If we've learned anything about Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli Manning thus far, it's that the banter between the legendary siblings and their guests can be just as entertaining as what unfolds on the field.
Which is why -- with no disrespect to the New York Giants (2-6) or the Kansas City Chiefs (4-4) -- we were grateful to see the duo return with another star-studded cast for the fifth installment of the ManningCast.
In Peyton and Eli's second Monday back after a three-week hiatus, they welcomed Jon Stewart, Michael Strahan, Josh Allen and Michael Irvin.
The Manningcast for Week 8 is set! πΏ
β ESPN (@espn) November 1, 2021
Jon Stewart
Michael Strahan
Josh Allen
Michael Irvin
See you on ESPN2 π¨ @OmahaProd pic.twitter.com/DtnuZI4BgQ
While we were fairly confident Peyton wouldn't be rocking an Ole Miss jersey during any part of Week 8's ManningCast, Eli breaking out another Shakira impression didn't seem entirely out of the question. If ever a night called for it, it would be when his G-Men were playing.
What revelations came from Stewart, Strahan, Allen and Irvin? How long did it take before Eli mentioned the size of Peyton's forehead or drew attention to his pit stains?
We've got you covered with all the ManningCast Monday moments and takeaways:
Interceptions pain Peyton
The Hall of Fame QB knows the struggle all too well and, thus, was visibly distraught for Patrick Mahomes when the Chiefs star threw a pick in the first quarter.
We'll go ahead and assume his expression was the same when Daniel Jones threw a return pick on the next series.
Peyton's reaction to the Patrick Mahomes' INT π¬ pic.twitter.com/zuWRYXt4Wr
β SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 2, 2021
Quads and Eli for the win
You might not have known that comedian Jon Stewart played college soccer at William & Mary. More importantly, you likely didn't know that his quads once rivaled those of Saquon Barkley.
Who's got the bigger quads:
β ESPN (@espn) November 2, 2021
A young @jonstewart or Saquon Barkley? π€ π pic.twitter.com/b1HyL0fgMs
You also probably weren't privy to why Stewart has a special place in his heart for Eli Manning. When the avid Giants fan was asked who his favorite New York player of all time is, Stewart explained it has to be Eli because the former quarterback brought the G-Men a Super Bowl during his son's lifetime.
"You're the only one who has brought him joy in his entire 17 years on this earth in terms of a sports team," Stewart told Eli.
Jon Stewart lets Eli know what he means to his son, who is a Giants, Mets, and Knicks fan.
β ESPN (@espn) November 2, 2021
"You're the only one who's brought him joy in his entire 17 years on this earth, n terms of a sports team." pic.twitter.com/B9doAl4Wxv
Is it getting dusty in here?
Important poster and Giants woes
When Michael Strahan joined the show, Eli was quick to reminisce on the good ol' Super Bowl-winning days with his former teammate. He was also quick to seek an answer to a burning question over a poster that resides in Strahan's house.
The story behind @michaelstrahan's 'Peyton Manning Experience' poster π pic.twitter.com/CAyYw5Spe0
β ESPN (@espn) November 2, 2021
It's hard to unsee it, but this is not a 1990s album cover.
After divulging what could have been for their band, Strahan and the Manning bros turned their attention back to the game.
While Eli was understandably careful not to criticize the Giants, Strahan didn't attempt to mask his frustration with the franchise's current state of affairs.
Michael Strahan expresses his frustration with the Giants π pic.twitter.com/NGZX7eFOE0
β ESPN (@espn) November 2, 2021
Sort of bummed we never got to see "The Peyton Manning Experience" open for Destiny's Child.
That's J. Allen to you
When it comes to football families, you would be hard-pressed to find a name that carries more weight than "Manning." Unfortunately for Peyton, his son Marshall is more interested in the moniker of a certain quarterback who resides in Buffalo.
When presented with the opportunity to put his famous last name on his flag football team jersey, Marshall instead opted to write "J. Allen," as an ode to his favorite player, Josh Allen.
Peyton's reaction to his son changing the back of his flag football jersey to Josh Allen's name π
β ESPN (@espn) November 2, 2021
"Will you please tell him that's not a nice way to treat his father?" pic.twitter.com/BPZLFT2h6X
It's a cold world out there.
Later, Eli took it upon himself to ask Allen about a tradition deeply personal to Bills fans: breaking tables. Buffalo's QB1 made it clear that moving forward he wouldn't partake in the act until he had secured a Super Bowl ring.
Only one thing would get Josh Allen to break through a table in Buffalo π pic.twitter.com/zP0vjzsBZh
β ESPN (@espn) November 2, 2021
Group text blowing up
Michael Irvin was just trying to join the ManningCast in peace, but no such luck. After sending out a preemptive message to his group text asking his co-workers not to hit him up while he was on the show, chaos ensued.
.@michaelirvin88 tried to be courteous of the ManningCast π pic.twitter.com/SrL515o7C0
β ESPN (@espn) November 2, 2021
Somebody please teach Irvin about "do not disturb" mode.