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DEVLIN HODGES & STREAKING STEELERS HOST JOSH ALLEN & BILLS IN PIVOTAL AFC PLAYOFF RACE MATCHUP THIS WEEK ON NBC’S SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

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Bills (9-4) and Steelers (8-5) Currently Hold the Two AFC Wild Card Positions with Three Weeks Remaining in Regular Season; Buffalo Can Clinch Postseason Berth with Win

Coverage Begins with Football Night in America at 7 p.m. ET; Followed by 8:20 p.m. ET SNF Kickoff

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports App to Live Stream All Sunday Night Football Games to Desktops, Tablets, Connected TVs, and Mobile Devices

Leading Up to Sunday’s Game, Fans Can Play NBC Sports’ New ”Sunday Night 7” Free-to-Play Game Featuring $2 Million in Guaranteed Cash Prizes

STAMFORD, Conn. – Dec. 11, 2019 – Rookie quarterback Devlin Hodges and the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5) host Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills (9-4) on NBC’s Sunday Night Football this week in a matchup between two teams currently in position to earn AFC Wild Card positions. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on NBC, followed by kickoff at 8:20 p.m. ET from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.

Calling Bills-Steelers is Al Michaels (play-by-play), in his record 34th season as the voice of the NFL’s premier primetime package; 16-time Emmy Award-winner Cris Collinsworth; and three-time Emmy Award-winning sideline reporter Michele Tafoya. Three-time Super Bowl referee and SNF rules analyst Terry McAulay joins Michaels and Collinsworth in the booth.

The Bills enter Week 15 having won three of their last four games and, with a 5-1 road record this season, are one of five teams in the league to have only one away loss. With a win against the Steelers on Sunday night, Buffalo would clinch a postseason berth for the second time in three years under head coach Sean McDermott.

Allen leads all NFL quarterbacks with eight rushing touchdowns and ranks third with 439 rushing yards this season, while Buffalo’s defense has allowed the second-fewest points per game in 2019 (16.3) and the third-fewest yards per game (296.8).

Pittsburgh defeated Arizona, 23-17, last week for their third consecutive win and seventh in their last eight games dating back to Hodges’ first start in Week 6. Cornerback Joe Haden, who had two interceptions last week, and linebacker T.J. Watt, who recorded his second interception of the season, led a Steelers defense which held the Cardinals to 236 total yards. Watt is tied for fourth in the NFL with 12.5 sacks and is tied for the league lead with 29 QB hits this season as he vies for Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Hodges, who signed with Pittsburgh as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Samford this offseason, moved to 3-0 as a starter with last week’s win. In his three starts this season, Hodges has 101.8 passer rating.

Mike Tirico will host Football Night in America at 7 p.m. ET alongside Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy, two-time Super Bowl champion Rodney Harrison, NFL Insider Mike Florio and former NFL quarterback Chris Simms. Liam McHugh will co-host Football Night in America on-site from Heinz Field.

NBC’s coverage of Sunday Night Football is led by executive producer Fred Gaudelli and director Drew Esocoff. FNIA begins every Sunday at 7 p.m. ET, and is produced by Rob Hyland and directed by Mike Sheehan.

NBC SPORTS’ “SUNDAY NIGHT 7” FREE-TO-PLAY GAME FEATURES $2 MILLION GUARANTEED PRIZES

Leading up to this week’s Sunday Night Football game, fans can participate in NBC Sports’ new free-to-play game, Sunday Night 7, which features $2 million in guaranteed cash prizes over the course of the regular season and NBC NFL playoff games ($100,000 in guaranteed prizes for each contest). Sunday Night 7 is available for download NOW on the NBC Sports Predictor app (available for download in the App Store and Google Play Store) and at NBCSports.com/Predictor.

Last week, six fans tied for first place in Sunday Night 7, winning $11,100 each.

NBCSPORTS.COM & NBC SPORTS APP TO LIVE STREAM ALL NBC NFL GAMES:

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will stream all NBC NFL games to desktops, tablets, mobile devices and connected TVs via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value to their subscription service, and making high-quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. The full HD-quality video stream will come directly from NBC’s broadcasts. Powered by Playmaker Media, the NBC Sports app is available on Apple iOS, Android and select Samsung devices, as well as on Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Win10, PlayStation and Xbox.

PETER KING’S NFL COLUMN “FOOTBALL MORNING IN AMERICA” DEBUTS EVERY MONDAY EXCLUSIVELY ON NBCSPORTS.COM

A new “Football Morning in America” will post every Monday morning exclusively on NBCSports.com. King signed an exclusive agreement with NBC Sports Group last year that included writing a weekly Monday morning NFL column for NBCSports.com, making regular appearances on NBCSN’s and NBC Sports Radio’s PFT Live with Florio, and continuing to contribute to Football Night in America, the most-watched studio show in sports.

CHRIS SIMMS UNBUTTONED

NBC Sports’ Chris Simms examines everything happening in the NFL and around the sports world. Along with a rotation of NBC Sports hosts including Ahmed Fareed, Paul Burmeister and Liam McHugh, Chris Simms Unbuttoned analyses the NFL with in-depth Xs and Os breakdowns; one-on-one interviews with players, coaches and executives; and game recaps and preview.

ROTOWORLD

Rotoworld offers comprehensive fantasy football coverage throughout the 2019 NFL season across NBC Sports’ platforms. The all-new 2019 Rotoworld Fantasy Football Draft Guide, which includes mobile optimization, an updated website design, and improved tools, is now available for purchase on Rotoworld.com. In addition, Rotoworld experts dive into fan questions on “Rotoworld Live” every Sunday at Noon ET on the NBC Sports app and YouTube.com/NBCSports. Rotoworld also presents comprehensive fantasy content, including a panel of experts answering fans’ questions on Twitch three times a week, a Waiver Wire Q&A (Tuesdays), a DFS Q&A (Thursdays), and a Rankings Q&A (Fridays).

