NFL fans can enjoy some big showdowns this year on “Monday Night Football.” The schedule begins with the Jets traveling to San Francisco to face the 49ers in Week 1 and concludes with a doubleheader in Week 18.
This year's schedule also includes several showdowns between championship contenders, with the Bengals and Cowboys facing off in Dallas in Week 14 and the Lions and 49ers facing off in a rematch of last year's NFC title game in Week 17. There are also several doubleheaders scheduled starting in Week 3.
Here is a summary of Monday night's schedule. Each game will be available to watch on ESPN (unless otherwise noted), and select matchups will also be shown on his “ManningCast,” which airs on ESPN2 and ESPN+. We have also posted the rankings for the entire Monday Night Football schedule.
Week 1: Jets vs. 49ers
Week 2: Falcons vs. Eagles
Week 3: Jaguars vs. Bills/Commanders vs. Bengals (ABC Exclusive)
Week 4: Titans vs. Dolphins/Seahawks vs. Lions (ABC exclusive)
Week 5: Saints at Chiefs
Week 6: Bills at Jets
Week 7: Ravens vs. Buccaneers/Chargers vs. Cardinals (ESPN+)
Week 8: Giants vs. Steelers
Week 9: Buccaneers vs. Chiefs
Week 10: Dolphins vs. Rams
Week 11: Texans at Cowboys
Week 12: Ravens vs. Chargers
Week 13: Browns vs. Broncos
Week 14: Bengals vs. Cowboys
Week 15: Bears vs. Vikings (ABC exclusive)/Falcons vs. Raiders
Week 16: Saints vs. Packers
Week 17: Lions vs. 49ers
Week 18: TBA doubleheader
Rankings for each game of “Monday Night Football”
21. Browns vs. Broncos, Week 13
Historically, this is a great matchup between two teams that met in back-to-back AFC title games in the late '80s. Unfortunately, this matchup doesn't hold much promise for him in 2024. That said, it would be fun to watch Bo Nix match up with one of the NFL's best pass rushers, Myles Garrett.
20. Falcons vs. Raiders, Week 15
Honestly, other than the fact that we get to see Atlanta's up-and-coming offensive weapons, especially second-year running back Bijan Robinson, shine in prime time, what excites me about this game? Not so much.
19. Giants vs. Steelers, Week 8
This should be an easy win for the Steelers, who have had a near-perfect record on Monday nights during Mike Tomlin's nearly two decades as head coach.
18. Chargers vs. Cardinals, Week 7
Neither team had a winning record last year, and it will be difficult to achieve a winning record in 2024. But this is a matchup between two exciting passers in Justin Herbert and Kyler Murray. Murray, in particular, has been somewhat under the radar over the past two years as injuries have severely limited his playing time. This match could be his chance to reintroduce himself to the public.
17. Saints at Packers, Week 16
Jordan Love capped off a stellar first year as Green Bay's starter with two standout performances in the playoffs. He'll get a chance to prove himself in prime time in Week 16 against one of the NFL's best defenses, led by veteran Pro Bowl linebacker Demario Davis.
16. Saints at Chiefs, Week 5
The Saints may have been the most boring 9-8 team in NFL history last season. Despite its low profile, New Orleans ranked in the top 10 in scoring and defense last year. Considering these numbers, New Orleans should do well against the two-time defending champions.
15. Titans at Dolphins, Week 4
Every Miami fan remembers last year when then-rookie quarterback Will Revis powered the Titans to a last-minute upset win in prime time at Miami. It will be interesting to see if Levis can recreate that magic in South Beach in Week 4.
14. Ravens at Buccaneers, Week 7
Lamar Jackson will test his mettle in prime time against All-Pro safety Antwon Winfield Jr. and Tampa's stingy defense. If you like defensive matchups with the potential for late-game fireworks, this is the game for you.
13. Seahawks vs. Lions, Week 4
Lions fans must have been excited to see the schedule for this game. The Detroit faithful showed their fierce loyalty to the team by filling Ford Field during last year's playoffs. They'll give Seattle a similar welcome on September 30th.
Circumstances aside, this should be a physical, classic match between two tough teams. This matchup includes three solid running backs: Detroit's David Montgomery and Jahmil Gibbs, and Seattle's Kenneth Walker III.
12. Jaguars at Bills, Week 3
There are plenty of good quarterback matchups on Monday nights, but this game is truly unique in that it pits two of the most versatile quarterbacks in the NFL against each other in Buffalo's Josh Allen and Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence. . These two teams are expected to compete for a playoff spot (and possibly more) in 2024.
11. Falcons vs. Eagles, Week 2
With Kirk Cousins and the Falcons looking to climb the NFC standings in 2024, while Jalen Hurts and the Eagles looking to prove they're still one of the best teams in the conference, these storylines should make for some fascinating matchups.
10. Bengals coach, Week 3
This should be a pretty good game. The Bengals aren't sneaking up on anyone, but the Commanders, led by rookie quarterback Jaden Daniels and new head coach Dan Quinn, might. This could very well be Daniels' NFL coming out party.
9. Bills at Jets, Week 6
It's no coincidence that the NFL made this a Monday night showdown a year after Aaron Rodgers' season ended abruptly in prime time against Buffalo in Week 1. Rodgers' counterpart, Josh Allen, is out to prove he can still play at an MVP level. Even though wideout Stefon Diggs left for Houston in the offseason.
8. Buccaneers vs. Chiefs, Week 9
A rematch of Tampa's 31-9 win. of Kansas City at Super Bowl LV. Even though Tom Brady is no longer in uniform, Baker Mayfield brings excitement to every game he plays. This should be a fun game between the top two teams in the NFL.
7. Bears at Vikings, Week 15
There's one reason this game is in the top 10, and that's the potential for a rookie quarterback showdown between Chicago's Caleb Williams and Minnesota's JJ McCarthy. The fact that both quarterbacks have top-notch receiver corps doesn't hurt either.
6. Ravens at Chargers, Week 12
Once again, we have an epic quarterback matchup here between Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert. Both quarterbacks have had prolific careers thus far, but are looking for more success in the playoffs as their careers progress. A win this night could help one of these quarterbacks reach that goal in 2024.
5. Texans at Cowboys, Week 11
There's not much to say about this other than the fact that this is the Battle of Texas. CJ Stroud and new Texan Stefon Diggs will look to shore up Micah Parsons and the rest of the Cowboys defense in prime time.
4. Dolphins at Rams, Week 10
Like Game 3, this game features two top-tier quarterbacks in Tua Tagovailoa and Matthew Stafford. Both quarterbacks are flanked by an elite receiving duo. Miami has Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, while the Rams have Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. This game has all the makings of a scoring fest.
3. Bengals vs. Cowboys, Week 14
Joe Burrow vs. Dak Prescott in prime time? Please register. This should be a high-scoring, highly entertaining game pitting two of the NFL's top quarterbacks against each other. There will be no lack of firepower in this game, with Prescott, Burrow and wideouts Ja'Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb, Tee Higgins and Brandin Cooks set to take center stage.
2. Lions vs. 49ers, Week 17
That's right, the 49ers are in each of my two best Monday night games. Four months after facing the Jets, the 49ers will host the Lions in a rematch of what was one of the most competitive conference title games in recent years. Both Detroit and San Francisco's rosters remained largely intact this offseason, so this game should be just as entertaining.
1. Jets vs. 49ers, Week 1
I'm not going to overthink this. It's a great game to start Monday night with Rodgers returning to the Bay Area to face his childhood team. Rest assured that both teams are highly motivated to perform well in front of a nationally televised audience.
