ESPN Makes Big Plays With Its NFL On-Air Staff

San Francisco, CA – February 7, 2016 – Marina Green: Mike Ditka (l) and Chris Berman on the set of Postseason NFL Countdown during coverage for Super Bowl 50
(Photo by Peter DaSilva / ESPN Images)

Legendary NFL coach and ESPN personality Mike Ditka is going to have a new role with the worldwide leader in sports.

Mike Ditka has signed a new contract extension that will keep him with ESPN at least for the next two years. It also alters his role with the network somewhat. Instead of his regular role on the network’s NFL broadcasts the new contract makes Ditka a contributor on SportsCenter, the network’s flagship news and information program. The change in roles was apparently Ditka’s choice rather than that of the network. “This new role is really a blessing. It’s something I asked for,” he said. “After many years of weekend travel, I’m thrilled I’ll get to watch NFL games on Sundays and Monday nights in the comfort of my own home. I enjoy being part of the game and part of ESPN. I really do. So this is a great solution.”

Seth Markman is ESPN’s VP senior coordinating producer of NFL studio shows. He verified Ditka’s statement noting that “Mike talked with me late in the year about his role for next season. Thankfully we were able to come to an agreement that works for him and keeps him a part of our ESPN family. He went on to note his pleasure that the deal had been reached saying, “This announcement is great news for us and for our viewers, as Coach Ditka continues to be someone NFL fans everywhere respect and admire.” Ditka’s new deal takes effect this September. It will see him contributing to SportsCenter not just during football season but on a year-round basis. Ditka joined ESPN’s on-air staff in 2004.

 

Indianapolis, IN – September 15, 2014 – Lucas Oil Stadium: Matt Hasselbeck (8) of the Indianapolis Colts during a regular season Monday Night Football game
(Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN Images)

Just as ESPN has announced that Ditka’s role with the network will change later this year, it has also announced this week that veteran NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will become the network’s latest member of the network’s on-air staff.

Hasselbeck announced his retirement from the NFL this week after eighteen seasons in the league. Over the course of those eighteen seasons he became a three-time Pro Bowler. He played his final season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2015. He started his career playing with the Green Bay Packers from 1998 – 2000 as the backup to NFL great Brett Favre. In 2001 he was traded to the Seattle Seahawks where he played over the next ten seasons. During that time he led the Seahawks to six playoff appearances and a Super Bowl appearance in 2005. In 2011 Hasselbeck joined the Tennesseee Titans but his tenure there was short-lived. He only remained there until 2012 before joining the Colts in 2013 for his last run in the league. That run lasted until 2015. Over the course of his time with those teams he threw a total of 36,638 yards, completing 60 percent of his passes with 212 touchdowns. A large majority of those numbers came during his 2007 season with Seattle. That season alone, he had 3,966 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. That same year he also led the Seahawks to the divisional playoffs and was named to his third and last Pro Bowl. He started his stint with the Colts in 2013 as a backup/mentor to then 1^st Round pick Andrew Luck. But when Luck suffered a series of injuries in 2015 it was up to Hasselbeck to step up and take the reins. He went on to lead the team to a 5 – 3 record over the next eight games, winning his first four starts. That record put him in elite company, becoming only the third quarterback to have four consecutive wins after his 40^th birthday. The other two QBs to do that were Warren Moon, and his former teammate Brett Favre. Hasselbeck’s 11 post season starts at QB ranks 16^th all-time in NFL history. And it is just one of so many other records that he holds.

Having announced his retirement this week he won’t be out of the spotlight for long. Beginning this fall he will be part of ESPN’s NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown. In his announcement about his retirement Hasselbeck noted his love for the game of football and his respect for everyone that he came to know throughout his career. “As a kid, playing in the NFL was always my dream and it turned out to be way more fun than I could’ve ever imagined,” said Hasselbeck. “Throughout 18 incredible seasons, I had the chance to forge many relationships with teammates, coaches and staff that I will cherish forever. Those relationships made my playing career all the more memorable,” he said. He also noted the support of his family in his decision to join ESPN’s staff before again thanking everyone that gave him the chance to play in the NFL. He said of these topics, “With the support of my family, we’ve made the decision to embark on the next chapter. I’m extremely thankful for the opportunity to have represented the NFL and so many great teams.” He added in regards to joining ESPN, “The exceptional opportunity presented to me by ESPN accelerated my decision to retire from playing football. “I’m excited for the chance to give everything I have to this new endeavor and share the knowledge I have with our viewers.”

