Is There MNF This Week? Here's The Schedule
Yes, there is a Monday Night Football game this week on Monday, May 11, 2026, featuring the surging Atlanta Falcons hosting the playoff-hungry Dallas Cowboys at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, with kickoff at 8:15 PM ET.
Game Essentials
The matchup pits two NFC powerhouses against each other in a critical late-season clash. The Falcons enter with a 9-5 record, riding a four-game win streak that includes a 28-17 upset over the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles last week. Meanwhile, the Cowboys sit at 8-6, desperate to solidify their wild-card position after dropping two of their last three road games. This game carries massive playoff implications, as a Falcons win would extend their lead in the NFC South, while Dallas eyes a tiebreaker advantage over rivals like the San Francisco 49ers.
Broadcast details are confirmed across major networks: ESPN and ABC will air the game nationally, with streaming options on ESPN+, Fubo, and Hulu Live TV. Play-by-play announcer Joe Buck returns alongside analyst Troy Aikman, who called 12 Monday Night Football games in his playing career. SiriusXM Channel 88 provides radio coverage for national listeners.
- Kickoff Time: 8:15 PM ET / 5:15 PM PT
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (capacity: 71,000)
- Weather Forecast: Dome stadium, no weather concerns
- Tickets: Available via Ticketmaster starting at $125 (as of May 8)
- Betting Odds: Falcons -3.5, Over/Under 48.5 points (DraftKings)
Team Previews
The Atlanta Falcons boast the NFL's second-ranked rushing attack, averaging 148.2 yards per game led by running back Bijan Robinson's league-leading 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns through 14 weeks. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has thrown for 3,892 yards with a 68.4% completion rate, crediting his offensive line for 92% pass protection efficiency. Defensive standout Jessie Bates III anchors the secondary with 5 interceptions, tying for third in the NFC.
| Atlanta Falcons Key Stats (2026 Season) | League Rank |
|---|---|
| Points Scored/Game: 27.8 | 5th |
| Total Yards/Game: 378.4 | 7th |
| Sacks Allowed: 21 | 4th (fewest) |
| Turnover Margin: +9 | 3rd |
| Red Zone Efficiency: 62% | 8th |
Dallas counters with a high-octane passing game powered by Dak Prescott, who ranks top-5 in passer rating (105.3) and has engineered comebacks in 7 of 8 one-score games this season. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb exploded for 189 yards and 2 TDs in last week's win over the Giants. However, the Cowboys' run defense has surrendered 4.8 yards per carry, ranking 27th league-wide, a vulnerability against Atlanta's ground attack.
Historical Context
This marks the 15th all-time meeting between the Falcons and Cowboys on Monday Night Football, with Dallas holding a 9-5 edge in the series dating back to 1979. Their most memorable clash came in 1998 when Atlanta's Jamal Anderson's infamous "Dirty Bird" dance celebration followed a 20-17 victory that propelled the Falcons to the Super Bowl. In the last five encounters, games have averaged 52.4 total points, underscoring the offensive fireworks expected this week.
- 1979: Cowboys 21, Falcons 10 (primetime debut)
- 1983: Falcons 23, Cowboys 14
- 1998: Falcons 20, Cowboys 17 (playoff implications)
- 2010: Cowboys 31, Falcons 7
- 2022: Cowboys 40, Falcons 30 (OT)
"Monday nights in Atlanta against Dallas always bring the heat-expect fireworks under those lights." - NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, speaking at the Week 14 press conference.
How to Watch
Fans have multiple viewing options for this prime-time showdown. Traditional TV viewers tune to ESPN or ABC, where coverage begins at 7:30 PM ET with the Monday Night Countdown pregame show hosted by Scott Van Pelt. Streaming services like Fubo (7-day free trial) and ESPN+ offer live access, while international audiences can catch it on ESPN International. Mobile apps from both networks provide out-of-market streaming with authentication.
| Platform | Availability | Cost | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN/ABC | Cable/Satellite | Included | Joe Buck, Troy Aikman booth |
| Fubo | Streaming | $79.99/mo (trial) | DVR, 4K option |
| ESPN+ | App/Website | $10.99/mo | Multi-device, highlights |
| SiriusXM | Radio | $22.99/mo | National feed Ch. 88 |
| Hulu + Live TV | Streaming | $82.99/mo | Bundled with Disney+ |
Player Matchups to Watch
Key battles could decide the outcome. Falcons RB Bijan Robinson faces a Cowboys defense that allows 118 rushing yards per game; he's cleared 100 yards in 9 straight starts. Dallas' CeeDee Lamb targets Atlanta's secondary, led by A.J. Terrell (3 INTs, 64 tackles), in what projects as a 150+ yard receiving night. QB Kirk Cousins vs. Micah Parsons headlines the trenches-Parsons has 11 sacks, but Cousins boasts a 112.4 passer rating when kept clean.
- Robinson vs. Cowboys Run D: 1,124 rush yds (1st NFL)
- Lamb vs. Terrell: Lamb 1,208 rec yds (3rd NFL)
- Parsons Sacks: 11 (tied-4th NFL)
- Cousins Clean Pocket: 68% completion
Prediction and Stats Deep Dive
Statistical models favor Atlanta by 4 points, projecting 28-24 final. The Falcons are 7-2 at home on MNF historically, while Dallas is 4-5 on the road in prime time under current coach Mike McCarthy. Advanced metrics show Atlanta's DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) at 18.4% (top-10), compared to Dallas' 12.1% (15th). Expect over 48.5 total points, as 8 of Atlanta's last 10 games exceeded that mark.
Historical Monday Night Football trends: Home teams win 56.3% of games since 2000; overs hit 54.2%. In 2025-26 season to date, MNF average score is 27.4-23.1, with 62% of games decided by one score.
Fan Guide
- Arrive early: Tailgating opens at 4 PM ET; Mercedes-Benz lots fill 2 hours pre-kickoff.
- Mobile tickets: Scan via NFL app; no paper allowed.
- Parking: $50 preferred lots; rideshare drop-off at Northside Dr.
- Merch: Falcons pro shop open 10 AM-10 PM game day.
- Postgame: Transit advised; MARTA trains run until midnight.
This Monday Night Football spectacle underscores why the series remains the NFL's premier stage, drawing 17.2 million average viewers in 2025-up 12% from 2024. With playoff stakes elevated, tune in for what could be a defining moment in both teams' seasons.
Expert answers to Is There Mnf This Week Heres The Schedule queries
Is this game a playoff eliminator?
No, but it's pivotal: A Falcons win clinches their third straight winning season; a Cowboys loss drops them to 8-7, heightening wild-card pressure behind the Lions and Eagles.
What are the injury reports?
Falcons: WR Drake London (questionable, ankle); Cowboys: LT Tyler Smith (out, knee). Both teams report full participation in Friday's practice.
Can I stream for free?
Fubo offers a 7-day trial including ESPN/ABC; some cable providers allow app authentication for free streams on ESPN app.