Archives for November 2011

Football’s Top Commentators to Work ESPN’s Bowl Game Coverage

November 30, 2011 By admin

ESPN’s extensive college football coverage will continue with 33 bowl games, highlighted by all five of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) matchups, including the Allstate BCS National Championship on Monday, Jan. 9, at 8:30 p.m. ET. It will mark the second straight year the entire BCS will be available on ESPN, ESPN3 and ESPN Radio.

ESPN 3D, the first 3D network to launch in the industry, will continue its extensive schedule of college football with exclusive 3D coverage of six bowl games, concluding with the Allstate BCS National Championship. The network televised the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and Tostitos BCS National Championship last year.

Overall, ESPN will utilize a minimum of 64 on-air commentators to provide play-by-play, analysis and sideline reports for the network’s exclusive multiplatform coverage of the 33 bowl games. Highlights:

The Allstate BCS National Championship (Jan. 9 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, ESPN3, ESPN 3D and ESPN Radio): For the second consecutive year Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi will call ESPN’s telecast. ESPN’s Monday Night Football signal caller Mike Tirico will work ESPN Radio’s broadcast with ESPN college football analyst Todd Blackledge and reporter Holly Rowe.

It will mark Musburger’s and Herbstreit’s fifth consecutive BCS National Championship, the first two on ESPN Radio, followed by the BCS National Championship Game from the Rose Bowl on ABC two years ago and last season’s Championship from Glendale, Ariz. on ESPN.

Sean McDonough, Matt Millen and Heather Cox will work BCS bowls on consecutive days, calling the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on ESPN on Monday, Jan. 2, at 8:30 p.m. and ESPN Radio’s broadcast of the Allstate Sugar Bowl Tuesday, Jan. 3, at 8:30 p.m. They will also work the Insight Bowl on Friday, Dec. 30, at 10 p.m. on ESPN.

Musburger, Herbstreit and Andrews – the ESPN on ABC Saturday Night Football Presented by Southwest Airlines announcers – will also call the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Vizio on ESPN on Monday, Jan. 2, at 5 p.m.

Tirico will be joined by Monday Night Football analysts Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski on ESPN’s telecast of the Discover Orange Bowl with reporter Lisa Salters on Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 8:30 p.m. Tirico, Gruden and Salters will also work the Outback Bowl on ABC, Monday, Jan. 2, at 1 p.m. on ABC.

In addition to the Allstate BCS National Championship, Blackledge and Rowe will work ESPN’s coverage of the Allstate Sugar Bowl with their regular-season play-by-play partner Brad Nessler on Tuesday, Jan. 3, at 8:30 p.m.

Joe Tessitore and Rod Gilmore, ESPN’s regular Friday night game announcers, will call ESPN Radio’s broadcast of the Discover Orange Bowl on Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 8:30 p.m.; ESPN’s telecast of the Capital One Bowl Monday, Jan. 2, at 1 p.m.; and ESPN’s coverage of the Champs Sports Bowl on Thursday, Dec. 29, at 5:30 p.m.

Bowl Championship Series

Mon, Jan 2	5 p.m.	Rose Bowl Game Presented by Vizio ESPN: Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit & Erin Andrews ESPN Radio: Dave Pasch, Chris Spielman & Tom Rinaldi	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN Radio
	8:30 p.m.	Tostitos Fiesta Bowl ESPN: Sean McDonough, Matt Millen & Heather Cox ESPN Radio: Bill Rosinski, David Norrie & Joe Schad	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN Radio
Tue, Jan 3	8:30 p.m.	Allstate Sugar Bowl ESPN: Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge & Holly Rowe ESPN Radio: Sean McDonough, Matt Millen & Heather Cox	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN Radio
Wed, Jan 4	8:30 p.m.	Discover Orange Bowl ESPN: Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Ron Jaworski & Lisa Salters ESPN Radio: Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore & Quint Kessenich	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN Radio
Mon, Jan 9	8:30 p.m.	Allstate BCS National Championship ESPN: Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit, Erin Andrews & Tom Rinaldi ESPN Radio: Mike Tirico, Todd Blackledge & Holly Rowe	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN 3D / ESPN Radio

