The 2018 NFL season is here and there are a full slate of games in Week 1. Which teams will cap it off in primetime on Monday Night Football.
The NFL and AFL merged in 1970, and something else began with that merger — Monday Night Football. It began on ABC, and now is shown on ESPN. Starting with the 2006 season, the season has traditionally started with a Monday Night Football doubleheader. The 2018 NFL season won’t be any different as we’ll see four highly intriguing teams in action.
The first game of the night will feature the Detroit Lions and the New York Jets. the game kicks off at 7:10 p.m. ET. It’ll be the second time these two teams will meet on Monday Night Football with the Jets winning the first meeting on Dec. 6, 1982, 28-13, at the Pontiac Silverdome. The game will be called by Beth Mowins and Brian Griese.
For the Jets, this will be the debut of Sam Darnold. Meanwhile, they’ll be across from a familiar foe in former Patriots defensive coordinator and new Lions head coach Matt Patricia. It’ll be interesting to see what Detroit’s new head man has in store for the rookie.
The second game of the double header kicks off at 10:20 p.m. ET. That game will emanate from Oakland-Alemda County Coliseum. The Oakland Raiders will host the Los Angeles Rams in that one. Like the first game, this will only be the second time these two teams will play each other on Monday Night Football. The regular crew of Joe Tessitore and Jason Witten — making his broadcast debut — will have the call for this game.
Intriguingly enough, this will be a Monday Night Football matchup with Jon Gruden, just not in the booth. He’s back with the Raiders coaching now, though many may not be happy with him given recent Khalil Mack related events. Having said that, he’ll have his work cut out for him regardless with Todd Gurley and the Rams.
Now you know all the particulars about the opening Monday night for the 2018 NFL season. So, that means there’s only one question left to be answered. Are you ready for some football?!