PFT LIVE – WEEKDAYS AT 7 A.M. ET ON NBCSN

Mike Florio and co-host Chris Simms bring fans the latest NFL news and interviews with players and coaches every weekday morning with PFT Live on NBCSN at 7 a.m. ET. Peter King will also contribute regularly to PFT Live’s coverage throughout the regular season.

The two-hour PFT Live provides all-encompassing coverage of the NFL, including the most current news and analysis, thought-provoking debates, and interviews with a wide variety of NFL newsmakers. The program is a simulcast of NBC Sports Radio’s PFT Live national program that airs daily beginning at 6 a.m. ET.

PODCASTS

NBC Sports’ football podcasts provide extensive weekly offerings from NBC Sports’ most popular personalities and present special guests, exclusive interviews, and robust conversations across all of football on The Peter King Podcast, Chris Simms Unbuttoned, PFT PM, and Rotoworld Football. While The Peter King Podcast features intimate discussions with the NFL’s top players, Chris Simms Unbuttoned and PFT PM dive into deep conversations around the sports’ hottest topics, and Rotoworld Football explores fantasy implications for fans. For the first time this season, Rotoworld Football will debut four episodes per week, including a new Sunday night episode diving into the weekend’s results. In addition, The Mike Tirico Podcast will debut new episodes throughout the 2019 NFL season featuring exclusive interviews with the league’s top players and personalities. New episodes of NBC Sports podcasts are available for download each week on all major podcast platforms including: NBCSports.com/podcasts, NBC Sports’ Scores app, Apple, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Podcasts, TuneIn and iHeart.

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL SOCIAL MEDIA

      • SNF ON INSTAGRAM: Going into its seventh season, Sunday Night Football gives the SNF fan a look at photos through the filters of Instagram. Fans get a look around each SNF city, as well as access inside the production trucks, the locker rooms, on the field, and on the sideline, as our social media producer captures the best photos of Sunday night and posts in real time. In addition, SNF on Instagram will utilize Instagram stories to maximize fans’ exposure to the Sunday Night Football
      • SNF ON TWITTER: Using tweets, photos, and videos, @SNFonNBC provides unique content with SNF talent, production crew and NFL players.
      • SNF ON SNAPCHAT: For the second season, NBC Sports’ Snapchat account will be creating content on the platform at each Sunday Night Football game, including Kickoff and from the SNF The NBC Sports Snapchat account will take fans behind the scenes to the FNIA set and around cities where Sunday Night Football comes to town, utilizing lenses and filters to customize content specifically for the Snapchat audience.
      • SNF ON FACEBOOK: – At nearly 3.7 million likes strong, the Sunday Night Football Facebook page provides social-first stories, photos and video every week.

 

NBC SPORTS RADIO

NBC Sports Radio, produced and distributed by Westwood One in partnership with NBC Sports Group, is carried by more than 300 affiliates nationwide. Programming is available on radio stations throughout the United States, as well as on NBCSportsRadio.com, NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports Scores app, and on the websites of affiliates. Content includes hourly sports news updates, daily features, and is highlighted by PFT Live, featuring NFL insider and Football Night In America commentator Mike Florio daily from 6-9 a.m. ET; the PFT PM podcast hosted by Florio, which takes a look back at the day that was in the NFL; Safety Blitz with Rodney Harrison and Dan Schwartzman; featuring three-time All Pro and two-time Super Bowl-winner Rodney Harrison; and The Daily Line, NBC Sports Radio’s daily sports talk and betting show that airs M-F 3-7 p.m. ET and features special guests and content for casual and avid sports fans. Fans can follow  @NBCSportsRadio to listen live or on demand, or visit www.NBCSportsRadio.com.

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL BUS RETURNS FOR 2019 NFL SEASON 

NBC Sports’ Sunday Night Football bus returns this season to travel the country, visiting the host cities of each Sunday Night Football game. In addition, the SNF Bus will also visit markets along the route without an SNF game on the schedule to give more fans a chance to join in on the experience. The bus will arrive in each host city two to three days prior to the game, making stops at local landmarks and events before heading to the game site. Once at the stadium, the Sunday Night Football bus will give fans the opportunity to interact with America’s most-watched primetime television show with exclusive activities and experiences.

For the first time ever, fans will be able to record content on the bus to share directly to their social platforms, with new experiences including augmented reality mirrors in the locker room and a green screen booth to replicate the iconic player intros in the SNF broadcast.

In addition, fan favorites returning to the bus include the official Player of the Game Ball signed at the end of every SNF matchup, a replica Football Night in America desk, and a brand new On Her Turf photo experience celebrating the power of every football fan.

 

2019 NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
*Sun. Dec. 15 Week 15 Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers
*Sun. Dec. 22 Week 16 Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears
*Sun. Dec. 29 Week 17 TBD

*Flex Week

 

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING: Flexible scheduling will be used in Weeks 11-17. Additionally, in Weeks 5-10, flexible scheduling may be used in no more than two weeks. In Weeks 5-16, the schedule lists the games tentatively set for Sunday Night Football on NBC. Only Sunday afternoon games are eligible to be moved to Sunday night, in which case the tentatively scheduled Sunday night game would be moved to an afternoon start time. Flexible scheduling will not be applied to games airing on Thursday or Monday nights.