Hasselbeck is ESPN’s second major NFL talent acquisition for its studio shows this offseason. The network recently announced that it had also signed NFL great Charles Woodson for its Countdown shows. Markman noted Hasselbeck’s years of playing experience in the decision to bring him to its studio shows as well as his personality. He also noted that the network had been watching him for some time as a potential figure that the network could use for its NFL programming. “Matthew has been on our radar for many years and we expect him to have an immediate impact as he transitions from the playing field to a marquee analyst role on our signature NFL shows,” he said. “Matthew experienced it all in his 18 NFL seasons, he has terrific insights on the game and a great sense of humor, and we are particularly excited to pair him with Tim [Hasselbeck], who already does such excellent work for us.” Tim Hasselbeck is Matt Hasselback’s younger brother. He currently appears on ESPN’s NFL Live and has been working with ESPN as an NFL analyst since 2008.

 

More information on ESPN’s recent moves on its NFL programs is available online now along with all of the latest NFL headlines at:

 

Website: http://espn.go.com/nfl

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NFLonESPN

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Bengals Go Prime Time For The First Time This Season In Week 10 Closer

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN will feature an AFC match-up Monday night as the worldwide leader in sports closes out week ten in the NFL.

Next week on ESPN’s Monday Night Football, the Cincinnati Bengals will host the Houston Texans. Houston (3 – 5) has struggled this season despite sitting second in the AFC behind the 4 – 5 Indianapolis Colts. Houston has gone 2 – 3 in its last five games but won its last game against the Titans 20 – 6 in week nine. On the other side of the coin, Cincinnati is one of only three undefeated teams left in the league this season, sitting at 8 – 0. However, Cincinnati’s prime time record has been a point of contention for the team in recent years. That means that Monday’s match against Houston will be a big one for Andy Dalton and company. It will be just the first of now four total night games that the team will play this season, which adds even more importance to the game.

Kickoff for Monday night’s game is set for 8:15pm ET. Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden will be in the booth for the call. Lisa Salters will also be on hand for additional commentary and all of the latest in-game news. Ahead of the game, Chris Berman and Suzy Kolber will co-host the network’s weekly pre-game show Monday Night Countdown. Broadcast begins at 6pm. Kolber will be joined by Trent Dilfer, Ray Lewis, and Steve Young live on site in Cincinnati. Berman will be live at ESPN’s studios. He will be joined by NFL analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, and Keyshawn Johnson.

Those fans that won’t be near a television Monday night can catch the game live online via WatchESPN. ESPN will also simulcast the game on ESPN Deportes for its Spanish-speaking audiences. More information on next week’s edition of MNF is available online now along with all of the latest NFL headlines at:

Website: http://espn.go.com/nfl

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MNF

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Chargers Host Bears To Close Out Week 9 In The NFL

Courtesy: ESPN

Next week on ESPN’s Monday Night Football the worldwide leader will close out week 9 of the NFL’s 2015 – 2016 season with an inter-conference matchup between two teams that are struggling to get out of their conferences’ respective basements.

ESPN’s flagship NFL broadcast will feature a showdown between the Chicago Bears and San Diego Chargers next Monday. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:10pm ET and will be preceded by ESPN’s weekly Monday Night Countdown pre-game broadcast at 6pm ET. Suzy Kolber and Chris Berman will co-anchor the broadcast with Kolber coming live from Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego and Berman at ESPN’s studios. Kolber will be joined live on site by Trent Dilfer, Ray Lewis, and Steve Young. ESPN NFL analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, and Keyshawn Johnson will join Chris Berman live from ESPN’s studios.

