Archives for November 2013

FOX Sports Highlights: NFL, UFC, College Football and Basketball, Boxing & Original Programming

November 27, 2013 By admin

FOX NFL SUNDAY THANKSGIVING SPECIAL AIRS THURSDAY AT 11:30 AM ET

THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER: TEAM ROUSEY VS. TEAM TATE FINAL EPISODE WEDNESDAY & LIVE SEASON FINALE FIGHTS AIRING

ON FOX SPORTS 1 SATURDAY NIGHT

#8 STANFORD VS. #25 NOTRE DAME HIGHLIGHTS FOX SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL THANKSGIVING WEEK FEAST

ACTOR, WRITER, DIRECTOR, COMEDIAN BILLY CRYSTAL STOPS BY

CROWD GOES WILD MONDAY, DEC. 2

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NFL – THANKSGIVING DAY SPECIAL

FOX NFL SUNDAY

• Network/When: FOX Sports, Thursday, Nov. 28 (11:30 AM ET)

• Talent: Co-hosts Terry Bradshaw, Curt Menefee along with analysts Howie Long, Michael Strahan, Jimmy Johnson, NFL rules analyst Mike Pereira from Los Angeles

• Thanksgiving Day: FOX NFL Insider Jay Glazer and FOX NFL and college football analyst Eddie George are joined by Cleatus the Robot and the FOX Sports Girls to give thanks to our military troops stationed at the Fort Irwin national training center in Fort Irwin, CA. Weaved into the FOX NFL SUNDAY Thanksgiving Day pregame show will be nearly 600 soldiers from a mock up of a Middle Eastern city at the base, used by military to properly train troops before being deployed overseas.

GAME PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST/SIDELINE TIME

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions Joe Buck, Troy Aikman 12:35PM ET Pam Oliver & Erin Andrews

Ford Field – Detroit, MI

Once game action concludes, Buck, Aikman, Oliver & Andrews have the distinct honor of presenting the game’s most valuable player with one of the most prestigious awards in all of professional sports: the NFL ON FOX’s GALLOPING GOBBLER. The new and improved “Gobbler” has seen a few incarnations, and this one promises to be its finest, though giving any further detail on its improvements would compromise the integrity of the award. First introduced on Thanksgiving Day in 2002, the trophy was first won by Cowboys legend and Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith when he rushed for 144 yards en route to a 27-20 victory over the Washington Redskins.

RECIPIENTS OF THE GALLOPING GOBBLER

2002 – Emmitt Smith, Dallas Cowboys RB

2003 – Dré Bly, Detroit Lions CB

2004 – Julius Jones, Dallas Cowboys RB

2005 – Michael Vick, Atlanta Falcons QB

2006 – Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys QB

2007 – Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers QB

2008 – DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys DE

2009 – Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers WR

2010 – Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints QB

2011 – Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers QB

2012 – Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins QB

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FOX NFL KICKOFF

• Network/When: FOX Sports 1, Sunday, Dec. 1 (11:00 AM ET)

• Talent: Joel Klatt with analysts Eddie George, Randy Moss and Brian Urlacher; the foursome previews the upcoming day’s action with news and analysis from around the NFL.

• This Week: Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy is featured as is him playing through his alter ego, The Kraken.

FOX NFL SUNDAY

• Network/When: FOX Sports, Sunday, Dec. 1 (12:00 PM ET)

• Talent: Co-hosts Terry Bradshaw, Curt Menefee along with analysts Howie Long, Michael Strahan, Jimmy Johnson, insider Jay Glazer and NFL rules analyst Mike Pereira

NFL ON FOX WEEK 13: CLEMENS BATTLES KAEPERNICK IN NFC WEST SHOWDOWN

FOX Sports’ Week 13 singleheader of regionalized action features Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers taking on Kellen Clemens and the St. Louis Rams from Candlestick Park in San Francisco, CA. Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Molly McGrath call the action beginning at 4:00 PM ET.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1

(all times eastern)

GAME PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST COV. TIME

Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston 29% 1:00 PM

& Tony Siragusa (on-field analyst)

Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia, PA

MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Austin, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Denver, Kansas City, Louisville, Memphis, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Richmond, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, Tulsa, Washington D.C.

GAME PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST/SIDELINE COV. TIME

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick 15% 1:00 PM & Laura Okmin

Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome – Minneapolis, Minn.

MARKETS INCLUDE: Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, Minneapolis

GAME PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST/SIDELINE COV. TIME

Tampa Bay Bucs at Carolina Panthers Chris Myers, Tim Ryan 13% 1:00 PM

& Jennifer Hale

Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte, NC

MARKETS INCLUDE: Charlotte, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, New Orleans, Orlando, Raleigh, Tampa

GAME PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST/SIDELINE COV. TIME

Atlanta Falcons at Buffalo Bills Dick Stockton, Ronde Barber 8% 4:05 PM & Kris Budden

Rogers Center – Toronto, Ontario, Canada

MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Birmingham, Buffalo, Cleveland, Jacksonville, Knoxville

GAME PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST/SIDELINE COV. TIME

St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch 34% 4:05 PM

& Molly McGrath

Candlestick Park – San Francisco, CA

MARKETS INCLUDE: Boston, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Portland, Providence, Sacramento, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, West Palm Beach

UFC

UFC TONIGHT SPECIAL EDITION: BEFORE THEY WERE CHAMPS INCLUDING EDGAR, BELFORT, ALDO AND MORE

· Network/When: FOX Sports 1, Wednesday, Nov. 27 (7:00 PM ET)

· Talent: Kenny Florian, Chael Sonnen

· This Week: UFC TONIGHT airs a special edition; “Before They Were Champs,” with hosts Florian and Sonnen looking back at some of the biggest names in the UFC before they won a UFC championship title, including BJ Penn, Jose Aldo, Rashad Evans, Anthony Pettis, Vitor Belfort, Shogun Rua, Chris Weidman and many more.

THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER – RAKOCZY AND PENNINGTON FIGHT FOR LAST SPOT IN FINALE

· Network/When: FOX Sports 1, Wednesday, Nov. 27 (10:00 PM ET)

· Talent: UFC women’s champion Ronda Rousey, title contender Miesha Tate

· This Week: With their semifinal fight looming, Team Rousey’s Jessica Rakoczy and Team Tate’s Raquel Pennington are hit with serious injuries during training. Who can muster up the strength to fight through the pain, and earn a spot in the live finale against Julianna Pena?

THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER FINALE WEIGH-IN SHOW

· Network/When: FOX Sports 2, Friday, Nov. 29 (7:00 PM ET)

· Talent: Karyn Bryant, Chael Sonnen, Michael Bisping, Ariel Helwani

· This Week: Coverage of THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER FINALE begins on FOX Sports 2 with the weigh-ins live from Las Vegas as the fighters try to make weight for their Saturday night fights.

THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER FINALE PREFIGHT SHOW

· Network/When: FOX Sports 2, Saturday, Nov. 30 (7:00 PM ET)

· Talent: Jay Glazer, Chael Sonnen, Michael Bisping, Ariel Helwani

This Week: Action at THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER FINALE kicks off with host Jay Glazer and analysts Chael Sonnen and Michael Bisping previewing and breaking down the evening’s fights from the FOX Sports studios in Los Angeles. Insider Ariel Helwani delivers reports from Las Vegas.

THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER FINALE PRELIMS FEATURE 4 FIGHTS

· Network/When: FOX Sports 1, Saturday, Nov. 30 (8:00 PM ET)

· Talent: Jon Anik, Kenny Florian

· This Week: The first four preliminary fights of THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate Finale kick off the evening’s action, live from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER FINALE CROWNS FIRST-EVER TUF WOMEN’S CHAMP

· Network/When: FOX Sports 1, Saturday, Nov. 30 (10:00 PM ET)

· Talent: Jon Anik, Kenny Florian

This Week: The exciting and historic conclusion of the 18th season of THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER takes place live at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas with six exciting fights, headlined by Gray Maynard and Nate Diaz, who meet for the third time in a pivotal lightweight battle. The No. 5-ranked Maynard (12-2-1,1NC) first faced No. 8-ranked Diaz (16-9) on season 5 of the reality series back in 2007, with Diaz prevailing and ultimately winning the entire season. Maynard evened the score in January 2010 with a split decision victory. For the first time ever, the Finale crowns both a male and female winner, who receive six-figure contracts with the UFC and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

FOX SPORTS LIVE PRESENTS THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER FINALE POSTFIGHT SPECIAL

· Network/When: FOX Sports 1, Sunday, Dec. 1 (1:00 AM ET)

· Talent: Jon Anik, Kenny Florian, Ariel Helwani

· This Week: FOX SPORTS LIVE presents THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER FINALE POSTFIGHT SPECIAL, hosted by Jon Anik, Kenny Florian and Ariel Helwani. Coaches Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate are together for the first time since the explosive season of THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER, reviewing the night of fights and talking about their upcoming championship battle. Plus, hear from UFC president Dana White and each of the newest Ultimate Fighters, including the first-ever female Ultimate Fighter winner.

