Who Is Playing on Monday Night Football Tonight?

By Sarah Miller · March 7, 2043

For the 2025 NFL season, Monday Night Football features a rotating lineup of teams from the AFC and NFC, with marquee matchups including the Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, and Buffalo Bills. The full schedule is released weekly by ESPN, highlighting top playoff contenders and divisional rivalries.

What Is Monday Night Football?

Monday Night Football (MNF) is a long-running weekly primetime broadcast of National Football League (NFL) games aired on ESPN since 1970. It has become a cultural staple in American sports, featuring high-profile matchups designed to attract national audiences.

Key Features of MNF

Televised every Monday night during the NFL regular season
Broadcast exclusively on ESPN, with streaming on ESPN+ and ABC for select games
Features commentary by Joe Tessitore, Booger McFarland, and Jason Witten in 2025
Includes doubleheaders in Week 1 and late-season scheduling windows

2025 Monday Night Football Schedule Overview

The 2025 MNF slate emphasizes competitive balance, interconference play, and late-season playoff implications. The NFL strategically schedules teams with strong fanbases and winning records to maximize viewership.

Notable Matchups in 2025

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens – Week 3
Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles – Week 6
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks – Week 10
Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins – Week 14
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders – Week 17 (rivalry finale)

Week	Date	Home Team	Away Team	Time (ET)	TV Network
1	Sept 8, 2025	Buffalo Bills	Atlanta Falcons	7:15 PM	ESPN/ABC
4	Sept 29, 2025	Kansas City Chiefs	Las Vegas Raiders	8:15 PM	ESPN
7	Oct 20, 2025	Dallas Cowboys	New York Giants	8:15 PM	ESPN
10	Nov 10, 2025	San Francisco 49ers	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	8:15 PM	ESPN
13	Dec 1, 2025	Baltimore Ravens	Pittsburgh Steelers	8:15 PM	ESPN/ABC
16	Dec 22, 2025	Philadelphia Eagles	Washington Commanders	8:15 PM	ESPN
18	Jan 5, 2026	Los Angeles Rams	Arizona Cardinals	8:15 PM	ESPN

Table data source:ESPN, NFL.com

The table shows a balanced mix of AFC and NFC contests, with key divisional matchups in Weeks 7, 10, and 13. Late-season games (Weeks 16–18) are critical for playoff seeding, increasing viewer engagement. ESPN retains exclusive rights for most games, while select high-impact games simulcast on ABC to expand reach.

How Teams Are Selected for Monday Night Football

The NFL and ESPN jointly determine the MNF schedule, prioritizing teams based on performance, market size, and historical rivalry appeal.

Selection Criteria Include

Winning Records: Teams above .500 are more likely to be featured post-Week 5
National Appeal: Large-market teams like Cowboys, Chiefs, and Packers appear frequently
Rivalries: Divisional matchups such as Cowboys-Giants or 49ers-Rams are prioritized
Flex Scheduling: In Weeks 13–17, the league can adjust matchups for higher competitiveness

Viewership and Cultural Impact

Monday Night Football remains one of the most-watched sports broadcasts in the U.S., averaging over 12 million viewers per game in the 2024 season.

Historically launched careers of broadcasters like Howard Cosell and Al Michaels
Introduced innovations such as Skycam and real-time stats overlays
Serves as a platform for major player storylines and award-contending performances

Frequently Asked Questions About Monday Night Football

Who is playing on Monday Night Football this week?

To find the current week's matchup, check ESPN's official website or the NFL app. Games are typically announced 12 days in advance, with kickoff at 8:15 PM ET unless otherwise scheduled.

Where can I watch Monday Night Football?

Monday Night Football airs live on ESPN and is streamed via ESPN+, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and fuboTV. Select games are simulcast on ABC for broader accessibility.

How many games are on Monday Night Football each season?

There are 17 regular-season Monday Night Football games, including a doubleheader in Week 1. No games are scheduled during Week 18 to avoid overlap with other playoff-preparation broadcasts.

Has Monday Night Football ever had a female announcer?

Yes. Lisa Salters has served as the sideline reporter since 2012. In 2023, Sarah Kustok became the first woman to serve as a primary analyst for an ESPN MNF regional broadcast.

Can the Monday Night Football schedule change after release?

Yes. Starting in Week 13, the NFL uses flexible scheduling to replace lower-stakes games with more competitive matchups, ensuring playoff-relevant contests remain on primetime.