Tory BarronESPN Editor
If you thought Peyton and Eli Manning’s Monday Night Football telecast had peaked when Rob Gronkowski and Pat McAfee joined the show, you were wrong.
As it turns out, Week 2 was merely a warm-up for what was about to unfold in Week 3 (no disrespect to “Red Zone Robby G” or McAfee) when Matthew Stafford, LeBron James, Nick Saban and Chris Long called in for the NFC East showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.
The undeniably elite guest list was just the beginning, as anyone who watched knows the true star of the night was one Eli “Shakira” Manning (just keep reading).
From the Manning bros providing some of the most insightful analysis you’ll hear during a football game to Eli doing his best Dak Prescott impression — and mercilessly trolling Peyton for his pit stains — here is what we learned from the latest installment of the ManningCast:
Eli is doing amazing …
“Mom says that I’ve been doing a good job.”
Momma Manning approves of Eli’s broadcasting skills π pic.twitter.com/whWOPATrON
β NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 28, 2021
Not only did Eli get rave reviews from his mom for his performance in Weeks 1 and 2, the two-time Super Bowl MVP was also broadcasting sans footwear — just socks.
Eli heals …
On Sunday, Eli had his jersey retired by the New York Giants. On Monday, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick — who are set to face off in Week 4 in Brady’s first game back in New England since leaving the Patriots — both appeared in a tribute video for Eli, prompting Peyton to exclaim:
“You’re a healer. You’re a bonder, bro.”
Tom Brady and Bill Belichick congratulated @EliManning on getting his jersey retired with the Giants π pic.twitter.com/BIT1SG6Jms
β ESPN (@espn) September 28, 2021
Eli’s hips don’t lie …
Eli decided to demonstrate how Dak Prescott “creates torque” by loosening his hips during his pregame warm-up routine. After Eli likened himself to Shakira, Peyton was rendered speechless, commenting, “I’ve got nothing for you. I’m going to let that sink in for our viewers.”
“These hips don’t lie. I’m like Shakira.”@EliManning showing us the hips don’t lie π pic.twitter.com/3mneP6r5qh
β SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 28, 2021
The Manning bros can’t help chirping each other …
Once he had composed himself again, Peyton was quick to blame Eli’s “boys medium jeans” for his inability to turn as well as the Cowboys QB.
“Your boys medium jeans are keeping you from getting turned.”
Peyton is being ruthless with @EliManning‘s Dak impression π pic.twitter.com/R2aZDh7s6j
β ESPN (@espn) September 28, 2021
To the surprise of absolutely no one, the sibling-on-sibling crime was far from one-sided as Eli chose to draw attention to Peyton’s pit stains and imply his older brother lacked athleticism:
“Keep those arms down, Peyton. I know Dad will have that in his feedback for next week. Next week arms down.” — Eli on Peyton having sweat stains
“Has anyone ever called you a freak before? I know not athletically.” — Eli to Peyton in response to a tweet calling his older brother a “freak”
Stafford balled out at Manning camp …
The Manning Passing Academy has seen its fair share of distinguished campers, but Matthew Stafford made a lasting impression back in 2008 when he “threw the tightest spiral.”
Peyton shared that neither he nor Eli wanted to throw after the Los Angeles Rams star, with Eli joking, “I’m gonna throw after the guy from Dartmouth.”
This Peyton story from when Matthew Stafford was at their football camp π pic.twitter.com/n8ALfPXpop
β ESPN (@espn) September 28, 2021
The Dartmouth QB deserved better.
It could have been Peyton to LeBron all day …
In the latest edition of “What if LeBron chose football instead of basketball?” Peyton couldn’t help but entertain the type of duo he and King James would have been.
“I would’ve thrown so many touchdowns to LeBron …”
Peyton knows he and LeBron would’ve connected for plenty of scores π @kingjames pic.twitter.com/W2rxVHwH7r
β ESPN (@espn) September 28, 2021
“Tight end, 6’8″, 250.”
Peyton believes @KingJames would’ve been a great target in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/L4RcNw6ifJ
β ESPN (@espn) September 28, 2021
Saban has nothing but respect for Hurts …
As college football fans know, after Jalen Hurts was replaced by Tua Tagovailoa, the Eagles quarterback left Alabama to play a season with the Oklahoma Sooners. But that doesn’t mean there is any bad blood between Nick Saban and the former Crimson Tide QB. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
“There’s not many guys that ever played college football that went 26-2 as a starter and got replaced. … It speaks a lot to him that he stayed here for another year.”
Nick Saban with some major praise about Jalen Hurts’ character π pic.twitter.com/BE0tOhEYeS
β SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 28, 2021
The Manning bros are taking a break until Week 7. Until then we’ll be pondering if Eli lives with his parents …
“MA THE MEATLOAF” π€£
–@EliManning pic.twitter.com/zW5XtUmygD
β SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 28, 2021
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