FOR USE AS DESIRED

            NFL-51               9/21/01

 

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL RETURNS

WITH REDSKINS-PACKERS AT LAMBEAU FIELD

 

ABC’s NFL Monday Night Football – the longest-running prime-time entertainment series in U.S. television history – returns this Monday after NFL games of September 16-17 were postponed by NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue due to the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Pennsylvania tragedies.

 

Monday night’s game features the team representing the nation’s capital and the Pentagon – the Washington Redskins

(0-1) -- who will travel to venerable Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers (1-0).

 

“It's going to be good to get out there,” says Redskins kicker BRETT CONWAY. “Good for everybody."

 

The Packers are eager to play as well and by no means feel that Lambeau Field is a security risk.

 

“I want to play,” says Packers safety LE ROY BUTLER. “When I hit that field, I’m going to play football and not worry about anything else.  I’m going to do my job, and the guy in the police uniform is going to do his job, and Packers security officer Jerry Parins is going to do his job.  If everybody does their job, it’s like a team -- we win.  I have more faith in our country than I ever had.”

 

Packers head coach MIKE SHERMAN is ready also.  "We're looking forward to playing on Monday night and letting the nation feel a part of Green Bay,” he says.  “This is going to be a special game and I'm glad to be part of it."

 

Sherman’s Packers will seek to continue their winning ways.  Green Bay won the final four games of the 2000 season and defeated Detroit 28-6 in Week 1.  Washington will look to rebound from a 30-3 loss at San Diego on Kickoff Weekend.

 

The last time the Packers and Redskins met on Monday Night Football, on October 17, 1983, the contest proved to be one of the most exciting games in the 32-season history of the series.  The two clubs combined for 1,025 net yards, 771 passing yards and 95 points -- a MNF record.

 

That night, the 3-3 Packers were hosting the 6-0 defending-Super Bowl XVII champion Redskins, who had won nine consecutive road games. The ’83 Redskins were loaded on offense, with quarterback JOE THEISMANN throwing to the “Fun Bunch” receiving corps led by ART MONK and ALVIN GARRETT.  The ‘Skins also had running backs JOHN RIGGINS and JOE WASHINGTON rumbling behind perhaps the most famous offensive line in history, “The Hogs.”

 

Theismann and Packers quarterback Lynn Dickey put on an aerial show.  Theismann completed 27 of 39 passes (69.2 percent) for 398 yards with two TDs and no interceptions for a 119.4 passer rating.  Dickey was even more efficient, completing 22 of 31 attempts (71.0 percent) for 387 yards with three TDs and one interception for a 132.1 rating.

 

Green Bay trailed Washington 47-45 with 1:50 remaining, but Dickey led the Packers on a game-winning drive.  The key play was a 56-yard pass to running back Gerry Ellis, which set up the go-ahead 20-yard field goal by Jan Stenerud.  Washington had one final chance to win it, but MARK Moseley’s 39-yard field-goal attempt with three seconds remaining was not good. The final score -- Green Bay 48, Washington 47.

 

PACKERS-REDSKINS NOTES:  Green Bay leads series 13-12-1……Both teams have won one playoff matchup, with Packers winning 1936 NFL Championship 21-6 in New York over then-Boston Redskins.  Washington won 1972 Divisional Playoff 16-3……First game in series was 21-0 Packers’ win over Boston Braves in 1932……Redskins have won seven of past eight games in series, including ’72 Divisional Playoff……Clubs have not met since 1988…GB is 8-4 at home all-time on MNF.