Bucs/NFL

Teams seek reversal of Monday night misery

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published October 2, 2006

PHILADELPHIA - The Packers and Eagles both have something to prove when they meet tonight.

When Brett Favre last played before a Monday night audience, Green Bay suffered the most lopsided loss in the history of Monday Night Football.

It was nearly that ugly for Philadelphia in its last Monday night appearance.

"I don't remember what our last Monday night game was, to be honest with you," Eagles coach Andy Reid said, conveniently forgetting a 42-0 loss to Seattle in Philly last Dec. 5. "I hope the guys feel the same way. I couldn't tell you which one was our last one."

On a night the Eagles retired Reggie White's No. 92, they were dominated by Seattle. Philadelphia committed six turnovers, including two interceptions by backup quarterback Mike McMahon that were returned for touchdowns. It was the Eagles' worst home defeat since they lost 49-0 to Green Bay in 1962.

"We really want to put that game behind us," linebacker Jeremiah Trotter said of the Seattle loss. "We really don't want to think about that one. Obviously, we want to go out and make a statement."

Two weeks after the Seahawks embarrassed the Eagles, the Ravens routed the Packers 48-3 in Baltimore. Favre threw two interceptions in Green Bay's worst loss since a 61-7 defeat at Chicago in 1980.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy has a legitimate reason for not remembering the game; he was the offensive coordinator in San Francisco last year.

"It's a tough place to play," McCarthy said of Philadelphia. "It's a great game-day environment and it'll be enhanced by Monday Night Football, so that is definitely part of the challenge of going on the road."

Even when Favre was in his prime, he struggled in Philadelphia. The Packers have lost eight straight in Philly since that 49-0 victory in '62. Vince Lombardi was coaching the Packers then. The most painful Green Bay loss during that span came in the 2003 playoffs when Eagles wideout Freddie Mitchell made a game-saving catch on fourth and 26 and the Eagles went on to win in overtime.

[Last modified October 2, 2006, 02:21:42]