Tracing its roots back to 1970 and featuring some of the best broadcasters in the game over the decades, Monday Night Football has become a household staple in the world of the NFL.
For bettors, MNF means that after the Sunday slate of games finally quiets down, they still have one more game to keep the action going. In either case, Monday Night Football has a special place in the heart of NFL fans and bettors alike.
This Week’s Monday Night Football odds
Check the odds feed below for current Monday Night Football odds as posted at legal Arizona online sportsbooks. Odds are updated in near real-time. Click on any odds to go right to the sportsbook, claim the listed bonus and start making your MNF bets.
Monday Night Football betting tips
Primetime football on Monday night has become a staple of the households of NFL fans for good reason: There have been some pretty awesome games over the years.
But when it comes to sports betting in Arizona, though, you can’t just rely on nostalgia to get you headed in the right direction. Instead, you have to rely on your own research, handicapping and knowledge of the game to get you in the best position to win your bets. Some MNF betting tips you should keep in mind before you start putting your money down:
- Scheduling: The NFL slate can be brutal for teams, and if a squad has been dealing with a lot of tough opponents, a lot of travel, a lot of one-sided scores, those trends can influence how a team plays.
- Line movement: Keep an eye on how the line is shifting as the game draws nearer. You’ll get an idea of where the public money is going, and it will allow you to make adjustments of your own if necessary.
- Don’t chase losses: We cannot stress this enough. Set a bankroll for the money you will bet. Do not go over that. Do not think that you can use the last game of the NFL week to offset your losses from the previous games. Learn from your mistakes, but don’t blow your entire bankroll hoping to recoup losses.
Best bets for MNF games
When it comes to wagering on the NFL, you get a nice variety of bets to choose from. Here are a few of the most popular types of MNF bets you’ll come across:
Moneyline
It doesn’t get any easier than this when it comes to understanding a wager. For moneyline bets, you just need to choose which of the two teams in a game is going to win. If you’re right, then you’ll get paid based on the amount of your wager and the odds listed. Here is a moneyline bet example like you could find on the DraftKings betting app.
- Arizona Cardinals -110
- Seattle Seahawks +110
The example above tells you a couple of things: First, the sportsbook has the Cardinals odds at -110, meaning they are favored to win. Second, you can tell that in order to win $100 on the Cardinals, you would have to bet $110. Third, if you bet $100 on the underdog Seahawks, you could win $110. Of course, your bet has to be correct in order to cash in.
Point spread
The point spread “assigns” points to a team to help even the playing field. For example, one team might receive an extra 3.5 points, meaning the oddsmakers think it will be a fairly close game. The team that’s getting the points is the underdog, and if that team loses by fewer points than that number, or wins outright, a bet on that side would win. For bets on the favorites to win, they have to win by more than the margin. Here is a spread bet example you might see on the FanDuel sports betting app.
- Arizona Cardinals -3.5 (-110)
- Seattle Seahawks +3.5 (-110)
Let’s say the final score ends up with the Cardinals winning 34-30. Since the Seahawks needed to lose by three points or fewer or win outright, bets on Arizona end up winning in this scenario.
Total
This bet is also known as an over/under. The sportsbook will set a line for the total combined score of the two teams playing. For the Cardinals-Seahawks game, you might see a number like 38.5 on the Caesars Arizona app. Then you can wager whether the actual total score will be over or under that line. Your payout will depend on the NFL odds for that total bet.
Props
Prop bets are basically side bets you make on specific occurrences. They can range from standard to somewhat ridiculous. Prop bet examples might include questions like “Will Tom Brady throw for over or under four touchdowns?” or “Will there be a safety?” and can get all the way to “What color Gatorade will be dumped on the winning coach of the Super Bowl?”
Live betting during Monday Night Football
The betting action doesn’t have to end once Monday Night Football games kick off. Live betting is a featured offering at the top legal sportsbooks. You’ll find real-time wagering opportunities based on what’s happening on the field of play.
Many books have dedicated sections for live betting right on their apps or websites, but you can also find what’s currently going on at the NFL or football link. When you click through the main listing for live betting, you’ll even see real-time updates on what’s happening.
It’s a very fast-moving market in which the odds and offerings are constantly updating. Examples of what you’ll see include.
- Updated odds for the main pregame bets: moneyline, spread, and totals
- New player prop opportunities
- Bet on segments of the game – drives, quarters, and halves
If we use the updated pregame odds as an example, let’s say that the Cardinals open up as the moneyline underdog for a visit from the 49ers with odds of +150. After the first quarter, the Cards are dominating and hold a 10-0 advantage.
Live betting odds will reflect the situation at hand, so you might see the odds for the Cardinals moneyline to shift to -150. You can take this as an opportunity to hedge your initial position or to double down on your pregame calls.
Apps from the top shops are the best way to take advantage of all that live betting has to offer. Once the game gets underway, just login on your device and follow along until you see an opportunity you like. As always, remember to bet with your head and never over it.
Notable performances in MNF history
When we say notable performances, we actually mean legendary, because the athletes who have earned their place in the Monday Night Football record books are some of the best who have ever played the game.
- Most passing yards: 517, Tom Brady (Patriots vs. Dolphins, Sept. 12, 2011)
- TD passes: Six, Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs vs. Rams, Nov. 19, 2018)
- Receptions: 14 (tie), Herman Moore and Jerry Rice, both in 1995
- Rushing yards: 221, Bo Jackson (Raiders vs. Seahawks, Nov. 30, 1987)
- Rushing touchdowns: Four (tie), Earl Campbell (1978), Eric Dickerson (1988) and Emmitt Smith (1995)
- Total yards gained: 289, Jerry Rice (49ers vs. Vikings, Dec. 18, 1995)
How to watch Monday Night Football in AZ
The home of MNF is ESPN, which has been the case since 2006. Prior to that, it had been at ABC since it first began in 1970. That network, which is owned by the same company as ESPN, will have the occasional broadcasting of the game, including the Week 1 matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Las Vegas Raiders. You can find ESPN on most cable networks and streaming services, as well as ABC.
For those who prefer to use mobile devices, the WatchESPN app is the best route. Remember, however, that you still have to have a cable subscription in order to watch it via that method.
How to stream MNF in Arizona
A lot of folks are stepping away from the traditional TV packages and focusing entirely on streaming services for all of their watching needs. For those who have chosen to cut the cord, they are going to have some difficulties.
Both ESPN.com and the ESPN app require provider subscriptions in order to watch. Another app that you can use is from Yahoo Sports, which is available for iOS and Android devices. Via that app, you can stream local and primetime NFL games.
Who are the Monday Night Football announcers?
For the 2021 season, we’ll be seeing the same team that brought us all the calls from the booth in 2020. Brian Griese and Louis Riddick will continue their roles as commentators while Steve Levy will provide play-by-play. Down on the sidelines will be Lisa Salters, while John Parry is the rules analyst for the broadcast team.
Preshow duties are handled by Suzy Kolber and will feature commentators Randy Moss, Steve Young, Adam Schefter, and Booger McFarland.