Monday Night Football is an NFL mainstay, offering weeknight entertainment from the United States’ most popular sports league. So which teams are playing on Mondays this season, and where did the whole tradition begin?
- Monday Night Football Schedule 2023
- Unveiling the Kickoff Hour: What Time Is Monday Night Football?
- FAQs
Monday Night Football Schedule 2023
- 13 November 2023, 20:15 – Buffalo Bills v Denver Broncos· Highmark Stadium
- 20 November 2023, 20:15 – Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles· GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
- 27 November 2023, 20:15 – Minnesota Vikings v Chicago Bears· U.S. Bank Stadium
- 4 December 2023, 20:15 – Jacksonville Jaguars v Cincinnati Bengals· EverBank Stadium
- 11 December 2023, 20:15 – Miami Dolphins v Tennessee Titans· Hard Rock Stadium
- 11 December 2023, 20:15 – New York Giants v Green Bay Packers· MetLife Stadium
- 18 December 2023, 20:15 – New England Patriots v Kansas City Chiefs· Gillette Stadium
- 25 December 2023, 20:15 – San Francisco 49ers v Baltimore Ravens· Levi's Stadium
Unveiling the Kickoff Hour: What Time Is Monday Night Football?
The start time for Monday Night Football has varied through NFL history, and each season can see a range of kickoff times for its Monday games. In 2023, however, the kickoff for almost all Monday Night Football games is scheduled at 20:15 ET (17:15 PT).
The Excitement of Monday Night Football: A Time-Honored Tradition
Monday Night Football began in the 1960s, when the NFL commissioner decided to experiment with a weeknight, primetime game that could capture new TV audiences. Friday nights were out of the question, as critics complained that NFL games would draw attention away from high school and college football. In 1966, Monday Night Football was born.
The Monday Night Football Experience: From Pregame to Final Whistle
For fans watching Monday Night Football on TV, the experience begins well before kickoff. Each ESPN broadcast is preceded by Monday Night Countdown, a pregame show that features hosts and analysts discussing the game and other football news. After this, the Monday Night Football broadcast shows the whole game live, up to the final whistle.
FAQs
When does Monday Night Football usually start?
In the 2023 season, Monday Night Football games typically kick off at 20:15 ET (17:15 PT). A few games have been scheduled slightly differently, with some earlier in the season kicking off at 19:15 ET. From Week 4 onwards, however, the start time of Monday Night Football is consistently 20:15 ET.
Which teams have participated in memorable Monday Night Football matchups?
One of the most famous Monday Night Football games dates to December 1985, when the Chicago Bears travelled to Miami looking to extend their 12-0 season run. The Bears were hoping to break the unbeaten season record set by the Miami Dolphins in 1972, and players from that ‘72 team were on the sidelines to watch the Bears’ attempt. Ultimately, the 1985 Dolphins prevailed 38-24, protecting their team’s record and delivering Chicago’s first loss of the season.
Are there any special traditions associated with Monday Night Football?
The TV broadcast of Monday Night Football games is known for its celebrity guests and innovative technology, such as special slow-motion replays. Famous faces who have appeared on the MNF TV coverage include Bill Clinton, John Lennon, Kermit the Frog, and Plácido Domingo.
How do they select the teams for Monday Night Football games?
The NFL schedule is designed according to a complicated formula, which takes into consideration everything from local traffic patterns to TV broadcasting rules. The Dallas Cowboys are the team that has appeared in the most Monday Night Football games in the league’s history.
Are Monday Night Football games only played during the regular season?
In 2022, an NFL playoff game was held on a Monday night for the first time ever, in response to the league expanding the number of teams involved in the playoffs. The Rams beat the Cardinals 34-11 in the landmark Super Wild Card Round game.
Has the start time of Monday Night Football always been the same?
Monday Night Football games have not always followed the current kickoff schedule. From 1970 until 1997, the games generally kicked off at 21:07, with TV coverage beginning on the hour. The start time of Monday Night Football broadcasts moved back to 20:00 in 1998, with kickoff at 20:20, before returning to 21:00 in 1999. When ESPN took over TV coverage of the games in 2006, the kickoff time moved back again to between 20:15 and 20:30.