Steelers vs 49ers: 3 Reasons This Is 2011's Best Monday Night Football Game

The Pittsburgh Steelers matchup with the San Francisco 49ers is easily the best and more intriguing Monday Night Football game of the season. 

Is that saying much? 

With the MNF slate we've had to endure this year, not necessarily, but this does seem to be a classic, defensive-minded game with playoff implications for both clubs. 

Allow me to explain why it's the best MNF game we've had in 2011 

MNF Is Having a Bad Year

I know the NFL schedule-makers try to provide the fans with the most compelling game of the week for prime-time, but this year, they didn't do a good job. 

At all. 

The Peyton Manning injury and the multitude of Chiefs players lost for the year definitely didn't help. 

The Lions-Bears matchup had some considerable hype that was well deserved, and for the most part, the game delivered. Jets-Dolphins? The Jaguars did beat the Ravens on MNF, but what exactly did Jacksonville do in 2010 to garner a home MNF game (They were a part of three prime-time games in 2011, twice on MNF).

Packers-Vikings and Patriots-Chiefs in consecutive weeks, followed up by an NFC West "showdown" between the Seahawks and Rams? 

Yikes.

Sometimes, it's impossible to predict how teams will be.

Fine.  

Either way, tonight matches two solid teams battling for supremacy in their respective conferences. 

Nice for a chance. 

Anyone else begging for MNF flex scheduling?

Defense. Defense. Defense.

I'll admit, I'm among the masses that likes all the offense in today's NFL. 

But an old-school, defensive slugfest is always more fun than I expect them to be.

You know, games in which points come at a premium and a first down is deemed quite the accomplishment?

I like those kind of battles.  

Tonight, we'll see two hard-nosed, throw-back defenses that would be content with a 13-10 win. Patrick Willis' presence would have helped, but there's nothing more interesting to watch than a perplexed offensive coordinator frantically sifting through his playbook to find some kind of play that will work after his team is stymied in the first half. 

We should get that in San Fran this evening. 

Playoff Implications

What's better than an MNF game that has critical playoff implications for both clubs? 

Not much. 

Both clubs will leave everything on the field tonight. 

Lots of questions need to be answered, too. 

Will Ben Roethlisberger play? If so, how effective will be he? Can he withstand an entire game on his bum ankle?  

Can the 49ers get back on track after losing two of their last three? Will Frank Gore be limited by the Steelers defense? How will Alex Smith play against an elite defense? 

Remember, the Steelers control their own destiny in terms of the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and the 49ers must keep pace with the Saints for the No. 2 spot in the NFC.