A flexible scheduling move would be announced at least 12 days before the game. For Week 17, the Sunday night game will be announced no later than six days prior to December 29. The schedule does not list a Sunday night game in Week 17, but an afternoon game with playoff implications will be moved to that time slot. Flexible scheduling ensures quality matchups in all Sunday time slots in those weeks, and gives “surprise” teams a chance to play their way into prime time.

– SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL –

ESPN+ Original Series <em?Peyton’s Places Continues with Episodes on Vince Lombardi, Elvis Presley, Dan Marino, The Immaculate Reception and More

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The ESPN+ original series Peyton’s Places, the 30-episode documentary hosted by Peyton Manning, continues with weekly episodes debuting every NFL Sunday through the conclusion of the upcoming NFL postseason in January 2020. The football-themed Peyton’s Places series is produced by NFL Films in collaboration with ESPN+ and is part of the year-long celebration of the National Football League’s 100th season. It debuted in July exclusively on ESPN+ and the first 21 episodes are available for streaming anytime.

The post ESPN+ Original Series <em?Peyton’s Places</em> Continues with Episodes on Vince Lombardi, Elvis Presley, Dan Marino, The Immaculate Reception and More appeared first on ESPN Press Room U.S..

49ERS TE GEORGE KITTLE DISCUSSES HIS GAME-CHANGING PLAY WITH PETER KING IN THIS WEEK’S “FMIA” COLUMN; PLUS MORE FROM TIRICO, DUNGY, HARRISON, FLORIO & SIMMS EXCLUSIVELY ACROSS NBC SPORTS

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“He reminded me of Mark Bavaro in that 1986 Giants-49ers game, carrying Ronnie Lott for 12 yards and needing three Niners to bring him down.” – King on George Kittle’s fourth-and-2 catch

“Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels have the coaching job of this era on their hands if they want the Patriots to be factors in January.” – King on the Patriots offense

“The Broncos have been searching for the heir to Peyton Manning for four years, obviously, and (Drew) Lock’s the closest thing they’ve found.” – King

“They’re in trouble…You can start to see that Tom Brady, he’s just not the same player” – Rodney Harrison on the Patriots on The Mike Tirico Podcast

STAMFORD, Conn. – Dec. 9, 2019 – Peter King speaks with San Francisco tight end George Kittle following the 49ers’ pivotal Week 14 victory over New Orleans in this week’s edition of Football Morning in America, available now exclusively on NBCSports.com. King also hands out his Week 14 awards and reacts to the rest of the NFL weekend as three weeks remain in the regular season.

Additionally, across NBC Sports, on The Mike Tirico Podcast, Mike Tirico, Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison and Mike Florio recap Week 14, while Florio and Chris Simms break down all of the action across the NFL on PFT Live and Chris Simms Unbuttoned.

The following are highlights from this week’s edition of Football Morning in America:

49ERS-SAINTS

King: “It’ll take days to digest what happened in New Orleans on Sunday in the game of the year…The fact that something happened on fourth-and-2 that immediately takes its place in all-time 49ers lore, and vaulted San Francisco from fifth to first in the NFC playoff race with three games to go, well, that makes it all NFL Filmsy/tingly and massively important in the playoff race at the same time.”

King on the importance on the 49ers’ Week 17 matchup with the Seahawks in Seattle: “That game might mean more than the one Sunday in New Orleans, but I have no idea how it could be any more fun and compelling.”

King on Kittle’s fourth-and-2 catch on the game-winning drive: “He reminded me of Mark Bavaro in that 1986 Giants-49ers game, carrying Ronnie Lott for 12 yards and needing three Niners to bring him down.”

Kittle to King on what he was thinking during the run: “Get as many yards as I can, and hold onto the damn football.”

Kittle: “The whole day, for me, was one of the best experiences of my life. The place was crazy, fans were nuts, you couldn’t hear. Such a fun environment.”

King on Jimmy Garoppolo’s performance: “Jimmy G played on the Brees stage, in the Brees house, and acquitted himself quite well. And I’d have written that regardless of what happened in the last 39 seconds in New Orleans.”

King on Drew Brees’ performance: “How many more games like this he has left a month shy of turning 41 I do not know. But this one, with the stakes involved, was an all-timer for him.”

WEEK 14

King on the Ravens: “The Ravens can win when Lamar Jackson is good and not superior…Two months ago, the Ravens embarked on a hellscape of a schedule that even the optimistic Baltimoreans would have been thrilled going 5-2. The Ravens went 7-0.”

King on Broncos QB Drew Lock: “The Broncos have been searching for the heir to Peyton Manning for four years, obviously, and (Drew) Lock’s the closest thing they’ve found.”

King on Chiefs-Patriots: “The biggest difference between this year and last year is simple. Both defenses look like they can win multiple playoff games. While you trust Kansas City’s offense to be at least good enough against a strong defense, that trust in the New England offense is gone.”

King on the Patriots’ postseason outlook: “Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels have the coaching job of this era on their hands if they want the Patriots to be factors in January. The best idea? More gadgetry.”

King on the Steelers: “I think, this morning, Mike Tomlin’s the coach of the year…The Steelers started 1-4 and now have gone 7-1 since, all while enduring the biggest personnel changeover since Tomlin’s taken the job and a major spate of injuries on the offensive side of the ball.”

KING’S WEEK 14 AWARDS

Offensive Players of the Week: Drew Lock, Denver, Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco, & Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers.

King on Garoppolo: “This is the kind of game the 49ers are paying Garoppolo the very big money to win, and putting up 48 points in a huge spot like this was justifies all the hype the Niners bought with Garoppolo.”