Mike Tirico will have the call for Monday’s game between the Chargers and Bears. He will be joined in the booth by Jon Gruden. Reporter Lisa Salters will also be on hand for additional commentary and news throughout the game. Those that won’t be near a TV Monday night can still catch the game online via WatchESPN. The game will also be simulcast on ESPN Deportes for the network’s Spanish-speaking viewers.

The hosts Chargers (2 – 6) currently sit in last place in the AFC West. The team is 1 – 4 in its last five games and 2 – 2 at home so far this season. Those four losses have each come in the team’s last four games. The Bears (2 – 5), who sit third in the NFC North are not much better, sitting at 1 – 2 on the road so far this season. Chicago is currently 2 – 3 in its last five games and is in the midst of a two-game losing streak. More information on Monday night’s matchup between the Bears and Chargers is available online now along with all of the latest NFL headlines at:

Website: http://espn.go.com/nfl

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MNF

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Panthers Look To Stay Perfect Monday Night On ESPN’s MNF Broadcast

Courtesy: ESPN

Before the 2015 – 2016 NFL season kicked off, very few of the major talking heads out there had much faith in the Carolina Panthers. Many felt that the Panthers would even come close to the playoffs. Now almost halfway through the regular season, Carolina sits undefeated at 6 – 0. Now next Monday, Cam Newton and company will look to stay undefeated as they go under the lights to take on Andrew Luck and the AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts.

Next Monday night, ESPN’s Monday Night Football will broadcast live from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte as Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers host Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts. The 3 – 4 Colts lead the AFC South and have gone 3-2 in their last five games while the Panthers have not yet been taken down. It is one of five teams that currently sit undefeated this far into the season. This means that it will have plenty to play for Monday Night when the Colts come into Charlotte. Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden will be in the booth for the call. Lisa Salters will also be on hand for additional commentary and news throughout the game.

Ahead of Monday’s game, Chris Berman and Suzy Kolber will co-host ESPN’s weekly pre-game broadcast of Monday Night Countdown beginning at 6pm ET. Berman will be live in ESPN’s studios alongside NFL analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson, and ESPN Insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter. Trent Dilfer, Ray Lewis, and Steve Young will join Suzy Kolber live from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.  Those not near a TV Monday night can still catch the game online via WatchESPN.  The game will also be simulcast on ESPN Deportes for the network’s Spanish-speaking audiences.  More information on Monday night’s broadcast of Monday Night Football is available online now along with all of the latest NFL headlines at:

Website: http://espn.go.com/nfl

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MNF

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and headlines in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

ESPN Heads To Arizona To Close Out Week 7 In The NFL

Courtesy: ESPN

ESPN will have another battle of first versus worst next week on Monday Night Football when the Arizona Cardinals welcome the struggling Baltimore Ravens to University of Phoenix Stadium.

Week 7 of the NFL’s 2015 – 2016 season wraps Monday night on ESPN in an NFC/AFC showdown as Carson Palmer and the Arizona Cardinals play host to Joe Flacco and the struggling Baltimore Ravens.  Arizona currently sits atop the NFC West at 4 – 2 while the Ravens sit last in the AFC North at 1 – 5 so far on the season, well behind the division-leading Cincinnati Bengals and the second place Steelers who defeated Arizona last week to improve to 4 – 2 on the season so far and dropping the Cardinals to the same record. The Ravens lost last week to San Francisco in a hard fought battle 25 – 20.

Kickoff for Monday night’s game is currently scheduled for 8:15pm ET.  Mike Tirico will be in the booth alongside Jon Gruden for the call.  Lisa Salters will also be on hand for additional commentary and news.  Ahead of Monday night’s game Suzy Kolber and Chris Berman will co-host Monday Night Countdown with Berman coming live from ESPN’s studios once again and Kolber coming live from University of Phoenix Stadium.  Berman will be joined in studio by ESPN NFL analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, and Keyshawn Johnson as well as ESPN Insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter.  Kolber will be joined as she is each week by Trent Dilfer, Ray Lewis, and Steve Young.  The pre-game broadcast is scheduled to begin at 6pm ET.  Fans not near a TV Monday night can still catch the game’s broadcast online via WatchESPN.  It will also be simulcast on ESPN Deportes for ESPN’s Spanish-speaking audiences.  More information on Monday night’s game is available online now along with all of the latest NFL headlines at:

