Why are there two Monday Night Football games in Week 3? Breaking down NFL's scheduling quirk

The 2024 NFL season is up and running, and we have already been treated to numerous talking points in the first two weeks. Some postseason favorites are 2-0, many wide receivers are out for weeks, and some fantasy football managers are pondering whether to call it quits after just two game weeks.

Ahead of Week 3 of the 2024 season, let's explore why there are two Monday night football games scheduled for Week 3.

Why are there two Monday Night Football games in Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season?

According to NBC Washington, the reason for two Monday Night Football matchups in Week 3 rather than the typical one is Disney's latest NFL media rights deal. Disney, which owns ESPN and ABC, increased its number of regular-season NFL games from 17 to 23 in the latest media rights deal.

There were three MNF doubleheaders last year, and there will be four this year. For Week 3 in the 2024 season, the Jaguars versus Bills and Commanders versus Bengals games will overlap rather than air back-to-back.

What are the MNF games in 2024?

Here's a look at the Monday Night Football games for the 2024 season:

Week 1

• New York Jets at the San Francisco 49ers

Week 2

• Atlanta Falcons at the Philadelphia Eagles

Week 3

• Jacksonville Jaguars at the Buffalo Bills
• Washington Commanders at the Cincinnati Bengals

Week 4

• Tennessee Titans at the Miami Dolphins
• Seattle Seahawks at the Detroit Lions

Week 5

• New Orleans Saints at the Kansas City Chiefs

Week 6

• Buffalo Bills at the New York Jets

Week 7

• Baltimore Ravens at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Los Angeles Chargers at the Arizona Cardinals

Week 8

• New York Giants at the Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 9

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Kansas City Chiefs

Week 10

• Miami Dolphins at the Los Angeles Rams

Week 11

• Houston Texans at the Dallas Cowboys

Week 12

• Baltimore Ravens at the Los Angeles Chargers

Week 13

• Cleveland Browns at the Denver Broncos

Week 14

• Cincinnati Bengals at the Dallas Cowboys

Week 15

• Chicago Bears at the Minnesota Vikings
• Atlanta Falcons at the Las Vegas Raiders

Week 16

• New Orleans Saints at the Green Bay Packers

Week 17

• Detroit Lions at the San Francisco 49ers