Defensive Players of the Week: Danielle Hunter, Minnesota, & Jeremiah Attaochu, Denver.

King on Hunter: “The third-round pick from LSU in 2015 has been one of the great bargains in recent Vikings history.”

Coaches of the Week: Matt Nagy, Chicago, & Steve Spagnuolo, Kansas City.

King on Nagy: “Now, it looks like Nagy’s endless votes of confidence in his battered quarterback were smart and important.”

Read the rest of the FMIA column here and catch the weekly Peter King Podcast here.

 

The following are highlights from this week’s edition of The Mike Tirico Podcast:

THE MIKE TIRICO PODCAST

Tony Dungy on the Saints: “I said at the beginning of the year that I thought they were going to win the Super Bowl because you can’t beat them there (at home)…What has happened to them? Where has this homefield advantage gone?”

Rodney Harrison on the Patriots: “The Patriots, they have a lot of problems. They’re in trouble…You can start to see that Tom Brady, he’s just not the same player.”

Mike Tirico on the Titans: “Tennessee has a good feel about them right now with Derrick Henry back in his dump truck mode.”

 

The following are clips from last night’s edition of Football Night in America:

    • Simms Breaks Down Kittle’s Catch: Chris Simms breaks down San Francisco tight end George Kittle’s catch-and-run on the 49ers’ game-winning drive.
    • My Cause, My Cleats with Tony Dungy: Tony Dungy, along with players from the Seahawks and Rams, show their support for charities that are important to them through the My Cause, My Cleats campaign.
    • Thanks Mom: DK Metcalf: Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf thanks his mother for her love and guidance, and for always steering him in the right direction as he begins his NFL career.
    • Mike Florio on Emmanuel Sanders: Mike Florio discusses Emmanuel Sanders‘ big Week 14 performance against the Saints, and how his flexibility had a big impact on the 49ers’ 48-46 win.
    • Florio on the Panthers’ coaching search: Florio provides an update on how the Panthers will approach finding their next head coach and their thoughts on other changes in the front office.
    • Week 15 Preview: Mike Tirico, Rodney Harrison and Tony Dungy preview Week 15 as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Buffalo Bills in an important AFC playoff race matchup on SNF.
    • Week 15 Sunday Night 7 Picks: The Football Night in America crew make their Sunday Night 7 picks for Week 15’s Steelers-Bills matchup.

 

The following are additional highlights of NBC Sports’ NFL coverage heading into Week 15:

    • Mike Florio and Chris Simms, with guest Peter King, discuss all things NFL on PFT Live, including handing out their Week 14 superlatives, sharing updated power rankings, and making their Week 15 game picks.
    • On Chris Simms Unbuttoned, Simms deep dives into film of two games from Week 15 decided by the fans.

 

A new “Football Morning in America” posts every Monday morning exclusively on NBCSports.com through the NFL season. It was announced in May that King signed an exclusive agreement with NBC Sports Group that included writing a weekly Monday morning NFL column for NBCSports.com; making regular appearances on NBCSN’s and NBC Sports Radio’s PFT Live with Mike Florio; and continuing to contribute to Football Night in America, the most-watched studio show in sports.

—NBC SPORTS—

FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA – WEEK 14 NOTES & QUOTES

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“I’m still really concerned about the Patriots. I’m used to the Patriots being able to line up and just beat people. They no longer can do that.” – Rodney Harrison

“If I have to vote today, I’m voting Russell Wilson.” – Cris Collinsworth on NFL MVP

“There is a very good vibe around the Seattle Seahawks. A third Super Bowl appearance in the Pete Carroll era would be no shock.” – Al Michaels

“These were two great defensive teams and both of them gave up over 40 points. I’d be a little concerned coming into December if my defense is giving up big plays like that.” – Tony Dungy on 49ers-Saints

“They’re a different team this year. It’s because of the run game and Aaron Jones.” – Chris Simms on the Packers

STAMFORD, Conn. – Dec. 8, 2019 – Mike Tirico hosted the Week 14 edition of Football Night in America tonight from NBC Sports’ International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn., in advance of the Sunday Night Football matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams. Tirico was joined on the set by analysts Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison, and Chris Simms, as well as NFL Insider Mike Florio.

Liam McHugh co-hosted Football Night in America from an outdoor set outside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif. He was joined by SNF analyst Cris Collinsworth, with Al Michaels and Michele Tafoya also reporting from inside the stadium. McHugh interviewed Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and Rams DT Aaron Donald.

FNIA also included highlights, analysis, and news from around the league.

Following are highlights from Football Night in America on NBC:

ON SEAHAWKS

Michaels: “Kudos to John Schneider, Pete Carroll and that whole staff. In 2012, they pick Bobby Wagner, second round out of Utah State – he was the eighth linebacker picked. Russell Wilson, quarterback out of Wisconsin – he was the sixth quarterback picked. Each guy, I think, has one foot right now in Canton…they are the centerpiece of this team. There is a very good vibe around the Seattle Seahawks. A third Super Bowl appearance in the Pete Carroll era would be no shock.”

Collinsworth on MVP battle between Russell Wilson and Lamar Jackson: “Only a complete idiot would vote against Lamar Jackson, so that’s what I’m going to do…if I have to vote today, I’m voting Russell Wilson.”

ON PATRIOTS

Harrison on Patriots’ struggles: “I’m still really concerned about the Patriots. Today it just seemed like they played with a sense of desperation with all of the trick plays. I’m used to the Patriots being able to line up and just beat people. They no longer can do that.”

Simms: “It’s the middle of December and the Patriots offense is still a work in progress. They obviously have a little crack in the armor that they have to figure out…they have to get some of the rest of those receivers not named Edelman to help Tom Brady.”

