Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers go under the lights live Monday night on ESPN when they take on the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football.
Last season’s runners-up in the Super Bowl, the Panthers have struggled to repeat last season’s success this season. Carolina sits last in the NFC South at 5 – 8 so far on the season. The “Cardiac Cats” are 4 – 5 in their conference, 1 – 3 in non-conference play, and 2 – 3 in their last five games. Their last win came last week as they defeated the San Diego Chargers 28 – 16.
A win by the Panthers Monday night coupled with a loss by the New Orleans Saints on Sunday would potentially pull the Panthers out of the NFC South basement. That’s because both teams sit at 5 – 8 on the season.
The Panthers’ playoff hopes are slim to nil win or lose Monday night. On the other hand, Monday night’s game has even more importance for Washington, which sits 3rd in the NFC East at 7 – 5 – 1 so far on the season with its only tie coming earlier in the season against Cincinnati.
Washington’s NFC East opponents, the Dallas Cowboys, have already punched their ticket to the postseason. Washington comes into Monday night’s game on the heels of a 27 – 22 win over Philadelphia in Week 14. Washington has also proven better at home on the road this season than on the road, going 4 – 2 at home and 3 – 3 – 1 on the road.
Monday’s NFC Inter-Divisional matchup can go either way. The Panthers have nothing to lose while Washington has much more to lose. So each team will be giving its all once the lights go on and the cameras go live.
Sean McDonough will have the call for Monday’s matchup beginning at 8:15 p.m. He will be joined in the booth by Jon Gruden for additional commentary. Reporter Lisa Salters will be on the sidelines for all of the latest in-game news and interviews.
Monday Night Countdown will precede Monday Night Football beginning at 6 p.m. EST. Suzy Kolber will anchor the broadcast live. She will be joined at the desk by analysts Trent Dilfer, Matt Hasselbeck, Randy Moss, Charles Woodson and Steve Young.
NFL features reporter Michelle Beisner-Buck, ESPN Insider Adam Schefter and the MNF broadcast team will also join the broadcast for additional commentary. Chris Berman and special guest (and with former ESPN NFL analyst) Tom Jackson will offer additional insight and commentary during the broadcast, too. Jackson’s appearance is part of Berman’s NFL Legends initiative.
Monday’s game will be simulcast in Spanish on ESPN Deportes for the network’s Spanish-speaking audiences. It will also stream live online on WatchESPN and the ESPN app.
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
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NFLonESPN
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ESPNNFL
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