Is There Monday Night Football Tonight? Your Week 18 Answer & Full 2025 Schedule
If you’re settling in for the evening on Monday, January 5, 2026, you’re out of luck for NFL action. The regular season is officially over. There is no Monday Night Football game tonight. The NFL strategically avoids scheduling a Week 18 Monday night game to ensure no playoff-bound team has to play on a short week, making tonight a quiet one for football fans.
While the Monday night lights are dark, the NFL playoffs are just around the corner. The final regular-season slate concluded with Sunday Night Football, and the postseason picture is now set. Here’s everything you need to know about the end of the MNF season and what’s next.
Monday Night Football 2025 Regular Season Recap
The 2025 Monday Night Football season on ESPN/ABC featured 21 games, concluding with a Week 17 upset by the Atlanta Falcons over the Los Angeles Rams. Due to the NFL’s broadcasting deal with ESPN, several weeks featured doubleheaders with games airing on both ESPN and ABC.
2025 Monday Night Football Season Schedule & Results
| Week | Date | Matchup | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Monday, September 8, 2025 | Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears | Vikings 27, Bears 24 |
| Week 2 | Monday, September 15, 2025 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Houston Texans | Buccaneers 20, Texans 19 |
| Week 2 | Monday, September 15, 2025 | Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders | Chargers 20, Raiders 9 |
| Week 3 | Monday, September 22, 2025 | Detroit Lions vs. Baltimore Ravens | Lions 38, Ravens 35 |
| Week 4 | Monday, September 29, 2025 | Chicago Bears @ Washington Commanders | Bears 25, Commanders 24 |
| Week 5 | Monday, October 6, 2025 | Scheduled Game | — |
| Week 17 | Monday, December 29, 2025 | Atlanta Falcons vs. Los Angeles Rams | Falcons Win (Upset) |
Why Is There No Monday Night Football in Week 18?
The NFL’s scheduling philosophy is clear: protect the integrity of the playoffs. By not scheduling a Monday night game in the final week of the regular season (Week 18), the league guarantees that any team qualifying for the Wild Card round will have a full week of preparation. A Monday game would force a team into a brutally short six-day turnaround for a win-or-go-home playoff game, a competitive disadvantage the league avoids.
“There is not a Monday Night Football game in the final week of the regular season to avoid having teams play on a short week for the playoffs.”
This rule is consistent year after year. The final weekend’s games are instead concentrated on Saturday and Sunday, with the regular season finale typically airing on Sunday Night Football.
What’s Next? The NFL Playoff Schedule
With the regular season complete, the road to the Super Bowl begins. The Wild Card weekend is set to kick off, and yes, Monday Night Football will return for the playoffs.
Upcoming Key NFL Playoff Dates
| Round | Key Date | Matchup Example | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Card Weekend | Saturday, Jan. 10 & Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 | Bills @ Jaguars, 49ers @ Eagles | Various |
| Wild Card Monday | Monday, January 12, 2026 | Houston Texans @ Pittsburgh Steelers | 8:15 PM |
| Divisional Round | Saturday, Jan. 17 & Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026 | TBD | TBD |
Mark your calendar for Monday, January 12 at 8:15 p.m. ET. The Houston Texans will visit the Pittsburgh Steelers, marking the return of Monday Night Football for the postseason. The No. 1 seeded Denver Broncos, among others, will have a bye this weekend.
Common Questions
Is there any NFL game on TV tonight, January 5, 2026?
No. There are no NFL games scheduled for Monday, January 5, 2026. The league’s regular season ended on Sunday, January 4.
When does Monday Night Football come back on?
Monday Night Football returns for the NFL playoffs on Monday, January 12, 2026, with a Wild Card game between the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC.
Why does the NFL skip Monday Night Football in Week 18?
It’s a competitive safeguard. The league eliminates the possibility of a playoff team having only six days to prepare for a Wild Card game, ensuring all postseason teams have a full week of rest and practice.
What was the final Monday Night Football game of the 2025 season?
The final MNF game of the regular season was in Week 17 on December 29, 2025, featuring the Atlanta Falcons’ upset victory over the Los Angeles Rams.