Given the amount of money that ESPN pays the National Football League for their rights fees and the fact that there are no flex capabilities, the Monday Night Football schedule is always a product of mystery and intrigue. Could the NFL ever use the schedule to exert their power and influence over ESPN? And with the focus on Thursday and Sunday nights, can ESPN be satisfied with the quality of games they receive being the third of three primetime packages?
This year, the slate looks… well, like your typical mixed bag. There are some attractive matchups led by the rechristening of the Los Angeles Rams and the 10th anniversary of the Saints’ return to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. There are also odd matchups like Jets-Cardinals and Bills-Seahawks. As a bonus for this year’s slate though, we get Jon Gruden calling a game in Mexico City. And that should be a gold mine.
Week 1
Pittsburgh Steelers at Washington Redskins (7 PM ET)
Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers (10:15 PM ET)
Week 2
Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears
Week 3
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints
Week 4
New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings
Week 5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers
Week 6
New York Jets at Arizona Cardinals
Week 7
Houston Texans at Denver Broncos
Week 8
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
Week 9
Buffalo Bills at Seattle Seahawks
Week 10
Cincinnati Bengals at New York Giants
Week 11
Houston Texans vs. Oakland Raiders (Mexico City)
Week 12
Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 13
Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets
Week 14
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots
Week 15
Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins
Week 16
Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys
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