 

Website: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/page/MNFHQ/monday-night-football-hq-nfl

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MNF

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ESPNMondayNight

 

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

It’s First Versus The Worst Next Monday on ESPN

Courtesy: ESPN

Week Six of the NFL’s 2015 regular season closes out next Monday with a battle of first versus worst as the Eagles host the Giants in an NFC East divisional match-up live on ESPN.

Next week’s edition of ESPN’s Monday Night Football will feature an NFC East showdown as the division-leading Giants travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles, who sit in the basement in that division. The Giants come into Monday night’s game 3 – 2 so far on the season, riding the high of a three-game streak while the Eagles, who are currently 2 – 3 so far on the season, will be looking to just get back to .500. Philadelphia’s last win was in Week Five against the Saints 39 – 17. The Eagles outplayed the Saints from start to finish, holding New Orleans to just two touchdowns and a fieldgoal over the course of four quarters. The Eagles have scroed only 117 points so far this season and have given up 100 along the way while the G-Men have picked up 132 points total and allowed only 109 against. That is a difference of fifteen points scored between the two teams and only nine allowed between them. And looking at both teams’ play over four quarters week-to-week, it looks like Monday night’s matchup is sure to be a big one for both teams despite starkly different records so far this season.

Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden will be in the booth for Monday night’s game and Lisa Salters will be on hand, too for additional commentary and reports. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15pm ET. Ahead of Monday Night’s game ESPN will present its weekly broadcast of Monday Night Countdown, co-hosted by Suzy Kolber and Chris Berman. Kolber will be live on site alongside Trent Dilfer, Ray Lewis, and Steve Young while Berman will be live in ESPN’s studios alongside NFL analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, and Keyshawn Johnson. Monday Night Countdown begins at 6pm ET. Those that won’t be near a television Monday night can still catch the game online via WatchESPN. The game will also be simulcast on television via ESPN Deportes for the network’s Spanish-speaking audiences.

More information on Monday Night’s broadcast is available online along with all of the latest NFL headlines at:

Website: http://espn.go.com/nfl/mnf

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MNF

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Chargers, Steelers Go Under The Lights Next Week On MNF

Courtesy: ESPN

Next Monday night ESPN will feature an inter-divisional matchup between two AFC opponents on Monday Night Football.

Next week’s edition of Monday Night Football will feature an AFC inter-divisional matchup when the 2 – 2 San Diego Chargers host the Pittsburgh Steelers, who also currently sit at 2 – 2 so far on the season. Monday’s matchup between the Chargers and Steelers is sure to be a big one as both teams come into Monday night’s game on the heels of their own wins over the Browns and Ravens respectively. Both wins were by the slimmest of margins, too with Pittsburgh coming up short in overtime 23 – 20 while the Chargers edged the Browns 30 – 27 in regulation in a hard-fought back and forth battle between the AFC opponents. San Diego QB Phillip Rivers went 23 of 38 in the Chargers’ win, throwing for a total of 358 yards and three TDs while Cleveland’s Josh McCown was just as impressive throwing 32 of 41 for a total of 356 yards and two TDs. Looking at the Steelers’ matchup against the Ravens, Steelers QB Michael Vick outperformed Baltimore’s Joe Flacco completing 19 of 26 passes for a total of 124 yards and just 1 TD. By comparison Flacco completed 20 of 33 passes for a total of 189 yards but still finished the game with just 1 TD. The Chargers and Browns were almost as evenly matched carrying the ball. By the numbers this all means that Monday’s matchup between the Steelers and Chargers is bound to be a big one for both teams. Kickoff for Monday’s game is currently scheduled for 8:15pm ET. Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden will be in the booth for the call while Lisa Salters will also be on hand for additional commentary.

