Just like last year, Aaron Rodgers and the Jets are set for a national showcase in the first "Monday Night Football" broadcast of the season.
LIVE: Follow Jets vs. 49ers updates from 'Monday Night Football'
Jets fans will hope the comparison ends there, of course, given Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury four plays into his 2023 debut. But New York's game against the 49ers tonight will have at least one similarity to last year's: A significant number of people won't be able to tune into the game like they usually would due to a carriage dispute.
Last year, it was ESPN's parent company Disney at an impasse with Charter and Spectrum; this year it's Disney vs. DirecTV that is poised to keep Jets vs. 49ers off the air for the satellite service's approximately 11 million subscribers.
Football fans won't give up on watching Rodgers vs. Brock Purdy and Co. that easily, though. Here's how DirecTV subscribers can tune in to Monday night's game while they wait for a resolution.
How to watch Jets vs. 49ers without DirecTV
The ESPN vs. DirecTV standoff is now in its second week, but there are other ways for customers to watch the network.
Fubo carries the entire ESPN family of networks, so you'll be covered for "Monday Night Football" all season with that service.
Of course, DirecTV customers are shut out of far more than 'MNF' right now. College football fans just endured a frustrating Saturday, missing out on numerous games on the ESPN networks thanks to the dispute.
Jets vs. 49ers free live streams for Monday Night Football
Fubo offers a free trial for new users, so fans can subscribe today and watch Jets vs. 49ers for no cost.
Better yet, viewers who want to cut the cord and make the switch to Fubo can save $30 on their first month. For a limited time, you can get your first month of Fubo for as low as $49.99. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 200+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
When will ESPN be back on DirecTV?
The ESPN networks have been absent from DirecTV since Sept. 1, and it's unclear when they will return.
Both sides have dug in on the public relations front, issuing statements defending their position, and DirecTV took it a step further Saturday by filing a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission accusing Disney of negotiating in bad faith.
MORE: Latest updates on ESPN-DirecTV contract dispute
While the dispute ultimately will be resolved at the negotiating table, the prospect of missing NFL games has proven a powerful motivator in past disputes. Disney and Spectrum worked out a deal hours before kickoff of the first "Monday Night Football" game last year. Stay tuned to see if history repeats itself in Week 1.
'Monday Night Football' schedule 2024
All games begin at 8:15 p.m. ET unless noted.
| Week | Date | Matchup |
| 1 | 9/9 | Jets at 49ers |
| 2 | 9/16 | Falcons at Eagles |
| 3 | 9/23 | Jaguars at Bills (7:30 p.m. ET) |
| 3 | 9/23 | Commanders at Bengals |
| 4 | 9/30 | Titans at Dolphins (7:30 p.m. ET) |
| 4 | 9/30 | Seahawks at Lions |
| 5 | 10/7 | Saints at Chiefs |
| 6 | 10/14 | Bills at Jets |
| 7 | 10/21 | Ravens at Buccaneers |
| 7 | 10/21 | Chargers at Cardinals (9 p.m. ET) |
| 8 | 10/28 | Giants at Steelers |
| 9 | 11/4 | Buccaneers at Chiefs |
| 10 | 11/11 | Dolphins at Rams |
| 11 | 11/18 | Texans at Cowboys |
| 12 | 11/25 | Ravens at Chargers |
| 13 | 12/2 | Browns at Broncos |
| 14 | 12/9 | Bengals at Cowboys |
| 15 | 12/16 | Bears at Vikings (8 p.m. ET) |
| 15 | 12/16 | Falcons at Raiders (8:30 p.m. ET) |
| 16 | 12/23 | Saints at Packers |
| 17 | 12/30 | Lions at 49ers |
If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >
