Monday Night Football results (1970–1989)
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Beginning in the 1970 NFL season, the National Football League began scheduling a weekly regular season game on Monday night before a national television audience. From 1970-2005, the ABC television network carried these games, with the ESPN cable television network taking over beginning in September 2006. Listed below are games played from 1970-1989.
| Overtime Result |
Contents |
[edit] 1970s
[edit] 1970 NFL season
The November 23 game became infamous when Howard Cosell slurred his way through the first half and vomited on Don Meredith's boots at halftime. Cosell left Franklin Field prior to the second half, leaving Meredith to finish the game with Keith Jackson.
[edit] 1971 NFL season
The October 11 game was the final NFL contest played in the Cotton Bowl. The Dallas Cowboys moved into Texas Stadium for its next home game on October 24 vs. the New England Patriots.
The December 13 game saw the triumphant return of George Allen to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where he coached the Los Angeles Rams for five seasons (1966-70). Allen's new team, the Washington Redskins, clinched its first playoff berth since 1945 with a 38-24 victory over the Rams, also handing the NFC West championship to the San Francisco 49ers. Ironically, the 49ers ousted the Redskins from the playoffs with a 24-20 victory 13 days later.
[edit] 1972 NFL season
The October 9th game between the Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers at the Astrodome is infamous for an awkward off-field incident. During the game, which the Raiders won in a 34-0 shutout, ABC cameras had panned out and showed several fans leaving. A cameraman caught one of the few to stay in the game, who showed his disgust with the Oilers' performance by raising his middle finger, prompting Don Meredith to quip, "We're number 1 in the nation."
[edit] 1973 NFL season
During what would be Don Meredith's final season of his first Monday Night stint, he was the center of three incidents in a three-week stand. In the Oakland-Denver game on October 22, Meredith famous quipped, "We're in the Mile High City, and so am I" (referring to his marijuana use at the time), followed by his drinking through the Buffalo-Kansas City game the following week. Finally, on November 5 during the Steelers-Redskins matchup, he referred to President Richard Nixon by the nickname of "Tricky Dick".
[edit] 1974 NFL season
[edit] 1975 NFL season
Non-Monday games covered by ABC Monday Night Football team
| Day | Date | Visiting Team | Final Score | Host Team | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | December 20 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 3-10 | Los Angeles Rams | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
[edit] 1976 NFL season
This season saw the first Monday night overtime game since overtime was instituted in 1974, as the Redskins kicked a field goal in the extra period to beat the Eagles 20-17.
The October 11 game marked the first time the Rams had ever been shut out at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in their team history. The 49ers sacked Rams quarterback James Harris 10 times, six alone by defensive end Tommy Hart.
Non-Monday games covered by ABC Monday Night Football team
| Day | Date | Visiting Team | Final Score | Host Team | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | December 11 | Los Angeles Rams | 20-17 | Detroit Lions | Pontiac Silverdome |
[edit] 1977 NFL season
The October 10 game was Joe Namath's last NFL start and last NFL game.
Non-Monday games covered by ABC Monday Night Football team
| Day | Date | Visiting Team | Final Score | Host Team | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | December 17 | Minnesota Vikings | 30-21 | Detroit Lions | Pontiac Silverdome |
[edit] 1978 NFL season
The September 18 game between the Colts and the Patriots featured a Monday Night Football-record 41 points scored between the two teams in the fourth quarter, 27 by the Colts. Colts running back Joe Washington had a memorable performance, scoring or helping score his teams' final three touchdowns. His catch of a touchdown pass tied the game at 20-20, and then he threw an option pass to Roger Carr to put the Colts ahead 27-20. After the Patriots tied it late, Washington returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for the winning touchdown.
The November 20 game between the Dolphins and the Oilers featured a memorable performance by Oilers' rookie running back Earl Campbell. Campbell rushed for 199 yards and four touchdowns in a nip-and-tuck game that was capped off by his 81-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter.
The November 27 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers kicked off at 6 p.m. Pacific time, just hours after San Francisco mayor George Moscone and city supervisor Harvey Milk were murdered at City Hall by former supervisor Dan White. NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle, a former publicity director at the University of San Francisco, did not consider postponing the game. During the game, a large protest march to the steps of City Hall took place.
Non-Monday games covered by ABC Monday Night Football team
| Day | Date | Visiting Team | Final Score | Host Team | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | September 24 | New England Patriots | 21-14 | Oakland Raiders | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum |
| Thursday | October 26 | Minnesota Vikings | 21-10 | Dallas Cowboys | Texas Stadium |
| Sunday | November 12 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 7-10 | Los Angeles Rams | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
| Sunday | December 3 | Denver Broncos | 21-6 | Oakland Raiders | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum |
[edit] 1979 NFL season
In the November 12 game between the Eagles and the Cowboys, Eagles kicker Tony Franklin booted a 59-yard field goal.