Additional Postseason Bowl Games

Date	Time (ET)	Game	Network
Sat, Dec 17	2 p.m.	Gildan New Mexico Bowl ESPN: Clay Matvick, Brian Griese & Jessica Mendoza ESPN Radio: TBA, David Diaz-Infante & TBA	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN Radio
	5:30 p.m.	Famous Idaho Potato Bowl ESPN: Dave Flemming, Mike Bellotti & Heather Cox ESPN Radio: Bill Rosinski, David Norrie & Joe Schad	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN Radio
	9 p.m.	R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl ESPN: Carter Blackburn, Brock Huard & Shelley Smith ESPN Radio: Adam Amin, Jay Walker & Ian Fitzsimmons	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN 3D/ ESPN Radio
Tue, Dec 20	8 p.m.	Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg ESPN: Mike Patrick, Craig James & Jeannine Edwards ESPN Radio: Rob Stone, Danny Kanell & TBA	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN 3D / ESPN Radio
Wed, Dec 21	8 p.m.	San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl ESPN: Joe Tessitore, Lou Holtz, Mark May & TBA ESPN Radio: Bill Rosinski, David Norrie & Joe Schad	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN Radio
Thu, Dec 22	8 p.m.	MAACO Bowl Las Vegas Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit & Tom Rinaldi	ESPN / ESPN3
Sat, Dec 24	8 p.m.	Sheraton Hawaii Bowl ESPN: Mark Jones, Ed Cunningham & Jessica Mendoza ESPN Radio: Marc Kestecher & Trevor Matich	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN Radio
Mon, Dec 26	5 p.m.	AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl Rob Stone, Danny Kanell & Allison Williams	ESPN2 / ESPN3
Tue, Dec 27	4:30 p.m.	Little Caesars Bowl Beth Mowins, Mike Bellotti & Eamon McAnaney	ESPN / ESPN3
	8 p.m.	Belk Bowl Bob Wischusen, Brian Griese & Shannon Spake	ESPN / ESPN3
Wed, Dec 28	4:30 p.m.	Military Bowl Presented by Northrop Grumman Pam Ward, Dan Hawkins & Jeannine Edwards	ESPN / ESPN3
	8 p.m.	Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl ESPN: Rece Davis, Craig James, Jesse Palmer & Jenn Brown ESPN Radio: Bill Rosinski, David Norrie & Joe Schad	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN Radio
Thu, Dec 29	5:30 p.m.	Champs Sports Bowl ESPN: Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore & Holly Rowe ESPN Radio: Mike Gleason, John Congemi & TBA	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN 3D / ESPN Radio
	9 p.m.	Valero Alamo Bowl ESPN: Dave Pasch, Chris Spielman & Quint Kessenich ESPN Radio: Carter Blackburn, Brock Huard & Eamon McAnaney	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN Radio
Fri, Dec 30	Noon	Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl ESPN: Dave Neal, Andre Ware & Cara Capuano ESPN Radio: Adam Amin, Tim Brown & Ian Fitzsimmons	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN Radio
	3:20 p.m.	New Era Pinstripe Bowl ESPN: Chris Fowler, Jesse Palmer & Tom Rinaldi ESPN Radio: TBA	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN Radio
	6:40 p.m.	Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl Mark Jones, Ed Cunningham & Jeannine Edwards	ESPN / ESPN3
	10 p.m.	Insight Bowl ESPN: Sean McDonough, Matt Millen & Heather Cox ESPN Radio: Bill Rosinski, David Norrie & Joe Schad	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN Radio
Sat, Dec 31	Noon	Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas ESPN: Bob Wischusen, Brian Griese & Eamon McAnaney ESPN Radio: Beth Mowins, Mike Bellotti & TBA	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN Radio
	3:30 p.m.	AutoZone Liberty Bowl ABC: Dave Lamont, Ray Bentley & Quint Kessenich ESPN Radio: Pam Ward, Dan Hawkins & TBA	ABC / ESPN3 / ESPN Radio
	3:30 p.m.	Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl Carter Blackburn, Brock Huard & Shelley Smith	ESPN / ESPN3
	7:30 p.m.	Chick-fil-A Bowl ESPN: Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge & Holly Rowe ESPN Radio: Dave Neal, David Diaz-Infante & Cara Capuano	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN 3D / ESPN Radio
Mon, Jan 2	Noon	TicketCity Bowl Clay Matvick, Danny Kanell & Allison Williams	ESPNU / ESPN3
	1 p.m.	Outback Bowl ABC: Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden & Lisa Salters ESPN Radio: Bob Wischusen, John Congemi & Joey Galloway	ABC / ESPN Radio
	1 p.m.	Capital One Bowl ESPN: Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore & Quint Kessenich ESPN Radio: Dave Lamont, Ray Bentley & TBA	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN 3D / ESPN Radio
	1 p.m.	TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl Mike Patrick, Craig James & Jeannine Edwards	ESPN2 / ESPN3
Sat, Jan 7	1 p.m.	BBVA Compass Bowl ESPN: Mike Gleason, John Congemi & Eamon McAananey ESPN Radio: Clay Matvick, Charles Arbuckle & Jessica Mendoza	ESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN Radio
Sun, Jan 8	9 p.m.	GoDaddy.com Bowl Rob Stone, Danny Kanell & Cara Capuano	ESPN / ESPN3

As part of an extensive four-year agreement with the Bowl Championship Series that began last year, ESPN will provide exclusive worldwide television coverage, radio broadcasts, digital content and more for the five annual BCS games from January 2011 through January 2014. Last season was the first time ESPN televised BCS games while ESPN Radio has broadcast every BCS game since 2000.

ESPN’s coverage of last year’s BCS title game averaged 27,316,000 viewers and 17,718,000 households, making it the most watched program in the history of cable television.

The 2011 college football season on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN 3D, ESPN3, ESPN Radio, ESPN Mobile TV, ESPN Regional Television and ESPN GamePlan totals more than 400 regular-and post-season games.

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ESPN Sports Saturday to Debut December 10 on ABC

November 30, 2011 By admin

New Show Anchors Two-Hour ESPN Saturday Block on ABC

ESPN Sports Saturday, a new one-hour show filled with timely news and information on the biggest stories in sports, will debut Saturday, Dec. 10, at 5 p.m. ET on ABC. The new show will anchor the “ESPN Sports Saturday” block of programming on ABC (weekly from 4-6 p.m.) with ESPN Films, among other ESPN programming, shown from 4-5 p.m.

ESPN Sports Saturday will combine live news updates with informative debate created exclusively for the show featuring commentators from ESPN programs such as Pardon the Interruption, SportsNation, First Take, Jim Rome is Burning, NFL Live, SportsCenter, College GameDay and Mike & Mike in the Morning. ESPN anchor Jay Harris will host ESPN Sports Saturday in December.

ESPN Sports Saturday is produced by the same production team which worked on Winner’s Bracket, which previously occupied the 5-6 p.m. broadcast window.

