Monday Night Football 2014: TV Channel, Start Time, Predictions For Jets Vs. Bills, Ravens Vs. Saints

For the second time this season, two NFL games will be played on Monday night. The New Orleans Saints will host the Baltimore Ravens, as originally scheduled, and the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets will face off in Detroit.

New York was supposed to visit Buffalo on Sunday afternoon, but the game was officially postponed on Thursday, due to a snowstorm. The contest was moved to Ford Field on Monday night, where fans will watch the Bills play a “home game” with free admission.

Even though both games are scheduled for primetime, only the original “Monday Night Football” contest will be broadcast on national television. The AFC East matchup can only be seen in Buffalo and New York City TV markets.

Both the Jets and Bills are out of contention in the division, and with a competitive AFC wild card race, Buffalo needs a win to have a chance at making the playoffs. New York’s season is long over at 2-8, while the Bills are 1.5 games out of the final wild card spot, trailing six teams in the standings.

If the Saints lose and the Jets win, the two teams will be separated by just one game. Still, New Orleans is guaranteed to leave Week 12 being no worse than tied for first place. They are a half-game ahead of the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South.

The Ravens find themselves in sole possession of last place in the AFC North, but a victory would put them in a tie with four other teams at 7-4. A loss for Baltimore and win for Buffalo would put both teams in a tie in the wild card race.

Jets vs. Bills

Buffalo embarrassed New York in their Week 8 matchup, forcing Geno Smith out of a job and picking up a 20-point road win. In two games as the Jets’ starting quarterback, Michael Vick has been an improvement, completing 67.4 percent of his passes for three scores and no interceptions. He could have a difficult time remaining as efficient against the Bills, who rank sixth in total pass defense and haven’t allowed more than 23 points in a game since Week 6. Kyle Orton hasn’t had many big games this year, but he did throw for four touchdowns on 10-of-17 passing at MetLife Stadium, and he should find some success against the team that allows the highest opposing passer rating.

Start Time: 7 p.m. ET

TV Channel: CBS

Point Spread: Bills by 2.5 points

Over/Under: 42 points

Prediction: Buffalo over New York, 24-17

Ravens vs. Saints

Baltimore doesn’t have an easy task in front of them, taking a mediocre pass defense into a hostile environment, against one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks. However, Drew Brees hasn’t played like an MVP candidate in 2014, and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome hasn’t done much to help the Saints win games. This season, the Ravens have been just as good as the Saints on the offensive end, averaging 26.1 points per game. Against losing teams, Joe Flacco has put up big numbers, helping Baltimore score 38 points against Carolina and 48 points against Tampa Bay. He could be in for another big night against a banged up New Orleans secondary that has the league’s No.27 pass defense.

Start Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

TV Channel: ESPN

Point Spread: Saints by 3 points

Over/Under: 51 points

Prediction: Baltimore over New Orleans, 30-27