With 14 games in the books for Week 2 of the NFL season, we have two Monday Night Football games tonight. Who plays in the NFL games tonight?
In the first game, the New Orleans Saints take on the Carolina Panthers in an NFC South battle at Bank of America Stadium. Despite navigating to a Week 1 win, the Saints’ offense was a bit lackluster. Will New Orleans be able to turn the tide against the Panthers tonight?
In the second game, the Cleveland Browns take on an AFC North rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in ESPN’s second Monday Night Football doubleheader matchup.
Here’s the Monday Night Football channel, start time, and live stream options.
What Channel Airs the NFL Games Tonight?
What is the Monday Night Football channel for tonight’s first and second matchups? The Saints and Panthers will go head to head on ESPN and ESPN2 at 7:15 p.m. ET, while the Browns travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers on ABC and ESPN+ at 8:15 p.m. ET.
ESPN airs three Monday Night Football doubleheaders this season, with the first two broadcasting in Weeks 2 and 3. Here’s how to watch the two MNF games, including the start time, TV channels, and live stream options.
New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers
- Start time
7:15 p.m. ET - Channel
ESPN, ESPN2 - Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
- Start time
8:15 p.m. ET - Channel
ABC, ESPN+ - Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV
The Saints won a tough battle against the Tennessee Titans 16-15. The early signs from offseason signee Derek Carr seem promising. Despite tossing an interception, the Saints’ offense had consistency for the first time in a while as Carr completed 22 of 33 passes for 305 yards and a touchdown.
However, the rushing attack continues to struggle. While 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year Alvin Kamara still has two games on his suspension, the offense has been sluggish since the departure of Drew Brees after the 2020 season. While the defense held up in Week 1, it cannot be asked to perform every week with little to no offensive help.
MORE: NFL Bye Weeks Schedule 2023
The Panthers allowed the Atlanta Falcons’ second-year RB Tyler Allgeier to rush for 75 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries while rookie RB Bijan Robinson tacked on another 56 yards through 10 carries. The Saints need their rushing room to make more of an impact in Week 2.
It was a defensive affair in Week 1 against the Titans as Saints RB Jamaal Williams rushed 18 times for just 45 yards. With rookie RB Kendre Miller trending toward making his season debut, Williams and Miller must support Carr so the Saints can move to 2-0.
Just about nothing went right for second-year QB Kenny Pickett and the Steelers in the Week 1 30-7 loss to San Francisco. Pickett completed 31 of his 46 passes for 232 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. The vaunted 49ers defense hassled him all game long, sacking the Steelers’ QB five times. RB Najee Harris couldn’t get much going on the ground either, turning six carries into 31 yards.
MORE: 2023 NFL Games Today/Schedule
Pittsburgh’s preseason offensive momentum vanished in an instant. While it is only the preseason, a lackluster Steelers offense from a season ago averaged 26 points a game during the 2023 preseason. While the fruits of their labors were unrecognizable in Week 1, Pittsburgh gets another chance to show some of the preseason offensive improvement in Week 2.
Pittsburgh and Cleveland split the season series in 2022. However, Browns QB Deshaun Watson missed the Week 3 win while serving his suspension last season. When they faced off in Week 18, Pickett and the offense found some offensive momentum, while the Steelers defense hassled Watson to two interceptions and seven sacks.
Watson is still finding his footing with the Browns offense, and Cleveland beat the Bengals in Week 1 despite a mediocre game from their signal-caller. If the Steelers can flip the offensive switch back on and hassle Watson like they did in Week 18 of the 2022 season, earning their first win of the 2023 NFL season should be no problem.
2023 Monday Night Football Schedule
With 25 games aired on ESPN this season, there are plenty of big matchups left on the calendar for future Monday nights. Let’s get a look ahead at what games will be focused on during prime time, including another MNF doubleheader in Week 3.
Week 3, Sept. 26
Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Start time
7:15 p.m. ET - Channel
ABC - Live stream options
ESPN+, Youtube TV, Hulu + Live TV
Los Angeles Rams at Cincinnati Bengals
- Start time
8:15 p.m. ET - Channel
ESPN - Live stream options
Youtube TV, Hulu + Live TV
Week 4, Oct. 2
Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants
- Start time
8:15 p.m. ET - Channel
ESPN - Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV
Week 5, Oct. 9
Green Bay Packers at Las Vegas Raiders
- Start time
8:15 p.m. ET - Channel
ESPN - Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV
Week 6, Oct. 16
Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Chargers
- Start time
8:15 p.m. ET - Channel
ESPN - Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV
Week 7, Oct. 23
San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings
- Start time
8:15 p.m. ET - Channel
ESPN - Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV
Week 8, Oct. 30
Las Vegas Raiders at Detroit Lions
- Start time
8:15 p.m. ET - Channel
ESPN - Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV
Week 9, Nov. 6
Los Angeles Chargers at New York Jets
- Start time
8:15 p.m. ET - Channel
ESPN - Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV
Week 10, Nov. 13
Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills
- Start time
8:15 p.m. ET - Channel
ESPN - Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV
Week 11, Nov. 20
Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs
- Start time
8:15 p.m. ET - Channel
ESPN - Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV
Week 12, Nov. 27
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
- Start time
8:15 p.m. ET - Channel
ESPN - Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV
Week 13, Dec. 4
Cincinnati Bengals at Jacksonville Jaguars
- Start time
8:15 p.m. ET - Channel
ESPN - Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV
Week 14, Dec. 11
Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins
- Start time
8:15 p.m. ET - Channel
ESPN - Live stream options
Youtube TV, Hulu + Live TV
Green Bay Packers at New York Giants
- Start time
8:15 p.m. ET - Channel
ABC - Live stream options
ESPN+, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV
Week 15, Dec. 18
Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots
- Start time
8:15 p.m. ET - Channel
ESPN - Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV
Week 16, Dec. 25
Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers
- Start time
8:15 p.m. ET - Channel
ESPN - Live stream options
YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV