NFL

Panthers vs. Eagles: Is This The Worst Monday Night Football Matchup Ever?

When the NFL and ESPN scheduled the Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers as the Monday night matchup for Week 12, they had no idea both squads would be arguably two of the the most disappointing, and definitely two of the shittiest teams in the league.

Through 11 weeks, the Eagles (3-7) and Panthers (2-8) have five wins between the two of them. Not quite what we expected from an Eagles team who showed signs of playing to their star potential towards the end of last season, and a Panthers team many expected to be, I don’t know, not the worst team in the world considering Cam Newton wasn’t supposed to lay such an egg following his electrifying rookie campaign. But here they both are, playing for dignity — and their coaches “playing” for their jobs, though we both know Andy Reid’s mustachioed days in Philly are numbered.

So we know it’s not important to question how this came to be, but rather, what Nick Foles under center in front of a national television audience means in the context of the history of Monday Night Football. Long before Thursday night games, Sunday evening contests and 4:00 nationally televised games, MNF was supposed to be the marquee matchup of the NFL week. Historically, these games are supposed to feature good teams, if not at least attractive matchups. But since neither the Eagles nor Panthers lived up to their preseason hype, we were left with this stinking pile of Nick Foles.

At five total wins and a combined .250 winning percentage, is this the worst Monday night game ever?

2-8 Panthers and 3-7 Eagles on MNF tonight. Believe it or not, this is NOT the worst matchup ever on MNF…(cont.)

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 26, 2012

OK, but it still seems like it. Even so, let’s take a look at the definitive worst MNF game ever:

…Elias says there have been 2 matchups w/ worse combined win pct: 1-9 Oilers vs 3-7 Giants in 1994 and 1-11 Chargers vs 3-9 Jets in 1975

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 26, 2012

The Chargers and the Jets played the worst statistical Monday Night Football matchup ever. Makes sense. Doesn’t make this game any better.

[@ESPNStatsInfo, Getty Images]

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