For majority of the calendar year, Mondays have a strong case to be the worst 24 hours of the week. However, once the coolness of Autumn arrives, that first traditional working day takes on an entirely new form.

Monday Night Football is a timeless tradition of both the NFL and American culture as a whole. If you've never experienced a mental pick-me-up at work by thinking "well, at least there's a quality clash on the gridiron tonight," then we are simply not the same.

We still have some time before the 2024 campaign commences. Let's sift through this year's catalog of MNF games., highlighting the specific contests you will not want to miss. As an added bonus, the upcoming season will feature no less than five Monday-night doubleheaders.

All NFL odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

2024 Monday Night Football Schedule

The 5 Best Monday Night Football Games of 2024

New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers, Week 1

The 2024 MNF lineup will start with a hard-hitting game of ironic reunions. On Monday, September 9th, the New York Jets will travel cross-country to play the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. This primetime affair will be the first meeting between Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh as respective head coaches. Of course, the two worked together in Santa Clara from 2017 until 2021.

This will be quarterback Aaron Rodgers' second straight season starting on Monday Night Football. Notably, the future Hall-of-Famer went down after just one series last year. To compound irony, the player that sacked him on that play -- edge rusher Leonard Floyd -- is now a member of the 49ers; won't that be fun...or awkward.

Speaking of awkward, Rodgers going against the 49ers always presents an elephant in the room. As a NorCal native, San Francisco notably passed on Rodgers in the 2005 NFL Draft, taking Alex Smith with the first overall pick instead. The former California Golden Bears star has gone on to play the Niners to a 6-7 lifetime record (all with the Green Bay Packers). Still, since Rodgers entered the league, he's earned a Super Bowl ring while S.F. shows none in that span.

For the upcoming clash between the Niners and Gang Green, FanDuel Sportsbook's Week 1 odds lists San Francisco as a 6.5-point favorite. Additionally, the 49ers have the chalkiest odds within FanDuel's Super Bowl betting market. Simply, I have a feeling this MNF premiere will be worth the wait.

Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles, Week 2

To follow the aforementioned Jets-49ers game, the second Monday of the regular season provides another intriguing matchup. For a meeting of NFC contenders, the Atlanta Falcons will travel up the Eastern seaboard to take on the Philadelphia Eagles.

This bid at Lincoln Financial Field is scheduled for Monday, September 16th. It will also serve as the home opener for the Eagles. As part of the NFL International Series, Philadelphia will open the season in São Paulo, Brazil. (Sep. 6). That gives the Birds a 10-day turn around before Week 2 back on U.S. soil.

Across the way, Atlanta has stayed all over the headlines this offseason. We all know that much can change in a year, but for the Falcons, Arthur Smith is out as head coach, Raheem Morris is in and quarterback Kirk Cousins was signed to a four-year deal, $180 million contract. Oh, and the team subsequently drafted another signal-caller -- Washington Huskies star Michael Penix Jr. -- with the eighth overall selection. Hmm. Iron sharpens iron, maybe?

The Eagles have a productive newcomer of their own in tailback Saquon Barkley. Undoubtedly, it will be fun to watch Barkley and Falcons running back Bijan Robinson trade off series in this game. Both players employ dynamic skill sets. We'll see if either one can make the winning different for their side.

FanDuel Sportsbook already has several lookahead lines available, so if it's Falcons-Eagles Week 2 odds you desire, you've come to the right place. Currently, Philadelphia is favored at home by 3.5 points.

Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys, Week 11

This NFL Lone Star showdown could be the best one yet as the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys have typically not been competitive at the same time. But, as it is now, this Monday night Texas two-step will be a marquee meeting.

The Cowboys and Texans will meet at AT&T Stadium aka "Jerry World" on November 18th (Week 11). Dallas holds the all-time upper hand in this intrastate rivalry, 4-2. Still, that was before guys like C.J. Stroud, Will Anderson Jr. and Stefon Diggs played for Houston.

The Texans and Cowboys both won their respective divisions a year ago, which has occurred in the same campaign only twice. Moving into 2024, FanDuel Sportsbook lists both NFL franchises from the Lone Star as favorites on the divisional odds board; the 'Boys show +120 to win the NFC East while the Texans are listed at +105 to take the AFC South.

Notably, Stroud and Cowboys defensive star Micah Parsons have been spending significant time together, conducting everything from podcasts, football camps and international travel. Be that as it may, the cultural rivalry between H-Town and Big D runs deep. Look for the crowd intensity to percolate in this one.

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings, Week 16

Speaking of rivalries, I'm quite eager to see what the next era holds for the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings. As longtime foes, both organizations are fresh off drafting quarterbacks in the top-10. Incidentally, J.J. McCarthy and Caleb Williams are now linked via division and draft class; hopefully this saga turns out to be more Dan Marino-Ken O'Brien than Mac Jones-Zach Wilson.

The Bears and Vikings are both looking for new starts in 2024. Additionally, these young signal-callers will have strong receiving corps to help ease the transition. Chicago boasts a group with D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and rookie Rome Odunze. On the other side, Minnesota has the likes of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson.

This Monday night divisional clash is set for Monday, December 16th, which falls under Week 15. That means this contest will come late in the campaign. I'm quite curious to know what both rookie quarterbacks will look like at that point and, along with them, the standings.

Within the 2024 NFC North betting market, FanDuel has the Bears at +320 odds while the Vikes show nine-to-one. Transparently, those are the third and fourth-longest odds in the grouping.

Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers, Week 17

Sorry to highlight multiple contests in Santa Clara with this article, but the Week 17 Monday night showdown between the 49ers and Detroit Lions cannot be ignored. With the day before New Year's Eve as the date, we'll see a 2024 NFC Championship rematch.

Last January, these two sides met at Levi's Stadium to decide a trip to Super Bowl LVIII. Detroit bullied San Francisco through the first half, but in the game's final two quarters, the Niners outscored the Lions by 20 points to vanquish Motor City's hopes of the elusive first Lombardi Trophy.

With most major players and coaching personnel returning for these NFC bruisers, (HC Dan Campbell, Shanahan, Brock Purdy, Jared Goff, Christian McCaffrey, Aidan Hutchinson, Nick Bosa etc.) Detroit at San Francisco could be one of the best games of the entire season. Naturally, there is no better setting than Monday night. Even sweeter? We get this specific game when conference seeding will most likely be at a delicate spot.

I can hear the jingle now; "ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL??!"

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.