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Who plays on Monday Night Football? Breaking down Week 6 matchup

tom viera, usa today
·4 min read

The "Monday Night Football" doubleheader will return to ESPN and its family of networks in Week 7, but in Week 6 we have one game: a massive AFC East clash between the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets.

NFL fans got to watch the defending Super Bowl champions last Monday night when the Chiefs defeated the Saints. To conclude Week 6, two AFC teams that entered 2024 looking to topple the Chiefs square off. Additionally, ESPN's "ManningCast" will be available for a second consecutive Monday night for those interested in an alternate viewing option.

With Aaron Rodgers and Josh Allen set to be in action on Monday night, it's hard to imagine that the Week 6 "Monday Night Football" game won't live up to the hype.

Here's everything to know about the "MNF" matchup in Week 6.

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Who plays on Monday Night Football tonight?

The Jets (2-3) are hosting the Bills (3-2) in an AFC East matchup between two teams with playoff aspirations. According to the BetMGM NFL odds, the Bills come into the game as short 2.5-point favorites.

Each side is coming into Week 6 off a loss. The Bills began the season strong with three straight wins but have dropped two in a row. In Week 5, they suffered a painful 23-20 loss to the Texans. The Bills made multiple baffling coaching decisions regarding clock management in the fourth quarter, leading to the loss.

Buffalo has been outscored by opponents 38-6 in the first half over the last two weeks.

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Meanwhile, the Jets delivered shockwaves across the league when they fired head coach Robert Saleh this past Tuesday. New York is off to a disappointing 2-3 start to the season, and owner Woody Johnson decided it was time for a massive organizational shift.

The Jets have also lost two consecutive games, most recently in London against the Vikings, 23-17. The Jets named defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich the interim head coach and relieved Nathaniel Hackett from offensive play calling. Ulbrich has named Todd Downing the new offensive play-caller, though Hackett remains on the staff.

Downing has 22 years of NFL coaching experience, including stints as offensive coordinator for the Raiders (2017) and Titans (2021-22).

Both teams will be eager to get back in the win column on Monday night. The Bills have never lost three consecutive games with Allen as their quarterback. During his rough two-game stretch, Allen has been without his most reliable receiving option, Khalil Shakir. After throwing a career-high 18 interceptions last season, Allen has yet to throw an interception in 2024, which marks the longest stretch of his career without one, but he will face the Jets' second-overall pass defense led by Sauce Gardner.

With a win on Monday night, the Jets can tie Buffalo for first place in the AFC East. They will need a better performance from Rodgers, who is coming off a three-interception game. The Jets will look to get Breece Hall and a running game that ranks dead last in the league going. Garrett Wilson will look to continue his momentum from his career-best 13 reception showing in London.

What time is the NFL game tonight?

  • Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET

"Monday Night Football" will begin at 8:15 p.m. ET, the customary start time throughout the 2024 NFL season.

What channel is 'Monday Night Football' on tonight?

  • Cable TV: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes

  • Streaming: Fubo

"Monday Night Football" will air on ESPN in Week 6. There will not be another game airing on ABC, nor will a simulcast of ESPN's game air on the network.

That said, ESPN's "ManningCast" will be available to watch again in Week 6. Eli and Peyton Manning will break down the game from the comfort of their home on ESPN2, so viewers can watch it on that network if they so desire.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who plays on Monday Night Football? Game, start time for Week 6