Photo by Wikimedia Commons 2.0
Moving away from the time honoured tradition of playing sport on the weekend in the 1970’s was seen as a risky move by the NFL, as they commissioned live matches to be played on Monday nights.
Fast forward a few decades and this move was seen as revolutionary and with the global sporting calendar a 24/7 – 365 entity, Monday Night Football continues to hold its own with international sports enthusiasts.
With Monday Night Football (MNF) having been a key part of the NFL broadcast schedule since 1970, there are plenty of incredible fixtures and memorable moments to look back upon for NFL fans.
The guarantee of high-octane NFL action on Monday evenings also greatly appeals to fans at home, who can keep tabs on all of the action, without having to leave the comfort of their arm chair.
One element that seems to work in tandem with Monday Night Football in the NFL is betting on American football, with fans worldwide tuning in to place a punt on the final fixture of the NFL weekend.
Choosing the best online NFL betting site is never easy, regardless of which country gamblers are betting from but all of the reputable sportsbooks on the planet ensure that they have a water tight offering for NFL Monday Night Football.
With scrutiny on MNF from NFL fans the world over, there is a myriad of games and memorable moments on Monday evenings to pick from and here is a look at the top five:
Kansas City Chiefs vs Los Angeles Rams – 2018
The key rationale for instigating Monday Night Football by TV commissioners back in the 1970’s was to provide entertainment for those watching at home and how the Kansas City Chiefs and LA Rams delivered on that score in 2018.
In what was one of the highest-scoring NFL fixtures of all time, and totalling the biggest points tally for a Monday Night Football fixture, over 100 points were racked up on an unforgettable night in Los Angeles.
Defensive prowess and tactics seemed to fall by the wayside from the outset, as both the Chiefs and the Rams registered touchdowns with ease.
In total, across the game 14 touchdowns were recorded and combined, the two sides made over a thousand yards, in a chaotic but remarkable encounter.
The final score saw the Rams take it, by 54 points to 51 but both sides played their part in an unforgettable MNF.
Miami Dolphins vs New York Jets – 2000
There is something about Monday Night NFL fixtures that brings out the best in those playing and when the Miami Dolphins took on the New York Jets in 2000, one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history was played out.
Heading into the final quarter, the Dolphins appeared to be cruising towards a deserved win, as they led by 30 points to seven.
What unfolded in the final quarter has gone down not only in Jets’ history but also NFL folklore, as they amassed an incredible 30 points in the last quadrant to take the game to overtime.
The Dolphins were shellshocked and with all the momentum being with the Jets, they held out for a 40-37 OT win; to register one of the most incredible comebacks in NFL history and those who witnessed it on Monday Night Football will never forget it.
Miami Dolphins vs Chicago Bears – 1985
Grudge matches often find themselves appearing on the Monday Night Football card, as those in charge of TV scheduling for the NFL look to ensure as many eyes as possible are on their biggest names, in the biggest games.
Back in 1985, there was a sense that the Chicago Bears would be in position to go throughout the season unbeaten and in the early stages of the campaign, they looked unstoppable.
An estimated 40 million people tuned in to watch the Bears travel to Florida to take on the Miami Dolphins and one man in particular, iconic Dolphins quarter back Dan Marino.
Both sides went blow for blow in a frenetic clash, with plenty of bad blood between the sides and while the Bears knew they were up for a scrap, they simply had no answer to Marino’s passing range and accuracy.
The game ebbed and flowed before Marino’s genius saw him land a couple of incredible scores, taking the game and the unbeaten record away from the Bears.
With the final score landing at 38-24 to the Dolphins, one of the greatest NFL MNF games of all time was witnessed and a star was born in Dan Marino.
Washington Redskins vs Green Bay Packers – 1983
Prior to the game at the top of the list back in 2018 between the Chiefs and the Rams, this incredible encounter in the capital between the Redskins and the Packers was long regarded as the best NFL MNF fixture of all time.
With seemingly total disregard for defensive output, the Redskins and the Packers put on an offensive clinic and fans at home could scarcely believe what they were seeing.
A combination of 95 points were scored but the game will long be remembered for its ending, as Washington’s kicker Mark Moseley missed a field goal in the dying embers, which would have handed the Redskins the game.
In the end, it was the Packers who took it by 48 points to 47 and it is another game that has been chalked up in NFL MNF folklore.
Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers – 2000
The allure and prestige of the Green Bay Packers has long made them box office viewing and during the 1990’s and 2000’s, they were at the peak of their powers.
With Brett Favre at the helm, they travelled to Minnesota to take on a Vikings side that were always tough to stop.
Entertainment remains the key currency when it comes to Monday Night Football and Favre and the Packers delivered one of the most memorable, show stopping moments in NFL history.
A cagey encounter saw regular time finish at 20 points all and it was Favre and team mate Antonio Freeman who turned the game on its head in over time.
Creating one of the most iconic lines of commentary of all time, Favre’s deflected pass was caught on his back by Freeman, to register a stunning touchdown and secure a 26-20 win for the Packers.