ON CHIEFS

Dungy on Chiefs defense: “I loved what they did today. I’ve been on their defense the last three or four weeks, they’re not going to win if this defense doesn’t pick it up – today they made the big plays when they needed them.”

ON 49ERS-SAINTS

Dungy on 94 combined points: “I guess I’m old school. As a defensive coach, these were two great defensive teams and both of them gave up over 40 points. I’d be a little concerned coming into December if my defense is giving up big plays like that.”

ON 49ERS

Simms on QB Jimmy Garoppolo: “We know it’s a good team – will Jimmy G deliver in the big moments? Today in the fourth quarter there were a number of those moments and he proved himself worthy.”

Harrison: “Anytime you can go on the road and play well, whether it’s at Baltimore or today against the Saints, it starts to build confidence and you believe you can go on the road and beat anyone. It brings the team together.”

ON RAVENS

Dungy on Ravens defense: “They were not going to let Josh Allen make plays. They blitzed, they closed those running lanes and came after him – I thought (defensive coordinator) Wink Martindale had a great game plan…that defense showed up today.”

ON BRONCOS

Harrison on QB Drew Lock: “Seems like they’ve found their franchise quarterback.”

ON PACKERS

Simms on RB Aaron Jones: “Usually when you see Green Bay with lackluster stats from Aaron Rodgers, it means losses for the Packers. They’re a different team this year. It’s because of the run game and Aaron Jones.”

Harrison: “(Aaron Rodgers) is no longer the key to this offense – it’s Aaron Jones.”

ON STEELERS

Tirico on Steelers win in Arizona: “It was a Cardinals home game – it sounded like it was in Western PA…look at all of those terrible towels in the desert.”

ON PANTHERS

Florio on head coach and executive search: “The Panthers are going to be hiring both a head coach and an executive vice president of football operations. I’m told that the focus will be hiring the head coach first, then the executive VP. The net will be very wide – they will look far and wide for a potential replacement for Ron Rivera. With David Tepper putting his imprint on the organization, I’m told an outside-the-box hire isn’t out of the question.”

ON CHARGERS

Harrison on RB Austin Ekeler: “We know the Chargers are up and down, but one person that always comes to play and is very productive is Austin Ekeler. I love that kid.”

ON DOLPHINS

Simms on reversed pass interference call leading to Jets game-winning FG: “I don’t like the call. Just let them play in these moments.”

ON BUCS

Tirico on QB Jameis Winston’s 4 TDs and 3 INTs: “We had the full Jameis experience – picks and scores.”

ON ED REED

Dungy on Ed Reed, who was named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team: “The greatest instincts in the middle of the field that I have ever seen.”

–FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA–

Vikings-Seahawks Monday Night Football Delivers 14.2 Million Viewers

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This week’s Monday Night Football game – a Seattle Seahawks 37-30 home victory over the Minnesota Vikings – averaged 14,160,000 viewers on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, according to Nielsen. This is an increase of 23 percent vs. MNF’s Week 13 game last year (Washington Redskins-Philadelphia Eagles – 11,504,000 viewers).

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PATRIOTS-TEXANS IS MOST-WATCHED WEEK 13 NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME IN 9 YEARS, WITH 22 MILLION VIEWERS ACROSS ALL PLATFORMS

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Last Night’s First-Place AFC Matchup is 7th NBC SNF Game to Deliver 22 Million Viewers This Season – More Than Tripling 2018 Through Week 13 

NBC’s Sunday Night Football off to Best Start Through Week 13 Since 2015 

Deshaun Watson’s Four-Touchdown Performance Highlights Most-Watched Texans Game in NBC SNF History 

NBC Sports Digital on Record Pace for NBC SNF Average Minute Audience

STAMFORD, Conn. – December 2, 2019 – The Houston Texans’ 28-22 victory over the New England Patriots on NBC’s Sunday Night Football posted a Total Audience Delivery (TAD) average of 22.0 million viewers – marking the most-watched Week 13 NBC SNF game in nine years. The 2010 Week 13 SNF game was a down-to-the-wire matchup for first place in the AFC North between the 8-3 Baltimore Ravens and the 8-3 Pittsburgh Steelers, who scored the game-winning points on a Ben Roethslisberger touchdown pass with less than three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter (22.5 million viewers).

Last night’s game marked the seventh NBC SNF game to deliver at least 22 million TAD viewers this season – more than tripling last year’s total through Week 13 (two).

The Patriots-Texans TAD of 22.0 million viewers across NBC TV, NBC Sports Digital, and NFL Digital platforms, represents a 21% increase over last year’s Week 13 game (18.2 million for Chargers-Steelers), according to fast national data released by Nielsen, and digital data from Adobe Analytics.

Last night’s game, which featured Houston QB Deshaun Watson’s four-touchdown performance (three passing, one receiving), is also the most-watched NBC Sunday Night Football game featuring the Texans (nine games since 2006).

NBC’s Sunday Night Football is averaging 20.7 million viewers across all platforms this season – the best start for the series through Week 13 (15 games) since 2015, and up 4% from the same point last season (19.8 million viewers).

The Average Minute Audience (AMA) for Sunday night’s live stream via NBC Sports Digital and NFL Digital platforms was 533,000 viewers – up 73% vs. last year’s Week 13 SNF game (308,000 for Chargers-Steelers), and the third-most consumed SNF regular-season authenticated game on record. NBC Sports Digital’s AMA of 481,000 viewers for SNF through Week 13 is up 43% from the same point last season (336,000 viewers), and its best ever through 13 weeks.