In the December 3 Raiders/Saints game, Ken Stabler rallied the Raiders from a 35-14 deficit. He threw a 66-yard touchdown pass to Cliff Branch for the winning score.
Non-Monday games covered by ABC Monday Night Football team
| Day | Date | Visiting Team | Final Score | Host Team | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | September 6 | Los Angeles Rams | 13-9 | Denver Broncos | Mile High Stadium |
| Sunday | October 14 | Los Angeles Rams | 6-30 | Dallas Cowboys | Texas Stadium |
| Thursday | October 25 | San Diego Chargers | 22-45 | Oakland Raiders | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum |
| Thursday | November 29 | New England Patriots | 24-39 | Miami Dolphins | Miami Orange Bowl |
[edit] 1980s
[edit] 1980 NFL season
The November 24 game was the one where New Orleans Saints fans, watching what would become a dreadful 1-15 campaign that season, began wearing paper bags over their heads and referring to the team as the "Aints".
The December 8 game will be forever remembered for Howard Cosell's announcement of the murder of John Lennon during the fourth quarter. ABC News' Nightline provided live coverage of Lennon's death shortly after the conclusion of the game.
Non-Monday games covered by ABC Monday Night Football team
| Day | Date | Visiting Team | Final Score | Host Team | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | September 11 | Los Angeles Rams | 9-10 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tampa Stadium |
| Sunday | October 26 | San Diego Chargers | 31-42 | Dallas Cowboys | Texas Stadium |
| Thursday | November 20 | San Diego Chargers | 27-24 | Miami Dolphins | Orange Bowl |
| Thursday | December 4 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 0-6 | Houston Oilers | The Astrodome |
[edit] 1981 NFL season
Non-Monday games covered by ABC Monday Night Football team
| Day | Date | Visiting Team | Final Score | Host Team | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | September 10 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 10-30 | Miami Dolphins | Orange Bowl |
| Thursday | September 17 | Philadelphia Eagles | 20-14 | Buffalo Bills | Rich Stadium |
| Sunday | October 18 | Los Angeles Rams | 17-29 | Dallas Cowboys | Texas Stadium |
| Thursday | December 3 | Cleveland Browns | 13-17 | Houston Oilers | The Astrodome |
[edit] 1982 NFL season
This was the season in which a nine week players strike forced the NFL to postpone seven regular season games. The September 20 game between the Packers and the Giants would be the last game played until November 21.
In the January 3 game between the Cowboys and the Vikings, Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett ran for 99 yards and a touchdown - still the longest running play from scrimmage in the NFL. Worth noting is that the Cowboys had only ten players on offense when the ball was snapped on that play.
| Day | Date | Visiting Team | Final Score | Home Team | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | September 13 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 36-28 | Dallas Cowboys | Texas Stadium |
| Monday | September 20 | Green Bay Packers | 27-19 | New York Giants | Giants Stadium |
| Monday | November 22 | San Diego Chargers | 24-28 | Los Angeles Raiders | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
| Monday | November 29 | Miami Dolphins | 17-23 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tampa Stadium |
| Monday | December 6 | New York Jets | 28-13 | Detroit Lions | Pontiac Silverdome |
| Monday | December 13 | Dallas Cowboys | 37-7 | Houston Oilers | The Astrodome |
| Monday | December 20 | Cincinnati Bengals | 34-50 | San Diego Chargers | Jack Murphy Stadium |
| Monday | December 27 | Buffalo Bills | 10-27 | Miami Dolphins | Orange Bowl |
| Monday | January 3 | Dallas Cowboys | 27-31 | Minnesota Vikings | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome |
Non-Monday games covered by ABC Monday Night Football team
| Day | Date | Visiting Team | Final Score | Host Team | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | September 16 | Minnesota Vikings | 22-23 | Buffalo Bills | Rich Stadium |
| Thursday | December 2 | San Francisco 49ers | 30-24 | Los Angeles Rams | Anaheim Stadium |
| Sunday | December 19 | Atlanta Falcons | 17-29 | San Francisco 49ers | Candlestick Park |
[edit] 1983 NFL season
The September 5 game between the Cowboys and the Redskins was when Howard Cosell infamously referred to Redskins wide receiver Alvin Garrett as a "little monkey." Cosell would also call his final MNF game on December 12 between the Packers and the Buccaneers, as he did not make the trip to the west coast for the last game of the season.
Future Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino made his NFL debut in the September 19 game between the Raiders and the Dolphins.
The October 24 game between the Cardinals and the Giants is the only five-quarter deadlock in MNF history, as the Cardinals' Neil O'Donoghue blows three field goal attempts in the extra period, one of them from extra-point distance.
