“Are you ready for some football?” This rowdy question is a familiar refrain from Hank Williams Jr. before Monday Night Football.
Are you ready for some MORE football? Because tonight, we have a double dip of NFL action on Monday Night Football. But why? It feels unusual to see multiple games on a Monday night. Not to complain, but it does feel out of the ordinary.
What’s the Reason Behind 2 Monday Night Football Games?
More football is a good thing, right? Well, tonight, we have two NFL games to enjoy on Monday Night Football as the Carolina Panthers take on the New Orleans Saints, while AFC North rivals, the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers square off.
As with most things, follow the money. The answer is simple. The NFL and Amazon Prime signed a deal in 2021 that ensured a double dip in NFL action three times this season. We get another dose in Week 3.
MORE: 2023 NFL Games Today/Schedule
The games are not back to back, which would cause a late game for our East Coast viewing audience. The NFL has had two games on Monday night before, but those were not planned situations.
During the COVID-19 epidemic, the NFL scrambled to keep their product on the field. In one instance, the NFL moved the Kansas City Chiefs/New England Patriots game to Monday night, the same night the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons were scheduled to play.
.@markingramII shares an important message about what it means to be a Saint, and the resilience of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina ✨
📺: America's Game: 2009 Saints – Today (1pm ET) on NFL Network pic.twitter.com/oXakSDhyhM
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) June 6, 2023
Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Bayou, forcing the NFL to scramble, moving the New Orleans/New York Giants game to Monday night when they already had the Dallas Cowboys versus Washington scheduled.
What To Expect From Panthers vs. Saints?
The Panthers knew the 2023 season would be a rebuilding season. Carolina selected Alabama QB Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but even with a QB of Young’s pedigree, the Panthers knew there would be some growing pains.
Bryce Young makes his official home game debut, on MNFpic.twitter.com/oTwpLr1s3R
— =͟͟͞Blande (@JustBlande) September 18, 2023
The Saints continue developing their offensive chemistry around QB Derek Carr while adapting to life without RB Alvin Kamara, who is suspended for the season’s first three games.
What To Expect From Browns vs. Steelers?
The Steelers enter this contest banged up on offense. WR Diontae Johnson will miss this contest and several more weeks with an injury. In his absence, Pittsburgh needs second-year receiver George Pickens to step up. Tight end Pat Freiermuth will likely suit up, but he has ailing ribs from last week’s opener.
Pat Freiermuth breaking out a new celly😂 pic.twitter.com/aVffUC1b6c
— Barstool Penn State (@PSUBarstool) September 10, 2023
The Browns need to set the tone early with their running game, centered around RB Nick Chubb. Meanwhile, QB Deshaun Watson needs to make plays out of structure to keep the Steelers’ pass rush at bay.