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MLB Network Takes “Hot Stove” & “Intentional Talk” to the 2011 MLB Winter Meetings

November 30, 2011 By admin

MLB NETWORK’S HOT STOVE AND INTENTIONAL TALK TO AIR LIVE FROM THE 2011 MLB WINTER MEETINGS IN DALLAS NEXT WEEK

Coverage Begins With Hot Stove Winter Meetings Preview on Sunday, December 4 at 8:00 p.m. ET

National Baseball Hall of Fame Golden Era Election Results Announced Live on MLB Network on Monday, December 5

Secaucus, NJ, November 30, 2011 – MLB Network will air more than 15 live hours of coverage from the 2011 MLB Winter Meetings headquarters in Dallas, Texas next week with special editions of Hot Stove and Intentional Talk, starting with a Hot Stove preview on Sunday, December 4 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Episodes of Hot Stove, including interviews with general managers and managers, will air at 3:00 p.m. ET and 6:00 p.m. ET from Monday, December 5 through Thursday, December 8 with hosts Greg Amsinger and Matt Vasgersian, analysts Larry Bowa, Peter Gammons, Dan Plesac and Harold Reynolds, and insiders Jon Heyman, Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci. Throughout the five days, Hot Stove will feature segments on the history of the Winter Meetings, including notable trades and free agent signings. On-site episodes of Intentional Talk, hosted by Kevin Millar and Chris Rose, will air each day live at 5:00 p.m. ET, featuring interviews with team personnel and updates on the latest news and rumors from around the league.

MLB Network will also televise live the 2012 National Baseball Hall of Fame Golden Era election results announcement on Monday, December 5 at 11:00 a.m. ET. Candidates on the ballot include Buzzie Bavasi, Ken Boyer, Charlie Finley, Gil Hodges, MLB Network analyst Jim Kaat, Minnie Minoso, Tony Oliva, Allie Reynolds, Ron Santo and Luis Tiant.

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Seattle Seahawks Host Philadelphia Eagles on NFL Network’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ December 1 at 8:00 PM ET — NFL Network & NFL.com Programming Notes (11/30 – 12/6)

November 30, 2011 By admin

Eagles RB LeSean McCoy Sits Down with Deion Sanders on Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Sears at 6:00 PM ET

‘Sunday Sitdown’ – Raiders QB Carson Palmer with Steve Mariucci on NFL GameDay Morning Sunday, December 4 at 9:00 AM ET

Playbook Special Edition: Tim Tebow Airs Saturday, December 3 at 10:30 PM ET

Charles Woodson, Adam Carolla & Sam Farmer on The Rich Eisen Podcast Thursday, Dec. 1 at 2:30 PM ET

NFL’s Leading Rusher LeSean McCoy & the Eagles Face Marshawn Lynch & the Seahawks on NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football Thursday, December 1 at 8:00 PM ET

The NFL’s leading rusher and touchdown leader LeSean McCoy leads the Philadelphia Eagles against running back Marshawn Lynch and the Seattle Seahawks on NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football December 1 at 8:00 PM ET. Brad Nessler provides the play-by-play and Mike Mayock serves as game analyst. Alex Flanagan provides reports from the sidelines of CenturyLink Field in Seattle.

Coverage begins with the Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Sears pregame show at 6:00 PM ET.

This week on Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Sears, NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders sits down with Eagles running back LeSean McCoy for a one-on-one interview.

The two-hour pregame show also includes:

Feature on the roller coaster season for the Philadelphia Eagles
How to stop Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow
Report from New York as the Giants prepare to face the undefeated Green Bay Packers

NFL Network Thursday Night Football analyst Mike Mayock previews the matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Seattle Seahawks:

“It is critical that the Eagles find a way for LeSean McCoy to get more touches. Last week against New England, he only had 14 touches in the entire game. They need to get McCoy the ball 20-25 times and make a concerted effort in the run game to get him as many touches as possible and stay more balanced.

“Seattle’s challenge is protecting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson; he has been sacked 28 times this year. The Eagles front four has been voracious this year. The Seahawks have to block the defensive ends Jason Babin and Trent Cole. In addition, Philadelphia’s Cullen Jenkins is one of the best pass-rushing defensive tackles in the NFL. The Seahawks must stay balanced and when they get into those third-and-medium and third-and-long situations they have to protect the quarterback.”

THIS WEEK ON NFL GAMEDAY MORNING – Raiders QB Carson Palmer 1-on-1 with Steve Mariucci

Sunday is GameDay, beginning with NFL GameDay Morning at 9:00 AM ET. Join host Rich Eisen and analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin on the first and most comprehensive pregame show on television, taking viewers straight up to kickoff with the latest news, injury reports, pregame analysis, exclusive interviews and game previews.

This week for ‘Sunday Sitdown,’ Steve Mariucci sits down with Oakland Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer for a one-on-one interview.

Additionally, NFL Network reporter Steve Cyphers examines how the Denver defense is helping quarterback Tim Tebow win games, and reporter Albert Breer profiles the friendship between Colts center Jeff Saturday and Patriots chairman & CEO Robert Kraft.

Featured on NFL GameDay Morning:

Where do the Houston Texans go from here, and how far can their defense and rushing attack take them?
How can Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh change his actions?
Are the 6-5 Denver Broncos a playoff team?
Can quarterback Carson Palmer lead the Oakland Raiders to the Super Bowl?
What is the impact of firing a head coach mid-season?
Which team has the best offense in the NFL?

NFL Network reporters will provide pre-game news and interviews from the following games:

Steve Cyphers reports from Minneapolis for Broncos-Vikings
Stacey Dales reports from Pittsburgh for Bengals-Steelers
Randy Moss reports from Landover, MD for Jets-Redskins
Jeff Darlington reports from Houston for Falcons-Texans

Playbook Special Edition: Tim Tebow Examines the Denver Broncos’ QB Saturday, December 3 at 10:30 PM ET – Special Guest Broncos Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy

On Saturday, December 3 at 10:30 PM ET on NFL Network, Playbook Special Edition: Tim Tebow examines the starting quarterback for the surging Denver Broncos. Analysts Joe Theismann, Brian Baldinger, Solomon Wilcots and Matt Millen discuss how Tebow has led the Broncos to four consecutive wins and if the Broncos can continue their winning ways with the second-year quarterback under center.