UFC’S ROAD TO THE OCTAGON PROFILES TITLE FIGHT BETWEEN JOHNSON AND BENAVIDEZ

· Network/When: FOX, Sunday, Dec. 1 (3:00 – 4:00 PM ET (PRE-NFL) 4:30 – 5:30 PM ET (POST-NFL) UFC’s ROAD TO THE OCTAGON)

· Talent: Demetrious Johnson, Joseph Benavidez

· This Week: Get an inside look at the upcoming UFC ON FOX Flyweight Title fight between champion Demetrious Johnson and No.1-contender Joseph Benavidez, as they prepare for a rematch of their championship bout just over a year ago. Plus, No. 2-ranked bantamweight Urijah Faber, “The California Kid,” returns to his hometown of Sacramento to meet No. 3-ranked Michael “Mayday” McDonald, in a matchup that could determine who will be fighting for the bantamweight title next. Also, No. 2-ranked welterweight Carlos Condit and No. 8-ranked Matt Brown face off in what promises to be a Fight of the Year candidate. Brown is riding a six-fight win streak (five by KO) and with a dominating win, could be next in line for a welterweight title fight.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

#8 STANFORD VS. #25 NOTRE DAME HIGHLIGHTS FOX SPORTS COLLEGE FOOTBALL THANKSGIVING WEEK FEAST – FOX Sports’ extensive college football coverage continues Thanksgiving weekend with three straight days of top game action. Games kick off on Thursday, Nov. 28, as Texas and Texas Tech battle for the Chancellor’s Spurs on FOX Sports 1 (7:30 PM ET), followed by three contests on Friday, Nov. 29, highlighted by the battle for the Apple Cup, Washington State at Washington, on FOX (3:30 PM ET), and Oregon State at No. 12 Oregon on FOX Sports 1 (7:00 PM ET). Saturday brings three more games on FOX and FOX Sports 1, capped off by No. 25 Notre Dame at No. 8 Stanford under the lights in Palo Alto with FOX Sports’ lead college football broadcast team of Gus Johnson, Charles Davis and Kristina Pink on the call.

FOX COLLEGE SATURDAY

· Network/When: FOX Sports 1, Saturday, Nov. 30 (10:00 AM ET)

· Talent: Erin Andrews, Eddie George, Petros Papadakis, Mike Pereira and Clay Travis

· This Week: Eddie George sits down with a young Ohio State fan who named his cancer “Michigan” and then beat it, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly discusses his team and how the Irish will finish the season, and the group discusses this weekend’s rivalry games, including the Iron Bowl, if Florida State is better than Ohio State, and George breaks down the Heisman hopefuls.

This weekend’s full schedule, including broadcaster information, can be found below.

DATE	TIME (ET)	GAME	NETWORK	Play by Play	Analyst	Sideline
Thursday, Nov. 28	7:30 PM	Texas Tech at Texas	FOX Sports 1	Gus Johnson	Charles Davis	Kristina Pink
Friday, Nov. 29	3:00 PM	FIU at Florida Atlantic	FOX Sports 1	Mike Morgan	Brian Baldinger
Friday, Nov. 29	3:30 PM	Washington State at Washington	FOX	Craig Bolerjack	Joey Harrington	Ryan Nece
Friday, Nov. 29	3:30 PM	Washington State at Washington	FOX Deportes	Pablo Alsina	Francisco X. Rodriguez
Friday, Nov. 29	7:00 PM	Oregon State at #12 Oregon	FOX Sports 1	Justin Kutcher	Joel Klatt	Molly McGrath
Saturday, Nov. 30	12:00 PM	K-State at Kansas	FOX Sports 1	Tom McCarthy	James Bates	Brady Poppinga
Saturday, Nov. 30	2:30 PM	North Texas at Tulsa	FSN	Brendan Burke	Ben Leber	JC Pearson
Saturday, Nov. 30	3:00 PM	Tulane at Rice	FCS	Ron Thulin	Gary Reasons	Lesley McCaslin
Saturday, Nov. 30	3:30 PM	Boston College at Syracuse	FS South	Wes Durham	Brian Stann	Jenn Hildreth
Saturday, Nov. 30	4:00 PM	Iowa State at West Virginia	FOX Sports 1	Adam Alexander	Chris Simms
Saturday, Nov. 30	7:00 PM	#25 Notre Dame at #8 Stanford	FOX	Gus Johnson	Charles Davis	Kristina Pink
Saturday, Nov. 30	7:00 PM	#25 Notre Dame at #8 Stanford	FOX Deportes	Pablo Alsina	Francisco X. Rodriguez

FOX COLLEGE SATURDAY TOUR HEADS TO THE FARM – The FOX COLLEGE SATURDAY TOUR, a unique, mobile, interactive fan destination, heads to Palo Alto this week as the No. 8 Stanford Cardinal host the No. 25 Notre Dame Fighting Irish in a huge non-conference matchup on FOX. The tour is located at Cobb Track & Angell Field and features interactive games, a tailgate zone, photo opportunities and chances to win FOX Sports 1 gear and gift cards. On-air segments with FOX Sports broadcasters Gus Johnson, Charles Davis and Kristina Pink are planned throughout the day with the first live hit scheduled for 3:00 PM ET. The FOX COLLEGE SATURDAY TOUR is free and open to the public on Saturday, Nov. 30 until the game kicks off at 7:00 PM ET.

#3 KENTUCKY MEETS PROVIDENCE IN BROOKLYN ON FOX SPORTS 1 – FOX Sports’ coverage of BIG EAST basketball continues with a huge non-conference matchup as Providence takes on No. 3 Kentucky at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Friars and Wildcats, who were the season’s preseason No. 1 team, face off Sunday, Dec. 1, at 8:30 PM ET on FOX Sports 1 with FOX Sports lead college basketball game analyst Bill Raftery behind the microphone. The Kentucky-Providence game follows an appearance by another member of college basketball royalty, as No. 16 North Carolina faces UAB at 6:00 PM ET.

This week’s full schedule, including broadcaster information, can be found below.

DATE	TIME (ET)	GAME	NETWORK	Play by Play	Analyst
Tuesday, Nov. 26	7:00 PM	Longwood at St. John’s	FOX Sports 1	Rich Ackerman	Ron Thompson
Friday, Nov. 29	12:30 PM	Fairfield at Providence	FOX Sports 1	TBD	Vin Parise
Friday, Nov. 29	3:00 PM	Arkansas-Little Rock at Oklahoma	FSN	Chad McKee	Renzi Stone
Saturday, Nov. 30	12:00 PM	Lipscomb at Georgetown	FSN	Jason Benetti	Gary Williams
Sunday, Dec. 1	1:00 PM	Creighton at Oklahoma (W)	FOX Sports 2	Ron Thulin	Brenda VanLengen
Sunday, Dec. 1	2:00 PM	Fairleigh Dickinson at Seton Hall	FOX Sports 1	Gary Thorne	Tarik Turner
Sunday, Dec. 1	4:00 PM	Oregon State at DePaul	FOX Sports 1	Eric Collins	Stephen Bardo
Sunday, Dec. 1	4:00 PM	Central Arkansas at K-State	FSN	Ben Boyle	Stan Weber
Sunday, Dec. 1	6:00 PM	#16 North Carolina at UAB	FOX Sports 1	Adam Alexander	Dan Bonner
Sunday, Dec. 1	8:30 PM	#3 Kentucky at Providence	FOX Sports 1	Justin Kutcher	Bill Raftery

SOCCER

U.S. Soccer star Landon Donovan returns Wednesday for his second day on FOX Sports’ expanded coverage of the UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Match Day 5. Pregame coverage begins at 2:00 PM ET on FOX Sports 1 when Donovan’s former team Bayer Leverkusen takes on Manchester United.

· Network/When:

· CSKA Moscow v Bayern Munich, FOX Sports 2, Wed, Nov. 27 (12:00 PM ET)

· Bayer Leverkusen v Manchester United, FOX Sports 1, Wed, Nov. 27 (2:00 PM ET)

· Manchester City v Viktoria Plzen, FOX Soccer Plus, Wed, Nov. 27 (2:30 PM ET)

· Real Madrid v Galatasaray, FOX Sports 2, Wed, Nov. 27 (2:30 PM ET)

· Juventus v Copenhagen, FSN, Wed, Nov. 27 (2:30 PM ET)

· Paris Saint-Germain v Olympiacos, FOX Soccer Plus, Thurs, Nov. 28 (3:00 AM ET)

· Anderlecht v Benfica, FOX Soccer Plus, Thurs, Nov. 28 (8:00 AM ET)

· Shakhtar Donetsk v Real Sociedad, FOX Soccer Plus, Thurs, Nov. 28 (10:00 AM ET)

· Talent: FOX Sports lead soccer team – host Rob Stone, analysts Eric Wynalda, Brian McBride, Warren Barton and guest analyst Landon Donovan.

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE: Match Day 5

· Network/When: Tromso v Tottenham, FOX Sports 1, Thurs, Nov. 28 (12:30 PM ET)

· Lyon v Real Betis, FOX Sports 2, Thurs, Nov. 28 (1:00 PM ET)

· Legia Warsaw v Lazio, FOX Soccer Plus, Thurs, Nov. 28 (1:00 PM ET)

· Wigan Athletic v Zulte Waregem, FOX Sports 1, Thurs, Nov. 28 (3:00 PM ET)

· Swansea City v Valencia, FOX Sports 2, Thurs, Nov. 28 (3:00 PM ET)

· Bordeaux v Eintracht Frankfurt, FOX Soccer Plus, Thurs, Nov. 28 (3:00 PM ET)

· Talent: Host Julie Stewart-Binks, analysts Eric Wynalda, Brian McBride and Warren Barton.

FOX SOCCER DAILY

· Network/When: FOX Sports 1, Weekdays (3:30 PM ET)

· Talent: Host Julie Stewart-Binks and a rotation of analysts including Eric Wynalda, Warren Barton, Cobi Jones and Brian McBride.

· This Week: The live news, highlights and analysis programs recaps all the league action over the weekend and previews the 2014 FIFA World Cup draw set to take place next week.

GOLDEN BOY BOXING

HEAVYWEIGHTS COLLIDE AS ANTONIO TARVER BATTLES MIKE SHEPPARD IN GOLDEN BOY LIVE! ON FOX SPORTS 1/FOX DEPORTES:

· Network/When: FOX Sports 1/FOX Deportes, Tuesday, Nov. 26 (8:00 PM ET)

· Talent: Alan Massengale has the play-by-play and Brian Adams the analysis on FOX Sports 1; Mauricio Cárdenas and Daniel Ponce de León have the call for FOX Deportes.

