What TV channel is Monday Night Football tonight? Live stream, time, how to watch Broncos-Seahawks online

Russell Wilson leads his Denver Broncos against his former team, the Seattle Seahawks, on Monday, Sept. 12. The game will be live streamed on DirecTV Stream (free trial) and fuboTV (live stream).

The quarterback makes his highly anticipated debut in Denver and returns to Seattle with the Broncos and Seahawks meeting to open the NFL season in a made-for-prime time showcase.

The moment Wilson was traded to Denver in March, ending his decade as the leader under center in Seattle, this game was circled. And then the NFL did it the honor of placing it as the conclusion to the first week of the regular season.

A big spotlight. With an even bigger story line.

The reception Wilson will receive has become a debated topic because his departure from Seattle wasn’t clean. It was shrouded in a bit of unknown — how much did Wilson forced his way out and how much were the Seahawks ready to move on?

The answer is that it was a mix of both. Wilson was ready for a new environment and a new challenge. Seattle was ready to begin a rebuild where the quarterback wasn’t the center of the offense, but rather a piece that makes it function.

Wilson’s legacy in Seattle is unmatched. He is the quarterback of Seattle’s first and only Super Bowl championship team. But that likely won’t stop the noise of disapproval that will come his way on Monday.

When is Broncos-Seahawks?

Denver plays at Seattle at 7:15 p.m. (8:15 p.m. ET) Monday, Sept. 12.

Live stream options DirecTV Stream

DirecTV Stream offers a free trial.

There are four options of DirecTV Stream:

The Entertainment Package, which consists of 65+ channels, is $54.99 until the promotion runs out April 30. It’s the basic package for can’t-miss entertainment – including ESPN, TNT, Nickelodeon and HGTV.

The Choice Package has more than 90 channels and is $74.99 during the promotion. The channels in ENTERTAINMENT, plus MLB Network, NBA TV, college sports networks, and more. Enjoy Regional Sports Networks with no additional fees.

The Ultimate Package has more than 130 channels and is $89.99 during the promotion. Everything in CHOICE, plus Oxygen, Golf Channel, NHL Network, Universal Kids and more.

The Premier Package has more than 140 channels and is $134.99 during the promotion. Everything in ULTIMATE, plus HBO Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, Cinemax and more.

DirecTV Stream offers a free trial that doesn’t require much effort.

To sign up, enter a phone number, email address and credit card, and you’ll receive five days of the service without charge.

In addition, enhance your experience with the DirecTV Stream device. While it doesn’t include a free trial, it give you access to thousands of apps like Netflix and more on Google Play. You can search using the voice remote with Google Assistant, and you can enjoy a traditional live TV channel guide. It is sold separately.

FuboTV

The game will be live streamed on fuboTV, which offers a free trial. The most basic of plans is the “fubo standard” package, which comprises 121-plus channels for $69.99 per month. Like all cord-cutting alternatives, there are plenty of options, especially for sports. It comes with more than 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR, and up to 10 screens at once.

Will it be televised?

Denver and Seattle will be televised on ESPN. The game will be featured on the “ManningCast” on ESPN2 as well.

Preview

GENO’S TIME: The replacement for Wilson in Seattle will be Geno Smith to begin the season.

For Smith, it’s his first chance at being the starting quarterback to begin the season since 2014 with the New York Jets. Smith began Seattle’s offseason program as the leader in the competition with Drew Lock and never gave it up, although Lock didn’t play well enough during the preseason to warrant a change in the order.

“I can’t imagine that he’s not in the best position to own the offensive as he’s ever been,” Carroll said of Smith.

OTHER DEBUT: While Wilson’s return will be primary focus of the night, it will also be Nathaniel Hackett’s debut as a head coach in the NFL. Hackett was hired by the Broncos after three stints as an offensive coordinator around the league, the last being the previous three seasons in Green Bay.

Hackett’s father Paul was twice a head coach at the college level and was replaced after three seasons at USC by Carroll in 2000.

“I was very excited to come to this organization because of (general manager) George Payton,” Hackett said. “I believed in him. I loved the relationship that we gained throughout the interview process and with his whole support staff.”

ROOKIE WATCH: Seattle could be starting as many as four members of its rookie class in key positions.

First-round pick Charles Cross and third-rounder Abe Lucas are expected to start at left and right tackle, respectively. Fifth-round selection Tariq Woolen could be in line to start at cornerback due to injuries in the secondary, and fourth-rounder Coby Bryant might be Seattle’s option as the starting nickel cornerback.

While he might not start, pass rusher Boye Mafe is expected to be heavily involved in the rotation of Seattle’s edge rushers. And once healthy following hernia surgery, running back Ken Walker III should be a big part of Seattle’s offense.

DYNAMIC DUO: Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon are back to give Denver a 1-2 punch out of the backfield. Only, this year, it’s Williams who will be featured.

Gordon didn’t help his case by skipping most of the Broncos’ offseason program, as has been his habit, after signing a one-year deal.

“I just want to put my best foot forward so when I do go out there, they go, ‘OK, we need to get him out there more,’” Gordon said. “I know I can play and I still have the juice.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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