I promised myself I wouldn't. Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks.
Yuck.
One team is dangerous but injured. The other team is... well, the Raiders. There was absolutely no reason to watch Monday Night Football on this night. But much like a moth to a fresh new tire fire, there I was watching it. Man, those folks at ESPN are good.
The "Worldwide Leader" always loads up with about six hours of programming hyping up the game, not counting the countless TV spots throughout the week reminding you just how many days it is until Monday, because none of us own calendars.
And then the game arrives. Is it a good one? Well, that's contingent on luck.
Three weeks ago, MNF was extremely lucky to air the Arizona Cardinals' befuddling collapse to the Chicago Bears, blowing a 13-point lead in the final five minutes. Now that was a game.
Then there were nights like this last night. Raiders and Seahawks. They threw all sorts of nostalgia at us. Memories of Bo and The Boz -- Bo Jackson and Brian Bosworth. But here's when I will care about Bo and The Boz. When it's 1 p.m. on a weekday, I'm home from work, and nothing is on TV but NFL Films.
On this night, I didn't see much actual football. The Raiders' offense had more negative action than a 1960s' darkroom. The reigning NFC champion Seahawks were without their two impact stars, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and running back Shaun Alexander, both sitting out due to injury.
Oakland became the first team ever to be shutout twice on MNF in the same season after losing 16-0. A touchdown and three field goals. Excuse me while I attempt to harness my excitement.
If the game is an egg on a given night, there's nothing MNF can accomplish to make the game more interesting. And that includes converting the show into a testosterone-laden edition of The View. (Doesn't mean they won't try!)
Article comments
1 - Joan Hunt
Suss, you're such a tool sometimes. You dare to insult the woman who holds the power to 'accidently' lose your article? You foolish boy. Don't make me call Flores on you.
Phone lines are open, folks. If you have any particularly fun bit of aggravation to dispense upon the Puddle of Suss, bring it.
Anyhow, thanks for the mention. I appreciate it. There's no such thing as bad publicity, right?
2 - RJ Elliott
What a sucky game...Michael Wilbon had a nice turn in the booth, tho...
3 - Jet in Columbus
Hell hath no fury Suss... a word to the wise!
4 - Matthew T. Sussman
"You dare to insult the woman who holds the power to 'accidently' lose your article?"
So you're not only confusable, but you're forgetful as well?
(Always save a copy on your hard drive, people!)