Additionally Theismann, Millen and NFL Films producer Greg Cosell debate if there is anyone – past or present – who can compare to Tebow’s skillset, and NFL Network analyst Michael Lombardi provides the front office view on whether or not Tebow is the long-term solution at quarterback for the Broncos.

Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy joins the show to explain how the Broncos have changed their offense to fit Tebow’s unique abilities.

THIS WEEK ON AROUND THE LEAGUE LIVE and NFL TOTAL ACCESS

Wednesday, November 30

Around the League Live:

Melissa Stark reports from New York with the Giants
Michelle Beisner reports from Green Bay

Thursday, December 1

Around the League Live: Thursday Night Football preview

Steve Wyche, Alex Flanagan and Stacey Dales report from Seattle

Friday, December 2

Around the League Live:

Albert Breer reports from Washington

Saturday, December 3

NFL Total Access:

Steve Cyphers reports from Minneapolis
Stacey Dales reports from Pittsburgh
Jeff Darlington reports from Houston
Albert Breer reports from Washington

Warren Sapp, Steve Mariucci, Sterling Sharpe & Willie McGinest on No Huddle TONIGHT at 10:00 PM ET

Warren Sapp, Steve Mariucci, Sterling Sharpe and Willie McGinest are featured this week on No Huddle tonight at 10:00 PM ET for a roundtable discussion. The four analysts will discuss the following topics:

Is Tim Tebow the Broncos quarterback of the future?
No Huddle crew debate Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh’s actions on Thanksgiving against the Packers
Who gets the two Wildcard spots in the AFC?

Below are quotes from this week’s edition of No Huddle:

“Andy Dalton is not a baby anymore. This is a dangerous team.” – Steve Mariucci on rookie quarterback Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals

“What I’m saying is Ndamukong Suh is a very aggressive player, and what he did on Thanksgiving is uncalled for. Deplorable.” – Sterling Sharpe on Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh

Charles Woodson, Adam Carolla, Sam Farmer & Jim Brockmire on The Rich Eisen Podcast Thursday, December 1 at 2:30 PM ET

The latest edition of The Rich Eisen Podcast airs on NFL Network Thursday, December 1 at 2:30 PM ET, with a replay on Saturday, December 3 at 1:30 PM ET.

Cornerback for the undefeated Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers Charles Woodson joins the podcast for a discussion on the possibility of going 16-0, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, the success of the University of Michigan football team and Urban Meyer going to Ohio State.

Media personality Adam Carolla appears in-studio for the second time on the podcast to discuss his beloved St. Louis Rams , as well as the Dallas Cowboys and the changes he would make to NFL goalposts.

Los Angeles Times NFL reporter Sam Farmer joins Eisen to discuss the Jacksonville Jaguars ownership change and the future of the NFL in Los Angeles.

Lastly, Jim Brockmire returns to countdown the top plays of the month of November.

Below are quotes from this edition of The Rich Eisen Podcast:

“It was more so his reaction after the game that caught everybody off guard than even the stomp, and his explanation of what happened. So I think that there was probably a message that had to be sent by Rodger Goodell and the NFL, that if you’re going to do something like that on the field then at least number one, own up to what you did, and then we’ll take care of business accordingly after that.” – Charles Woodson on Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh

“Going through that whole process we found out very quickly what kind of person he was and what he was going to mean to this team. All of the scrutiny that was surrounding him, being a guy that had to come in after an all-time great – a guy who was loved by 99% of everybody who is Packers fan…He stood in there tall and just came to work every day and as soon as he got in there, everyone understood the decision of why the Packers went the way they went.” – Charles Woodson on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers

This edition of The Rich Eisen Podcast is now available for download on NFL.com and iTunes:

http://richeisen.nfl.com/2011/11/30/rich-eisen-podcast-charles-woodson-adam-carolla-jim-brockmire-and-sam-farmer/

THIS WEEK ON PLAYBOOK

Friday 8:00 PM ET – AFC Playbook with Solomon Wilcots, Brian Baldinger, Joe Theismann and Matt Millen

Joe Theismann on why Matt Ryan can have a big day against the Texans defense
Brian Billick film study on how Cedric Benson can have success running the ball against the Steelers defense
Why the Patriots can win their fourth consecutive game
How the Dolphins defense can confuse Carson Palmer and end the Raiders’ three-game winning streak
2:00 Warning – A look at the fantasy impact running backs in the AFC North

Friday 9:00 PM ET – NFC Playbook with Solomon Wilcots, Brian Baldinger, Joe Theismann and Matt Millen

Joe Theismann on how Drew Brees can carve up the Lions defense
Brian Billick film study on how Aaron Rodgers can have success attacking the Giants defense
How Tony Romo can lead the Cowboys to their fifth consecutive win
Why the Broncos can win their fifth consecutive game
2:00 Warning – A look at the fantasy impact wide receivers in the NFC North

Dallas Cowboys & Atlanta Falcons Move into Top 10 in NFL.com’s Week 13 Power Poll

Following wins this week, the Dallas Cowboys (No. 8) and Atlanta Falcons (No. 9) move into the top 10 in NFL.com’s Week 13 Power Poll.

The undefeated Green Bay Packers remain atop the poll for the 13th consecutive week, while the New Orleans Saints move into the No. 2 spot.

