If you’re staring at your TV remote wondering who playing football monday night, you’ve actually hit the jackpot of the postseason calendar. We aren't looking at a standard regular-season grind anymore. It is January 19, 2026. This is the Super Wild Card Weekend finale. Honestly, the NFL schedule-makers decided to get aggressive this year, and for the first time in a while, we have a true high-stakes doubleheader to close out the opening round of the playoffs.
Tonight is about survival.
The early window features the Philadelphia Eagles traveling to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4:30 PM ET. Following that, the nightcap brings the Dallas Cowboys hosting the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium with an 8:15 PM ET start. It’s a massive night for the NFC. If you’re a fan of either of these four teams, your blood pressure is likely already through the roof. If you’re a neutral observer, you’re just here for the chaos.
The Early Fight: Eagles vs. Buccaneers
The first half of the who playing football monday night equation is a rematch that feels hauntingly familiar for Philly fans. Remember last year? The Eagles limped into Tampa and got absolutely dismantled. This year, the vibes are... different, but still tense. Jalen Hurts is dealing with that lingering finger issue on his throwing hand, and while he says he’s "fine," the velocity on those intermediate out-routes tells a different story.
Tampa Bay shouldn't be here. That’s what the analysts said in August. Yet, Baker Mayfield has somehow turned into a statistical machine in high-pressure games. He’s found a weird, symbiotic rhythm with Mike Evans that defies age. The Bucs defense, led by Vita Vea, is still a nightmare for any offensive line that isn't 100% healthy. If the Eagles' interior line can't create a pocket, it's going to be a long, humid afternoon in Florida.
Philly’s defense is the real wildcard here. They’ve been playing this "bend-don't-break" style that feels more like "bend-until-it-shatters." They need a massive game from their young corners to keep Evans and Chris Godwin from feast-moding on third downs.
The Main Event: Rams vs. Cowboys
Then we move to Arlington. When you ask who playing football monday night, the answer usually involves the Cowboys because, well, Jerry Jones loves the spotlight. But this matchup against the Rams is terrifying for Dallas.
Matthew Stafford is playing some of the best football of his career at age 37. He’s got Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp running routes that look like they were choreographed by a physicist. It’s surgical. The Rams’ offense doesn't just beat you; they embarrass you by making your safeties look like they’re running in sand.
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Dallas is under immense pressure. Dak Prescott led the league in several key metrics this year, but we all know the narrative. It’s playoffs or bust. Head coach Mike McCarthy is essentially coaching for his job tonight. If the Cowboys exit in the first round again, the fallout in North Texas will be nuclear.
The X-factor? Micah Parsons. He has to be a ghost in the backfield. If Stafford has more than three seconds to scan the field, he will find the gap in that Dallas zone.
Watching the Games: Where to Tune In
You have choices tonight, which is a bit of a departure from the old "only on ESPN" days.
- Eagles vs. Buccaneers: This one is airing on NBC and Peacock.
- Rams vs. Cowboys: This is the big ESPN/ABC simulcast.
- The ManningCast: Peyton and Eli are back on ESPN2 for the Dallas game. If you prefer your football with a side of brotherly bickering and accidental mutes, that’s your spot.
- Streaming: NFL+ is carrying both games for mobile users, but the blackout rules still apply based on your local market.
The Strategy Behind the Doubleheader
Why is the NFL doing this? It’s basically about the money and the "rest" advantage. By putting two games on Monday, the league creates a massive TV event that bridges the gap between the weekend and the Divisional round. However, the winner of the Rams-Cowboys game is going to be on a "short week" heading into next Sunday. That’s a massive disadvantage when you’re potentially facing a rested #1 seed like the Detroit Lions or the San Francisco 49ers.
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The logic is simple: keep eyes on screens. Monday Night Football has always been a cultural staple, but moving playoff games here is a relatively new tradition that players generally hate but fans absolutely adore.
Keys to the Game You Won't See on the Ticker
Everyone talks about the quarterbacks. Boring. Let's look at the trenches.
For the Eagles, it’s about their run game. Saquon Barkley has been the heartbeat of this offense. If Philly can run for over 140 yards, they win. Period. Tampa’s run defense is stout, but they struggle with lateral speed. If the Eagles can get Barkley to the edge, it opens up the deep ball for A.J. Brown.
For the Rams, keep an eye on Kyren Williams. People forget how much the Rams rely on the run to set up those play-action crossers. If Williams gets 20+ carries, it means the Rams are controlling the clock and keeping Dak Prescott on the sidelines.
Dallas needs CeeDee Lamb to have a "legacy game." The Rams' secondary is their weakest link. If Lamb isn't targeted at least 12 times, the Cowboys' offensive staff has failed.
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What Happens Next?
The winner of the early game (Eagles/Bucs) will likely head to San Francisco to face the 49ers next Saturday, unless there’s a massive upset elsewhere in the bracket. The winner of the late game (Rams/Cowboys) will find themselves in a dogfight against the Lions in Detroit.
Tonight basically decides the hierarchy of the NFC. Are the old guards (Philly and Dallas) going to hold their ground, or is the new wave of creative offenses (Rams and Bucs) going to pull the rug out from under them?
Actionable Next Steps for Tonight:
- Check the Weather: It’s raining in Tampa. Expect a slick ball and a few more fumbles than usual in the first half of the Eagles game.
- Update Your Apps: If you’re streaming on Peacock, make sure the app is updated at least an hour before kickoff to avoid the "login loop of death."
- Live Betting Caution: The spread for Dallas opened at -3.5. Late money is moving toward the Rams. If the line moves to -2.5, the sharps are betting on a Los Angeles upset.
- Set Your DVR: If you’re a West Coast fan trying to catch the end of the Eagles game after work, remember that playoff games run long due to increased commercial breaks and longer halftime shows. Give yourself a 4-hour buffer.
The path to the Super Bowl goes through Monday night. Grab your snacks, settle in, and watch the bracket transform in real-time.