Tory BarronESPN Editor
No, it wasn’t a fluke. Monday has, in fact, met its match in the Manning brothers. Peyton and Eli Manning returned for the second installment of their Monday Night Football telecast during the Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers game and picked up right where they left off a week ago.
After a much ballyhooed performance in Week 1, the Mannings kicked things off by reviewing pertinent feedback from their debut broadcast (note: Eli’s jokes about Peyton’s forehead get the people going). Then, they seamlessly transitioned into some good, old-fashioned New England Patriots trash talk before welcoming one Rob Gronkowski onto the call.
Eli Manning’s feedback from friends last week was more jokes about Peyton’s forehead.
His favorite forehead joke: “It’s not really a forehead. It’s more of a five head, it’s so big.” 🤣
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 21, 2021
The story time that ensued with guests Gronk, Brett Favre, Patrick Willis and Pat McAfee was as enthralling as Peyton’s undeniable adoration for well-executed offensive football — and the brothers’ disdain for the Lions’ failure to play Cover 2.
Dude watch Peyton’s eyes as he looks at his screen.
They’re all over the place-just like he would be on the field-trying to see every single piece of information.I find it fascinating
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) September 21, 2021
“His arm is elastic, he can make all those throws. I’m jealous of Aaron Rodgers.”
-Peyton Manning on Rodgers’ throwing ability pic.twitter.com/oXZ8jA8sPi
— ESPN (@espn) September 21, 2021
From Gronk’s admission that he outsources his film watching to Tom Brady, to Eli’s confession that he once tried to sneak into a bar to meet Favre, here are five things we gleaned from Week 2 of the Manning bros’ broadcast:
Peyton’s got Spygate jokes …
“I think our conversation was bugged, kind of like what the Patriots used to do back in the day.” — Peyton to Eli on the Packers deciding to run the ball
“Every time I played against New England I used to go and talk to my receivers in the showers. Don’t talk about a play next to my locker because I know it’s bugged. I know it’s got a hot mic in there. … Very strange to see seven guys hanging out back there in the shower.” — Peyton referencing the bugged Patriots locker room rumors
Gronk doesn’t watch film, he just runs by guys …
0:53
Rob Gronkowski confesses to Peyton and Eli Manning that he only watches game film in team sessions and never watches it on his own.
Eli can’t help but troll Peyton …
“A little play-action shot here for a touchdown.” — Peyton predicting the first-and-goal call
*Lions run it*
“Nice call, Romo.” — Eli alluding that his big bro can’t predict plays like Tony Romo can
McAfee needs to join the show every week …
Peyton walked into the back area of that Casino like Stone Cold Steve Austin with the glass break.. he looks at me & goes how about that red 18
18 hits & the whole place goes BANANAS pic.twitter.com/R8WKBdfO5B
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 21, 2021
When was the last time you ran a 40 Peyton 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/76UtGluU8P
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 21, 2021
I didn’t even know how to punt when I was drafted by the Colts..
The first day i was in the building I saw Peyton with LITERALLY this light behind em.. it was an honor to be teammates with a guy who hates punting pic.twitter.com/Z2qoCXOj0d
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 21, 2021
Jay Cutler is bought in …
The former Chicago Bears QB was locked in (and live tweeting) throughout the broadcast. When Cutler called attention to Peyton’s solo cup, the older Manning bro had the perfect enigmatic reply:
“It’s not TB12 water.” — Peyton replying to Cutler’s inquiring tweet
Peyton loves offensive football
— Jay Cutler (@JayHasTweets) September 21, 2021
What’s in Peyton’s solo cup
— Jay Cutler (@JayHasTweets) September 21, 2021
Well. Apparently not water.
— Jay Cutler (@JayHasTweets) September 21, 2021
I need more Peyton
— Jay Cutler (@JayHasTweets) September 21, 2021
What did we do on Monday nights before this? We, too, need more Peyton (and Eli).
