Jeff Daniels was more than prepared to sing. But only if the Lions got the first down.
On 3rd and 7 with the Detroit Lions backed up on their own 5-yard line, lifelong Lions fan pulled out his guitar and promised, if the Lions got the first down, he would play “The Curse of Bobby Layne.”
Well, Jared Goff and Sam LaPorta connected for the first down on Monday, Sept. 22, in Baltimore, and Daniels began to sing, much to the delight of Eli and Peyton Manning, the hosts of “ManningCast” — an alternate broadcast on ESPN that features the former NFL quarterbacks and assorted guests watching the game and commenting on it.
Daniels was perhaps the highlight of the ManningCast, but the rest of the ManningCast was far from boring. Throughout the night, the Manning brothers hosted Daniels, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones and Olympic-champion swimme Michael Phelps (a Baltimore native who trained in the pool with Club Wolverine in Ann Arbor) to discuss the “Monday Night Football” game between the Lions vs Ravens, won by Detroit, 38-30.
Highlights from the ManningCast:
Jeff Daniels singing “The Curse of Bobby Layne”
Since Daniels was the one who helped Peyton Manning break said curse back in 2022 on his ESPN series “Peyton’s Places” – using a bathtub of booze and Layne’s old helmet – it was only fitting that Daniels sang the song he wrote about it.
Daniels had a great quote on what would happen if the Lions won the Super Bowl: “If they did win it, the entire country would be able to feel the state of Michigan shaking with joy. From space, you could see Michigan light up. That’s how big this would be.”
Peyton and Jeff Daniels broke The Curse of Bobby Layne on Peyton’s Places. It was only right to have Jeff perform his song live on the ManningCast. pic.twitter.com/K6YmYjiQKb
— Omaha Productions (@OmahaProd) September 23, 2025
Eli and Peyton were impressed by Lions opening drive
They were far from the only ones, but the Manning brothers were wowed by the Lions’ opening drive. Peyton praised the connection between QB Jared Goff and WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, saying it was “off the charts.”
No notes from Peyton & Eli on that first drive, @Lions. pic.twitter.com/5dxludt3AM
— Omaha Productions (@OmahaProd) September 23, 2025
Jeff Daniels earns his spot on the Perfect Prediction Panel
Daniels is not only a good singer — he also knows ball. After initially guessing that the Lions would go to TE Brock Wright for the touchdown, Eli allowed Daniels to change his guess since Wright wasn’t on the field. Daniels picked RB David Montgomery, who ran up the middle for a 1-yard score score on the next play. That earned him a spot on the Perfect Prediction Panel for his accuracy.
Jeff Daniels called the @MontgomerDavid TD 🙌 pic.twitter.com/DbWU4m66rN
— Omaha Productions (@OmahaProd) September 23, 2025
Eli Manning and Michael Phelps get mixed up a lot
You wouldn’t think that Super Bowl champions and Olympic gold medalists would get confused for each other, but it has happened to Phelps and Manning. Manning was mistaken for Phelps in Newark, New Jersey, a few years ago, and Phelps was once mistaken for Manning by an astronaut while in a suite for the Super Bowl. It happened to him again at a country concert.
“They said the exact same thing, like, ‘Your dad and your brother, I’m such massive fans,” Phelps said. “And I was like ‘Damn, I’m really getting Eli again?’”
.@EliManning and @MichaelPhelps getting confused for each other by fans is straight comedy pic.twitter.com/8lpbZWs8u9
— Omaha Productions (@OmahaProd) September 23, 2025
I hope they blitz your ass
The funniest part of the broadcast was when Eli and Peyton roleplayed as Ravens QB Lamar Jackson and Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, demonstrating what a call between a coach and his receiver might look like. Eli was Jackson while Peyton played Monken. “Lamar” tried to set up a play, but his offensive coordinator wasn’t having it.
“OK, Lamar, just a reminder, I’m the offensive coordinator,” Peyton said. “I call the plays, I tell you the plays we’re going to run.”
Peyton then detailed a play before Eli took another phone call and ignored his coach.
“I hope they blitz your ass next series,” Peyton said before hanging up.
Peyton & Eli Manning demonstrating a sideline phone call between a QB and OC is hilarious pic.twitter.com/cS8nXp58n6
— Bussin’ With The Boys (@BussinWTB) September 23, 2025
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions ‘ManningCast’ features Bobby Layne tune
