Rating the 2026 ‘Monday Night time Soccer’ video games: Payments-Rams, Eagles-Bears, Mahomes’ return?

After months of mounting hype and idle house, the 2026 NFL schedule has lastly been unveiled in full. Rejoice, fair townspeople! Now could be our time for projection and prediction.

Right here, we’re rating the 17 “Monday Night time Soccer” matchups that have been simply introduced. The league’s primetime spots are all cool in their very own methods, however there’s a particular maintain round MNF — its end-of-week finality, enduring theme music and disarming graphics. Although we’re nonetheless a couple of months away from listening to Joe Buck’s stately name and Troy Aikman’s straight-shot commentary, we are able to’t assist however already look ahead to the brand new lineup.

Bear in mind, the late-season matchups might find yourself getting flexed out as a consequence of accidents or underperformances. These rankings are only one author’s opinion primarily based on preliminary impressions. Tell us your No. 1 decide within the feedback beneath.

You possibly can watch “Monday Night time Soccer” on Fubo (Stream Free Now). Every sport is about for 8:15 p.m. ET.

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The 2026 ‘Monday Night time Soccer’ schedule

ABC is free over the air. All ESPN programming can be accessible on ESPN Limitless.

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17. New York Giants at Detroit Lions (Week 16)

Detroit does have an electrical offense and a faithful dwelling crowd. Jahmyr Gibbs minted a private 264-yard spotlight reel in opposition to this opponent final fall. However beat author Charlotte Carroll predicts a 6-11 end for John Harbaugh’s first Large Blue bid. Even with a promising draft haul and doable leaps from Jaxson Dart and Malik Nabers, the staff may very well be totally out of competition come December. If nothing else, perhaps we get a second Jameis Winston touchdown catch?

Quantity to know: 4.9. That’s what number of wins the Giants have averaged throughout the final 9 years. Barring an enormous overachievement in Harbaugh’s debut, this late-season draw feels eminently flex-worthy.

16. Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Week 12)

Austin Mock’s up to date roster projections go away a lot to be desired right here — Tampa Bay sits nineteenth and Carolina is all the way down to twenty fifth. And that is the Monday evening following Thanksgiving weekend, so Panthers-Bucs is dinged by viewer fatigue after NFL broadcasts that Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday (plus school soccer’s Saturday rivalry slate). Not less than the individuals are nicely acquainted and evenly matched.

Quantity to know: 5, the mixed margin of victory in final yr’s two conferences. Carolina received the Week 16 sport 23-20, and Tampa Bay took the Week 18 finale by a 16-14 closing. This pairing may not be essentially the most glamorous, nevertheless it ought to at the very least be shut.

15. Pittsburgh Steelers at Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 14)

Trevor Lawrence had a star flip in his final dwelling MNF second. The stumble-to-score winner versus the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs rightfully lifted Buck and Aikman out of their sales space seats. However skepticism is warranted about Pittsburgh’s quarterback scenario. If it’s Aaron Rodgers beneath middle, he’ll be 43 in December. Assuming it avoids flexing, this Week 14 contest could be the black and yellow’s third straight nationwide look. And as a consequence of stadium renovations, Jacksonville’s 2026 attendance will probably be capped nicely beneath its friends.

Quantity to know: 42,507, the capability at EverBank Stadium in 2026. It places a dimmer on Duval’s Monday evening highlight.

14. Cincinnati Bengals at Washington Commanders (Week 11)

There’s pleasure right here surrounding the LSU merchandise at QB. In 2024, Joe Burrow was the league’s main passer, whereas Jayden Daniels was the magnetic Offensive Rookie of the Yr. Nonetheless, Cincinnati and Washington have been executed in by unlucky accidents and organizational dysfunction. This Week 11 sport would be the Bengals’ third straight nationwide TV characteristic, and the third in 4 video games for Washington. There may very well be a litany of chaos round every quarterback, however their mixed presence does elevate this matchup’s ceiling a bit.

Numbers to know: 38-33. That was the rating of the final Burrow-Daniels duel, which certainly went down on “Monday Night time Soccer” in 2024. Burrow threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns in a loss; Daniels had 254 yards, three whole scores and simply two incompletions in a win.

13. Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (Week 4)

It’s buoyed by early-season optimism and slow-cooked regional animosity. The Superdome devoted convey a singular spirit, and ATL has constructed some intrigue with new head coach Kevin Stefanski. Even so, it’s really laborious to belief the NFC South as a supply of high quality soccer. It stays to be seen if Tyler Shough can shine in a primetime outing. The identical goes for Michael Penix Jr. … or Tua Tagovailoa.

