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Monday Night Football has long been one of the NFL’s premier television showcases, featuring many of the league’s biggest stars and most anticipated matchups. The 2026 schedule is no exception, with division rivalries, playoff rematches, and potential Super Bowl previews spread throughout the season.
DraftKings recently shared its ratings for every Monday Night Football game on the 2026 schedule, grading each matchup based on excitement and overall watchability. Here’s how every game stacks up.
MORE: Chiefs star looks better than expected early in NFL training camp
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) calls a play during the first quarter of an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Bills defeated the Jaguars 27-24. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
These are the matchups DraftKings rated the highest:
● Week 5: Bills at Rams — 9.9
● Week 1: Broncos at Chiefs — 9.1
● Week 7: Cowboys at Eagles — 9.0
● Week 15: Jaguars at Chiefs — 8.8
● Week 8: Bears at Seahawks — 8.7
● Week 3: Eagles at Lions — 8.3
● Week 17: Texans at Packers — 8.1
Kansas City headlines the schedule with two games earning elite ratings, while Bills-Rams takes the top spot as the most anticipated Monday night showdown of the season.
MORE: Former NFL first-round pick ready to break out
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald and quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrate with the Vince Lombardi trophy on the podium after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Several other games could easily exceed expectations:
● Week 13: Cowboys at Seahawks — 7.9
● Week 10: Chargers at Ravens — 7.8
● Week 2: Giants at Rams — 7.5
● Week 12: Panthers at Buccaneers — 7.5
● Week 16: Giants at Lions — 7.4
● Week 9: Bills at Vikings — 7.2
● Week 11: Bengals at Commanders — 7.1
MORE: AFC North team may already boast the NFL’s best rookie class of 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks into the tunnel after suffering a crushing 30-6 defeat by the Houston Texans during the NFL Wild Card game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on January 12, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The remaining contests landed in the “could be great” or “sneaky good” categories, including Falcons-Saints (6.6), Steelers-Jaguars (6.7), and Commanders-49ers (6.8).
While preseason rankings are always fun to debate, history has shown that some of the best Monday Night Football games are the ones nobody sees coming. One thing is certain: the 2026 schedule is loaded with intriguing matchups that should keep football fans glued to their televisions all season long.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —
Continue reading...
DraftKings recently shared its ratings for every Monday Night Football game on the 2026 schedule, grading each matchup based on excitement and overall watchability. Here’s how every game stacks up.
MORE: Chiefs star looks better than expected early in NFL training camp
Must-watch games
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) calls a play during the first quarter of an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Bills defeated the Jaguars 27-24. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
These are the matchups DraftKings rated the highest:
● Week 5: Bills at Rams — 9.9
● Week 1: Broncos at Chiefs — 9.1
● Week 7: Cowboys at Eagles — 9.0
● Week 15: Jaguars at Chiefs — 8.8
● Week 8: Bears at Seahawks — 8.7
● Week 3: Eagles at Lions — 8.3
● Week 17: Texans at Packers — 8.1
Kansas City headlines the schedule with two games earning elite ratings, while Bills-Rams takes the top spot as the most anticipated Monday night showdown of the season.
MORE: Former NFL first-round pick ready to break out
High-potential matchups
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Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald and quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrate with the Vince Lombardi trophy on the podium after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Several other games could easily exceed expectations:
● Week 13: Cowboys at Seahawks — 7.9
● Week 10: Chargers at Ravens — 7.8
● Week 2: Giants at Rams — 7.5
● Week 12: Panthers at Buccaneers — 7.5
● Week 16: Giants at Lions — 7.4
● Week 9: Bills at Vikings — 7.2
● Week 11: Bengals at Commanders — 7.1
MORE: AFC North team may already boast the NFL’s best rookie class of 2026
The rest
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks into the tunnel after suffering a crushing 30-6 defeat by the Houston Texans during the NFL Wild Card game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on January 12, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The remaining contests landed in the “could be great” or “sneaky good” categories, including Falcons-Saints (6.6), Steelers-Jaguars (6.7), and Commanders-49ers (6.8).
While preseason rankings are always fun to debate, history has shown that some of the best Monday Night Football games are the ones nobody sees coming. One thing is certain: the 2026 schedule is loaded with intriguing matchups that should keep football fans glued to their televisions all season long.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —
Continue reading...
