After a week off, football fans can celebrate Peyton and Eli Manning’s return. The Super Bowl-winning brothers and their hit alternative broadcast, ManningCast, are back for the Monday Night Football showdown between the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens.
Who Is Joining the ManningCast for Week 3?
Following a one-week break, the ManningCast returns to ESPN2, providing an alternative viewing experience for the Ravens-Lions game. The game, which kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET, marks the first ManningCast since the Monday Night Football season opener featuring the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears.
As usual, the Mannings will be joined by celebrity guests, and two have been announced so far. Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps is set to join the show. Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history with 23 gold and 28 medals overall, is a Baltimore, Maryland, native and a regular presence at Ravens’ games.
Additionally, fresh off a 41-20 victory that kept the Indianapolis Colts undefeated, Colts’ starting quarterback Daniel Jones will join the broadcast. There is always a chance that surprise guests could be added during the game.
Some news from Omaha Productions: Colts QB Daniel Jones will be a guest on tonight’s ManningCast during the Lions-Ravens Monday Night Football game. Jones will appear in the second quarter, fresh off a Colts victory over Tennessee that has Indy 3-0 for the first time since 2009.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) September 22, 2025
The Mannings will be off again next week, as Week 4’s Monday Night Football features another doubleheader. That night, the New York Jets visit their AFC East rivals, the Miami Dolphins, while the Denver Broncos host the Cincinnati Bengals.
What Is at Stake in the Lions vs. Ravens Matchup?
The Lions and Ravens have taken similar paths to their Monday Night Football showdown. Both teams entered the season with high expectations and strong odds to win their respective divisions. In fact, bookmakers had the Ravens as the second-favorite to win the AFC, behind only the Buffalo Bills.
The Detroit Lions were also heavily favored in the NFC, trailing only the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles. However, both teams stumbled out of the gate, losing their first games to conference contenders. The Ravens allowed the Bills to mount a 16-point comeback in the final five minutes of their game, and the Lions were defeated decisively by the Packers.
Fortunately, Week 2 was a different story for both teams, as they bounced back with dominant wins. The Lions blew out their former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s new team, the Chicago Bears, 52-21. Meanwhile, the Ravens handled the Cleveland Browns with a 41-17 victory.
A win tonight is crucial for both teams to keep pace with the conference leaders. In the AFC, the Bills, Colts, and Los Angeles Chargers are all perfect 3-0. The Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers remain the three undefeated teams in the NFC.
