Behind The Scenes

NFL analyst Jerry Rice talks records and Calvin Johnson, Lions star featured on special MNF Saturday

When ESPN wraps the 43rd season of Monday Night Football this weekend with a special Saturday night edition — the Atlanta Falcons versus the Detroit Lions (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN and WatchESPN) — there are two big storylines to watch.

Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions
(Allen Kee/ESPN Images)

First, can the Falcons secure a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a victory? And, can All-Pro Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson set the NFL single-season record for most receiving yards?

Johnson needs just 182 receiving yards in his next two games to eclipse the 17-year old mark held by ESPN NFL analyst Jerry Rice.

In the video above, the 49ers Hall of Famer — and arguably the greatest player in league history — discusses NFL records and the thought of potentially losing one of his own to Johnson. (Note: More of the interview with Rice will air during ESPN’s 90-minute Monday Night Countdown pre-game on Saturday night at 7 p.m.)

Speaking of top performances, ESPN’s MNF telecast will open with a look at the most memorable plays from the 2012 Monday Night season, including the controversial last-second Hail Mary in Seattle, which marked the end of the replacement officials; Peyton Manning and the Broncos’ big fourth quarter comeback against the Chargers in San Diego; and Robert Griffin III’s dynamic performance in the Redskins’ December win over the Giants.

Video produced by Mac Nwulu and Tonya Malinowski

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