Quantity to know: 2, the variety of video games that separated first and final place within the 2025 NFC South. Carolina, Tampa Bay and Atlanta all went 8-9; New Orleans trailed the gang at 6-11. Once more, this division lacks sheen, however all 4 members are viable winners.

12. New York Giants at Los Angeles Rams (Week 2)

One other pairing that undoubtedly advantages from September freshness. A wholesome Nabers might line up throughout from new Rams nook Trent McDuffie. The brick-and-mortar Harbaugh will get to face off in opposition to scheme wizard Sean McVay. L.A. provides the star wattage with Matthew Stafford, Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. It’s Week 2, so we’ll all be tuned in. However Giants-Rams might need the best blowout potential of those 17 Monday evening clashes.

Quantity to know: -8.5, this sport’s opening unfold in accordance with a number of sportsbooks. Proper now, it’s the one MNF matchup with a two-score hole.

11. Washington Commanders at San Francisco 49ers (Week 6)

Dan Quinn and Kyle Shanahan reunite from opposing sidelines. They’re looking for their first Tremendous Bowl breakthroughs after experiencing the 28-3 mega-heartbreak collectively. It’s a aid to see these two groups assembly up early, given their lack of unpolluted well being in current seasons. San Francisco’s crowds are at all times popping, and this sport will look further smooth if the hosts rock their all-black uniforms.

Quantity to know: 33.5, San Francisco’s factors per sport in its final 4 “Monday Night time Soccer” appearances. The Niners received three of these 4 video games, and the lone loss was an entertaining 40-34 battle with the Lions in 2024.

10. Houston Texans at Inexperienced Bay Packers (Week 17)

We’re right here for the prospect of snowfall at Lambeau Subject. We’re additionally right here for the C.J. Stroud-Jordan Love showdown, and for Micah Parsons and Will Anderson Jr. sharing turf. If it isn’t flexed, this may be Inexperienced Bay’s third highlight sport in 4 weeks and a second straight one for Houston. Viewer fatigue is much less of an element when stakes are raised down the stretch, although. Gameplay might get messy with frigid climate and top-flight cross rushes, nevertheless it also needs to carry acute postseason strain.

Quantity to know: 3. Either side have reached the final three postseasons, which supplies us religion that this Week 17 date could have playoff implications.

9. Buffalo Payments at Minnesota Vikings (Week 9)

Vikings author Alec Lewis has Minnesota at 10-7 this season. Payments counterpart Tim Graham sees Buffalo going 12-5. Justin Jefferson is thrilling and sleek alongside the sidelines; Josh Allen is a turbo-engine bulldozer beneath middle. These fanbases are uniquely devoted, too, using with the one two franchises with 0-4 Tremendous Bowl data. We don’t know precisely how the Vikes’ quarterback scenario will play out, however this sport has a buzz round it both method.

Quantity to know: 193, the yards Jefferson racked up the final time he confronted the Payments. That 33-30 OT banger is value revisiting, even when each rosters have modified within the subsequent years.

8. Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks (Week 13)

Yr after yr, Seattle’s 12s crinkle up audio ranges and bellow via our audio system. We all know the neon inexperienced die-hards are going to loudly assist the reigning champions … and defiantly so in opposition to Dallas’ “America’s Staff” branding. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens can tease vertical pop on each possession, whereas the Cowboys have gone all in to rebuild their protection for 2026. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is mesmerizing in house, and dynamic playmakers adorn each degree of this Seahawks roster. The one threat to think about right here is Seattle’s pure dominance at dwelling.

Quantity to know: 8. Dallas and Seattle each ranked within the high eight in scoring, whole yards and passing offense final season. Load up the fireworks upfront.

7. New England Patriots at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (Week 15)

Sports activities enterprise scribe Dan Shanoff projected this as one of many most-watched video games for 2026. By Week 15, Patrick Mahomes needs to be duly adjusted in his ACL restoration. After Kansas Metropolis’s dynasty took a one-year pressured hiatus, Arrowhead will probably be rocking off its hinges for a press release title struggle. Drake Maye excelled in his inaugural “Monday Night time Soccer” showcase, with a 126 QB score in opposition to the Giants in Gillette Stadium. His first street MNF will get final-boss remedy.

Quantity to know: 9. Within the final 10 years, both New England or Kansas Metropolis has received the AFC Championship Recreation all however one time (the Bengals beat the Chiefs in extra time in January 2022).

6. Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles (Week 7)

There’s some oversaturation right here — it’ll be Dallas’ third nationwide broadcast in a row, and Philadelphia has 4 in an early six-week stretch. Nonetheless, this is among the NFL’s most potent and outstanding rivalries. Each of their 2025 video games have been one-score affairs, the second of which was particularly memorable. Philly’s followers present out like few others can, and so they’ll be leveled up within the presence of such acquainted foes.

Quantity to know: 21. Dallas staged a three-touchdown rally in its most up-to-date bout with Philadelphia, sealed by Brandon Aubrey’s walk-off subject purpose. It was one of many season’s most stirring comebacks.

5. Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks (Week 8)

No staff was extra enjoyable on a week-to-week foundation final yr than the relentless Bears. Caleb Williams’ two playoff performances pulled from the surreal and the otherworldly. Bear in mind, Bears-Seahawks was trying just like the NFC Championship Recreation matchup till “Iceman” and firm fell simply brief in OT within the divisional spherical. Right here’s our likelihood to see what might’ve been. The defending champs deserve all their primetime consideration, and the Bears have earned their heightened expectations till confirmed in any other case.

Quantity to know: 6. That’s what number of instances the Bears received final yr when trailing in a sport’s closing two minutes. In doing so, Chicago made NFL historical past and have become nationwide appointment TV.

4. Los Angeles Chargers at Baltimore Ravens (Week 10)

We’re a easy folks — we see Lamar Jackson on “Monday Night time Soccer” and we tune in. All through his profession, Jackson has been totally good on this time slot. He’s grow to be the inverse Garfield, along with his joystick swagger solely intensifying on Mondays. Baltimore’s captain is countered by Justin Herbert, who provides his personal easy tenacity for Los Angeles. Week 10 will mark the Chargers’ first primetime snaps of the season. That is additionally a particular dance companion for brand new Ravens coach Jesse Minter, who takes over after two seasons as L.A.’s defensive coordinator. Possibly Baltimore will dons its reimagined alternate jerseys for the event.

Numbers to know: 25-0, Jackson’s TD-INT ratio via 10 MNF begins. He’s averaging 67.9 dashing yards per Monday sport, too. The 2-time MVP is a consummate showman on this window.

3. Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears (Week 3)

The Eagles have established themselves as perennial contenders within the Nick Sirianni period. Ben Johnson’s Bears are pioneers within the subject of crazy comebacks. Jalen Hurts arrives with one of many NFL’s lowest interception charges at a profession mark of 1.9 p.c. And the Chicago protection tries to copy its lockdown protection, following a league-best 23 interceptions final yr. Soldier Subject was a scene all all through 2025 — do cheese graters work on birds of prey? A Week 3 meet-up serves because the seasonal primetime debut for 2 convention contenders.

Quantity to know: 6, the Eagles’ present streak of one-score video games on Monday, relationship again to September 2023. Moreover, Chicago’s two Monday video games in 2025 have been settled by 4 mixed factors. This feels destined for drama.

2. Denver Broncos at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (Week 1)

Good fights promote themselves, and worthwhile motion pictures hook us by the trailer. If all the pieces traces up correctly, this MNF starter has a protracted narrative arc with wealthy, emotive tensions. From one finish comes the doable return of Bo Nix. His damaged ankle proper on the finish of Denver’s divisional playoff win was an all-time stunner. From the opposite finish is Mahomes, who tore his ACL and LCL final December as he tried to will Kansas Metropolis ahead. Evidently, the league’s schedule makers count on each quarterbacks to be accessible for the season opener.

Quantity to know: 2009, the final time the AFC West was received by a staff aside from the Broncos or Chiefs. Along with the QB storylines, this Week 1 kickoff has established aggressive edge.

1. Buffalo Payments at Los Angeles Rams (Week 5)

It’s a tangling of the final two MVPs. It’s a possible Tremendous Bowl preview. It’s Payments Mafia versus Hollywood Park. A Week 5 date nonetheless feels recent, nevertheless it offers each side sufficient time to shake off any rust, which is important for Los Angeles’ older core and for Buffalo’s new head coach Joe Brady. The passers plaster the marquee, however their co-stars are headliner-worthy — James Cook dinner is the NFL’s incumbent dashing king, and Adams caught extra touchdowns than anybody within the league final season. Now we have each motive to purchase this as a full-fledged blockbuster.

Numbers to know: 44-42. That’s how the final Payments-Rams bash led to December 2024. Regardless of taking the loss, Allen was superhuman as he mixed for 424 yards and 6 whole touchdowns. Stafford posted 320 yards and two TDs via the air. Each QBs performed turnover-free ball right away game-of-the-year contender. We eagerly await the reprisal.

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