For the second week in a row, there is a double dose of fun on Monday night.
"Monday Night Football" has been a staple in the NFL for over 50 years. The program initially debuted in 1970, and it remains the grand finale of football week in and week out.
By the time the Sunday slate is over, there is typically just one game left on the schedule. That's no longer necessarily the case. Last week, fans got to enjoy two games on Monday night, and that's the situation once again in Week 4.
The Sporting News explains the NFL's decision to have two "Monday Night Football" games in Week 4.
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Why are there two 'Monday Night Football' games tonight?
Why can the NFL have two games on "Monday Night Football?" The simple answer is because they can.
ESPN retained the rights to "Monday Night Football" in 2021 and will keep that weekly slot through the 2033 season. The deal also awarded Disney extra regular season games during the year. They utilized them by trying different time slots and game combinations on Monday nights.
ESPN president Burke Magnus discussed the plans for Monday night games with The Athletic last year ahead of one of the MNF doubleheaders.
“We’re going to learn more about what optimizes best, and I think by next year we’ll continue to hone on driving the biggest viewership between the two games. We will learn if it is better to start with the ABC game, the ESPN game, or the other way around. … In Week 14, we’re doing both games at the same time. The thought there is, can we combine total audience and do a little bit like we used to do in the old days of college football where we create a simultaneous national and regional appeal and use our networks to do that in a single window? Then it combines to sort of like a super audience total number."
The NFL was on board to see how the experiment went, as it could open up further possibilities for the league. It went well enough for the league to implement the pair of contests on Monday nights again.
Executive Vice President Hans Schroeder told The Athletic the following.
"We have the unique opportunity with a single partner, with two really strong national distribution assets in ESPN and ABC, and what we want to do is continue to innovate and create a new viewing experience,” Schroeder told Deitsch in September. “So you’ll see more look-ins in between the games. You’ll see more coverage between the two games going on, you’ll see things at halftime in those first couple weeks where they go to the other game. The whole desire is, how do we create a new and different and compelling way for fans to watch games, and how do we continue to test and innovate as we do that? We’re really excited for those side-by-sides with Disney."
For most of the season, only one MNF game will air on ESPN. Certain weeks, there will also be the "Manningcast", a simulcast featuring Peyton and Eli Manning watching the games and bringing on special guests to dissect the action.
When are the two Week 4 MNF games?
In Week 4, the first game will take place at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The later matchup will be at 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC.
HOW TO WATCH ABC: Fubo
Who is playing in Week 4's MNF doubleheader?
The early MNF game will see the Titans (0-3) aim to pick up their first win of the season on the road against the Dolphins (1-2) in Miami.
In the later contest, the Seahawks put their perfect 3-0 record on the line in Motor City, as the team has a date with the Lions (2-1).
When will there be two MNF games in 2024?
There will be MNF doubleheaders in Weeks 3, 4, 7, and 15.
