The upcoming matchup between the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins on “Monday Night Football” promises to be an intriguing showcase of unpredictability and excitement. This game is set against the backdrop of a crowded sports weekend, featuring the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos in a doubleheader format, making it a thrilling night for NFL fans.
This week, the Week 4 MNF lineup includes two games kicking off just one hour apart, creating an overlap that fans will need to navigate. For clarity, let’s review why the NFL occasionally schedules two games on Monday nights and the differences between the broadcasts on ABC and ESPN.
The NFL’s television rights deal, established in 2021, expanded the number of games aired on ABC and ESPN, now including 23 regular-season matchups and additional postseason games. As there are only 18 weeks in the NFL season, the scheduling of concurrent games has become a strategic decision. Some weeks feature sequential matchups, while others, like this week, present two games simultaneously, with one broadcast on ABC and the other on ESPN.
The current format allows for two games to be aired at once, which can be beneficial for maximizing viewership. However, it does require fans to be more attentive, as the excitement of both games could potentially split the audience. ESPN's president of content, Burke Magnus, has indicated that this A/B testing of formats is intended to optimize viewership by combining audiences for a larger total number.
It’s important to note that due to the business model of airing two games at once, popular features like the ManningCast will not be available this week.
The New York Jets and Miami Dolphins have a storied history, including the memorable “Monday Night Miracle” in 2000, where the Jets staged an incredible comeback to win 40-37. However, the current matchup seems less thrilling, as both teams are struggling with a combined record of 0-6 this season. The Jets, under new head coach Aaron Glenn, have faced tough losses, with two games lost to last-minute field goals and another against the formidable Buffalo Bills.
On the other side, the Dolphins are looking to bounce back from a disheartening loss to the Indianapolis Colts in their season opener, having since shown signs of improvement in subsequent games against the New England Patriots and the Bills. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will need to address his four interceptions, while the Jets’ Justin Fields returns to the field after a concussion.
Fans can expect to see standout performances from wide receivers, with the Jets’ Garrett Wilson ranked in the top 10 for receiving yards, while the Dolphins boast the dynamic duo of Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. This game will be broadcasted on ESPN, featuring the secondary commentary team of Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky, and Louis Riddick.
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals are set to face the Denver Broncos in the second game of the night. Cincinnati enters the game with a 2-1 record, but they will have to adapt to playing without franchise quarterback Joe Burrow, who has been sidelined. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase remains a key player for the Bengals, and with a big performance, he could make history as the first player to achieve 100 receiving yards in each of his first five Monday Night Football appearances.
The Denver Broncos, despite a slow start at 1-2, have shown flashes of potential. Their defense, led by standout players like Pat Surtain II, is ready to capitalize on any mistakes made by the Bengals’ backup quarterback Jake Browning, who has struggled with interceptions. This game will air on ABC, offering a free viewing option with commentary from the lead booth duo of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman.
For fans planning to watch future games, here is the MNF doubleheader schedule for 2025:
Week 2 (Monday, Sept. 15): Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Houston Texans & Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders Week 4 (Monday, Sept. 29): New York Jets at Miami Dolphins & Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos Week 6 (Monday, Oct. 13): Buffalo Bills at Atlanta Falcons & Chicago Bears at Washington Commanders Week 7 (Monday, Oct. 20): Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions & Houston Texans at Seattle Seahawks Week 18 (Saturday, Jan. 3): TBDAs the excitement of the Monday Night Football doubleheader unfolds, fans are encouraged to tune in for thrilling matchups, and don’t forget to check platforms like StubHub for ticket availability. Enjoy the games!