Below are the top 10 teams in the NFL.com Power Poll, with their previous week’s ranking listed in parentheses:
1. Green Bay Packers (1)

2. New Orleans Saints (3)

3. Baltimore Ravens (5)

T-4. San Francisco 49ers (2)

T-4. Pittsburgh Steelers (4)

6. New England Patriots (7)

7. Houston Texans (6)

8. Dallas Cowboys (13)

9. Atlanta Falcons (11)

10. Chicago Bears (8)

To view the entire poll, visit:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8249377e/article/week-13-saints-ravens-49ers-steelers-looking-up-at-pack?module=HP11_cp

DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (all times listed are ET)

Wednesday, November 30

12 NOON – NFL Films Presents: Guiding Lights

12:30 PM – NFL Replay: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets – Week 12, 2011

2:00 PM – NFL Fantasy Live

2:30 PM – NFL Replay: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Week 12, 2011

4:00 PM – Walter Payton: A Football Life

5:00 PM – Around the League Live

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:00 PM – NFL Replay: Chicago Bears at Oakland Raiders – Week 12, 2011

9:30 PM – Sound FX: Week 12, 2011

10:00 PM – No Huddle

11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Fantasy Live

12:30 AM – NFL Replay: Chicago Bears at Oakland Raiders – Week 12, 2011

2:00 AM – Sound FX: Week 12, 2011

2:30 AM – No Huddle

3:30 AM – NFL Films Presents: Guiding Lights

Thursday, December 1

12 NOON – Sound FX: Week 12, 2011

12:30 PM – NFL Replay: Chicago Bears at Oakland Raiders – Week 12, 2011

2:00 PM – NFL Fantasy Live

2:30 PM – The Rich Eisen Podcast

3:00 PM – No Huddle

4:00 PM – Around the League Live

6:00 PM – Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Sears – LIVE

8:00 PM – Thursday Night Football: Philadelphia Eagles at Seattle Seahawks – LIVE

11:30 PM – Kay Jewelers Postgame

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Total Access

Friday, December 2

12 NOON – NFL’s Top 10: Mobile Quarterbacks

1:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Draft Steals

2:00 PM – NFL Fantasy Live

2:30 PM – NFL Films Presents: Best Foot Forward

3:00 PM – Bill Belichick: A Football Life – Part 1

4:00 PM – Bill Belichick: A Football Life – Part 2

5:00 PM – Around the League Live

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:00 PM – Playbook: AFC

9:00 PM – Playbook: NFC

10:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Clutch Quarterbacks

11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Fantasy Live

12:30 AM – Playbook: AFC

1:30 AM – Playbook: NFC

2:30 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Revenge Games

3:30 AM – Sound FX: Week 12, 2011

Saturday, December 3

9:00 AM – NFL Films Presents: Best Foot Forward

9:30 AM – Sound FX: Week 12, 2011

10:00 AM – No Huddle

11:00 AM – Playbook Special Edition: Tim Tebow

11:30 AM – Playbook: AFC

12:30 PM – Playbook: NFC

1:30 PM – The Rich Eisen Podcast

2:00 PM – No Huddle

3:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Revenge Games

4:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Clutch Quarterbacks

5:00 PM – Playbook: AFC

6:00 PM – Playbook: NFC

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:30 PM – Reggie White & Jerome Brown: A Football Life

9:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Passing Seasons

10:30 PM – Playbook Special Edition: Tim Tebow

11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

12:30 AM – The Rich Eisen Podcast

1:00 AM – Reggie White & Jerome Brown: A Football Life

2:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Passing Seasons

Sunday, December 4

9:00 AM – NFL GameDay Morning

1:00 PM – NFL GameDay Statzone

4:00 PM – NFL GameDay Scoreboard

7:30 PM – NFL GameDay Highlights

11:30 PM – NFL GameDay Final

Monday, December 5

1:00 PM – Around the League Live

6:00 PM – Up to the Minute

6:30 PM – The Coaches Show

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:30 PM – The Coaches Show

9:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Pass Rushers

10:00 PM – The Coaches Show

10:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Most Versatile

11:30 PM – NFL Total Access Monday Night Football Presser

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Total Access Monday Night Football Review

Tuesday, December 6

12 NOON – America’s Game: 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers

1:00 PM – America’s Game: 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers

2:00 PM – NFL Fantasy Live

2:30 PM – Sound FX: Jerome Bettis

3:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Elusive Runners

4:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Passing Seasons

5:00 PM – Around the League Live

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:00 PM – NFL Replay: TBD

9:30 PM – NFL Replay: TBD

11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Fantasy Live

12:30 AM – NFL Replay: TBD

2:00 AM – NFL Replay: TBD

3:30 AM – Sound FX: Jerome Bettis

‘Playbook Special Edition: Tim Tebow’ Saturday, December 3 at 10:30 PM ET on NFL Network

November 30, 2011 By admin

Joe Theismann, Brian Baldinger, Solomon Wilcots & Matt Millen Examine What Makes Tebow Successful

Broncos Offensive Coordinator Mike McCoy Discusses Changes to Denver’s Offense with Tebow

Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy joins the show to explain how the Broncos have changed their offense to fit Tebow’s unique abilities.

Playbook airs each week on Friday on NFL Network, with an AFC edition at 8:00 PM ET and NFC edition at 9:00 PM ET.

The Broncos’ 16-13 overtime victory over the San Diego Chargers in Week 12 airs on NFL Network’s NFL Replay tonight at 9:30 PM ET.

NFL Tops On TV Thanksgiving Weekend

November 30, 2011 By admin

NFL TOPS ON TV THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

Three Game Telecasts Top 25 Million Viewers

CBS’ Dolphins-Cowboys Thanksgiving Game Most-Watched TV Show this Fall

FOX’s Packers-Lions Draws Top Thanksgiving Overnight Rating Since 1996

Steelers-Chiefs on NBC’s Sunday Night Football Tops Primetime Viewership

49ers-Ravens on NFL Network Posts Best-Ever Thanksgiving Cable Viewership

The Thanksgiving tradition of family, food and football continued this past weekend as fans tuned into NFL games in large numbers.

The CBS Thanksgiving game (Dolphins-Cowboys) drew 30.9 million viewers – the most for a CBS Thanksgiving game since it acquired the AFC package in 1998 and ranking as the most-watched television show this fall (pending Friday release of FOX Thanksgiving game viewership). In addition, the CBS Sunday national telecast (mostly Patriots-Eagles) drew 26.3 million viewers – the network’s most-watched Sunday telecast of the season.

The FOX Thanksgiving game (Packers-Lions) drew a 15.8 overnight rating, tying with 1998 Vikings-Cowboys as the network’s highest-rated game on the holiday since 1996 (Redskins-Cowboys, 17.0). (Viewership figures for the FOX game will be available on Friday, according to The Nielsen Company. It will rank with the CBS Thanksgiving game as the two most-watched programs of the week and the fall TV season).

NBC’s Sunday Night Football (Steelers-Chiefs) drew 20.3 million viewers and was the most-watched primetime program of the week (November 21-27).

The Thanksgiving night 49ers-Ravens game on NFL Network was watched by 10.7 million viewers (not including over-the-air markets), ranking as cable’s top all-time Thanksgiving telecast (Nielsen records date to 1994) and the most-watched program in NFLN’s eight-year history.

NFL games also topped local ratings in 28 of 30 NFL markets last week. Following is the list of 28 NFL markets where football was the top-rated program for the week of Nov. 21-27:

Week of 11/21–27			HH	HH	RTG
Market	Game	Date	RTG	SHR	Rank
Pittsburgh	Steelers at Chiefs	11/27/11	50.7	67	1
Baltimore	49ers at Ravens**	11/24/11	41.0	71	1
Boston	Patriots at Eagles	11/27/11	38.7	60	1
Milwaukee	Packers at Lions	11/24/11	37.0	74	1
Buffalo	Bills at Jets	11/27/11	36.7	61	1
Chicago	Bears at Raiders	11/27/11	35.1	56	1
Denver	Broncos at Chargers	11/27/11	34.4	63	1
Kansas City	Steelers at Chiefs	11/27/11	33.8	48	1
San Diego	Broncos at Chargers	11/27/11	31.9	60	1
Cleveland	Browns at Bengals	11/27/11	30.7	55	1
Detroit	Packers at Lions	11/24/11	30.5	61	1
Philadelphia	Patriots at Eagles	11/27/11	30.5	49	1
Nashville	Buccaneers at Titans	11/27/11	29.1	44	1
Indianapolis	Panthers at Colts	11/27/11	28.3	49	1
Minneapolis	Vikings at Falcons	11/27/11	27.9	57	1
Seattle	Redskins at Seahawks	11/27/11	26.2	53	1
Dallas	Dolphins at Cowboys	11/24/11	26.1	63	1
Houston	Texans at Jaguars	11/27/11	25.3	47	1
Charlotte	Panthers at Colts	11/27/11	23.7	43	1
Atlanta	Vikings at Falcons	11/27/11	23.6	44	1
Washington, DC	Redskins at Seahawks	11/27/11	22.1	39	1
Jacksonville	Texans at Jaguars	11/27/11	21.9	38	1
San Fran-Oakland	49ers at Ravens**	11/24/11	21.2	57	1
Phoenix	Packers at Lions	11/24/11	20.9	41	1
St. Louis	Cardinals at Rams	11/27/11	20.0	37	1
Miami	Dolphins at Cowboys	11/24/11	18.6	44	1
Cincinnati	Broncos at Chargers	11/27/11	17.2	26	1
Tampa	Buccaneers at Titans	11/27/11	16.3	37	1

* Local affiliate & ESPN combined

** Local affiliate & NFLN combined

Source: NFL & The Nielsen Company

VGTRK Acquires NHL Television Rights in Russia

November 30, 2011 By admin

NEW YORK (November 30, 2011) – The National Hockey League (NHL) and the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK | RTR) today announced the signing of an agreement giving the Russian broadcaster the rights to telecast live NHL® games.

VGTRK | RTR will show multiple games per week, which will be shared between their free-to-air channel Rossiya 2 and their sports channel Sport 1. Rossiya 2 is received by a potential 80 million viewers and Sport 1 by 3.5 million, making this deal a significant addition to the League’s International TV distribution.

“Providing NHL games on television in Russia is important given that some of the League’s biggest stars such as Alex Ovechkin, Pavel Datsyuk and Evgeni Malkin were born, grew up and began their hockey careers there,” said John Collins, NHL chief operating officer. “This agreement is one way we are providing fans throughout Russia with the NHL content that they demand and the ability to follow their hometown heroes throughout their NHL careers.”

The addition of VGTRK | RTR as a broadcast partner follows a number of distribution agreements reached this season with international broadcasters throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as the landmark distribution partnership between the NHL and MTG to provide live coverage of all 1,230 regular-season games and every Stanley Cup® Playoffs game throughout the Nordic region, including Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway. For a complete listing of international broadcast partners, click here.

In July of 2011, Advisers Media International (AMI) and Medge Consulting secured the international media rights for the NHL. The rights cover international markets tendered by the NHL, including Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In addition to marketing the NHL’s media rights, AMI and Medge have also been appointed to develop the international brand and profile of the NHL and develop and market new events.

### (11/30/11)

Arlo White To Be The Voice Of NBC Sports Group’s Major League Soccer Broadcasts

November 30, 2011 By admin

Former Seattle Sounders FC Play-By-Play Voice to Call MLS and Team USA Games on NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network Beginning in 2012

NBC & NBC Sports Network to Televise 50 Games per Season, Including Four by U.S. National Team, As Part of New Media Rights Agreement with Major League Soccer Beginning in March 11, 2012

NEW YORK – November 30, 2011 – Arlo White will serve as the play-by-play voice for NBC Sports Group’s coverage of Major League Soccer (MLS), starting with the first broadcast on NBC Sports Network on March 11, 2012, it was announced today.

“Arlo is one of the top voices calling soccer today in the U.S., and we are very excited to have him be the lead play-by-play announcer to launch our new agreement with Major League Soccer,” said Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. “I also want to sincerely thank the Seattle Sounders FC ownership for making Arlo available, so he can be the MLS voice for the NBC Sports Group to a national audience.”

White, who spent the last two years as the play-by-play voice for the Seattle Sounders FC of MLS on television and radio, is a native of England. He previously spent nine years with BBC Radio Sport in England where he was part of the BBC Radio 5-Live announcing team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. White also served as a host on BBC Radio 5 Live and hosted the station’s flagship Premier League Football show, Saturday 5 Live Sport, as well as the Monday Night Club alongside BBC football commentator John Motson.

“It is a tremendous honor for me to join the NBC Sports Group, an organization that I have revered from afar for many years,” said White. “I am extremely passionate about the future of Major League Soccer, and this partnership with NBC will provide a huge boost for the sport in the United States. I am very proud to have been called up to play a major role in it.

“I am indebted to the Seattle Sounders FC and the club’s wonderful fans,” White added. “Joe Roth and Adrian Hanauer provided me with an opportunity for which I will always be grateful. It was a privilege to serve as the voice of the Sounders, and I thank the supporters for giving me such a warm welcome.”

From 2002 to 2005, White was part of the 5 Live Breakfast program on the BBC, where he covered, among other events, the 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and various Champions League football matches.

The remainder of the NBC Sports Group’s MLS broadcasters will be announced at a later date.

# # #

In August, Major League Soccer (MLS) and the NBC Sports Group announced a three-year media rights agreement that commences at the start of the 2012 MLS season. The partnership calls for 46 MLS games and four U.S. National Team contests to be televised live across both NBC and NBC Sports Network each season and live-streamed on NBCSports.com. This agreement was the first rights deal for the NBC Sports Network, which will be re-branded from VERSUS on January 2, 2012.

Each season, NBC will broadcast three regular-season MLS games, two playoff games and two appearances by the U.S. National Team, marking the first time four MLS matches will be broadcast on network television since 2002. The NBC Sports Network will televise 38 regular-season games, three playoff games and two U.S. National Team matches. All telecasts on NBC and NBC Sports Network will consist of pre-game and post-game coverage. NBCSports.com will live stream all NBC Sports Group matches and will add bonus features similar to its NFL and NHL streams.

Along with MLS telecasts on five Comcast SportsNets (Philadelphia, New England, Bay Area, Mid-Atlantic and Chicago), this agreement provides the league with coverage across the NBC Sports Group’s unique four-tier portfolio of assets: broadcast network, national cable, regional sports networks and digital platforms.

— NBC Sports Group —

Bears-Raiders Featured on ‘NFL Replay’ Wednesday, November 30 at 8:00 PM ET + Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis on ‘Sound FX’ at 9:30 PM ET

November 30, 2011 By admin

NFL Network’s Wednesday NFL Replay, Sound FX & No Huddle Schedule

Wednesday, November 30

8:00 PM ET NFL Replay: Chicago Bears at Oakland Raiders

Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski kicked a franchise-record six field goals as Oakland defeated the Chicago Bears, 25-20, to win its third consecutive game. Oakland quarterback Carson Palmer threw for 301 yards and running back Michael Bush scored the team’s lone touchdown. Caleb Hanie, filling in for Jay Cutler, threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns for the Bears.

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2011112708/2011/REG12/bears@raiders#menu=highlights&tab=recap

9:30 PM ET Sound FX: Week 12 – Includes Wired Sound from Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis

A compilation of the best on-field sights and sounds from around the league from Week 12 of the NFL season, featuring wired sound of Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert and Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant.

Last week, Sound FX: Thursday Night Football Special Edition 49ers vs. Ravens offered an “all-sound,” cut down version of the Thanksgiving game between the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens, featuring more than a dozen coaches and players wired for sound and 17 all-access cameras dedicated to capturing sights and sounds from the field, sidelines and coaching booth.

Jim and John Harbaugh:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-sound-efx/09000d5d8247c738/Sound-FX-The-brothers-Harbaugh

Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-sound-efx/09000d5d8247c655/Sound-FX-Terrell-Suggs

Pregame excitement:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-sound-efx/09000d5d8247c23c/Sound-FX-Pregame-excitement

10:00 PM ET No Huddle – Warren Sapp, Steve Mariucci, Sterling Sharpe & Willie McGinest

Warren Sapp, Steve Mariucci, Sterling Sharpe and Willie McGinest are featured this week on No Huddle for a roundtable discussion. The four will discuss the following topics:

o The Denver Broncos improve to 5-1 with Tim Tebow as the starting quarterback

o Who gets the two Wildcard spots in the AFC?

o Which team is the most impressive in the AFC?

NFL Replay offers an exclusive look at the previous week’s games in a condensed, 90-minute, high-octane format. With the use of bonus NFL Films and NFL Network footage, including never-before-seen camera angles and coaches’ commentary, combined with exclusive wired sound from the field, locker rooms and sidelines, viewers will experience the game like never before.

NFL Network’s NFL Replay programming on Tuesday and Wednesday begins at 8:00 PM ET, with two 90-minute replays of games from the previous week on Tuesday, and one 90-minute replay on Wednesday. Following the final game replay on Wednesday, Sound FX provides exclusive on-field sights and sounds at 9:30 PM ET.