Ahead of Monday night’s broadcast, Suzy Kolber and Chris Berman will co-anchor Monday Night Countdown on ESPN. Suzy Kolber will be live in San Diego and will be joined by Trent Dilfer, Ray Lewis, and Steve Young while Berman will be live from ESPN’s studios. He will be joined by ESPN NFL analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson, and ESPN Insiders Christ Mortensen and Adam Schefter. Mortensen and Schefter will look back at this Sunday’s games during the broadcast and look ahead to Monday night’s game, too. Monday’s game will be broadcast in Spanish on ESPN Deportes for the network’s Spanish-speaking viewers and will also be simulcast online via WatchESPN for those that won’t be near a television during the game’s broadcast. More information on ESPN’s upcoming MNF broadcast is available online now along with all of the latest NFL headlines at:

Website: http://espn.go.com/nfl/mnf

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MNF

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

ESPN Finishes Off Week Four With An NFC Matchup On MNF

Courtesy: ESPN

Seattle and Detroit are set to round out Week Four in the NFL next Monday. And ESPN will have full coverage of the NFC matchup.

Monday night’s matchup between the Lions and Seahawks may be a sleeper to some considering that both teams have been off to a rather slow start so far this season. But that is what will make this matchup one to watch. Detroit comes into Monday night’s game third in the NFC North in search of its first win of the season while the hosts Seahawks have struggled just as much so far this season. Seattle currently sits in last place in the NFC West with only one win so far on the season and two losses. That lone win came last week against the Lions’ NFC North foes, the Chicago Bears. The Seahawks blanked the Bears last week 26 – 0 dropping Chicago to 0 – 3 on the season. The Seahawks’ win also came in front of a home crowd. So the team has that home field advantage to anticipate for Monday’s matchup. Detroit on the other hand is currently winless on the road, losing two of its three games on the road. In other words, Monday Night Football will have two relatively evenly matched teams go toe to toe Monday night, fighting tooth and nail to put a “W” on the board.

Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden will be in the booth for the call in Monday’s game. Lisa Salters will be on hand for additional commentary. Monday night’s broadcast of MNF will be preceded, as it is each week, by Monday Night Countdown beginning at 6pm ET. Suzy Kolber will be at the desk on site along with Trent Dilfer, Ray Lewis, and Steve Young while Chris Berman will be live from ESPN’s studios. He will be joined in studio by Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson, and ESPN Insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter.

Monday Night Football will be simulcast on ESPN Deportes for the network’s Spanish-speaking audiences and online via WatchESPN for those viewers that won’t be near a television during the game’s broadcast. More information on Monday Night Football is available online now at:

Website: http://espn.go.com/nfl/mnf

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MNF

More information on ESPN’s NFL coverage is available online now along with all of the latest NFL headlines at:

Website: http://espn.go.com/nfl

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NFLonESPN

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Colts, Jets Wrap Week Two In The NFL

Courtesy: ESPN

Week Two of the NFL’s 2015 – 2016 season is officially under way. It kicked off Thursday night with the Chiefs falling to the Broncos in Kansas City. Sunday will be even busier with fourteen games on tap. And thanks to an announcement made by officials with ESPN, football fans now know where week two will wind down next Monday.

Officials with the worldwide leader in sports announced this week that its weekly Monday Night Football broadcast, which finishes each week of the NFL season, will come live from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana as the Colts host the Jets in an AFC showdown. The Jets will come in to Sunday’s game fresh off of a Week One win over the Cleveland Browns while the host Colts will look to get their first win of the season after falling to Buffalo 27 – 14 in Rex Ryan’s debut as the Bills’ head coach. Mike Tirico will have the call for Monday night’s game. He will be joined in the booth by his MNF co-host Jon Gruden. Lisa Salters will also be on hand for additional commentary and news. Kickoff for Monday night’s game is currently scheduled for 8:15pm ET.