Non-Monday games covered by ABC Monday Night Football team
| Day | Date | Visiting Team | Final Score | Host Team | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | September 8 | San Francisco 49ers | 48-17 | Minnesota Vikings | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome |
| Thursday | September 15 | Cincinnati Bengals | 7-17 | Cleveland Browns | Cleveland Stadium |
| Sunday | October 23 | Los Angeles Raiders | 40-38 | Dallas Cowboys | Texas Stadium |
| Thursday | December 1 | Los Angeles Raiders | 42-10 | San Diego Chargers | Jack Murphy Stadium |
| Friday | December 16 | New York Jets | 14-34 | Miami Dolphins | Orange Bowl |
[edit] 1984 NFL season
Non-Monday games covered by ABC Monday Night Football team
| Day | Date | Visiting Team | Final Score | Host Team | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | September 6 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 23-17 | New York Jets | Giants Stadium |
| Sunday | September 16 | Denver Broncos | 24-14 | Cleveland Browns | Cleveland Stadium |
| Sunday | October 21 | New Orleans Saints | 27-30 | Dallas Cowboys | Texas Stadium |
| Thursday | November 29 | Washington Redskins | 31-17 | Minnesota Vikings | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome |
| Friday | December 14 | Los Angeles Rams | 16-19 | San Francisco 49ers | Candlestick Park |
[edit] 1985 NFL season
The November 18 game between the Giants and the Redskins is infamous for Lawrence Taylor's tackle that ended Joe Theismann's career.
The October 28 game marked the final Monday night appearance at home for the Los Angeles Raiders until their return to Oakland in 1995.
The December 2 game between the Bears and the Dolphins, when the Dolphins put an end to the Bears' bid to match their undefeated season in 1972, was and still is the highest rated game in Monday Night Football history.
Non-Monday games covered by ABC Monday Night Football team
| Day | Date | Visiting Team | Final Score | Host Team | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | September 12 | Los Angeles Raiders | 20-36 | Kansas City Chiefs | Arrowhead Stadium |
| Thursday | September 19 | Chicago Bears | 33-24 | Minnesota Vikings | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome |
| Sunday | October 6 | Dallas Cowboys | 30-29 | New York Giants | Giants Stadium |
| Sunday | December 8 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 44-54 | San Diego Chargers | Jack Murphy Stadium |
| Friday | December 20 | Denver Broncos | 27-24 | Seattle Seahawks | The Kingdome |
[edit] 1986 NFL season
The September 8 game between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys marked the NFL debut of Herschel Walker.
Non-Monday games covered by ABC Monday Night Football team
| Day | Date | Visiting Team | Final Score | Host Team | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | September 11 | New England Patriots | 20-6 | New York Jets | Giants Stadium |
| Thursday | September 18 | Cincinnati Bengals | 30-13 | Cleveland Browns | Cleveland Stadium |
| Thursday | November 20 | Los Angeles Raiders | 37-31 | San Diego Chargers | Jack Murphy Stadium |
| Sunday | December 7 | Dallas Cowboys | 10-29 | Los Angeles Rams | Anaheim Stadium |
| Friday | December 19 | Los Angeles Rams | 14-24 | San Francisco 49ers | Candlestick Park |
[edit] 1987 NFL season
There was a player strike called after the completion of Week 2's games. As a result all games for Week 3 were canceled but unlike the 1982 players' strike, owners decided to resume play with replacement players. Replacement players were used in games played from Week 4 until Week 6 (including the 49ers-Giants, Raiders-Broncos, and Redskins-Cowboys MNF games). Once a new collective bargaining agreement ended the strike, regular players came back and played starting with Week 7.
The October 26 game between the Broncos and the Vikings was rescheduled because Game 7 of the 1987 World Series (which was also broadcasted by ABC), which featured the Minnesota Twins, had to play at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on Sunday night, when the Vikings were originally slated to host the Broncos. Therefore, the game was moved to Monday night, and was played simultaneously with the Browns-Rams game.
The November 30 Raiders/Seahawks game marked the memorable Monday Night Football debut of Bo Jackson, with his 91-yard touchdown run.
[edit] 1988 NFL season
The September 12 game between the Cowboys and the Cardinals was the first game the Cardinals played in Arizona after relocating from St. Louis.
The October 3 game between the Cowboys and the Saints would be the final MNF game coached by Tom Landry.
[edit] 1989 NFL season
The October 9 game between the Raiders and the Jets was the first game for Art Shell as the Raiders head coach, becoming the first African-American NFL head coach in the modern era.
The November 6 game between the Saints and the 49ers was originally scheduled for New Orleans but was switched with their October 8 game when the San Francisco Giants played in the NLCS.
The December 11 game between the 49ers and the Rams had John Taylor become the first player in NFL history to score two touchdowns of over 90 yards in a single game.
The December 25 game between the Bengals and the Vikings was the first NFL game played on Christmas since the 1971 playoffs.
[edit] See also
- Monday Night Football
- Monday Night Football results (1990-present)
- ESPN Sunday Night Football results (1987-2005)
- NBC Sunday Night Football results (2006-present)
- NFL Network Run to the Playoffs results (2006-present)
[edit] References
- Total Football II,, Edited by Bob Carroll, Michael Gershman, David Neft and John Thorn, Harper Collins Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-06-270174-6.
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