While Monday games are a staple of the regular season and the Wild Card round, the schedule shifts as we get deeper into January.
- Saturday, Jan 17: Bills at Broncos (4:30 PM ET, CBS) and 49ers at Seahawks (8:00 PM ET, FOX).
- Sunday, Jan 18: Texans at Patriots (3:00 PM ET, ESPN/ABC) and Rams at Bears (6:30 PM ET, NBC).
Notice anything? The Texans-Patriots game is on a Sunday, but it's being handled by the ESPN/ABC crew. This is a common point of confusion. Just because the "Monday Night" crew is calling the game doesn't mean it’s actually on a Monday.
Where to Actually Watch (It's Kinda Confusing)
If you're trying to figure out where to find the game, you've basically got four main avenues.
ABC (Channel 7 in many markets)
This is the "free" way to watch if you have an antenna. In 2025, the NFL made a permanent deal to keep at least ten games on ABC. They realized that putting everything behind a cable wall was hurting ratings.
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ESPN and ESPN2
ESPN is the primary home. ESPN2 is where you'll find the "ManningCast" with Peyton and Eli. If you haven't watched a game with them yet, it’s basically like sitting in a bar with two geniuses who can’t stop making fun of each other.
ESPN+
This is the streaming-only option. Sometimes, the NFL puts games exclusively on ESPN+. If you're a cord-cutter, this is a non-negotiable subscription during the football season.
YouTube TV / Hulu + Live TV / Fubo
These are the digital cable replacements. They carry everything, but they'll cost you upwards of $75 to $85 a month.
Why the Monday Schedule Still Matters
Some critics say Monday Night Football has lost its luster compared to the Sunday Night "Game of the Week." I disagree. There is something fundamentally different about a standalone game.
The viewership numbers back this up. The Lions-Ravens game earlier this season (September 22) averaged nearly 23 million viewers. People still want that shared experience. We like knowing that the rest of the country is watching the same dropped pass or the same miraculous 50-yard scramble at the exact same time.
Navigating Flex Scheduling
One thing that most people get wrong about the nfl tv schedule monday is the "flex" rule.
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Starting a few years ago, the NFL gained the power to move games into the Monday night slot to replace a "dud" matchup. This usually happens between Week 12 and Week 17.
If the Giants are 2-10 and were supposed to play the Patriots on Monday night, the league can swap in a more competitive game, like a battle for the NFC North lead. However, they have to give at least 12 days' notice. So, if you're planning a trip to a Monday night game in December, don't book your non-refundable flights until about two weeks out.
Common Misconceptions About Monday Night Games
- "The game always starts at 8:15." Nope. With doubleheaders, we've seen games start as early as 7:00 PM ET.
- "If it's on ESPN, it's also on ABC." Not always. Check your local listings. Sometimes ABC shows "The Bachelorette" while ESPN has the football game.
- "Monday Night Football is only in the US." Actually, the 2025 season saw more international presence than ever. We're seeing more "exclusive" windows that aren't strictly Monday nights but use the same production team.
How to Prepare for the Next Big Game
If you're looking to catch the remaining games of the 2025-2026 cycle, here is what you need to do:
- Check the TV Provider: Ensure you have access to both ABC and ESPN. If you're using an antenna, check your signal strength before kickoff.
- Download the App: The NFL app and the ESPN app are surprisingly good for tracking live stats if you're stuck at a dinner party and can't watch the screen.
- Watch the Clock: Remember that the "8:15" start time is Eastern. If you're in LA, you're looking at a 5:15 PM kickoff. Don't be the person who tunes in at 8:00 PM PT only to see the post-game highlights.
- The ManningCast Schedule: Check the official ESPN PR site for the ManningCast dates. They don't do every week—usually only about 10-12 games per season.
The nfl tv schedule monday is the heartbeat of sports culture. Even with the fragmented streaming world we live in, nothing beats the intro music and the feeling of a high-stakes game to close out the week. Whether you're rooting for the Texans to continue their Cinderella run or just waiting for the Super Bowl on February 8, keeping a close eye on the broadcast schedule is the only way to stay in the loop.
To stay ahead of any last-minute flex changes or specific streaming exclusives for the upcoming Divisional Round, verify your local listings at least 48 hours before kickoff.