Sports

2026 NFL Schedule Release: 10 Games That Must Be on ‘Monday Night Football'

By Craig Ellenport Athlon Sports

Updated April 29, 2026 6:18 AM

Now that the 2026 NFL Draft is behind us, fans can get ready for the next major "tentpole event" - the release of the 2026 NFL schedule. The NFL is so popular that the simple announcement of the week-by-week schedule has become an annual event. The league promoted schedule-release day during the draft, though it didn't give an exact date yet. The schedule will be released in mid-May.

The league usually rolls out the schedule on a Wednesday or Thursday, so the likely dates are May 13 or 14.

Of course, we already know every team's opponents for the season; with the exception of a few games that have been announced, we don't know the dates associated with these games.

So many factors go into making the schedule. One of the most important jobs for the league's executives is figuring out how to split the most appealing matchups between their numerous TV partners. While CBS and Fox still have the Sunday packages, ESPN (Monday night), NBC (Sunday night) and Amazon (Thursday night) have prime-time schedules to fill. Then there's Christmas games on Netflix, a Black Friday game on Amazon and a possible Thanksgiving Eve game.

"Monday Night Football" is no longer the stand-alone national spotlight it was when it first began in 1970, but it's still got a special place in the hearts of NFL fans. When Troy Aikman and Joe Buck roll into town, players take notice. With so many more national spotlight games to share the wealth, MNF will probably get a few clunkers on the schedule. For now, though...,

10 games we'd love to see on ‘Monday Night Football'

Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs

This game needs to be played later in the season, when Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is healthy and cleared to play. Mahomes vs. Josh Allen is already a classic rivalry. The Bills and Chiefs have played 10 times since 2020; they've split those 10 games - though the Chiefs are 4-0 when it matters most, in the postseason. The Chiefs might not be the serious Super Bowl contenders they've been in recent years, but this game has consistently been one of the best on the schedule.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J&period; Rebilas-Imagn Images

New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks

You may have heard ESPN is broadcasting Super Bowl LXI - you can't watch ESPN for more than 10 minutes at a time without seeing a promo for that. There are always a handful of Super Bowl rematches on the docket, but the easiest way to promote the next Super Bowl might be with a rematch of the last one. And even though Seattle won Super Bowl LX with relative ease, there will be plenty of interest for this meeting.

Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks

These NFC powers met three times last season. After splitting the season series, Seattle won the rubber match in the NFC title game, the third nail-biter in a row. Overall in those three games, the Seahawks outscored the Rams, 88-85. The NFC title could once again come down to which of these teams has home-field advantage in the playoffs, and this game should go a long way to deciding that.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye holds the AFC Championship trophy while speaking to the media after defeating the Denver Broncos in the 2026 AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots

This rematch of last season's AFC Championship Game will be much more meaningful once Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is back. Nix fractured his right ankle in Denver's divisional playoff win over the Buffalo Bills, so he missed the title game. The Broncos were the AFC's No. 1 seed, but they didn't have much of a chance against the Patriots with Jarrett Stidham at QB. Nix vs. Drake Maye has the chance to become a growing AFC rivalry.

Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers

None of the TV partners will be clamoring for Dolphins games this season, but at least they can get one prime-time game here and MNF can promote it as Miami head coach Jeff Hafley and quarterback Malik Willis back in Green Bay to face their old friends.

San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals

The only reason any of the TV partners would want a Cardinals game on the schedule is for the chance to promote rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, the third overall pick in the draft. We've already got two Seahawks game on this list, otherwise - otherwise, Seahawks-Cardinals would be interesting: Notre Dame first-round running backs Love vs. Seattle's Jadarian Price. Short of that, the matchup of Love vs. the 49ers' Christian McCaffrey has the potential for big numbers.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce eludes Los Angeles Rams defensive back Marqui Christian during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2018. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Rams

Hard to believe it's been eight years since these teams played one of the most video-game NFL games ever. And by the way, it was a Monday night - November 19, 2018 - when the host Rams outlasted the Chiefs, 54-51. Mahomes passed for 478 yards and six TDs; Jared Goff led the Rams with 413 yards and four TDs. The lead changed four times in the fourth quarter, the last time on a Geral Everett 40-yard TD reception with less than two minutes to play. Even with a potential shootout between Mahomes and Matthew Stafford, it's hard to imagine another game with more than 100 points scored - especially with former Chiefs cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson now patrolling the Rams' secondary. Still, Andy Reid vs. Sean McVay should be fun.

New York Giants at Indianapolis Colts

The schedule-makers will want to have an idea when Colts quarterback Daniel Jones will be healthy and back on the field. Once he is, you can bet he'll be excited to face the team that drafted him. Jones played his first six seasons with the Giants before they cut him loose in 2024.

Tennessee Titans at Las Vegas Raiders

This would be a boom-or-bust pick. They'd have to schedule it for the second half of the season, hoping that No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza takes over the Raiders' starting job by then. Then you'd have a battle of the last two top picks, with Cam Ward leading Tennessee. Only risk, of course, is that both of these teams could be irrelevant by midseason - and what if Kirk Cousins is still starting for Vegas?

Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons

Maybe they should schedule this one for the first week of fantasy football playoffs. Between Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts, there will be a lot on the line. If nothing else, the matchup between Robinson and Gibbs - who combined for 4,137 yards from scrimmage last season - should be very entertaining.

This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 6:00 AM.