At the same time, Monday Night Football was created and ABC acquired the rights. The original agreement was for ABC to televise 13 games in 1970, '71 and '72, and was widely regarded as an experiment that would lead to the network's demise.

The New York Jets played against the Cleveland Browns in the first-ever Monday Night game -- the embodiment of the merger coupled with the star power of Joe Namath being placed in the spotlight. Browns owner Art Modell refused to attend the game, but upwards of 80,000 rabid fans, as well as a curious television audience, watched the Browns defeat Joe Namath's Jets 31-21.

But the program was about more than the game. Producer Roone Arledge changed the way the NFL was presented on television, most notably with the three-man announcing booth that included Keith Jackson, Don Meredith and the controversial Howard Cosell.

Today, MNF is a cultural staple and continues to be innovative in its presentation of the games. Below begins an archive of the results of every Monday Night game ever played.

Home team in CAPS
*Denotes record

Top performances in inagural season:
*Homer Jones of the Browns returned the second-half kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown on Sept. 21.

*George Sauer caught 10 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown in a losing cause for the Jets on Sept. 21.

*Johhny Robinson of the Chiefs intercepted three passes on Sept. 28. He also returned a fumble for a touchdown.

*Len Dawson threw four TD passes for the Chiefs on Sept. 28.

*Hewritt Dixon rushed for 164 yards and a touchdown for the Raiders on Oct. 19.

*The Cowboys were stopped twice within the 10-yard line in MNF's first shutout.

• 4th 7:05 - DAL 3rd & 1, at PHI 22

  Dak Prescott passed to Dalton Schultz to the right for 22 yard touchdown (Greg Zuerlein made PAT)

  PHI  14 DAL 41
•  

  

  4th 11:34 - DAL 4th & 2, at PHI 2

  Dak Prescott passed to Cedrick Wilson to the right for 2 yard touchdown (Greg Zuerlein made PAT)

  PHI  14  DAL 34

Home team in CAPS
*Denotes record

MNF History: 1971
ABC Sports Online

The major change to Monday Night Football in 1971 occurred in the booth, with Keith Jackson being replaced by former New York Giant great Frank Gifford. The announcing team of Gifford, "Dandy Don" Meredith and Howard Cosell would bring the program a great deal of notoriety.

Week 17: Jan. 3

Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers

This late-season rivalry game could have big ramifications on both the AFC North and the Wild Card picture. It’s also a rematch from last year’s playoffs for which the host Steelers will be looking for some revenge against the visiting Browns.

Monday Night Football All-Time Records

Legendary moments and Monday Night Football seem to go hand-in-hand. Perhaps it’s the fact that it’s the only game going on that makes them stand out, but some players just seem to really step it up under the MNF spotlight. Here’s a look back at some of the record-setting performances.

• Passing yards: 517 – Tom Brady, Patriots vs. Dolphins, Sept. 12, 2011
• Rushing TDs: 4 – three times: Earl Campbell in 1978, Eric Dickerson in 1988, and Emmit Smith in 1995.
• TD passes: 6 – Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs vs. Rams, Nov. 19, 2018
• Rushing yards: 221 – Bo Jackson, Raiders vs. Seahawks, Nov. 30, 1987
• Receptions: 14 – twice. Herman Moore and Jerry Rice, both in 1995
• Yards gained: 289 – Jerry Rice, 49ers vs. Vikings, Dec. 18, 1995

@mjp28 said:

Why you have to worry about those running quarterbacks, hungry LBs and CBs.

somewhere in hurts last drive (or 2), he dodged under a bullet named Vander Esch between the hashes

@gumby73 said:

when will dallas corners ever learn how to track a deep ball? Hurts won't last the year, taking these head first dives

Why you have to worry about those running quarterbacks, hungry LBs and CBs.

@tiamat63 said:

Easy cover. 

I need 18 to go over 51 it's up to Philly to do something...... or a few more pick 6s ?  

@dutch-oven said:

Not sure why, but I giggled like a school girl when reading this and then thought of:

Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government…

I subscribe to the Ron Swanson system of government

He should excuse himself out right about now. 

@tiamat63 said:

When George can match the nickname "honest Abe", then his cherry tree cutting ass will be elevated in the heirarchy of truth. 

Not sure why, but I giggled like a school girl when reading this and then thought of:

Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government…

@dutch-oven said:

George Washington, silly goose. ?

When George can match the nickname "honest Abe", then his cherry tree cutting ass will be elevated in the heirarchy of truth. 

@dutch-oven said:

Kansas City signing Josh Gordon? 

to KC practice squad... dehydration for Andy Reid may need to go to a higher level 

@tiamat63 said:

Legend has it, only two things have never told s lie - Abe Lincoln and Shakira's hips. 

George Washington, silly goose. ?

But a subtle detail I feel Peyton missed (likely the speed of the broadcast. Not like HOF QB's miss much) on that last DAL TD saying he wanted the CB to jam and carry a bit before falling off -  Dak just hit you for a big play to Zeke on a read that went flat, hold the safety high, then to the back flat for the throw.   So as a DB you're getting soaked up faster than usual about what's happening in front of you because you just had a RB almost house a short catch to the boundary.   And as much as I love Zeke, I think Pollard might just be a hair faster.  Which is something you have to be aware of as a CB.

So that little release to the boundary flat is meant to hold that CB low.  As a CB you know that's usually cheese, the influence route.  But since Dak can exploit it, and did on the previous drive, it's in your head to attack that.    Kellen Moore with a great play design on, what looks like, some kind of scissor concept to exploit the qtr-qtr half look .  (cover 6)    Getting the TE to the corner on that leveraged seam/7 route.