Ahead of Monday night’s broadcast of MNF, Chris Berman and Suzy Kolber will co-host ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown beginning at 6pm ET. Berman will be live at ESPN’s studios in Bristol, Ct alongside NFL analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, and Keyshawn Johnson along with Insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter. Trent Dilfer, Ray Lewis, and Steve Young will join Suzy Kolber live from Lucas Oil Stadium.

Those that won’t be near a TV Monday night can catch the game live online via WatchESPN. The game will also be simulcast on TV in Spanish on ESPN Deportes. More information on Monday Night Football is available online now along with all of the latest NFL headlines at:

Website: http://espn.go.com/nfl/mnf

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MNF

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Bengals Host Broncos Monday Night On ESPN In Pivotal Playoff Game

Courtesy: ESPN

Next Monday night, Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals will play what is one of the most important games of the season for the team when it plays host to Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.

Cincinnati and Denver will face off at Paul brown Stadium Monday night on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. The Broncos (11 – 3) have already clinched the AFC West title. So for Denver, Monday night’s game will be a tune-up for the playoffs. For Cincinnati though, Monday night’s game means much more. Cincinnati currently sits at 9 – 4 – 1 on the season coming into Monday night’s game. And even if the Bengals win, it doesn’t guarantee a playoff spot for the team or even the division title. A handful of scenarios have to play out for Cincinnati to get the AFC North division title. And almost all of them require Cincinnati to win out at least Monday night.

The first way that Cincinnati can snag the AFC North title is to win out both Monday night and against the Steelers in Week 17. The second way that the Bengals can clinch the division title is to win at least one game between this week and next week and losses by both the Steelers and Ravens. In order to clinch a playoff spot, one of two scenarios has to happen. The first scenario is a win at least this week or next week against Pittsburgh. The other scenario would allow Cincinnati to lose both this week and next ONLY IF Kansas City, San Diego and Buffalo all lose at least once between this week and next. Making Monday night’s game all the more important for Cincinnati is the teams prime time record. Cincy is 18 – 41 all time in prime-time and 10 – 20 on Monday Night.  Taking an even deeper look at the teams’ numbers, Denver is only 4 – 3 on the road versus going undefeated at home. The team has gone 4 – 1 – 0 in its last five game. Cincy has only one more win on the road than at home, going 5 – 2 – 0 on the road and 4 – 2 – 1 at home. It is also 4 – 1 – 0 in its last five games. So it goes without saying that Monday night’s game will be one of the most important of the season for Cincinnati.

Adding to the interest of Monday’s games is talk of long term impacts of hits on Peyton this season and what it might mean in regards to his off season surgery. Manning will sit down with ESPN Monday Night Football play-by-play man Mike Tirico to discuss that and more as part of the night’s pre-game broadcast.  Sideline reporter Lisa Salters will have a discussion with Bengals QB Andy Dalton on the other side of the ball. She and Dalton will discuss what a win tonight would mean both for him and his teammates and getting over the playoff hurdles of the past three seasons among other topics. Both interviews are part of Monday’s pre-game show Monday Night Countdown. Suzy Kolber will anchor Monday night’s broadcast. She will be joined by NFL analysts Trent Dilfer, Ray Lewis, and Steve Young live on-site. Chris Berman will anchor live from ESPN’s studios in Bristol, Connecticut. He will be joined by NFL analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, and Keyshawn Johnson and ESPN NFL Insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter. Monday Night Countdown kicks off at 6pm ET.

Kickoff for Monday night’s game is scheduled for 8:15pm ET. Mike Tirico will have the call from the booth. He will be joined by Jon Gruden, who just last week agreed to a contract extension with ESPN. The extension will keep Gruden in the booth alongside Mike Tirico through 2021, when ESPN’s next contract with the NFL comes up. Lisa Salters will be on the sidelines for Monday night’s game with all of the latest in-game news and reports. Monday Night Football is available for ESPN’s Spanish-speaking fans on ESPN Deportes and online via WatchESPN for those with video subscriptions from affiliated providers. More information on Mondays’ game and on all things NFL is available online at:

Website: http://espn.go.com/nfl/mnf
http://espn.go.com/nfl

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MNF
http://www.facebook.com/NFLonESPN

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.