· This Week: Former World Champion Antonio Tarver (29-6, 20 KO’s) battles West Virginia’s Mike Sheppard (21-15, 9 KO’s) in a 10-round Main Event to decide the vacant Interim NABA Heavyweight Title. In the undercard, unbeaten heavyweight Olympian Dominic ‘Trouble’ Breazeale (7-0, 7 KO’s) takes on veteran fighter Nagy Aguilera (18-7, 12 KO’s), while the evening’s co-main event highlights undefeated bantamweight Randy ‘El Matador’ Caballero facing off against Florida southpaw Jessy Cruz.

FOX HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

FOX HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL LIVE ON THANKSGIVING DAY – FOX HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL, a seven-episode series showcasing the country’s greatest prep players, features a Thanksgiving Day showdown between New Jersey powerhouses Don Bosco Prep at St. Joseph Regional on FOX Sports 1.

Network/When: FOX Sports 1, Thursday, Nov. 28 (10:00 AM ET)
Talent: FOX Sports play-by-play announcer Daron Sutton and analyst Ben Leber

STUDIO SHOWS

CROWD GOES WILD

Network/When: FOX Sports 1, weekdays (5:00 PM ET; pre-empted Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29)
Talent: Regis Philbin, Georgie Thompson, Jason Gay, Michael Kosta, Trevor Pryce and Katie Nolan
Guests: Victor Cruz of the New York Giants on Tuesday, Nov. 26; comedian and TV personality Andrew Schulz and competitive eater Eric Booker on Wednesday, Nov. 27
Upcoming guests: Actor/writer/director Billy Crystal on Monday, Dec. 2, actor Joe Manganiello and writer Rich Cohen on Tuesday, Dec. 3; professional snowboarder Kevin Pearce on Wednesday, Dec. 4

FOX SPORTS LIVE

Network/When: FOX Sports 1, daily (11:00 PM ET)
Talent: Jay Onrait, Dan O’Toole, Charissa Thompson, Andy Roddick, Donovan McNabb, Gary Payton, Ephraim Salaam, Gabe Kapler, Bill Reiter, Ryan Field, Mike Hill, Coy Wire and Petros Papadakis

NASCAR RACE HUB

Network/When: FOX Sports 1, Monday through Friday this week (“Best of the Year” encore special airs Wednesday, Nov. 27; pre-empted Thursday, Nov. 28)
Talent: Co-hosts Adam Alexander and Danielle Trotta; analysts Bob Dillner and Matt Clark
Features: “Mattie’s Diner” feature reflects on Brad Keselowski’s season as champion; HUB experts weigh in on Jeff Gordon’s 2013 season and hand out their season-ending grades on Tuesday, Nov. 26

FOX SPORTS LIVE EVENT AND STUDIO PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (11/26 – 12-4)

All Times Easter/Subject to Change

FOX SPORTS (BROADCAST) – BLUE; FOX SPORTS 1 – BLACK; FOX SPORTS 2 – GREEN

TUESDAY 11/26/13

FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	STUDIO	CROWD GOES WILD	5:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	FOOTBALL	FOX FOOTBALL DAILY	6:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	BASKETBALL	FOX COLLEGE HOOPS: BIG EAST MEN’S: Longwood at St. John’s	7:00PM
FOX SPORTS 2	PREMIERE	SOCCER	UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: GROUP STAGE – AFC Ajax vs. FC Barcelona	8:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	BOXING	FOX FIGHT NIGHT: Golden Boy – Tarver vs. Sheppard	9:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	STUDIO	FOX SPORTS LIVE	11:00PM
FOX SPORTS 2	PREMIERE	SOCCER	UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS	12:00AM

WEDNESDAY 11/27/13
FOX SPORTS 2	PREMIERE	SOCCER	UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: GROUP STAGE – Celtic FC vs. AC Milan	7:30AM
FOX SPORTS 2	PREMIERE	SOCCER	UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: GROUP STAGE – Borussia Dortmound vs. SCC Napoli	9:30AM
FOX SPORTS 2	PREMIERE	SOCCER	UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: GROUP STAGE – CSKA Moscow vs. Bayern Munich	12:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	NASCAR	NASCAR RACE HUB	12:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	RE-AIR	SOCCER	UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS	1:30PM
FOX SPORTS 2	LIVE	SOCCER	UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREGAME	2:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	SOCCER	UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREGAME	2:00PM
FOX SPORTS 2	LIVE	SOCCER	UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: GROUP STAGE – Real Madrid vs. Galatasaray	2:30PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	SOCCER	UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: GROUP STAGE – Bayer Leverkusen vs. Mancester United	2:30PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	STUDIO	CROWD GOES WILD	5:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	FOOTBALL	FOX FOOTBALL DAILY	6:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	PREMIERE	UFC	UFC TONIGHT: Before They Were Champs	7:00PM
FOX SPORTS 2	PREMIERE	SOCCER	UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: GROUP STAGE – Manchester City FC vs. FC Viktoria Plzen	8:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	PREMIERE	UFC	UFC UNLEASHED: Chris Weidman vs. Mark Munoz	8:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	PREMIERE	UFC	THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER: Team Rousey vs.Team Tate – Aiming for the Top	10:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	STUDIO	FOX SPORTS LIVE	11:00PM
FOX SPORTS 2	PREMIERE	SOCCER	UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS	12:00AM
FOX SPORTS 2	PREMIERE	STUDIO	THE JONES AND MOSELEY SHOW: High Wires and High Flyers	12:30AM

THURSDAY 11/28/13
FOX SPORTS 1	PREMIERE	HS FOOTBALL	Don Bosco Prep (NJ) at St. Joseph Regional (NJ)	10:00AM
FOX SPORTS	LIVE	STUDIO	NFL on FOX	11:30AM
FOX SPORTS	LIVE	FOOTBALL	Green Bay at Detroit	12:30PM
FOX SPORTS 2	LIVE	SOCCER	UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE GROUP STAGE – Olympique Lyonnais vs. Real Betis Balompie	1:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	SOCCER	UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE GROUP STAGE – Tromso vs. Tottenham Hotspur	1:00PM
FOX SPORTS 2	LIVE	SOCCER	UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE GROUP STAGE – Swansea City vs. Valencia	3:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	SOCCER	UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE GROUP STAGE – Wigan Athletic vs. Zulte Waregem	3:00PM
FOX SPORTS	LIVE	STUDIO	FOX NFL Postgame	3:30PM
FOX SPORTS 2	PREMIERE	POKER	WORLD POKER TOUR: Bellagio 5 Diamond World Poker Classic Part 1	5:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	FOOTBALL	FOX COLLEGE THURSDAY	7:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	COLLEGE FB	FOX COLLEGE FOOTBALL: BIG 12: Texas Tech at Texas	7:30PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	STUDIO	FOX SPORTS LIVE	11:00PM
FOX SPORTS 2	PREMIERE	SOCCER	UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS	12:00AM

FRIDAY 11/29/13
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	NASCAR	NASCAR RACE HUB	12:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	BASKETBALL	FOX COLLEGE HOOOPS: BIG EAST MEN’S: Fairfield at Providence	12:30PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	STUDIO	FOX COLLEGE EXTRA	2:30PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	COLLEGE FB	FOX COLLEGE FB: C-USA: FIU at Florida Atlantic	3:00PM
FOX SPORTS	LIVE	COLLEGE FB	FOX COLLEGE FB: Pac 12: Washington St. at Washington	3:30PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	STUDIO	FOX COLLEGE EXTRA	6:30PM
FOX SPORTS 2	LIVE	UFC	THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER FINALE WEIGH IN	7:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	COLLEGE FB	FOX COLLEGE FB: PAC 12: Oregon St. at Oregon	7:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	STUDIO	FOX SPORTS LIVE	10:30PM
FOX SPORTS 2	PREMIERE	DARTS	PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS	12:00AM
FOX SPORTS 2	PREMIERE	PING PONG	WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF PING PONG	1:00AM

SATURDAY 11/30/13
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	FOOTBALL	FOX COLLEGE SATURDAY	10:00AM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	FOOTBALL	FOX COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Big 12 – Kansas St. at Kansas	12:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	FOOTBALL	FOX COLLEGE SATURDAY EXTRA	3:30PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	FOOTBALL	FOX COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Big 12 – Iowa St. at West Virginia	4:00PM
FOX SPORTS	LIVE	STUDIO	FOX COLLEGE FOOTBALL – PREGAME	6:30PM
FOX SPORTS	LIVE	COLLEGE FB	FOX COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Pac 12 – Notre Dame st Stanford	7:00PM
FOX SPORTS 2	LIVE	UFC	THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER FINAL PREFIGHT SHOW	7:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	FOOTBALL	FOX COLLEGE SATURDAY EXTRA	7:30PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	UFC	UFC FIGHT NIGHT PRELIMS: THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER 18 FINALE	8:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	UFC	UFC FIGHT NIGHT: THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER 18 FINALE	10:00PM
FOX SPORTS 2	LIVE	SOCCCER	HYUNDAI A-LEAGUE Melbourne Heart v. Adelaide United	1:00AM

