The first week of the NFL preseason is officially in the books.
We saw rookie Cade Klubnik lead two scoring drives for the New York Jets in a 24-16 loss to the Bucs, and another rookie QB, former Penn State signal-caller Drew Allar, go 10 for 13 with two touchdowns (and a rushing TD) in Pittsburgh’s 28-9 win against the Green Bay Packers. Is the third round of my fantasy draft too early to take Allar?
I’m obviously kidding, but it was an impressive debut for the rook.
The second week of the preseason begins on Thursday, August 20, when the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans collide on FOX and the Los Angeles Chargers host the San Francisco 49ers on NFL Network.
If you’re looking for free NFL Network streaming info, Decider recently published a helpful explainer. But let’s get back to more pressing matters: Monday Night Football.
When exactly does Monday Night Football return? Here’s everything you need to know.
Is There a Monday Night Football Game Tonight (August 17)?
Nope. There’s no NFL Monday Night Football game on tonight.
When Does Monday Night Football Return?
Unfortunately, there are no Monday Night Football games scheduled for the 2026 preseason.
The first regular season MNF game takes place on September 14 when the Kansas City Chiefs host the Denver Broncos. All the action begins at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC, and NFL+.
NFL Preseason Week 2 Schedule:
Week 2 preseason games will air across a variety of networks, including ESPN, ESPN Unlimited, FOX, and NFL Network. You can also stream live out-of-market preseason games on your TV, PC, phone, or tablet via NFL+.
Thursday, Aug. 20
- Raiders at Texans, 8 p.m. ET on ESPN
- 49ers at Chargers, 10 p.m. ET on NFL Network
Friday, Aug. 21
- Jets at Steelers, 7 p.m. ET on NFL Network
- Panthers at Jaguars, 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited
- Packers at Broncos, 9 p.m. ET on NFL Network
Saturday, Aug. 22
- Commanders at Lions, noon ET
- Bills at Browns, 1 p.m. ET on NFL Network
- Falcons at Colts, 1 p.m. ET
- Ravens at Vikings, 1 p.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited
- Saints at Rams, 4 p.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited
- Giants at Dolphins, 4 p.m. ET on NFL Network
- Bears at Bengals, 7 p.m. ET
- Eagles at Patriots, 7 p.m. ET on NFL Network
- Chiefs at Buccaneers, 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited
- Cowboys at Cardinals, 10 p.m. ET on NFL Network
Sunday, Aug. 23
- Seahawks at Titans, 8 p.m. ET on FOX
NFL RedZone with NFL Network is available through DIRECTV’s “MySports Genre Pack,” Premier Streaming TV package, and DIRECTV Sports Pack Add-on.
The “MySports” Genre Pack, which also includes ESPN Unlimited, is currently $49.99/month for the first month ($64.99/month after) and offers a five-day free trial.
NFL Network is also included with a variety of cable providers (Dish, Fios, Optimum, Xfinity, and more) and available via an active subscription to Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, Fubo TV, YouTube TV, NFL+, and ESPN Unlimited. Fubo, YouTube TV, and Hulu offer free trials for new subscribers.
If you have a valid cable login, you can also watch NFL Network live on the NFL app.
Is NFL Network Included With ESPN Unlimited?
Yes! NFL Network has been added to the ESPN App for Unlimited plan subscribers. You can access ESPN Unlimited with an active subscription to DIRECTV, FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum TV, Verizon, FiOS, U-Verse, or Cox.
Monday Night Football 2026 Schedule:
Monday Night Football will air on ESPN and ABC throughout the regular season. You’ll also be able to stream live MNF games from your phone or tablet with a subscription to NFL+.
- Week 1 (September 14): Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC)
- Week 2 (September 21): New York Giants @ Los Angeles Rams (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC)
- Week 3 (September 28): Philadelphia Eagles @ Chicago Bears (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC)
- Week 4 (October 5): Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN)
- Week 5 (October 12): Buffalo Bills @ Los Angeles Rams (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC)
- Week 6 (October 19): Washington Commanders @ San Francisco 49ers (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC)
- Week 7 (October 26): Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC)
- Week 8 (November 2): Chicago Bears @ Seattle Seahawks (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC)
- Week 9 (November 9): Buffalo Bills @ Minnesota Vikings (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC)
- Week 10 (November 16): Los Angeles Chargers @ Baltimore Ravens (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC)
- Week 11 (November 23): Cincinnati Bengals @ Washington Commanders (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN)
- Week 12 (November 30): Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN)
- Week 13 (December 7): Dallas Cowboys @ Seattle Seahawks (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC)
- Week 14 (December 14): Pittsburgh Steelers @ Jacksonville Jaguars (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC)
- Week 15 (December 21): New England Patriots @ Kansas City Chiefs (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC)
- Week 16 (December 28): New York Giants @ Detroit Lions (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN)
- Week 17 (January 4): Houston Texans @ Green Bay Packers (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN)
