Why Did the Buffalo Bills Get Embarrassed? Blame Eli Manning This Week
Eli Manning is evil.
Well, maybe. While some people may think I'm talking to New England Patriots fans, it's actually much worse than that.
Eli and Peyton Manning Host the "Manningcast" on ESPN2
With ESPN wanting to expand Peyton Manning's presence across the family of networks, the mothership teamed Peyton up with brother Eli to create the "Manningcast". If you haven't seen it before, allow me to explain.
The show is a companion broadcast to ESPN's main "Monday Night Football" telecast. The brothers watch the game "with" you, and welcome in guests to discuss the game as well as their careers, and a number of other topics.
The broadcasts have led to a few notable moments, including Eli flipping off the cameras on purpose, but the duo have largely been praised for their performance and chemistry.
While the broadcasts have been well-received, the show is beginning to develop a reputation as "cursed" for those who appear on it.
The "Manningcast" is Cursed?
According to reports, the brothers have created a product that is engaging, fun to watch, and completely cursed.
Check this out from The New York Post earlier today:
In a wild coincidence, the six active players that have appeared on the “Monday Night Football” sidecast on ESPN2 with Peyton and Eli Manning – Travis Kelce, Russell Wilson, Rob Gronkowski, Matthew Stafford, Tom Brady, and Josh Allen – have all lost the following week. - Ryan Glasspiegel of The New York Post
It's pretty remarkable when you break down each week. Yes, it's probably dumb luck, and I'm well aware of that. That being said, at a certain point, the correlation gets closer and closer to causation, and the coincidental nature of it fades away.
Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen is the Latest Victim of the Curse
Yes, this week, it was Josh Allen who fell victim to the Manning's evil ways. Appearing on last Monday's broadcast with the Giants and Chiefs in the background, Allen chopped it up with his two quarterback colleagues, and had a few laughs during the course of the conversation.
Since the NFL won't let me embed the video to make your life easier, you can watch a clip from their conversation here.
Fast forward to Sunday, however, and Allen and the Bills were completely thwarted on offense. The running game disappeared, Allen himself threw two interceptions, and the team appeared lost when entering the Jaguars' side of the field.
My two options are believing that the stout, brick-wall-esque Jaguars' defensive front had the Bills thwarted at every turn, or that the Manningcast curse has legs.
You be the judge.