Monday Night Football is about as American as that painting of George Washington crossing the Delaware River. When the first double-header rolls around during Week 1 of the NFL season, the reality that the greatest sport on the planet is back again really takes hold. We survived the offseason, changed the channel away from MLB pennant races, and settle in for 60 minutes of football.
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The reality these days, however, is that football may never come. Amidst growing numbers of COVID-19 cases during the global coronavirus pandemic, many are starting to fear that the NFL and college football seasons may be delayed just like the NBA, NHL, MLB, NCAA sports, and just about every competition around the globe. While sports fans are trapped in this sports-less world, at least we can look back fondly on the greatest Monday Night Football games over the past 15 years.
Starting March 30, 2020, ESPN is re-airing classic Monday night games each week to help us remember the good times. You can sign up for ESPN+ right here for only $4.99 a month to watch all these games and more from anywhere.
The "Worldwide Leader in Sports" is starting out with a bang by bringing back the highest scoring MNF game in history.
ESPN Monday Night Football Schedule
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Rams: 2018
(March 30)
Who’s ready for some football?!
Relive the Chiefs-Rams Monday Night showdown with us tonight!
⏰: 5 PM PT | 📺: @espn pic.twitter.com/IroxDd1KMB
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 30, 2020
The third highest-scoring matchup in league history finished with a whopping 105 combined points, 1,001 total yards of offense, seven combined turnovers, and a career-high six touchdown passes by 2018's NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes.
The Los Angeles Rams and head coach Sean McVay moved to 10-1 on the season after knocking off the Kansas City Chiefs, 54-51, lighting up the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in record fashion.
Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints: 2006
(April 6)
NFL, ESPN to rebroadcast iconic Falcons-Saints 'Domecoming' game from 2006 on April 6th -via @SaintsNewshttps://t.co/lZHlZRF04r
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) March 27, 2020
The first game back in the Louisiana Superdome following Hurricane Katrina was perhaps its greatest. One play during New Orleans' 23-3 victory over division rival Atlanta still stands the test of time.
They say Steve Gleason's blocked a punt during the first quarter that resulted in a touchdown healed the city in an instant, and it was the loudest the Superdome has ever been. I get goosebumps just thinking about it today.
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings: 2009
(April 13)
Touchdown Tuesday - Percy Harvin vs the #Packers (2009)#Vikings #SKOL pic.twitter.com/k1a6holS4J
— Adam Patrick (@adampatrickNFL) January 17, 2017
RELATED: Booger McFarland Draws NSFW Picture on Monday Night Football
Brett Favre is a legend in Green Bay, but his first game against his former team while with Minnesota was all-Favre. The Hall-of-Fame quarterback threw three touchdown passes as the Vikings pulled out the victory in front of a record audience.
According to ESPN, this is still the most-viewed MNF game in history.
Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots: 2005
(April 20)
Nov. 7, 2005, Sports Illustrated cover. The #Colts defeated the Patriots, 40-21.
(h/t @stilltheman2010) pic.twitter.com/8jU99vayG5
— Andrew Walker (@AWalkerColts) November 7, 2017
Peyton Manning versus Tom Brady in their primes.
What else needs to be said?
Dallas Cowboys vs. Buffalo Bills: 2007
(April 27)
‘Monday Night Football’ is back ... sort of
ESPN will start airing classic ‘MNF’ games every Monday starting tonight with 2018’s Chiefs VS Rams
It wraps up on April 27th with the Cowboys’ comeback win over the Bills in 2007 #DallasCowboys
(@1053TheFan @1053SS @RJChoppy) pic.twitter.com/oO4wtD9rMS
— 𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗬 𝗛𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗘𝗦 (@TommySledge) March 30, 2020
Tony Romo turned the ball over six times, but Dallas' improbable comeback in the final minutes overshadowed those mistakes. Plus, seeing Terrell Owens, Jason Witten, Marion Barber, and that Dallas offense in the mid-2000s was just a thing of beauty.
One thing is certain: I miss football dearly, so I hope y'all will be tuned in watching these games with me.
