NFL '08: Monday Night Football Matchups

The NFL season will soon be upon us, which means Monday nights will no longer be BORING Monday nights! Monday night football has always been an exciting part of the schedule of the National Football League; however, last year, it lost some of its glamour. With the exception of the wild and crazy Dallas/Buffalo game, the games and matchups from last year's Monday night games were very lackluster. Plus, many fans were still trying to get used to watching Monday football without hearing the voices of John Madden and Al Michaels, which is a big chance in itself!

Well, the 2008 NFL season promises to bring more excitement to Monday nights this year. With the exception of the week 10 game (49ers/Cardinals), this year's Monday schedule promises to bring us some great football. If you are a fan of the Green Bay Packers or Cleveland Browns, then you will have a big smile on your face - both teams have THREE games scheduled for Monday night this season! The Monday season starts with a bang, as it is the debut of the Favre-less Green Bay Packers against the promising Minnesota Vikings. In week two, the excitement continues as the Dallas Cowboys take on their rival from Philly, the Philadelphia Eagles. Of course, you have the "rivalry within a rivalry," as Terrell Owens goes against his old team again.

Other great Monday matchups include the New York Giants at the Cleveland Browns in week 6; the Indianapolis Colts at the Tennessee Titans on week 8; the Green Bay Packers at the New Orleans Saints on week 12; and then there is the season finale, which consists of a rivalry that never gets old - Green Bay Packers vs the Chicago Bears.

Perhaps the most intriguing matchup for Monday games will be the week 11 matchup, which has the Cleveland Browns at the Buffalo Bills. With the sensational play of guys like Marshawn Lynch, Lee Evans, Derek Anderson and Braylon Edwards, both of these teams are gradually getting better and better, as both should be considered legitimate playoff contenders. This matchup could have a huge impact on the playoffs, as they both will most likely be fighting each other for a final wild card spot. Of course, that's assuming that the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots win their divisions . . . and that the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts take up two of the playoff spots. That will leave a lowly division winner from the AFC West, along with one more wild card team. The Browns and Bills figure to be two of the front-runners for that remaining wild card spot, so this game could become a vital tiebreaker for that final playoff spot if they end up with the same record. This will be a ROWDY and packed stadium in Buffalo, as tickets for this game were instantly sold out when they were offered to the general public.

Yes, it should be a great year for Monday Night Football again! Hank Williams Jr. is ready for some football!

*schedule information obtained from ESPN.COM