SUNDAY 12/1/13
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	FOOTBALL	FOX NFL KICKOFF	11:00AM
FOX SPORTS 1	PREMIERE	RACING	LUCAS OIL OFF ROAD RACING -Lake Elsinore	12:00PM
FOX SPORTS	LIVE	FOOTBALL	FOX NFL SUNDAY	12:00PM
FOX SPORTS 2	PREMIERE	SOCCER	UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MAGAZINE	12:00PM
FOX SPORTS 2	PREMIERE	STUDIO	CROWD GOES WILD WEEKEND	12:30PM
FOX SPORTS 2	LIVE	BASKETBALL	FOX COLLEGE HOOPS: Big 12 Women’s: Creighton at Oklahoma	1:00PM
FOX SPORTS	LIVE	FOOTBALL	NFL ON FOX: 1) TB @CAR 2) CHI @MN 3) AZ @PHL	1:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	BASKETBALL	FOX COLLEGE HOOPS: BIG EAST MEN’S: Farleigh Dickinson at Seton Hall	2:00PM
FOX SPORTS 2	PREMIERE	RACING	AUSTRALIAN V8 SUPERCARS: Phillip Island	3:00PM
FOX SPORTS	LIVE	FOOTBALL	NFL ON FOX: 1) ATL @BUF 2) STL @SF	4:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	BASKETBALL	FOX COLLEGE HOOPS: BIG EAST MEN’S: Oregon St. at DePaul	4:00PM
FOX SPORTS 2	PREMIERE	RACING	FIA GT1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Slovakia	5:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	BASKETBALL	FOX COLLEGE HOOPS: C-USA MEN’S: North Carolina at UAB	6:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	STUDIO	FOX COLLEGE EXTRA	8:00PM
FOX SPORTS 2	PREMIERE	RACING	FIA WORLD TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP: RUSSIA	8:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	BASKETBALL	FOX COLLEGE HOOPS: BIG EAST MEN’S: Kentucky at Providence	8:30PM
FOX SPORTS 2	PREMIERE	RACING	FIA GT1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Spain	9:00PM
FOX SPORTS 2	PREMIERE	UFC	UFC ULTIMATE INSIDER	10:30PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	STUDIO	FOX SPORTS LIVE	10:30PM

MONDAY 12/2/13
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	SOCCER	FOX SOCCER DAILY	3:30PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	NASCAR	NASCAR RACE HUB: Best of the Year	4:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	STUDIO	CROWD GOES WILD	5:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	FOOTBALL	FOX FOOTBALL DAILY	6:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	PREMIERE	NASCAR	FANTASTIC FINISHES	7:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	PREMIERE	UFC	UFC UNLEASHED: Mauracio “Shogun” Rua vs. Brandon Vera	8:00PM

TUESDAY 12/3/13
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	SOCCER	FOX SOCCER DAILY	3:30PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	STUDIO	CROWD GOES WILD	5:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	FOOTBALL	FOX FOOTBALL DAILY	6:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	PREMIERE	UFC	UFC PRESENTS Anthony Pettis	7:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	STUDIO	FOX SPORTS LIVE	11:00PM

WEDNESDAY 12/4/13
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	SOCCER	FOX SOCCER DAILY	3:30PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	NASCAR	NASCAR RACE HUB	4:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	STUDIO	CROWD GOES WILD	5:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	FOOTBALL	FOX FOOTBALL DAILY	6:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	PREMIERE	UFC	UFC TONIGHT	7:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	LIVE	BASKETBALL	FOX COLLEGE HOOPS: BIG EAST MEN’S: Penn at Villanova	8:00PM
FOX SPORTS 1	PREMIERE	STUDIO	FOX SPORTS LIVE	10:00PM

Ben Roethlisberger And Steelers Travel To Baltimore To Take On Joe Flacco And Ravens Thanksgiving Night On NBC

November 27, 2013 By admin

REDSKINS HOST GIANTS ON SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

Thursday’s Thanksgiving Game Coverage Begins at 8 p.m. ET

Sunday’s Coverage Begins with Football Night In America at 7 p.m. ET

Thanksgiving Night Show Open Features Jimmy Fallon

NBC to Present 2nd Annual “Madden Thanksgiving Player of the Game” on Thursday Night

STAMFORD, Conn. – November 27, 2013 – On Thursday night, NBC will continue the network’s new holiday tradition with its second NFL primetime Thanksgiving game. Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-6) will travel to M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, M.D. to take on Joe Flacco and the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens (5-6) in an important AFC North matchup. Both clubs are tied among many teams for a final playoff spot.

Thursday’s game broadcast will begin with a Thanksgiving-themed musical feature starring Jimmy Fallon and The Roots. NBC will wrap up the night by presenting the second annual “Madden Thanksgiving Player-of-the-Game” award. Coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

NBC’s Thanksgiving weekend coverage continues on Sunday night when Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins host Eli Manning and the New York Giants, on Sunday Night Football. Coverage begins with Football Night in America at 7 p.m. ET on NBC.

Calling Steelers-Ravens and Giants-Redskins is seven-time Emmy Award-winner Al Michaels (play-by-play), in his 28th season as the voice of the NFL’s premier primetime package; 14-time Emmy Award-winner Cris Collinsworth, who has won the Emmy for Outstanding Event Analyst in each of his four seasons in the Sunday Night Football booth; and Emmy Award-winning sideline reporter Michele Tafoya.

NBC’s coverage of the Thanksgiving game and Sunday Night Football is led by Emmy Award-winning coordinating producer Fred Gaudelli and Emmy Award-winning director Drew Esocoff. Sunday Night Football has won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Sports Series for five consecutive years.

Football Night in America, the most-watched pre-game show in sports, is hosted by 25-time Emmy Award-winner Bob Costas, who will report from the stadium, and will be joined on-site by Michaels and Collinsworth.

On Thursday night, Costas will host a special Thanksgiving edition of Football Night In America from M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, M.D., and will be joined on-site by co-host Dan Patrick, Super Bowl-winning head coach Tony Dungy, two-time Super Bowl winner Rodney Harrison, and former Pittsburgh Steeler and two-time Super Bowl winner Hines Ward.

On Sunday night, Costas will report from FedEx Field in Landover M.D., and will be joined on-site by Ward.

Dan Patrick will co-host Football Night from NBC’s famed Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Patrick will be joined in studio by Dungy, Harrison, Peter King of Sports Illustrated, and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk on NBCSN and NBCSports.com, and longtime NFL front office veteran and former NFL Executive of the Year Scott Pioli.

STEELERS – RAVENS PREVIEW:

“It’s going to be a war. This is the rival game that players circle on their calendar. It’s pure hatred.” – Hines Ward

“It’s going to come down to those quarterbacks making plays. Flacco or Roethlisberger, we will see who makes the plays. – Tony Dungy

“They have to at least attempt to try to run the ball. You have to give Ray Rice at least 25 or 30 touches and stick with the run game.” – Rodney Harrison on Ravens

Click here to watch a video of Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth previewing Steelers-Ravens:

http://www.nbcsports.com/football/nfl/snf-preview-steelers-vs-ravens-and-giants-vs-redskins

Click here to watch a video of Dan Patrick, Hines Ward, Tony Dungy, and Rodney Harrison previewing Steelers-Ravens:

http://www.nbcsports.com/football/nfl/snf-thanksgiving-preview-steelers-v-ravens

NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA

For the sixth consecutive season, the entire Sunday Night Football schedule will be streamed live online. NBC Sports Live Extra, NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops and tablets, will stream all SNF games televised on NBC. The video stream will come directly from NBC’s broadcast of SNF, and will include additional camera angles and interactive features.

NBC Sports Live Extra employs a full HD-quality player, which includes a draggable picture-in-picture feature for any of the online-only cameras, plus full DVR functionality allowing the user to pause, scroll back-and-forth, and review plays in slo-motion.

In addition, online coverage features in-game analysis from the Sunday Night Football and Football Night In America teams as well as fantasy tips from Rotoworld fantasy experts.

For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for tablets is available at the App Store for iPad and iPod touch, and on select tablet devices within Google Play.

In addition to Sunday Night Football and Football Night In America, NBC Sports Group’s NFL coverage also includes digital content and social media extensions that are available online, as well as NFL-related shoulder programming on NBCSN.

NEW EPISODES OF FNIA COACH’S CLICKER AND NFL TURNING POINT AIR TONIGHT ON NBCSN

NBCSN’s in-depth coverage of the 2013 NFL season continues tonight with new episodes of FNIA Coach’s Clicker at 5 p.m. ET and NFL Turning Point at 11 p.m. ET.

FNIA Coach’s Clicker, NBCSN’s weekly half-hour NFL studio show hosted by Liam McHugh with Super Bowl-winning head coach Tony Dungy and two-time Super Bowl winner Rodney Harrison, will examine the pivotal matchups in Week 13, including Saints-Seahawks, Broncos-Chiefs, Cardinals-Eagles, and the Giants-Redskins showdown on Sunday Night Football.

FNIA Coach’s Clicker will study the play of New Orleans QB Drew Brees and Seattle QB Russell Wilson, and analyze how both defenses will look to limit the opposing quarterback. Dungy and Harrison will break down the AFC West clash between the Broncos and Chiefs, and will compare how Denver QB Peyton Manning and Kansas City QB Alex Smith have performed in the red zone this season. The episode will also look at the play of New York QB Eli Manning and Washington QB Robert Griffin III prior to the Giants-Redskins Sunday Night Football matchup.

NFL Turning Point, hosted by Football Night In America’s Dan Patrick, will look back at Week 12 in the NFL and focus on the crucial “turning point” moments that ultimately defined the outcome of some of the week’s most-watched contests.

This week’s episode of NFL Turning Point reviews the Broncos-Patriots overtime thriller on Sunday Night Football, examining New England’s comeback from a 24-0 halftime deficit. The program will analyze Denver’s commitment to running the football in the first half, and how the Patriots defense took away the middle of the field in the passing game, limiting Manning to 150 passing yards. The episode will break down Patriots S Nate Ebner’s fumble recovery late in overtime after Broncos P Britton Colquitt’s punt deflected off of teammate DB Tony Carter, setting New England up for the game-winning field goal.

