NFL schedule release 2018: Monday night games

The 2018 NFL schedule has been officially released. Here’s a look at the Monday Night Football matchups throughout the season.

While CBS and Fox dominate the weekly viewership for the NFL season, ESPN still and will always play host to Monday Night Football. It’s the game that essentially extends the weekend of football, giving fans one big thing to look forward to when they head back to reality on Monday.

The booth will look a bit different this year. Neither Jon Gruden nor Sean McDonough will be calling games. Gruden enters back into the coaching ranks with the Oakland Raiders while McDonough heads back to calling college football games.

It’s a much-needed refresher for the time slot and Joe Tessitore takes over play-by-play duties. His color analyst partner has yet to be decided but a number of former NFL players are expected to compete for the coveted spot.

With the schedule officially released, here’s a look at all of the Monday night matchups for the upcoming 2018 season:

Week 1: Jets at Lions – 7:10 p.m. ET, Rams at Raiders – 10:20 p.m.
Week 2: Seahawks at Bears – 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 3: Steelers at Buccaneers – 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 4: Chiefs at Broncos – 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 5: Redskins at Saints – 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 6: 49ers at Packers – 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 7: Giants at Falcons – 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 8: Chiefs at Rams – 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 9: Patriots at Bills – 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 10: Titans at Cowboys – 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 11: Giants at 49ers – 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 12: Chiefs at Rams – 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 13: Titans at Texans – 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 14: Redskins at Eagles – 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 15: Vikings at Seahawks – 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 16: Saints at Panthers – 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 17: Broncos at Raiders – 8:15 p.m. ET

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Not every matchup isn’t worth tuning into but it gives fans a chance to root for their team on the national stage at least once a year. For struggling or smaller-market teams, this is an important moment throughout the 16-game season.

The plethora of injuries made many matchups boring and disappointing to watch last season but here’s to hoping that trend changes in 2018.