ESPN really knows how to put on a show when it comes to Monday Night Football. If you need a reminder, watch this video.
Weeks before the game, crew members made trips to Houston to shoot videos to air during the broadcast. They chose Ephraim Salaam for latest edition of “For Love or the Game” and it was hilarious. Please note Chester Pitts' reference to the movie, "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants."
On Saturday, the broadcast team of Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski and Tony Kornheiser watched the Texans' practice before their production meetings with the players and coaches. Jaworski is famous for being a film rat and doing his homework before calling games. He had said before the practice that he was most excited to see Andre Johnson, whom he called one of the best receivers in the league. He also said that he thought Mario Williams was mainly a bull-rushing defensive end who "lacked an elite first step." I interviewed Kornheiser after practice and got his thoughts on the team. He was pretty honest and admittedly not as knowledgeable as Jaws. In fact, some fans have written in that he was a little weird. You be the judge.
The clear stars of the game were Super Mario and "Scuba" Steve Slaton. Mario said before kickoff that he wanted to prove Jaws wrong, and he did so by recording three sacks and a forced fumble. Slaton showed the nation that he's a lot more than a third-down back. Slaton rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns – that was the second most yards rushing on MNF this season. He also scored the postgame interview with Michelle Tafoya.
The Texans may not be playing for the playoffs late in the season, but they proved they belong on primetime. And Mario might just go after Jaws if the Monday night lights don't return to Houston next year!
