These days, "Monday Night Football" does not necessarily carry the best matchup of NFL teams in a given week. Yet it doesn't seem to matter who's playing on "Monday Night Football," because based on TV ratings, fans are still seeking and finding the channel on which they can cap a weekend of pro football vieweing.
And in Week 1 of the 2019 season, those fans are being treated to a doubleheader. Playing on "Monday Night Football" tonight are the Saints and Texans ... and the Raiders and Broncos. Both games are scheduled to be shown on ESPN as part of the network's now-traditional doubleheader presentation to start each NFL season.
The Texans, who have been in the news for all the wrong reasons of late, play the Saints in the first "Monday Night Football" game of the night, which is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. ET. After that game, the Raiders — speaking of teams that have been in the news for the wrong reasons — will host the Broncos in a game scheduled to kick off at 10 p.m. ET.
MORE: Full schedule for NFL's 2019 prime-time games
The Saints-Texans game will feature ESPN's traditional "Monday Night Football" broadcast crew for 2019: Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland in the booth with Lisa Salters reporting from the sidelines. For the Raiders-Broncos game, ESPN has Steve Levy, Brian Griese and Louis Riddick in the booth with Dianna Russini reporting from the sidelines.
Below is everything you need to know about the NFL's "Monday Night Football" games during Week 1, including the kickoff times, TV channel and more.
Who plays on Monday Night Football tonight?
The Saints will host the Texans in the first game of Monday night's doubleheader on ESPN with a 7 p.m. ET kickoff. When that game ends, the Raiders will host the Broncos in a game scheduled to begin at 10:15 p.m. ET, also on ESPN.
The Texans have won two of their past three games against the Saints, but their last meeting came in 2015, and Houston hasn't played in New Orleans since 2011. Both teams are coming off division titles last season and carrying high expectations into 2019.
The Broncos have lost two of their last three games against the division-rival Raiders, but Denver has been strangely good in season-openers of late. The Broncos have posted a .672 winning percentage (39-19-1) on kickoff weekend, the top mark in the league. Denver also has won its past seven kickoff weekend games, the longest active streak in the NFL.
What channel is Monday Night Football on?
- Start times: 7 p.m. ET | 10:15 p.m. ET
- TV channel: ESPN
- Live stream: ESPN app
ESPN (and ABC) has been the home for "Monday Night Football" since its inception in 1970. You can find a live stream for MNF games at ESPN.com or by downloading the ESPN app.
"Monday Night Football" is the only prime-time NFL broadcast with a new crew in 2019. Gone is Jason Witten, who decided to rejoin the Cowboys after a year of retirement in the broadcast booth. Replacing Witten in the booth is Booger McFarland, who joins Joe Tessitore after spending the 2019 season as a sideline analyst.
Lisa Salters is back for her eighth season as a sideline analyst, while John Perry joins the crew as its new officiating analyst.
MORE: The glory days of "Monday Night Football"
Monday Night Football TV schedule 2019
All "Monday Night Football" games start at 8:15 p.m. ET unless otherwise noted. (7 p.m. ET and 10:15 p.m. ET for the Week 1 doubleheader.)
| Week 1 | Sept. 9 | Texans at Saints (7 p.m. ET) |
| Sept. 9 | Broncos at Raiders (10:15 p.m. ET) | |
| Week 2 | Sept. 16 | Browns at Jets |
| Week 3 | Sept. 23 | Bears at Redskins |
| Week 4 | Sept. 30 | Bengals at Steelers |
| Week 5 | Oct. 7 | Browns at 49ers |
| Week 6 | Oct. 14 | Lions at Packers |
| Week 7 | Oct. 21 | Patriots at Jets |
| Week 8 | Oct. 28 | Dolphins at Steelers |
| Week 9 | Nov. 4 | Cowboys at Giants |
| Week 10 | Nov. 11 | Seahawks at 49ers |
| Week 11 | Nov. 18 | Chiefs at Chargers |
| Week 12 | Nov. 25 | Ravens at Rams |
| Week 13 | Dec. 2 | Vikings at Seahawks |
| Week 14 | Dec. 9 | Giants at Eagles |
| Week 15 | Dec. 16 | Colts at Saints |
| Week 16 | Dec. 23 | Packers at Vikings |