NFL Game Rewind on NFL.com

Fans also may watch every game from this season, including Week 12 games, online, in HD and on demand at NFL.com/gamerewind. NFL Game Rewind makes available every game, in its entirety without commercials, starting at midnight following the Sunday games. New this season, Game Rewind offers a Condensed Games option which shows every play, plus select replays of the biggest moments of each game in approximately 30 minutes.

NFL Rushing & Touchdown Leader LeSean McCoy Leads Eagles Against Seahawks & RB Marshawn Lynch — Eagles vs. Seahawks ‘Thursday Night Football’ Game Capsule

November 29, 2011 By admin

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011 — 8:00 PM ET

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS ON NFL NETWORK

NFL Rushing and Touchdown Leader LeSean McCoy Leads the Eagles Against the Seahawks & RB Marshawn Lynch, who has Scored a Touchdown in Seven Consecutive Games

TEAMS:	EAGLES	SEAHAWKS
ANNOUNCERS	Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Mike Mayock (game analyst); Alex Flanagan (sideline)
PREGAME (6:00 PM ET)	Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Sears In Seattle: Rich Eisen, Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, Steve Mariucci, Deion Sanders, Stacey Dales, Alex Flanagan In Los Angeles: Kara Henderson, Kurt Warner, Sterling Sharpe, Jay Glazer
PRE-KICK (8:00 PM ET)	Lexus Pre-Kick Show Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock, Alex Flanagan, Rich Eisen, Steve Mariucci, Deion Sanders, Michael Irvin, Kurt Warner, Sterling Sharpe, Jay Glazer, Stacey Dales
HALFTIME	Kia Halftime Show Rich Eisen, Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, Steve Mariucci, Deion Sanders, Stacey Dales, Alex Flanagan
POSTGAME	Kay Jewelers Postgame Show Rich Eisen, Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, Steve Mariucci, Deion Sanders, Stacey Dales, Alex Flanagan NFL Total Access Postgame Show In-studio: Andrew Siciliano, Kara Henderson, Kurt Warner Jamie Dukes, Willie McGinest Game Site: Stacey Dales, Steve Wyche
WHERE TO WATCH	DirecTV – Channel 212 (SD/HD), DISH Network – 154 (SD/HD) Verizon FIOS – Channel 88 (SD) 588 (HD), AT&T U-Verse – Channel 630 (SD) 1630 (HD) Check your local cable listings NFL.com LIVE – live “look-ins” at select moments of game NFL Mobile Live on Verizon Wireless
LOCAL OTA SIMULCAST*	The CW Ch. 17 (WPHL)	FOX Ch. 22 (KZJO)

Thursday Night Football

Last Thursday’s San Francisco 49ers-Baltimore Ravens game on NFL Network was watched by an average of 10.7 million viewers (note including over-the-air stations in San Francisco and Baltimore) – ranking as the most watched program in the eight-year history of NFL Network and the most-watched cable program ever on Thanksgiving.

This week’s matchup features a pair of hot running backs as NFL rushing and touchdown leader LESEAN MCCOY leads the Philadelphia Eagles against the Seattle Seahawks and MARSHAWN LYNCH, who has scored in seven consecutive games.

This season marks the debut of Thursday Night Football broadcast booth duo, BRAD NESSLER and MIKE MAYOCK. Veteran play-by-play voice, Nessler serves as the play-by-play announcer and Mayock, in his seventh year with NFL Network, is the game analyst and ALEX FLANAGAN returns for her second season as the sideline reporter.

RICH EISEN hosts NFL Network’s Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Sears, Lexus Pre-kick Show, Kia Halftime Show and the Kay Jewelers Postgame Show from the stadium. Eisen, a two-time Sports Emmy nominee in the Studio Host category, is joined by fellow Sports Emmy nominee STEVE MARIUCCI, a former NFL head coach with the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions who also served as Brett Favre’s quarterback coach in Green Bay; 2011 NFL Hall of Fame inductee MARSHALL FAULK, who won a Super Bowl XXXIV ring with the Rams, earned 2000 NFL MVP honors and three Offensive Player of the Year awards (1999-2001); 2011 NFL Hall of Fame inductee DEION SANDERS, a two-time Super Bowl winner who was 1994 Defensive Player of the Year and an eight-time Pro Bowler who holds the NFL record with 19 career return touchdowns; and making his Thursday Night Football debut, Hall of Famer and third-year NFL Network analyst MICHAEL IRVIN.

Additional coverage will be provided from NFL Network studios in Los Angeles with host KARA HENDERSON and analysts KURT WARNER, two-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP quarterback; STERLING SHARPE, five-time Pro Bowl selection; and JAY GLAZER, NFL insider and senior writer for FOXSports.com.

NFL.com LIVE/Thursday Night Football at 8:00 PM ET features live “look-ins” of Eagles-Seahawks, game highlights and instant analysis from NFL Network talent. From the NFL Network studios in Los Angeles, PAUL BURMEISTER, KURT WARNER, JAMIE DUKES, and BUCKY BROOKS provide expert analysis, commentary and fantasy information. STACEY DALES and STEVE WYCHE provide live reports from the stadium, while Brooks contributes ‘Instant Playbook’ analysis of key plays and drives from the exclusive perspective of the coaching tape immediately after the most important moments.

Following the game, hosts ANDREW SICILIANO and KARA HENDERSON as well as analysts KURT WARNER, JAMIE DUKES and WILLIE MCGINEST will deliver a postgame edition of NFL Total Access.

QUOTABLE:

“A poor man’s Marshall Faulk. He’s going to be a rich man soon though.”

— DEION SANDERS on Eagles running back LESEAN MCCOY, who scored his NFL-leading 12th touchdown of the season against New England