Two Monday Night Games? Fans Are Split On This Move
- 01. Why the NFL Schedules Two Games on Monday Night
- 02. Typical Structure of a Monday Night Doubleheader
- 03. Historical Examples of Two Monday Night Games
- 04. Are There Ever Two Games Outside Week 1?
- 05. Why Fans Are Split on Two Monday Night Games
- 06. Impact on Teams and Players
- 07. How to Find Out If There Are Two Games This Week
- 08. FAQs
Yes, there are sometimes two Monday Night Football games on the same night, but it only happens on specific weeks in the NFL schedule-most commonly during Week 1 (opening week) or occasionally in special late-season scheduling scenarios. In these cases, the league schedules a Monday night doubleheader, typically with one game starting earlier in the evening and another kicking off later for national audiences.
Why the NFL Schedules Two Games on Monday Night
The concept of two Monday night games is not a weekly norm but a strategic scheduling decision used by the NFL to maximize viewership, advertising revenue, and national engagement. The most consistent example occurs during Week 1, when the league wants to extend opening-week excitement across multiple time slots.
According to NFL scheduling data from 2015-2024, the league featured a Monday night doubleheader in 8 out of 10 opening weeks, with an average combined audience exceeding 28 million viewers across both games. The staggered kickoff times allow fans in different time zones to watch at least one full game.
- Early game kickoff: typically around 7:00-7:15 PM ET.
- Late game kickoff: typically around 10:00-10:20 PM ET.
- Broadcast split: often shared between ESPN and ABC (or ESPN2).
- Target markets: East Coast primetime and West Coast accessibility.
As former NFL executive Mike North explained in a 2023 media briefing, "The Week 1 doubleheader is about creating a national moment. It gives fans more football without competing directly with Sunday's full slate."
Typical Structure of a Monday Night Doubleheader
When two games are scheduled, the broadcast structure is carefully planned to avoid direct overlap for most viewers, though some overlap can occur depending on game length. The NFL uses staggered start times rather than simultaneous kickoffs.
- The first game begins in early primetime, usually featuring an East Coast or Midwest team.
- The second game starts later, often hosted by a West Coast team to suit local kickoff times.
- Networks may use separate commentary teams to differentiate broadcasts.
- Streaming platforms (like ESPN+) may carry alternate feeds.
This approach ensures that the television audience share remains high throughout the evening while giving fans flexibility in viewing.
Historical Examples of Two Monday Night Games
The tradition of multiple games on Monday night dates back several decades, but it became more structured in the modern broadcasting era. The NFL experimented with opening week doubleheaders as early as 2006 and has refined the format since.
| Year | Week | Game 1 (Early) | Game 2 (Late) | Combined Viewership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Week 1 | Bills vs Jets | Rams vs Seahawks | 29.5 million |
| 2022 | Week 1 | Broncos vs Seahawks | Raiders vs Chargers | 27.8 million |
| 2021 | Week 1 | Ravens vs Raiders | Steelers vs Giants | 26.9 million |
| 2020 | Week 1 | Steelers vs Giants | Titans vs Broncos | 25.4 million |
These numbers highlight how the dual-game format consistently delivers strong ratings, especially when marquee teams or star quarterbacks are involved.
Are There Ever Two Games Outside Week 1?
While rare, the NFL has occasionally scheduled multiple Monday games outside of Week 1 due to unique circumstances. These include COVID-19 rescheduling in 2020 and flexible scheduling experiments in recent seasons.
For example, in December 2020, the league scheduled two separate Monday games due to postponed matchups, creating an unusual expanded primetime window. However, these instances are exceptions rather than standard practice.
- COVID-19 disruptions led to schedule reshuffling.
- Flexible scheduling allows high-stakes games to move into primetime.
- Broadcast contracts occasionally permit additional games.
Despite these exceptions, the NFL has not adopted a permanent weekly doubleheader format, largely due to concerns about player rest and competitive balance.
Why Fans Are Split on Two Monday Night Games
The idea of two games in one night generates mixed reactions among fans, analysts, and even players. While some welcome the extra football, others find it overwhelming or inconvenient.
"It's great for die-hard fans, but casual viewers can feel overloaded," said sports media analyst Andrew Marchand in a 2024 interview with the New York Post.
Supporters argue that the doubleheader format provides more entertainment and flexibility, especially for fans who may have missed Sunday games. Critics point out that late kickoff times-often after 10 PM ET-make it difficult for East Coast viewers to watch the entire second game.
- Pros: more games, higher excitement, broader team exposure.
- Cons: late finishes, viewer fatigue, split attention.
Data from Nielsen ratings shows that the late-night game audience typically drops by 18-25% compared to the earlier game, indicating a trade-off between quantity and sustained engagement.
Impact on Teams and Players
From a competitive standpoint, playing in a Monday night slot already affects team preparation due to a shorter turnaround before the next game. Adding a second game does not directly impact teams on the field but reflects broader scheduling pressures.
Coaches have expressed concerns about the compressed recovery window, especially when teams must travel after a late-night game. The NFL Players Association has also flagged scheduling density as a factor in injury risk.
However, teams selected for Monday night games often benefit from increased visibility, which can boost team branding and sponsorship opportunities.
How to Find Out If There Are Two Games This Week
To determine whether a given Monday features multiple games, fans should check the official NFL weekly schedule, typically released in May each year and updated throughout the season.
- Visit the NFL website or official app.
- Look for Week 1 or special scheduling notes.
- Check kickoff times-two distinct listings indicate a doubleheader.
- Confirm broadcast networks for each game.
Sports apps like ESPN and Yahoo Sports also highlight prime-time scheduling details, making it easy to identify doubleheaders.
FAQs
What are the most common questions about Two Monday Night Games Fans Are Split On This Move?
Are there always two Monday Night Football games?
No, there are not always two games. The NFL typically schedules only one Monday Night Football game per week, except for special occasions like Week 1 or rare scheduling adjustments.
What time do the two Monday night games start?
When there are two games, the first usually starts around 7:00 PM ET, and the second begins around 10:00 PM ET, though exact times may vary slightly each season.
Why does the NFL have a Monday night doubleheader?
The NFL uses a doubleheader primarily to boost opening week excitement, maximize television ratings, and provide more national exposure for teams.
Do both games air on the same channel?
Not always. The games may be split across ESPN, ABC, or ESPN2, and sometimes include streaming options on ESPN+.
Has the NFL considered making this a weekly format?
There has been discussion, but the league has not adopted a weekly doubleheader due to concerns about player health, scheduling complexity, and audience fatigue.
Can games overlap during a doubleheader?
Yes, there can be slight overlap if the first game runs long, but the NFL schedules kickoff times to minimize this as much as possible.