Given that it will be the same people picking the games who are picking the ones that everyone keeps saying aren't good late-season match-ups, I don't think it increases the odds all that much. I think we'll see more of the same. If anything, we'll just see more appearances by the same teams in other weeks. Even if this had been in place for this season, I doubt we'd be seeing too many of the top teams in the NFL this year on MNF just like we aren't seeing them now. We'll just see more of the top teams from last year, which may or may not be good teams this year (and given the way the NFL works these days, it's more likely they'll not be good teams in the current year). I don't have a problem with them doing it, but I just think having a flexible schedule would be a better way to accomplish what they're trying to accomplish, i.e. having an attractive MNF match-up. I know that causes all sorts of problems for the ticket-buyers and all that, but if they can't do that, they might as well just leave well enough alone.
Isn't that what we're already seeing this year? Teams anticipated to be good (or at least playoff worthy) on Monday night, who ended up having horrible seasons due to injury, circumstance, or just flat out bad luck? That is the whole point of this idea. By doubling the choice you effectively double the chance that the game will be important (and hopefully decent). A flexible schedule is probably where this is all headed. I can't see the details being hammered out any time soon though. For now, this is a viable solution.
So the other game wouldn't get aired at all? Why not move the "bad" game to ESPN? ABC could hand those rights over without a big deal since they own ESPN. The game still gets national coverage. And if you really wanted to see that "bad game" you could.
Why has no one suggested that perhaps all 4 teams could be the current cellar dwellers that night? I don't see how this helps... And MNF will be great tonight. Ealphins and Dogles.
