Week 17 finishes with Monday Night Football in Atlanta, where the Los Angeles Rams visit the Atlanta Falcons in a primetime window that returns to ESPN’s standard single-game presentation. For viewers, tonight’s broadcast follows the league’s holiday slate and restores the familiar MNF cadence, with national coverage and streaming access through ESPN’s platforms.
With regular-season production focused on ESPN’s main telecast, questions around alternate formats have narrowed to the schedule for Eli and Peyton Manning’s “ManningCast,” which follows a limited-run plan and is not part of tonight’s coverage.
Why Is There No ManningCast for Rams vs. Falcons Tonight on ESPN?
Tonight’s Rams-Falcons game is nationally on ESPN at 8:15 p.m. ET, with streaming through the ESPN app and the new ESPN direct-to-consumer service. Fans in the local markets can watch on over-the-air TV, with ABC 7 (KABC) in Los Angeles and CBS 69 (WUPA) in Atlanta carrying simulcasts for their respective cities.
For cord-cutters, multiple live TV streaming services, including ESPN, offer access to the MNF linear network feed through ESPN’s direct service. This is the last MNF of the regular season, and it adheres to the standard single-game window rather than a doubleheader.
There is no “ManningCast” tonight for Rams-Falcons. The alternate broadcast with Eli and Peyton is off this week per published schedules and returns for the Wild Card weekend episode, consistent with its staggered, limited-run approach during the season.
Viewers planning to watch in alternate formats should expect a traditional ESPN production only, with all pregame and in-game content integrated into the main telecast.
Rams vs. Falcons Week 17 Preview
The Rams have clinched a Wild Card berth and can still improve playoff positioning with a win tonight and another next week, potentially climbing to the NFC’s No. 5 seed if results elsewhere align. The Falcons, already looking to next year, will still aim to play spoiler in their home finale and test Los Angeles’ balanced offense led by Matthew Stafford.
The controlled dome environment should emphasize precision in the passing game and clean protection, while situational football, red-zone efficiency, and special teams execution will be critical elements. With “ManningCast” off, ESPN’s main broadcast will carry the full primetime presentation, including the traditional MNF pregame build and in-game analysis.
Los Angeles’ path to a higher seed depends on efficient early downs and Stafford’s timing to a deep receiving group, supported by Kyren Williams’ production to sustain drives. In a dome, expect a quick-rhythm passing plan and play-action to probe intermediate windows, with the Rams leaning on protection integrity to mitigate pressure.
The Falcons’ offense will look to leverage Bijan Robinson’s versatility and the scripted quick game to create manageable third downs, while a clean special teams performance could tilt field position. Defensively, both sides must limit explosives, tackle well in space, and win high-leverage snaps inside the 20s.
The absence of the “ManningCast” consolidates attention on ESPN’s main telecast, where camera and replay angles will spotlight trench play and route combinations. With playoff stakes on one sideline and evaluation on the other, execution in two-minute and four-minute situations should be decisive in a matchup designed for primetime clarity.