The program also looks back at Sunday’s Chargers-Chiefs game. Turning Point will study Alex Smith’s success throwing the ball downfield against the Chargers defense, and how Kansas City tried to shut down San Diego TE Antonio Gates. In addition, the episode highlights Chargers RB Danny Woodhead’s two-touchdown performance, and QB Philip Rivers’ game-winning drive late in regulation.

This week’s program will also feature audio from Ravens QB Joe Flacco, who was wired for sound during Baltimore’s 19-3 victory against the Jets.

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL DIGITAL AND SOCIAL COVERAGE

This season, NBC Sports Group is utilizing its wide array of digital and social assets to provide fans with more behind-the-scenes content of Sunday Night Football than ever before. New additions to NBC Sports Group’s SNF coverage include Sunday Night Football-All Access and The Sunday Night Football, as well as continued comprehensive coverage via NBC Sports Group’s social media channels. Click here for full details of NBC Sports Group’s SNF digital and social coverage.

As part of NBC’s Thanksgiving Day #WhyImThankful campaign, tweets using the hashtag will be pulled into the SNF Extra Player during the game on Thursday night. Fans are encouraged to use the hashtag and tweet a message about something they are thankful for.

Each week @SNFonNBC will promote a guest player who will live tweet during the Sunday Night Football broadcast. On Sunday, former Redskins and Giants LB LaVar Arrington (@LaVarArrington) will be the guest player. Arrington was drafted by the Redskins in the first round (2nd overall) of the 2000 Draft. He played six seasons with the Redskins and was a three-time Pro Bowler before signing with the Giants in 2006. The tweets from the guest player will automatically be pulled into the SNF Extra Player.

NBC SPORTS GROUP NFL PROGRAMMING

In addition to NFL Turning Point and FNIA Coach’s Clicker, NBC Sports Group boasts a wide array of NFL programming each week that will highlight topical NFL news, provide in-depth coverage of each week’s biggest games, and deliver expert analysis of the fantasy football world.

PRO FOOTBALL TALK – WEEKNIGHTS AT 5:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

Pro Football Talk, NBCSN’s daily NFL studio show co-hosted by Mike Florio and Erik Kuselias, provides all-encompassing coverage of the NFL, including the most current news and analysis, engaging features, thought-provoking debates, and interviews with a wide array of NFL newsmakers. The show regularly features a roster of NBC Sports football commentators, including Rodney Harrison, Hines Ward, Doug Flutie, Ross Tucker, Peter King, and Scott Pioli.

FANTASY FOOTBALL LIVE – TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS AT 6:30 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

Building off of Yahoo! Sports’ popular Sunday live streaming show, Fantasy Football Live on NBCSN combines the best fantasy football expertise from Yahoo! Sports and NBC Sports. Hosted by NBC Sports’ Erik Kuselias, Fantasy Football Live features a mix of Yahoo! Sports, NBC Sports, and Rotoworld fantasy experts, including NBC Sports’ Shaun King, and Yahoo! Sports’ Brad Evans and Brandon Funston. Yahoo! Sports’ Melanie Collins will host the digital show. Rotoworld’s Kay Adams will be a regular contributor for the show across both platforms. A subsequent, digital-only version of Fantasy Football Live is available from 7-7:30 p.m. ET through video-on-demand across web and mobile devices on both Yahoo! Sports and NBCSports.com. Click here for more information on Fantasy Football Live.

NBC SPORTS RADIO

NBC Sports Radio will surround the 2013 NFL season with daily coverage on 339 radio affiliates, highlighted by McNabb and Malone; an all-sports show that leverages the unique perspective of two former NFL quarterbacks, and Safety Blitz with Rodney Harrison; featuring three-time All Pro and two-time Super Bowl-winner Rodney Harrison.

NBC SPORTS REGIONAL NETWORKS

NBC Sports Regional Networks, which serve top NFL markets such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston and San Francisco, will surround the 2013 NFL season with in-depth news, analysis and original programming on the teams that matter most in more than 50 million U.S. households.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL THIS WEEKEND ON NBC

BAYOU CLASSIC ON NBC: The NBC Sports Group concludes its 2013 college football coverage this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC with Southern University and Grambling State facing off in the annual Bayou Classic from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, La. Paul Burmeister will serve as the play-by-play announcer, joined in the booth by Anthony Herron and Shaun King. Lewis Johnson will report from the sidelines. Additionally, the halftime show for the Bayou Classic features the marching bands of both teams putting on an exciting display of talent for the fans which includes a drum line battle between the bands. This marks the 23rd year NBC will present the Bayou Classic.

VIEWERSHIP

Last weekend’s thrilling Sunday Night Football contest, in which Tom Brady led the New England Patriots back from a 24-0 deficit to defeat Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, 34-31, in overtime, was the most-watched primetime show of the week, averaging 26.5 million viewers and drawing 28.1 million viewers for the telecast’s final 26 minutes from midnight-12:26 a.m. ET, according to official live plus same day national data released by The Nielsen Company.

Coupled with the 26.9 million viewers for Kansas City-Denver on Nov. 17, NBC’s back-to-back SNF contests are the first consecutive primetime games in 20 seasons to post at least 26.5 million average viewers (not including NFL Kickoff games).

Sunday’s “Manning-Brady XIV” matchup is the fifth NBC NFL telecast this season to average at least 25 million viewers – the most in a season since the SNF package debuted on NBC in 2006 and up from two telecasts averaging 25 million viewers in all of ’12. The 14th matchup between the future Hall of Fame quarterbacks is also the sixth-most watched Sunday night game in the network’s eight-year SNF history.

NBC NFL games are averaging a 13.2 HH rating and 22.5 million viewers per telecast – the network’s best 12-week start since acquiring the SNF package in 2006. In addition, SNF tops primetime in Adults, Men and Women 18-34 and 18-49 demos and Adults and Men 25-54. SNF is also on record pace in the Women’s 18-49 and 25-54 demos.

For more info, click here: Week 12 SNF Ratings

*2013 SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL* SCHEDULE**
**Thurs. Nov. 28	Week 13	Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
*Sun. Dec. 1	Week 13	New York Giants at Washington Redskins
*Sun. Dec. 8	Week 14	Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
*Sun. Dec. 15	Week 15	Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
*Sun. Dec. 22	Week 16	New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens
*Sun. Dec. 29	Week 17	TBA

*Flex Week

**Thanksgiving Night Game

Follow NBC Sports PR on Twitter @NBCSportsPR

Follow “Sunday Night Football” on Twitter @SNFonNBC

Follow NBC SportsTalk on Twitter @NBCSportsTalk

Become a fan of “Sunday Night Football” on Facebook at:

Facebook.com/SNFonNBC

Visit SNF All-Access at: http://snfallaccess.nbcsports.com/

— NBC SPORTS GROUP —

NFL NETWORK & NFL.COM PROGRAMMING NOTES (11/25 – 11/29)

November 27, 2013 By admin

Highlighted Programming

THANKSGIVING EDITION OF NFL GAMEDAY MORNING

NFL GameDay Morning – Thursday at 10:00 AM ET

Spend Thanksgiving morning with NFL Network as we air a special edition of NFL GameDay Morning at 10:00 AM ET leading into a triple-header of NFL games.

Host Rich Eisen is joined by NFL analysts Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp, Steve Mariucci, Michael Irvin and Marshall Faulk for the two-and-a-half hour special.

Featured this week on NFL GameDay Morning:

Feature on Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones

o James Jones spent the majority of his childhood homeless in San Jose, California. NFL Network reporter Kimberly Jones catches up with the Packers receiver to talk about his upbringing and how the experience shaped his life and his current impact in the community.

o Learn how Jones’ foundation – Love Jones 4 Kids – helps the homeless in both Green Bay and San Jose.

o Interview with James and Beth Leary – executive directors of the San Jose Family Shelter. Jones lived at the Shelter when he was a child.

A historical look at why the NFL started to play football on Thanksgiving

Return of Jive Turkey

o NFL Network analysts look back at their predictions thus far in 2013 and decide if they want to continue to believe in them or decide it is time to take them back.

o 2012 edition of Jive Turkey: http://on.nfl.com/193kYjA

Live reports
- Michelle Beisner from Detroit for Packers-Lions
- Desmond Purnell from Dallas for Raiders-Cowboys

**********************

Rich Eisen Talks With Twitter CEO Dick Costolo on The Rich Eisen Podcast

In a special edition of The Rich Eisen Podcast, Twitter CEO Dick Costolo is in-studio to talk all things about the social media medium and the impact it has had, not only the NFL, but the entire sports world.

Throughout the hour long conversation, Rich Eisen and Costolo touch on a number of topics including:

· Growing up in Troy, Michigan and attending the University of Michigan

· Background in stand-up comedy and relationship with Steve Carell

· Career background and discussion of FeedBurner, which has had a profound impact on podcasting

· Twitter was formed out of a podcasting company (Odeo)

· The power of the Twitter platform

· Balancing the needs of the business with the rights of Twitter users

· Kobe Bryant’s use of Twitter well

· The rigorous rules around being verified on the Twitter platform

· How Twitter actively recruits people from all different businesses, backgrounds, and nationalities

· The possibility of adding a sarcasm font to Twitter….the “Eisen font?”

· The future of Twitter now that the business is publicly owned

· Discussion of the advertising business of Twitter

· Twitter’s work with sports teams and specifically the San Francisco 49ers. Relationship with Jed York of 49ers and excitement over new 49ers stadium

· Discussion of Michigan football and thoughts on QB Devin Gardener

· Questions from Twitter users for Costolo

1. Talking about driving TV tune in and impacting TV ratings

2. How huge events would “break Twitter” and hoping Brazil didn’t score in 2010 World Cup

3. What is Costolo’s seminal Twitter event?

· Pope using Twitter

· Personal story around the Boston Marathon bombings

· How Twitter has impacted the coverage of the NFL Draft

· What NFL teams are Costolo a fan of?

