For die-hard NFL fans, nothing beats watching their favorite team play in primetime. Since 1970, Monday Night Football has been the ultimate primetime game outside of the Super Bowl.
MNF games consistently attract some of the largest audiences and highest ratings each season. Now, ESPN is looking to rebuild the historic franchise.
The most-watched Monday Night Football game ever drew 41.5 million viewers in a 1990 matchup between the Giants and the 49ers.
The two teams who would play again in the NFC Championship game that season met in Week 13 for MNF. Both teams had only one loss on the season, building up expectations for a classic game.
A defensive chess match ensued, with only 10 points scored between them. San Fransisco won this game, 7-3, although New York would get revenge in the NFC title game.
The second most-viewed — with 39 million viewers — is a 1985 MNF game between the Bears and the Dolphins.
Chicago came into the game undefeated and visited Miami at the Orange Bowl. Led by Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino, the Dolphins ended the Bears’ undefeated season in a back-and-forth contest.
The Cowboys are featured in five of the most-watched Monday Night Football games. The 49ers have three games featured on the list and two other teams have two.
The 2023 matchup between Dallas and the Bucs is the only MNF game that was also a playoff game. It drew 31.2 million viewers who tuned in to see Tom Brady play in the last NFL game of his career.
Another 2023 game made the list at ninth, featuring a rematch of previous Super Bowl opponents. The Chiefs and Eagles met in Week 11, attracting 29 million viewers.
The game had the highest regular season Monday Night Football viewership in 27 years as fans were treated to a tightly contested, comeback win by the Eagles.
Ranking The Most Watched Monday Night Football Games Ever
Here is the list of the top 10 most-watched Monday Night Football games based on reported U.S. viewership. The list was compiled using historical data from SportsMediaWatch.
- Updated: July 20, 2024
| Ranking | Year | Matchup | Final Score | Reported U.S. Viewership |
| 1 | 1990 | Giants vs 49ers | 7-3 49ers | 41.5 million |
| 2 | 1985 | Bears vs Dolphins | 38-24 Dolphins | 39 million |
| 3 | 1992 | Cowboys vs Eagles | 31-7 Eagles | 32.9 million |
| 4 | 1994 | 49ers vs Vikings | 21-14 Vikings | 32 million |
| 5 | 1996 | Packers vs Cowboys | 21-6 Cowboys | 31.4 million |
| 6 | 2023 | Cowboys vs Bucaneers (Playoffs) | 31-14 Cowboys | 31.2 million |
| 7 | 1993 | Cowboys vs Washington | 38-3 Cowboys | 31.1 million |
| 8 | 1992 | Lions vs 49ers | 24-6 49ers | 29.2 million |
| 9 | 2023 | Chiefs vs Eagles | 21-17 Eagles | 29 million |
| 10 | 1992 | Washington vs Cowboys | 23-10 Cowboys | 28.6 million |
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