Last night’s game (8:23 p.m.-11:18 p.m. ET) registered a national TV household rating of 12.3/23, and peaked at 23.7 million TV viewers from 9:30-9:45 p.m. ET.

TOP METERED MARKETS FOR PATRIOTS-TEXANS:

1. Providence 34.9/54
2. Boston 34.0/56
3. Houston 29.2/49
4. Hartford 18.8/31
5. Austin 18.3/34
6. San Antonio 18.0/30
7. Kansas City 16.9/28
8. Baltimore 16.8/28
9. Seattle 16.4/32
10. Nashville 16.1/27

 

–SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL–

PETER KING DISCUSSES THE PLAYOFF RACE IN THIS WEEK’S “FMIA” COLUMN; PLUS MORE FROM TIRICO, DUNGY, HARRISON, FLORIO & SIMMS EXCLUSIVELY ACROSS NBC SPORTS

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“There’s not high drama about the 12 playoff teams…At this point, it’s about jockeying for position and home-field.” – King on the playoff race

 “When your offense is lagging, it spells trouble for January football. I keep thinking Bill Belichick is going to lobby Robert Kraft for Antonio Brown. Very soon.” – King on the Patriots

 “The hero of the day is the Steelers coach who kept the focus on football, Mike Tomlin.” – King on the Steelers win over the Browns

 “I actually gained more respect for San Francisco having to go on the road in tough conditions…I wouldn’t want to play them.” – Rodney Harrison on the Patriots on The Mike Tirico Podcast

STAMFORD, Conn. – Dec. 2, 2019 – Peter King discusses how the playoff picture is shaping up as the NFL enters the final quarter of the regular season in this week’s edition of Football Morning in America, available now exclusively on NBCSports.com. King also speaks with Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, who converted the game-winning field goal against the 49ers, hands out his Week 13 awards and reacts to the rest of the NFL weekend.

Additionally, across NBC Sports, on The Mike Tirico Podcast, Mike Tirico, Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison and Mike Florio recap Week 13, while Florio and Chris Simms break down all of the action across the NFL on PFT Live and Chris Simms Unbuttoned.

The following are highlights from this week’s edition of Football Morning in America:

PLAYOFF PICTURE

King: “There’s not high drama about the 12 playoff teams, other than Pittsburgh and Tennessee dueling for the AFC’s sixth seed, and wondering if the psycho Rams can conquer a tough stretch run to sneak in, and, well, someone’s got to win the NFC East…At this point, it’s about jockeying for position and home-field.”

King on the 49ers: “The 49ers pretty easily could fall from 1 to 5 in the NFC. A Seattle win tonight would put them there entering the last four weeks.”

King on the Patriots: “The defense, compared to the 8-0 start, is mortal. It’s allowed 21 points a game, on average, over the last four weeks. Not bad. Except when your offense is lagging, it spells trouble for January football. I keep thinking Bill Belichick is going to lobby Robert Kraft for Antonio Brown. Very soon.”

King on the Packers: “A 3-1 finish gets them to 12-4, the third seed at worst, and, if third, a likely winter wonderland game at Lambeau against (Kirk) Cousins or Jared Goff on the first weekend of January.”

King on the Titans: “I think they’ve found a formula. Conservative passing game, power running game, and ridiculously good special teams. A game behind Houston entering the home stretch, the Titans probably have to sweep the Texans in Weeks 15 and 17 to win the AFC South.”

STEELERS

King: “The Steelers aren’t as good as Baltimore, and they might not make the playoffs even. But that was one hell of a day for the team and the city and the coach (and the Duck [Devlin Hodges]), the 20-13 win over Cleveland.”

King on the Steelers’ victory over the Browns: “The hero of the day is the Steelers coach who kept the focus on football, Mike Tomlin…Tomlin made this day about one thing and one thing only: football.”

Joe Haden on Mike Tomlin: “He always keeps it very black and white. All week, his message was: Stop the run, contain Odell and Landry [receivers Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry] and just play ball – they don’t like us, we don’t like them, who cares, just play.”

King on Maurkice Pouncey’s suspension “The loss of (Maurkice) Pouncey, their unquestioned leader, hurt. Tomlin understood why he came to the defense of his quarterback when attacked by (Myles) Garrett and actually appreciated it, even though he didn’t say that publicly. The team knew. Pouncey knew…After the game, the Steelers had Pouncey FaceTimed into their post-game locker-room huddle.”

Haden: “Then Coach T took the ball and said, ‘I’m bringing this to Maurkice.’ That was big for our team.”

WEEK 13

King on Ravens kicker Justin Tucker converting the game-winning field goal vs. the 49ers: “There’s something about (Justin) Tucker that makes you say, I want that guy on my team…He was happy, but not blown away with emotion. This is his job, and he’s the most accurate kicker ever, and he knows there will be other kicks this big. And bigger.”

Tucker to King about his last-second kick: “I focus on the action of the kick, not consequences. Honestly, as the clock ran down, I’m just hoping the ball’s the spotted at the 32…Fifty’s a nice round number. And there’s slightly more glory making a 50-yarder than 49.”

King on the Texans: “You never know whether a game is just a game, or if it’s something more. The 28-22 Houston victory over New England felt like more.”

King: “In the Houston locker room after the game, Deshaun Watson, the third-year quarterback and no-doubt team leader, took it on himself to give (Bill) O’Brien the game ball. Those in the room said O’Brien was emotional about it.”

King on the Bills: “The Bills will win a playoff game in January. (One asterisk: As long as game one is not in Kansas City.)”