· Who is the one person Costolo wishes was on Twitter who is currently not?

· Thoughts on the upcoming Super Bowl and how the weather could affect it. Costolo gives his Super Bowl prediction…at least part of it.

· What can Twitter do better?

· Events – the entirety of the experience can be deeper and richer on Twitter. For example, the upcoming World Cup, Twitter wants to balance serving up the best tweets with the “roar of the crowd” you feel on the platform. Making that work usually is a design challenge but one that “I want us to keep working on at Twitter.”

· 140 characters: The background and the future. Eisen compares 140 characters to a 16 game NFL regular season.

To hear the interviews with Costolo, please visit:

http://richeisen.nfl.com/

All of NFL.com’s podcasts

**********************

SPECIAL TWO-HOUR NFL REPLAY OF BRONCOS-PATRIOTS

NFL Replay: Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots – Wednesday at 9:00 PM ET

In a special two-hour edition of NFL Replay, Wednesday at 9:00 PM ET, NFL Network re-airs the Sunday Night Football matchup between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots. The Patriots won 34-31 in overtime after trailing 24-0 at halftime.

**********************

Regular Programming

NFL Network Shows and Scheduled Guests

For a full description of each show, please click the show’s link

· The Aftermath

SHOW HIGHLIGHT: Various live press conferences shown from around the NFL

· NFL Replay & Sound FX

SHOW HIGHLIGHT: Two-hour edition of Broncos-Patriots replay

· Steve Gleason: A Football Life

SHOW HIGHLIGHT: Members of Team Gleason in-studio for A Football Life: Backstory at 10:00 PM ET

· NFL AM

SHOW HIGHLIGHT: Cowboys’ Jerry Jones, Rams’ James Laurinaitis, Browns’ Joe Haden & TJ Ward, Vikings’ Audie Cole, and Larry King

· NFL Fantasy Live

· Around the League Live & Around the League Primetime

SHOW HIGHLIGHT: Saints’ Ben Watson and Ravens’ Chris Canty

· NFL Total Access
SHOW HIGHLIGHT: 11-year NFL veteran Curtis Conway is a guest analyst

On Monday, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck joined the show (link below)

On Friday, Arizona Cardinals defensive back Patrick Peterson

· Playbook

· NFL Network’s Day-by-Day Programming

NFL.com Content

· NFL 2020 – Eight-Part Video Series Looks at the Future of the NFL – hosted by Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson

SHOW HIGHLIGHT: First six webisodes, Look and Feel, International Players, Global Game, Analytics and Officiating, Making View, and The Fan Experience are now posted: http://www.nfl.com/2020

· NFL.com Editorial Content

NFL.com Podcast Central featuring The Rich Eisen Podcast and Six Total Podcasts

PODCAST GUESTS: Actor Johnny Knoxville, Comedian Dennis Miller, Actress Gillian Jacobs

**********************

The Aftermath – Mondays at 2:00 PM ET

Each Monday at 2:00 PM ET, join host Scott Hanson and a rotation of NFL Network analysts as they breakdown the impact of Sunday’s NFL action on each team moving forward in the NFL season on an all new show, The Aftermath.

The show features various NFL head coach’s ‘day after’ press conferences.

The Aftermath leads into NFL Fantasy Live at 5:00 PM ET.

NFL Replay – Tuesday at 2:00 PM ET & 3:30 PM ET, Wednesday at 9:00 PM ET; Sound FX – Wednesday at Midnight ET

NFL Replay offers an exclusive look at the previous week’s games in a condensed, 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.

Sound FX offers a compilation of the best on-field sights and sounds from around the NFL each week.

Week 12 NFL Replay & Sound FX schedule:

Tuesday

· 2:00 PM ET – NFL Replay: Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants

· 3:30 PM ET – NFL Replay: San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Wednesday

9:00 PM ET – NFL Replay: Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots in a special two-hour edition

Midnight ET – Sound FX: Wired for sound this week are Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher, Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz and Oakland Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston

Steve Gleason: A Football Life – Tuesday at 9:00 PM ET; A Football Life: Backstory at 10:00 PM ET with Members of Team Gleason

Leading Washington State to the Rose Bowl or being the central figure in the New Orleans Saints’ most iconic play defines a football life. Facilitating awareness for an incurable disease defines a legacy.

NFL Network’s Emmy-nominated series A Football Life continues Tuesday, November 26 at 9:00 PM ET with a profile of the inspirational Steve Gleason who is currently living with ALS, an incurable neurological disease. The one-hour special chronicles Gleason’s football career, the early stages of his retirement, his life-altering diagnosis and his new livelihood as a patient, spokesperson, and trailblazer.

A Football Life: Backstory airs following each A Football Life episode at 10:00 PM ET on NFL Network. The 30-minute show provides a deeper look into Steve Gleason’s life and story. This week, joining host Jenn Brown, are members of Team Gleason including Blair Casey and Clare Durrett. Additionally, the producer of the film Charlie Askew will be in-studio to talk about the making of the documentary and Jenny Gonzalez, who met Steve Gleason by happenstance, will be live to talk about the chance-encounter and how it impacted her life.

Viewers will also have the opportunity to interact and offer their thoughts on Twitter by following @NFLNetwork and using the hashtag #AFootballLife.

Viewers can also interact with and follow the series on their phones and tablets with A Football Life Xtra. Located within the new NFL Mobile app, A Football Life Xtra features producer commentary, photos and artifacts from the NFL Films archives, and career stats and unique facts, as well as trivia games and polls on NFL legends. Visit NFL.com/xtra on your mobile device to download NFL Mobile. Additionally, every episode of A Football Life – as well as all NFL Network programming – is streamed live on NFL Mobile from Verizon, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

To view the complete release, click here: http://on.nfl.com/1bVhwM2

NFL AM – Daily Episodes at 6:00 AM ET, Re-Aired at 10:00 AM ET

Start the day off with the NFL. NFL AM airs Monday – Friday at 6:00 AM ET offering analysis, reports from correspondents in several NFL cities, interviews with players and coaches, and game highlights.

Joining the show this year are two-time Super Bowl champion Terrell Davis, former Pro Bowl linebacker LaVar Arrington and former quarterback Jeff Garcia. Host Nicole Zaloumis joins analysts Eric Davis, Mark Kriegel and Steve Wyche. Molly Qerim and Paul Burmeister will also join the show this season.

· On Tuesday, Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden and safety TJ Ward

· On Wednesday, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, St. Louis Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis and Minnesota Vikings linebacker Audie Cole

· On Thursday, NFL GameDay Morning analysts in-studio

· On Friday, Larry King in-studio

NFL Fantasy Live – Daily Episodes at 5:00 PM ET and 1:00 AM ET on NFL Network; 4:00 PM ET on NFL.com

NFL Fantasy Live, the premier show for fantasy football players, has returned with daily episodes for the entire 2013 NFL Season.

Continuing throughout the NFL season, the one-hour show airs on both NFL.com and NFL Network Monday through Friday. Catch it first on NFL.com at 4:00 PM ET and then on NFL Network at 5:00 PM ET and 1:00 AM ET. Each Monday and Thursday nights, the late edition is updated to reflect their respective night’s action.

Each NFL Sunday at 11:30 AM ET, NFL Fantasy Live airs on NFL RedZone channel and NFL.com.

NFL Network Fantasy Experts:

o Michael Fabiano

o Jason Smith

o Adam Rank

o Matt “Money” Smith

o Akbar Gbaja-Biamila

o Elliot Harrison

o Molly Qerim

Additionally, catch the NFL Fantasy Live podcast: http://www.nfl.com/podcast/nflfantasy-podcast

New this year is NFL Fantasy’s Fantasy Genius – the new, collaborative community for shared fantasy football information.

Around the League Live & Around the League Primetime – Primetime Lineup Starts at 6:00 PM ET Each Day.

Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, NFL Network presents a completely revamped evening schedule. Around the League Live and Around the League Primetime now start at 6:00 PM ET & 7:00 PM ET, respectively

Show: Around the League Live – 6:00 PM ET

Host: Andrew Siciliano

Analysts Scheduled to Appear this Week:

o Solomon Wilcots

o Bob Papa

o Steve Mariucci

o Jamie Dukes

o Charley Casserly

o Charles Davis

o Kurt Warner

Player Guests:

o On Tuesday, Baltimore Ravens defensive end Chris Canty

o On Wednesday, New Orleans Saints tight end Ben Watson

Show: Around the League Primetime – 7:00 PM ET

Host: Lindsay Rhodes

Analysts Scheduled to Appear this Week:

o Willie McGinest

o Heath Evans

In addition to the NFL Network analysts & NFL players joining Around the League Live and Around the League Primetime, NFL beat writers from around the league join the show on a regular basis to provide their unique perspective.

NFL Total Access – Now at 8:00 PM ET & 11:00 PM ET

Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, NFL Network presents a completely revamped evening schedule, headlined by the move of NFL Total Access in prime time to a new starting time of 8:00 PM ET. NFL Network’s signature show will also air at 11:00 PM ET.

This week, eleven year NFL veteran Curtis Conway will be a guest analyst on Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday.

