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Tory BarronESPN Editor
Mondays just got a whole lot more fun thanks to the Manning brothers.
Peyton Manning and Eli Manning used the debut of their Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli MegaCast during the Baltimore Ravens vs. Las Vegas Raiders game to prove they are just as fun to watch in the non-conventional booth (read: remote production room) as they were on the field.
Not only did Peyton remind us what we already knew — that he is a bona fide walking encyclopedia of the game — but he and Eli gave everyone who was listening invaluable insight into the game.
I’m not sure I’d be any good at it, but Peyton and Eli are crushing it. I’m learning so much listening to them and it feels like they are with me on my couch. What an innovative and creative idea.
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) September 14, 2021
Heck, even if you could care less about the X’s and O’s of football, the siblings’ incessant chirping at each other and story time with guests Charles Barkley, Ray Lewis, Travis Kelce and Russell Wilson were reason enough to tune in.
From Peyton blaming his younger brother for an errant fire alarm to Eli clowning his older brother for the size of his forehead, here are five things we learned from the broadcast:
Peyton has zero tolerance for noise when the home team is on offense …
“Drink your beer, quiet down and let [Derek] Carr play quarterback.” — Peyton on Raiders fans being too loud
“He had that stadium trained. The fans would get fined if they talked when the Colts were on offense. If a guy was trying to order a beer, everyone would tell him to quiet down until the defense was on the field.” — Eli on Peyton’s time as QB in Indianapolis
Eli and Peyton do a mean Derek Carr and Jon Gruden impression …
“I’ve always wanted to play Jon Gruden. This is what Jon Gruden is saying to Derek Carr in the headset.”
The Manning brothers showing us what the pre-snap conversation is like on ESPN2 and @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/76TK8aRPMw
— ESPN (@espn) September 14, 2021
Eli has no chill when it comes to Peyton’s forehead …
“Shocking that a helmet doesn’t fit you. They didn’t have a XXL helmet for that forehead.” — Eli when Peyton tried to demo a play
“You need some more powder on that forehead, it looks like you sprayed Pam all over it.” — Eli when Peyton was talking about precision-fit helmets
Travis Kelce is so unsure whom the Chiefs are playing on Sunday …
“[Watching this game] I’m not trying to get too technical because I think we’re playing the Chargers this week. Oh wait, maybe we’re playing Baltimore. I don’t even know I’m getting lost in the season already.” — Kelce on whom Kansas City plays in Week 2
*Five minutes later*
“Hey, Travis, just so you know, you do play the Ravens next week, so make sure you don’t fly to Los Angeles to play the Chargers.” — Peyton
Peyton treats Eli like the little brother he is …
“Eli, what’d you do?” — Peyton when a fire alarm interrupted their broadcast
*FIRE ALARM*
Peyton: “Eli, what’d you do?” 😂😂😂pic.twitter.com/OxCjlENsSl
— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) September 14, 2021
So … same time next week?