King’s five coaches who may be in trouble after Week 13 losses: “Freddie Kitchens, Cleveland; Doug Marrone, Jacksonville; Pat Shurmur, New York Giants; Matt Patricia, Detroit; & Ron Rivera, Carolina.”

King on 2020 NFL Draft: “I think the results of the weekend made the first two picks of the April 2020 draft so easy. The 1-11 Bengals, picking first as it stands now, go for LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. The 2-10 Giants, picking second, nab Ohio State pass-rusher Chase Young.”

KING’S WEEK 13 AWARDS

Offensive Players of the Week: Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams, Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee, & Taysom Hill, New Orleans.

King on Tannehill: “Now 5-1 since taking over for the benched Marcus Mariota on Oct. 20, Tannehill continued the rebuild of his career with a 31-17 win at Indianapolis…This run-first offense with a game-manager under center is working wonders for the 7-5 Titans.”

Defensive Players of the Week: Devin White, Tampa Bay, Juan Thornhill, Kansas City, Carlos Dunlap, Cincinnati, & Roquan Smith, Chicago.

King on White: “White, in just one quarter at Jacksonville, continued to show the Bucs made a smart pick at number five in the first round last April.”

King on Dunlap: “If the Bengals had 10 more players with the ethos of Dunlap, they sure as heck wouldn’t be 1-11 today.”

Coaches of the Week: Brian Flores, Miami, & Dennis Allen, New Orleans.

King on Allen: “Quietly, Allen has engineered a strong defensive group that has been called on to be better and better this year because it’s no longer automatic that the Saints will score in the thirties every week.”

Read the rest of the FMIA column here and catch the weekly Peter King Podcast here.

 

The following are highlights from this week’s edition of The Mike Tirico Podcast:

THE MIKE TIRICO PODCAST

Tony Dungy on the Ravens: “I really thought the schedule would catch up with them…But they played a physical game, they played with energy and they’ve taken out all of these top contenders that they’ve played and they look very impressive.”

Rodney Harrison on the 49ers’ loss to the Ravens: “I actually gained more respect for San Francisco having to go on the road in tough conditions…I wouldn’t want to play them.”

Mike Tirico on the Bills defeating the Cowboys on Thanksgiving: “The Bills on a big stage, for the first time in a long time, took care of business. They had to build confidence off of that.”

 

The following are clips from last night’s edition of Football Night in America:

    • Warrick Dunn Thanksgiving Feature: Former Buccaneers and Falcons RB Warrick Dunn takes a look back at how his charity ‘Homes for the Holidays’ has helped his community.
    • Michele Tafoya with J.J. Watt: Michele Tafoya catches up with J. Watt to get the latest on his rehab and whether he could be back for the Texans if they make the playoffs.
    • Thanks Mom: D.J. Reader: Texans defensive lineman J. Reader reflects on the sacrifices his mom made while he was growing up.
    • Mike Florio on Steelers-Browns: Mike Florio discusses the Steelers win over the Browns, and how the two teams left their differences off the field.
    • Week 14 Preview: Mike Tirico, Rodney Harrison and Tony Dungy preview Week 14 as the Los Angeles Rams host the division rival Seattle Seahawks on SNF.
    • Week 14 Sunday Night 7 Picks: The Football Night in America crew make their Sunday Night 7 picks for Week 14’s Rams-Seahawks matchup.

 

The following are additional highlights of NBC Sports’ NFL coverage heading into Week 10:

    • Mike Florio and Chris Simms, with guest Peter King, discuss all things NFL on PFT Live, including handing out their Week 13 superlatives, sharing updated power rankings, and making their Week 14 game picks.
    • On Chris Simms Unbuttoned, Simms deep dives into film of two games from Week 14 decided by the fans.

 

A new “Football Morning in America” posts every Monday morning exclusively on NBCSports.com through the NFL season. It was announced in May that King signed an exclusive agreement with NBC Sports Group that included writing a weekly Monday morning NFL column for NBCSports.com; making regular appearances on NBCSN’s and NBC Sports Radio’s PFT Live with Mike Florio; and continuing to contribute to Football Night in America, the most-watched studio show in sports.

—NBC SPORTS—

FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA – WEEK 13 NOTES & QUOTES

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“As crazy as it sounds, they’ve got to try to stop the Patriots from running the ball and force Tom Brady to throw to win this game.” – Tony Dungy on the Texans

“I’m going to tell you why Stephon Gilmore is the best cornerback in the league, and it’s because he’s very patient at the line of scrimmage.” – Rodney Harrison

“Lamar Jackson was just phenomenal. Bad weather, but dominated the game with his ability to run, and of course showed that he’s the full, complete quarterback by throwing within the pocket.” – Chris Simms

“Chargers fans have seen that movie many, many times.” – Mike Tirico on the Chargers’ last-second loss to the Broncos

STAMFORD, Conn. – Dec. 1, 2019 – Mike Tirico hosted the Week 13 edition of Football Night in America tonight from NBC Sports’ International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn., in advance of the Sunday Night Football matchup between the New England Patriots and Houston Texans. Tirico was joined on the set by analysts Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison, and Chris Simms, as well as NFL Insider Mike Florio.

Liam McHugh co-hosted Football Night in America from an outdoor set outside NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. He was joined by SNF analyst Cris Collinsworth, with Al Michaels and Michele Tafoya also reporting from inside the stadium. McHugh interviewed Texans QB Deshaun Watson, while Tafoya interviewed injured Texans DE J.J. Watt.

FNIA also included highlights, analysis, and news from around the league.

