Sunday NFL Countdown and NFL Matchup Features

Sunday NFL Countdown and NFL Matchup Features

Saturday and Sunday Editions of Countdown and Matchup Preview NFL Wild Card Weekend

Sunday NFL Countdown Presented by IBM featuring Chris Berman, Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson, will air two shows during the NFL Wild Card Playoff weekend, beginning with a one-hour Saturday show at 11 a.m. ET on ESPN. Chris Mortensen will provide headlines and league news, and Steve Young will contribute his weekly Sunday opinion segment, “Young is Restless.”

Saturday’s pre-game show will include reports from Bob Holtzman in Glendale, Ariz., for the Falcons at Cardinals and Ed Werder reporting from San Diego – the Colts at Chargers. Sunday’s pre-game show will include reports from Rachel Nichols in Miami for the Ravens at Dolphins and Sal Paolantonio reporting from Minneapolis for the Eagles at Vikings. Planned features:

Saturday, January 3:

Peyton Manning’s Letters

The Colts quarterback sits down with Countdown’s Tom Jackson to discuss the handwritten, appreciation notes he sends to retiring NFL players, and the growing list of players Curtis Martin, Marshall Faulk, Michael Strahan, John Lynch, Troy Brown, Warren Sapp, Will Shields, Steve McNair, Jimmy Smith, Jonathan Ogden, Frank Wycheck, Emmitt Smith and Trent Dilfer. The feature includes interviews with some of the recipients – Dilfer, Lynch, Martin and Brown – who address what the notes meant to them and their impression of Manning.

Sunday, January 4:

Dolphins Turnaround

The Miami Dolphins went from a 1-15 record last season to the AFC East division crown this year, completing one of the greatest turnarounds by a team in the NFL. Reporter Greg Garber heads to Miami to sit down with significant players (including Joey Porter) and journalists who cover the team to explain how the Dolphins mastered the art of the turnaround in 2008.

Ravens Quarterback Joe Flacco

ESPN’s NFL analyst Trent Dilfer, who won Super Bowl XXXV as the Baltimore Ravens quarterback, returns for a sit-down interview with current Ravens signal caller Joe Flacco and key members of Baltimore’s defense, and uncovers how the rookie quarterback won over seasoned leaders in the team’s defense – Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, Ed Reed, et al.

Donovan McNabb “Unmasked”

In what has been a roller coaster season for the five-time Pro Bowler (surprisingly benched Week 12 in the Eagles 36-7 loss in Baltimore and criticized for admitting he did not know about overtime ties), Countdown “Unmasks” Donovan McNabb overcoming a tumultuous season.

Mayne Event: Kenny Goes to Minnesota

In a special Wild Card edition of his off-beat segment, Kenny Mayne spoofs the “coach in waiting” trend in the NFL and questions how far Minnesota will go to have a head coach in 2055.

Film Room: Ravens vs. Dolphins

Merril Hoge goes to the film room to explain why the Dolphins’ critically acclaimed Wildcat formation was ineffective against the Ravens defense in a 27-13 home loss in Week 7.

Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em with Matthew Berry and Merril Hoge

ESPN’s fantasy football guru Matthew Berry and Hoge preview which players to start or sit Sunday in “Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em” including, weekly trends and sleepers in the NFL.

Berman, Carter, Ditka, Jackson and Johnson will pick the biggest games of the day and tell fans which players will make the biggest impact in the NFL Wild Card Playoff matchups. The list of game picks will be posted on www.espn.com/sundaycountdown after the show.

Additional segment includes “Sunday Stretch,” a preview of some of the day’s key matchups and players as they warm up for their games.

STATE FARM NFL MATCHUP, SATURDAY 3 A.M. AND 7:30 A.M. ON ESPN;

SUNDAY 3:30 A.M. AND 7:30 A.M.

State Farm NFL Matchup (Saturday, 3 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.; Sunday at 3:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.), featuring host Sal Paolantonio and analysts Ron Jaworski and Merril Hoge, will preview the Wild Card Playoff weekend by bringing viewers inside the film room for the Xs and Os analysis of the matchups Saturday and Sunday. The 30-minute program – taped each week at NFL Films in Mt. Laurel, N.J. – highlights team strategy and game planning. This week’s features:

Saturday, January 3:

Falcons Offense vs. Cardinals Defense

The Falcons offense has made a complete turnaround from last year’s dismal season, largely due to the impressive play of quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner. Hoge shows how the Cardinals defense must defend the run and contain the double threat of Turner and Jerious Norwood in the backfield.

While establishing the run early is a key objective for the Falcons offense, the Cardinals defense will not overlook Atlanta’s big play threat in wide receiver Roddy White. Jaworski explains how the Falcons dictate matchups with play action for explosive passing plays.

Falcons Defense vs. Cardinals Offense

Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner remains a serious threat in the passing game when he can set his feet and throw from a comfortable pocket to his big play receivers. Jaworski examines how the Cardinals must handle the pressures of the Atlanta’s improved defense.

Colts Defense vs. Chargers Offense

Jaworski explains how Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers, the League’s highest-rated passer, will look to exploit the Colts secondary Saturday in San Diego via offensive schemes that create favorable matchups for their wide receivers.

Colts Offense vs. Chargers Deffense

Hoge goes back to their Colts-Chargers Week 12 matchup to show how the Chargers defensive pressure hindered quarterback Peyton Manning’s ability to hang in the pocket as the game progressed.

Sunday, January 4:

Ravens Offense vs. Dolphins Defense

Rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, who has been one of the main catalysts for a resurgent Ravens offense, has been one of the year’s biggest surprises in the NFL. Jaworski revisits the Ravens-Miami Week 7 game to show the Flacco’s subtle ability to read defenses and react accordingly.

The Dolphins’ defensive line must win the battle in the trenches this week against one of the league’s top rushing offenses. Hoge explains the Ravens’ run game and reveals how playing with three offensive tackles has increased their offensive production.

Ravens Defense vs. Dolphins Offense

Hoge goes “Inside The Matchup” to demonstrate how the Ravens defense, led by linebacker Ray Lewis, will apply pressure to disrupt the Dolphins’ “Wildcat” formation and shutdown quarterback Chad Pennington and his deceptive offense.

Eagles Defense vs. Vikings Offense

With more teams loading the box expecting to stop Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, the league’s leading rusher, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson must make plays with his arm for his team to be successful. Jaworski explains the Vikings’ troubles against the blitz and reveals how they must counter one of the league best blitzing teams.

- 30 -