Even if the interest is reportedly waning, the Manning brothers were back for ‘ManningCast’ and there was plenty of good ol’ banter mixed in with football talk.
The alternate viewing option of ‘Monday Night Football’ featuring Peyton and Eli Manning was a hit for ESPN when it debuted in 2021, but the season premier of the 2024 edition featured an all-time low viewership. There’s no exact reason why, but seeing that the ratings for the regular broadcast of the 49ers vs. Jets game were great for ESPN, it could be viewers are tired of the siblings or would rather listen to veterans like Joe Buck and Troy Aikman.
Regardless, the Mannings carry on. It wasn’t a star-studded group like during Week 1 joining the crew, but it still was a solid one. In addition to regular guest Bill Belichick, there was also the person on the other side of that 28-3 Super Bowl in Matt Ryan. Also on the broadcast was diehard Eagles fan, actor Miles Teller.
There was much to say about Belichick’s debut on the show, notably on how he seemed to talk over both Mannings frequently. This time the flow of conversation was much smoother, with few interruptions coming from the soon-to-be Hall of Fame coach. He surely is having fun too, even showing off his signature bluntness and disses into his analysis.
Here are some highlights of the Week 2 ‘ManningCast.’
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Bill Belichick calls Philadelphia ‘sometimes the city of unbrotherly love’
It’s no secret Philadelphia fans are some of the wildest in sports. Belichick certainly knows it since he played in two Super Bowls against them — one won and another lost. When asked about what it was like being inside Lincoln Financial Field ahead of Monday’s game, Belichick put it bluntly.
‘It’s sometimes the city of unbrotherly love,’ he said. ‘But they were nice to me tonight.’
Belichick recalled the first Super Bowl matchup he had against Philadelphia — Super Bowl 39 — and how he didn’t believe Terrell Owens would be a major threat because of his injured ankle. He said the team doctor said Owens wouldn’t be able to run so they just needed to make sure he was covered. But the Patriots found out quickly Owens could play after a big reception in the first quarter.
”Can’t run? He looks like the best player on the field” Belichick recalled, adding his team had to change their entire defensive game plan for Owens.
Of course, couldn’t forget to mention Belichick’s three Super Bowl losses — two to Eli Manning and one to Nick Foles.
The younger Manning asked Belichick if he had any dart boards in his house with Foles’ face on it. Belichick said he has three: two of Eli Manning and one of Foles.
Bill Belichick looks back at Super Bowl 51
With the Falcons playing, Belichick was asked about the 25-point comeback in Super Bowl 51.
The former Patriots coach remembered when Julio Jones made a spectacular catch in the fourth quarter, he thought it was déjà vu to the David Tyree and Mario Manningham catches the Giants add to win their Super Bowls. After the game, Belichick saw a replay of the game was on in his hotel and he said he had to watch it to make sure his team won.
‘Maybe that was just a dream,’ Belichick said.
There were no questions about the Super Bowl to Ryan. Maybe the pain is still fresh.
Miles Teller flipped off Eli Manning?
As part of the diehard Eagles fanbase, Teller probably has said something about Eli Manning when he was with the Giants.
As proof of Teller’s distaste to the Giants, the brothers showed a (real) picture of Teller giving the double bird to Manning.
‘That’s a real photo. I wish I had four hands,’ Teller said.
Matt Ryan correctly guesses touchdown
Anyone could’ve said the Eagles were going to run the tush push at the one-yard line, and that’s what Matt Ryan did to get his spot on the coveted perfect predictions panel. Peyton Manning said his brother was forcing it but Eli Manning said he did guess it right.
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