Monday, November 25 2013 – Leading into and following Monday Night Football each week

· Host: Dan Hellie & Amber Theoharis

· Analysts: Willie McGinest, LaDainian Tomlinson, Brian Billick, Steve Mariucci

· Player Guest: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (http://on.nfl.com/1bQw4cs)

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

· Hosts: Dan Hellie & Amber Theoharis

· Analysts: Willie McGinest, LaDainian Tomlinson

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

· Hosts: Dan Hellie & Amber Theoharis

· Analysts: Heath Evans, Willie McGinest, Kurt Warner

Thursday, November 28, 2013

· Hosts: Dan Hellie & Amber Theoharis

· Analysts: Willie McGinest, Heath Evans

Friday, November 29, 2013

· Hosts: Dan Hellie

· Analysts: Darren Sharper, Willie McGinest, Daniel Jeremiah

· Player Guest: Arizona Cardinals defensive back Patrick Peterson

Saturday, November 30, 2013

· Hosts: Amber Theoharis

· Analysts: Heath Evans & Darren Sharper

Playbook – Fridays at 9:00 PM ET & 10:00 PM ET

See the game the way the pros do each week on Playbook, the ultimate X’s and O’s football show on television.

Super Bowl champion Shaun O’Hara joins Sterling Sharpe, and Brian Baldinger every Friday at 9:00 PM ET (NFC) and 10:00 PM ET (AFC) to break down each week’s games with the help of “All-22” footage – the same film used by NFL teams each week. Each one-hour show explains why teams have an advantage over their opponent, as well as provide an in-depth review of each Thursday Night Football game the night before.

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NFL.com Launches NFL 2020 – An Exclusive Video Series Looking into the Future of the NFL

NFL.com has launched NFL 2020, an exclusive eight-part video series looking into the future of the NFL and what football will be like, both on and off the field, in the year 2020. Hosted by Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and located at NFL.com/2020, NFL.com’s NFL 2020 examines the ever-changing landscape of the NFL and raises the question: what will the NFL look like seven years from now?

With the help highly-acclaimed NFL reporters Peter King, Armen Keteyian, and Sam Farmer, along with NFL players Ryan Clark, Justin Tuck, and head coach of the Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens John Harbaugh, the series looks at every facet of the NFL from the background of future players, to the changes in fan experience, the evolution of football equipment, and the perception and persona of the NFL culture.

The first six webisodes, Look and Feel, International Players, Global Game, Analytics and Officiating, Making View and The Fan Experience can be viewed here: http://www.nfl.com/2020

To see the complete release and schedule, please click here: http://on.nfl.com/18604kd

NFL Editorial Content – Daily on NFL.com

Ian Rapoport

o NFL Media’s national insider provides regular reports to NFL.com and NFL Network

o To read his work: http://on.nfl.com/13TYbry

Michael Silver

o Arizona Cardinals rounding into playoff form under Bruce Arians: http://on.nfl.com/1el6LCs

o Also writes every Thursday

Judy Battista

o Can Peyton Manning consistently play well in cold weather?: http://on.nfl.com/1aTGXwr

o Also conducts weekly Mailbag

o To read her work: http://on.nfl.com/17S17El

Elliot Harrison’s Weekly Power Rankings

o Every Tuesday, Elliott Harrison ranks NFL teams from No. 1 through No. 32 in his weekly power rankings. His power rankings will be a staple on NFL Network and NFL Digital Media’s programming throughout the week.

o To view the weekly power rankings: http://on.nfl.com/17CaPue

Michael Fabiano’s Weekly ‘Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em presented by Microsoft’:

o NFL Fantasy expert and Fantasy Sportswriters Association Hall of Famer Michael Fabiano releases his weekly ‘Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em’ column each Wednesday. The columns are broken down by position and provide a comprehensive look at the fantasy football picture.

o To view the articles: http://on.nfl.com/17CaRlS

Catch all of NFL Media’s writers work here: http://www.nfl.com/news

The Rich Eisen Podcast Highlights NFL.com’s Six Different Podcasts Each Week

This season, NFL Digital Media offers six different podcasts.

Guests this week on The Rich Eisen Podcast:

o Comedian Dennis Miller

o Actress Gillian Jacobs

o Actor Johnny Knoxville

To hear the interviews with Miller, Jacobs and Knoxville, please visit:

http://richeisen.nfl.com/

Other NFL.com Podcasts and Guests include:

· Dave Dameshek Football Program

· Around the League

· The Coaches Show

· College Football 24/7

· NFL Fantasy Live

To listen to all six of NFL.com’s podcasts, visit:

http://www.nfl.com/podcast

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Rogers Communications and NHL Announce 12-Year National Broadcast and Multimedia Agreement

November 26, 2013 By admin

Rogers Communications and NHL Announce 12-Year National Broadcast and Multimedia Agreement

– Adds value to fans with more games, more content, more choice and more flexibility –
– Positions Sportsnet to become Canada’s #1 sports media brand –
– Bolsters Rogers’ sports offerings and leadership across all platforms –

TORONTO (November 26, 2013) — Rogers Communications and the National Hockey League today announced a landmark 12-year broadcast and multimedia agreement that includes all national rights to NHL games on all platforms in all languages. The agreement, the largest media rights deal in League history, begins with the 2014-15 season and continues through the 2025-26 season. This marks the first time a premium North American-wide sports league has granted all of its national (Canadian) rights to one company on a long-term basis.

Rogers also announced today it has selected CBC and TVA for separate sub-licensing deals for English-language broadcasts of Hockey Night in Canada and all national French-language multimedia rights, respectively.

The agreement is subject to approval by the NHL’s Board of Governors at its meeting on December 9-10.

“Sports content is a key strategic asset and we’ve been investing significantly to strengthen our sports offering to Canadians,” said Nadir Mohamed, President and Chief Executive Officer, Rogers Communications. “Canadians are passionate about hockey, and through this landmark partnership with the NHL we’ll be able to bring hockey fans more games and more content on their platform of choice.”

“Our fans always want to explore deeper and more emotional connections to NHL hockey, and that is precisely what Rogers has promised to deliver over the next 12 years – channeling the reach of its platforms and the intensity of its passion for the game into an unparalleled viewing experience,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. “The NHL is extremely excited about the power and potential of this groundbreaking partnership.”

Canadians will receive more NHL games than ever before through Rogers’ wireless and cable assets, promotional vehicles, and diverse media assets – including City and all Sportsnet platforms. Highlights of the agreement include:

· National rights across TV broadcasts, TV Everywhere, wireless and mobile tablets, Internet streaming, terrestrial and satellite radio, and out-of-home;
· National rights to all regular season games, all playoff games and the Stanley Cup Final, and all special events and non-game events (i.e. NHL All-Star Game, NHL Draft) – in all languages;
· Out-of-market rights for all regional games;
· Ownership of all linear and digital highlights, including condensed games and video archives;
· NHL broadcast assets: Rogers to operate NHL Centre Ice and NHL Game Centre Live;
· Sponsorship rights to the NHL Shield logo as an official partner of the NHL; and
· Canadian representation of ad sales for NHL.com.

“Our vision is to build on the NHL’s legacy in Canada with an emphasis on storytelling, innovation, and technology — weaving the NHL, its teams and its stars even deeper into the fabric of Canadian culture,” said Keith Pelley, President, Rogers Media. “Today’s announcement significantly increases the value of our premium Sportsnet brand and reinforces our commitment to making Sportsnet the #1 sports media brand in Canada.”

Rogers will provide multiple game coverage on up to nine TV channels plus digital and radio on any given night (see “Sample Saturday Night” addendum). Expanded pre- and post-game coverage, behind-the-scenes access, profiles of the league’s Top 50 stars, first-to-market production technology, a state-of-the-art high-tech studio, and a Hockey Production Centre of Excellence will give Canadians a new way to experience the NHL like never before (see “Programming & Production Philosophy” addendum).

Today’s announcement strengthens Rogers’ sports leadership in Canada and complements the company’s existing NHL alliances. Sportsnet is the regional broadcaster of the Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vancouver Canucks, producing and airing 264 regional games per year (see “Fact Sheet” addendum). Rogers has a 37.5% equity stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, 100% ownership of the Toronto Blue Jays and Rogers Centre stadium, strategic partnerships with the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers, and long-term media agreements with the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA, MLS, NCAA, Rogers Cup, UFC, international soccer, and more.

This agreement is net present value positive for Rogers’ shareholders – it is expected to be accretive to Rogers Media operating profit from the outset and significantly, will yield additional benefits to the cable and wireless operations. The financial terms comprise annual payments commencing at just over $300 million in the first year, with gradual annual escalations, increasing to approximately mid-$500 million in the final year of the contract term. These payments, together with an upfront payment amount of $150 million spread over the first two years of the contract,
will amount to $5.2 billion in total payments to the NHL over the 12-year term. The annual rights costs will be offset by consideration received under the CBC and TVA sub-licenses referenced above.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements, Risks and Assumptions: This release includes “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws and assumptions concerning the closing of an acquisition as detailed above. We caution that all forward-looking information is inherently subject to change and uncertainty and that actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. A number of risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information or could cause our current objectives, strategies and intentions to change, including but not limited to approvals by the NHL’s Board of Governors.

Many of these factors are beyond our control and current expectation or knowledge. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, our objectives, strategies or intentions change, or any other factors or assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, our actual results and our plans could vary significantly from what we currently foresee. Accordingly, we warn investors to exercise caution when considering statements containing forward-looking information and that it would be unreasonable to rely on such statements as creating legal rights regarding our future results or plans. We are under no obligation (and we expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter any statements containing forward-looking information, the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. All of the forward-looking information in this release is qualified by the cautionary statements herein.

FOX College Saturday Notes – November 23, 2013

November 25, 2013 By admin

Joel Klatt: Today is Johnny Manziel’s Heisman Game

Petros Papadakis: It’s Time for USC to Officially Hire Ed Orgeron

Clay Travis: Myles Jack Could Have Been a Heisman Finalist This Year

Analyst Joel Klatt says winning the Heisman Trophy is about three things and thinks today will determine if Johnny Manziel repeats: “For me, the Heisman is about three things. It’s about the numbers – you’ve got to produce; it’s about your team – you can’t be on a .500 football team; but maybe more importantly than that, it’s about the stage. You’ve got to have the stage late in the season to win a Heisman Trophy.

