Why is there no Monday night football double in Week 1? NFL adds changes to primetime

For those of you who have just returned to NFL waters after hibernating in the offseason...

 ...you might be wondering why there was no "Monday Night Football" double-header in the first week.  

...with late-game kickoffs (usually 10:15pm ET kickoffs)..

...taking place at West Coast clubs. 

After all, it's been a fixture of the schedule since 2006, 

..in Week 18 on the last Saturday of the regular season, putting... 

...pressure on any team still in contention for a playoff spot or division title.  

The NFL canceled the 2021 doubles season, opting to play two games... 

The Week 18 broadcast format will remain as part of a new TV...

...deal between ESPN/ABC and the league, but they will also return to the annual Monday Night Football double in 2022, albeit with some changes. 

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With ESPN increasing its playlist from 17 to 23, the "Monday Night Football" brand will technically be in three weeks of multiple appearances in 2022, even if it's not exclusively on Mondays or a true double standard. 

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The first game will be in Week 2, with the Tennessee Titans visiting the Buffalo Bills and the Philadelphia Eagles traveling to Minnesota to play the Vikings on September 19. 

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