Is MNF On Tonight? Full Preseason Week 2 Schedule Here
Monday Night Football & NFL Preseason: Your Complete Guide (ELI5 Style)
TL;DR: No Monday Night Football tonight! The first real MNF game is September 14 (Chiefs vs. Broncos). Preseason Week 2 starts Thursday, August 20. Here’s everything you need to know—simply explained.
What Happened in Preseason Week 1?
The NFL’s "practice games" (preseason) kicked off last week. Think of these like scrimmages before the real season—scores don’t count, but players try to make the team.
Rookie Quarterback Highlights:
- Cade Klubnik (New York Jets) led two scoring drives in a 24-16 loss to Tampa Bay.
- Drew Allar (Pittsburgh Steelers) looked awesome: 10-of-13 passing, 2 passing TDs + 1 rushing TD in a 28-9 win over Green Bay.
Important: Don’t draft Allar in your fantasy league yet! Preseason ≠ regular season.
Is There Monday Night Football Tonight (August 17)?
Nope.
No MNF game tonight. Put the remote down.
When Does Monday Night Football Actually Return?
Preseason MNF? None in 2026.
There are zero Monday Night Football games during the 2026 preseason.
Regular Season MNF Starts: September 14
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept 14 | Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs | 8:15 PM | ESPN, ABC, NFL+ |
Pro Tip: This is the first game that counts. Chiefs are defending champs (hypothetically)—expect fireworks!
NFL Preseason Week 2 Schedule (Aug 20–23)
Games air on ESPN, ESPN Unlimited, FOX, NFL Network.
Stream out-of-market games live on NFL+ (phone, tablet, TV, PC).
Thursday, August 20
- Raiders @ Texans — 8 PM ET on ESPN
- 49ers @ Chargers — 10 PM ET on NFL Network
Friday, August 21
- Jets @ Steelers — 7 PM ET on NFL Network
- Panthers @ Jaguars — 7:30 PM ET on ESPN Unlimited
- Packers @ Broncos — 9 PM ET on NFL Network
Saturday, August 22 (Packed day!)
- Commanders @ Lions — 12 PM ET
- Bills @ Browns — 1 PM ET on NFL Network
- Falcons @ Colts — 1 PM ET
- Ravens @ Vikings — 1 PM ET on ESPN Unlimited
- Saints @ Rams — 4 PM ET on ESPN Unlimited
- Giants @ Dolphins — 4 PM ET on NFL Network
- Bears @ Bengals — 7 PM ET
- Eagles @ Patriots — 7 PM ET on NFL Network
- Chiefs @ Buccaneers — 7:30 PM ET on ESPN Unlimited
- Cowboys @ Cardinals — 10 PM ET on NFL Network
Sunday, August 23
- Seahawks @ Titans — 8 PM ET on FOX
How to Watch NFL Network & ESPN Unlimited (Without Cable)
ELI5: You don’t need a cable box anymore. These apps let you stream live TV over the internet.
NFL Network is FREE with these services:
| Service | Free Trial? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hulu + Live TV | Yes | Includes ESPN, ABC, NFL Net |
| YouTube TV | Yes | Great DVR, all major nets |
| Fubo TV | Yes | Sports-focused, 4K available |
| Sling TV | No | Cheaper, add "Sports Extra" |
| DIRECTV Stream | 5-day trial | "MySports Genre Pack" = $49.99/mo (1st mo) |
| NFL+ | Yes | Phone/tablet only (mostly) |
| ESPN Unlimited | Via provider | See below |
ESPN Unlimited = NFL Network Too!
Since 2025, NFL Network lives inside the ESPN app if you have ESPN Unlimited.
You get ESPN Unlimited free with these TV providers:
- DIRECTV, FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV
- Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum, Verizon FiOS, U-Verse, Cox
Just log in to the ESPN app with your provider credentials → tap "Unlimited" → watch NFL Network live.
Full 2026 Monday Night Football Schedule (Regular Season)
All games 8:15 PM ET on ESPN & ABC (unless noted).
Stream live on NFL+.
| Week | Date | Matchup | Channel(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 14 | Broncos @ Chiefs | ESPN, ABC |
| 2 | Sep 21 | Giants @ Rams | ESPN, ABC |
| 3 | Sep 28 | Eagles @ Bears | ESPN, ABC |
| 4 | Oct 5 | Falcons @ Saints | ESPN only |
| 5 | Oct 12 | Bills @ Rams | ESPN, ABC |
| 6 | Oct 19 | Commanders @ 49ers | ESPN, ABC |
| 7 | Oct 26 | Cowboys @ Eagles | ESPN, ABC |
| 8 | Nov 2 | Bears @ Seahawks | ESPN, ABC |
| 9 | Nov 9 | Bills @ Vikings | ESPN, ABC |
| 10 | Nov 16 | Chargers @ Ravens | ESPN, ABC |
| 11 | Nov 23 | Bengals @ Commanders | ESPN only |
| 12 | Nov 30 | Panthers @ Buccaneers | ESPN only |
| 13 | Dec 7 | Cowboys @ Seahawks | ESPN, ABC |
| 14 | Dec 14 | Steelers @ Jaguars | ESPN, ABC |
| 15 | Dec 21 | Patriots @ Chiefs | ESPN, ABC |
| 16 | Dec 28 | Giants @ Lions | ESPN only |
| 17 | Jan 4 | Texans @ Packers | ESPN only |
Circle these: Chiefs (Week 1 & 15), Cowboys (Week 7 & 13), Bills (Week 5 & 9) — primetime heavyweights!
Summary: What You Need to Remember
- No MNF tonight (Aug 17).
- First real MNF = Sept 14 (Broncos @ Chiefs).
- Preseason Week 2 = Aug 20–23 (lots of games, mostly backups playing).
- Watch without cable: Hulu, YouTube TV, Fubo, Sling, DIRECTV, NFL+, ESPN Unlimited.
- ESPN Unlimited now includes NFL Network — one app, two networks.
- Save the 2026 MNF schedule — 17 weeks of primetime football!
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. What’s the difference between preseason and regular season?
Preseason = exhibition games (3 per team). Stats don’t count, rosters are huge (90 players), starters play maybe a quarter. Regular season = 17 games that count for playoffs, stats, contracts, glory.
2. Can I watch Monday Night Football for free?
Yes! Sign up for a free trial of Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Fubo, or DIRECTV Stream. Cancel before you’re charged. NFL+ also has a trial (mostly mobile).
3. Is NFL RedZone the same as NFL Network?
No. NFL Network = 24/7 news, talk, some games. RedZone = whip-around channel showing only scoring drives (no commercials!). RedZone needs NFL Network + extra add-on (like DIRECTV’s Sports Pack).
4. Do I need ESPN Unlimited and NFL+?
No. ESPN Unlimited (via your TV provider) gives you ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network in the ESPN app. NFL+ is separate — good for mobile-only live games + replays. Pick one.
5. Why are some MNF games on "ESPN only" not ABC?
Disney (owner of both) sometimes simulcasts (both channels), sometimes exclusive to ESPN. Check the schedule above — Weeks 4, 11, 12, 16, 17 are ESPN-only.
Final Whistle
You’re now the smartest fan in the group chat.
- Know when MNF starts
- Have the full preseason Week 2 schedule
- Know exactly how to stream it all (free trials included!)
- Bookmarked the 2026 MNF schedule
Grab snacks. Pick a streaming trial. Enjoy football.
Article based on Decider’s Aug 17, 2026 coverage. Schedule subject to change (flex scheduling, weather, alien invasions).