Following are highlights from Football Night in America on NBC:

ON TEXANS

Michaels: “When you look at the assistant coaches off the Bill Belichick tree, Bill O’Brien would be the most successful. And much like Belichick, he has a lot of control over the personnel that surrounds this organization…He has done a masterful job…In my mind, Bill O’Brien is a little overlooked as far as coaches are concerned because he over the last year and two-thirds is now 18-9. But the big question is, can he finally beat his mentor?”

Dungy on WR Will Fuller: “I think he’s going to be huge (tonight). Bill Belichick always wants to take away the number one threat (DeAndre Hopkins). Fuller’s got to step up for them tonight.”

Simms on Fuller: “If they want to be real in the AFC playoff picture, he has to stay healthy because he has to be that other weapon for (Deshaun) Watson down field…Very dangerous when his hamstrings hold up.”

Dungy on how to beat the Patriots: “As crazy as it sounds, they’ve got to try to stop the Patriots from running the ball and force Tom Brady to throw to win this game.”

J.J. Watt to Tafoya on potential of returning from injury if Texans make the playoffs and progress of his rehab: “I do what the doctor tells me, I’ll say that – I do what the doctor tells me. We’ve always been wanting to make sure we do everything we possibly can to get back out there with the guys. If the doctor gives me the green light at some point here in the near future, I will take the green light gladly, and get back out there with my guys, because there’s nothing more that I want to do than be out there with my guys and in front of these fans…(the rehab) is going extremely well. I feel unbelievable. The doctors, the rehab guys are taking great care of me. I feel really, really good. They’re kind of holding me back every day because that’s just the way things go…”

Tafoya: “Holding back because you want to move on?”

Watt: “Of course, but that’s how it goes. They’re really good about that, and they know my personality and I know them, so we know exactly how hard to push and how hard not to push. Hopefully we have some fun down the road.”

Watt comparing this rehab to previous injury rehabs: “This is cake. I can run, I can work out legs, I can do core workouts, I can do my upper body. Compared to previous rehabs, this is a walk in the park.”

ON PATRIOTS

Collinsworth on the offense: “They’re much more of an inside-out kind of offense, and I think that’s part of the reason they miss (Rob) Gronkowski so much. Think of it as a boxing match. This team is much more jab, jab, jab, and an occasional hook – take the shot down the field. Flip it over to Deshaun Watson and what they’re doing in Houston, and that is much more just the opposite. That’s hook, hook, hook, go for the knockout, and occasional jab.”

Harrison on CB Stephon Gilmore: “I’m going to tell you why Stephon Gilmore is the best cornerback in the league, and it’s because he’s very patient at the line of scrimmage…He keeps his shoulders square as long as possible.”

ON RAVENS

Simms: “Lamar Jackson was just phenomenal. Bad weather, but dominated the game with his ability to run, and of course showed that he’s the full, complete quarterback by throwing within the pocket.”

Dungy on Jackson: “The poise that he has. San Francisco tried to play zone and take away the big play. He picked that zone apart and was just fantastic.”

Harrison on Ravens’ success running the football: “Lamar Jackson is great, but no one really talks about a big part of why he’s having success. The tight ends, the wide receivers, the running backs are 15-20 yards down the field blocking – very unselfish.”

ON 49ERS

Simms: “Let’s not forget about the 49ers. They’re still one of the best teams in football. I think the weather conditions hurt them more than Baltimore…As far as the NFC playoff picture is concerned, it’s not the last we’ll hear from San Francisco.”

Tirico: “They could be legit. They’re going to be a very tough out. They also could be the No. 5 seed by the time we go to bed tomorrow night.”

ON STEELERS

Harrison on WR James Washington: “He’s becoming that No. 1 receiving threat down the field. Every week we seem to see more big plays by this young man.”

Harrison: “Big plays in the passing game, but if they want to go far in the playoffs, they’re going to have to run the ball behind that big offensive line.”

Tirico on Steelers’ resilience: “Everybody they’ve asked – with all of the injuries and all of the changes – have showed up for the Steelers.”

ON RAMS

Dungy: “Sean McVay did a great job getting Jared Goff going, and a lot of it was off play action.”

ON CHARGERS

Dungy on pass interference with seconds remaining: “First of all, I do not understand this defense. How you get into this position on the last play of the game, it baffles me.”

Tirico on Chargers’ last-second loss to Broncos: “Chargers fans have seen that movie many, many times.”

ON REDSKINS

Simms on RB Derrius Guice: “He definitely (looked good). This is the future as far as the Washington Redskins are concerned. And since Bill Callahan has taken over as the head coach, it’s been about the run game.”

ON GIANTS

Florio on head coach Pat Shurmur: “He seems to sense what is coming. We’re hearing the whispers around the league that change is in the air. Consider this – Ben McAdoo was fired after his 28th regular-season game a couple of years ago. He was 13-15, and he had gone to the playoffs his first year. This was Game 28 for Pat Shurmur. He’s 7-21. It’s not looking good for Pat Shurmur, and it’s not looking good for the Giants.”

ON DOLPHINS

Tirico on their win vs. Eagles: “Full credit to Miami. They were supposedly tanking for whomever? Not at all.”

ON BENGALS

Harrison on Bengals’ first win after starting season 0-11: “I’ve played on a 1-15 team. Getting that first victory is huge. It’s like winning a playoff game.”

ON JUNIOR SEAU

Harrison on Junior Seau, who was named to the front seven on the NFL 100 team: “He taught me how to be a pro…He was the hardest-working player I’ve ever been around. He would drive me crazy because we’d be in ‘one’ coverage and Junior would end up anywhere he wanted.”

Dungy: “You think it drove you crazy? How about us trying to play against him…We knew where he’d line up, but we had no idea where he was going to go.”

–FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA–