Tonight's "Monday Night Football" game is a big one for the NFL playoff picture. The Vikings, who will host the Packers in a game scheduled to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN, still have a chance to steal the NFC North title from their rivals. Green Bay, of course, simply needs a win Monday night to clinch the division and maintain a chance at the No. 1 overall seed and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
Minnesota, which clinched its playoff spot earlier this week when the Rams lost to the 49ers, reached 10 wins last week to create just the third time since 2015 that a division game in the NFL has featured teams with 10 or more wins.
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Seeding scenarios for Packers in NFC bracket
As for Green Bay, which hasn't won the NFC North since 2016, Matt LaFleur has a chance to become the 10th rookie head coach in NFL history to win at least 12 games in a season. His team is a five-point road underdog for "Monday Night Football" in Week 16, but Minnesota is forced to play without star running back Dalvin Cook. Also hurting the Vikings' chances against the Packers is the fact that quarterback Kirk Cousins has never won a Monday night game in which he started.
Below is all you need to know about Week 16's Monday night game between the Packers and Vikings, including the kickoff time and TV channel.
Who plays on Monday Night Football tonight?
- Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
- Kickoff time: 8:15 p.m. ET
In our NFL Week 16 picks against the spread and our straight-up predictions, Sporting News is split on Monday night's game in Minnesota. Below are the explanations for each pick.
Pick against the spread: The Packers are being dismissed as overrated because Aaron Rodgers hasn't put up gaudy numbers. But their defense and running game have consistently delivered as they've embraced a more hard-nosed, physical attitude. The Vikings have been up-and-down defensively but have been clean and efficient offensively, led by Kirk Cousins' finest season. With Dalvin Cook out, the Packers are more of a grinding team, which is why they have emerged as NFC North favorites. Rodgers won't miss his chance to wrap up the division against his rivals on the road, while Cousins' big-game woes will cost his team. Pick: Packers win 23-20.
Straight-up prediction: The Vikings are capable of beating the Packers at home without Dalvin Cook. The Packers will find some spots for chunk yardage as they always do with Aaron Rodgers, but the Vikings, motivated to challenge for the NFC North title and make a deep playoff run, are clicking at the right time. Pick: Vikings 26, Packers 24.
MORE: Full betting preview for Packers vs. Vikings
What channel is Monday Night Football on?
- 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.
Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland will have the call from the booth. McFarland was a sideline analyst last year, but moved into the booth when Jason Witten returned to the Dallas Cowboys following a stint in broadcasting that was not particularly well-received.
Lisa Salters returns for her eighth season as sideline reporter, and John Perry is the crew's new officiating analyst for 2019.
Monday Night Football schedule 2019
| 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 |