“You look at what Manziel has in the back end of his schedule. He’s got LSU today, and that game is going to end at night, and we all know about LSU’s home record at night. I know this game isn’t technically a prime time game, but it’s going to have a feeling of that when the lights are on. If Manziel is victorious today and they put up 40 points again for the 14th straight time as a team, today is the Heisman game.”

Analyst Eddie George says Texas A&M doesn’t even need to win for Manziel to wrap up the Heisman today: “He continues to carry this team despite their bad defense. This team, at best, without Manziel is 6-6. I think this kid’s NFL-ready. He’s gotten better from the pocket this year. He’s become a better passer, he’s running less. He’s just a fantastic football player all the way around. He can wrap it up today with a win or loss.”

Analyst Petros Papadakis says Manziel deserves to be only the second repeat Heisman winner in history: “Johnny Football’s been putting up these numbers with the game on the line, with everybody out to get him. I think that he deserves it. I think he’s outperformed Archie [Griffin], sorry Eddie. If anybody’s going to win two Heismans, Johnny Football deserves it.”

Papadakis says top teams shouldn’t be playing inferior non-conference teams this late in the season: “I don’t like it. It’s not fair to the players. I know that the athletic departments make money, but you’ve got to go play at Bryant-Denny in November just so Alabama can beat up on you and get a rest before they play the Iron Bowl. I just don’t think it’s cool. I know why it worked for the SEC, but I feel like it is insulting to all of us when everybody’s playing these great games down the stretch.”

Klatt says UCLA needs to be careful with how they use Myles Jack today against Arizona State: “I think they need to be careful with Myles Jack, because his importance on the defensive side in this game is going to be of the utmost. They can’t steal from the left hand to pay the right. I think Myles Jack has been tremendous on the offensive side, but the defensive side in space is where they need him.”

Analyst Clay Travis says UCLA two-way player Myles Jack could have been a Heisman finalist this year if he’d started playing earlier in the season: ““If they had started him early in the year, the way the Heisman Trophy continues to be falling down, he would be in New York.”

Papadakis says he love the way Jack attacks the line of scrimmage: “Watch this guy attack the line of scrimmage. Whether he’s a tailback or at linebacker, he’s a wild player and I love him.”

Papadakis, a former USC captain, says the Trojans should hire interim head coach Ed Orgeron full time: “I think they’re in a position where they have to hire him. I think they should hire him and see what he can do because nobody has done anything like this in a month and a half. He’s turned one of the most negative situations in college football into one of the most positive.”

HBO Replay of Paquiao vs. Rios

November 25, 2013 By admin

HBO SPORTS^® PRESENTS THE REPLAY OF

MANNY PACQUIAO VS. BRANDON RIOS

SATURDAY, NOV. 30

HBO Sports presents MANNY PACQUIAO VS. BRANDON RIOS, the replay of their hard-fought welterweight fight, SATURDAY, NOV. 30 at 10:15 p.m. (ET/PT) on HBO. The HBO Sports team, which was ringside for the live coverage from the Venetain Macao’s CotaiArena in Macau, China, calls all the action, available in HDTV.

The highly anticipated fight between two of boxing’s most accomplished pros was carried live Saturday, Nov. 23 on HBO Pay-Per-View®.

Immediately following the replay, HBO presents the previously announced “Boxing After Dark” doubleheader of light heavyweight title fights from Quebec City, featuring Adonis Stevenson vs. Tony Bellew and Sergey Kovalev vs. Ismayl Sillakh.

Other HBO playdates: Dec. 1 (3:30 p.m.) and 2 (12:25 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Dec. 1 (8:45 p.m.) and 3 (11:00 p.m.)

® BOXING AFTER DARK is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.

Quotes From Week 12 Editions of NFL Network’s ‘NFL GameDay Highlights’ & ‘NFL GameDay Final’

November 25, 2013 By admin

Quotes from NFL GameDay Highlights & NFL GameDay Final

– “Peyton Manning’s passes were contested [by defenders] and Brady was throwing to open guys; [those were] totally different [situations].”– Marshall Faulk on the different circumstances which Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady faced in their matchup

– “Tom Brady rises up to the occasion and plays well. That is just who he is.” – Deion Sanders on New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leading his team back from a 24 point halftime deficit

– “The Detroit Lions couldn’t have had the NFC North lined up better for them [and] for them to lay these eggs, consistently, something has to be said with what is going on with this team and organization. You just can’t keep doing this.” – Marshall Faulk on the Detroit Lions who have lost their last two games and are now 6-5 on the season

– “The Detroit Lions are an undisciplined football team.” – Marshall Faulk on the Detroit Lions

– “Jason Witten will go down as one of the best tight ends in history.” – Deion Sanders on Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten who had two receiving touchdowns in the Cowboys victory over the New York Giants

– “The Cowboys featured Dez Bryant and Dez showed up.” – Marshall Faulk on Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant who had nine receptions for 102 yards in their victory over the New York Giants

– “Tony Romo has been really effective. We have to give him credit.” – Deion Sanders on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo who orchestrated a game-winning drive on the road against the New York Giants

– “If the Cardinals can get Carson Palmer some type of running game, they can make noise in the playoffs.” – Deion Sanders on the quarterback Carson Palmer and the 7-4 Arizona Cardinals

– “Kendall Wright is a smart, mature young man. Love that young dude.” – Michael Irvin on Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright who had six receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown in their victory over the Oakland Raiders

– “Jarrett Boykin has stepped up big time for the Packers.” – Marshall Faulk on Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jarrett Boykin who had five receptions for 60 yards and one touchdown in the Packers tie with the Minnesota Vikings
– “That goal line defense by the Rams today was off the chain. I haven’t seen [a performance like that] in a long time.” – Michael Irvin on the St. Louis Rams defense and their effort vs. the Chicago Bears

On NFL.com the following video clip from NFL GameDay Highlights & NFL GameDay Final are available for viewing

Is Peyton Manning to blame for the loss? – Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders, and Michael Irvin reflect on the thriller between the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots:
http://on.nfl.com/1c3YUtt

Who is the favorite to win the NFC North? – Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders, and Michael Irvin break down the race for first place in the NFC North:
http://on.nfl.com/IoknBY

Let’s Go Primetime – Join Deion Sanders as he salutes Week 12’s best players:
http://on.nfl.com/1aLKCxb

Steve Wyche reports from New England – NFL Network reporter Steve Wyche reports from New England where the Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos in overtime:
http://on.nfl.com/IflwMW

About NFL GameDay Highlights
Every Sunday evening at 7:30 PM ET, NFL Network recaps the afternoon action with NFL GameDay Highlights. Host Chris Rose and analysts Deion Sanders, Steve Mariucci and LaDainian Tomlinson provide highlights, analysis and set the stage for Sunday Night Football. Please note: Today, Steve Mariucci did not appear on the show as he was on assignment.

About NFL GameDay Final
Every Sunday night at 11:30 PM ET, recap the complete day in the NFL with NFL GameDay Final. Host Chris Rose and analysts Deion Sanders, Marshall Faulk and Michael Irvin put the definitive exclamation point on Sundays providing unlimited highlights of all the games, plus post-game press conferences, interviews from the field and locker room, audio captured throughout the day and expert analysis.

ABOUT NFL NETWORK

Launched on November 4, 2003, NFL Network is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this season

Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, fans turn to NFL Network to receive information and insight straight from the field, team headquarters, league offices and everywhere the NFL is making news. Launched in 2003, NFL Network gives fans unprecedented year-round inside access to all NFL events, including the Super Bowl, Playoffs, regular season, preseason, Pro Bowl, Pro Football Hall of Fame induction weekend, NFL Draft, NFL Scouting Combine, Senior Bowl, league meetings, minicamps and training camps.

Currently in more than 72 million homes, NFL Network has carriage agreements with each of the country’s largest television providers including Comcast, DirecTV, DISH Network, Cablevision, Cox, Charter, Time Warner Cable, Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse.

For fans on the go, all NFL Network programming is streamed live on NFL Mobile from Verizon. For more information, log on to http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork. NFL.com is the exclusive internet home of NFL Network.

– NFL MEDIA –

Johnson: “Cowboys Fans Have To Expect More Than Mediocrity”

November 25, 2013 By admin

FOX NFL SUNDAY NOTES – 11/24/13

Johnson: “Cowboys Fans Have To Expect More Than Mediocrity”

Howie and Diane Long: Watching Sons Play Each Other is “Like a Dream”

Glazer: NFL Trying To Change Locker Room Culture Across All Sports

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Co-Host Terry Bradshaw and Jimmy Johnson said the Dallas Cowboys are the definition of average.

Bradshaw: “I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling kind of average today.”

Johnson: “Like a Dallas Cowboy?”

Bradshaw: “I’ve had 133 wins since 1997.”

Johnson: “But you’ve had 133 losses, but some of them have been moral victories.”

Bradshaw: “I just want to be a yes-man, ok?”

Johnson: “I want to be overpaid and underachieving.”

Bradshaw: “I want to go to work and get booed.”

Johnson: “I want to fire one of my best coaches and let him go win somewhere else.”

Bradshaw: “I really do feel average.”

Bradshaw & Johnson: “Like a Dallas Cowboy!”

Johnson: “Cowboy fans have to expect more than mediocrity. Am I the only one upset that this team is .500? They’ve got to be better than that.”

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Analyst Howie Long and his wife Diane joined FOX NFL SUNDAY from St. Louis, where their sons Chris and Kyle are playing against each other. Diane said the atmosphere was a lot to handle: “It’s like a dream. I’m looking around the stadium and I can’t believe that all these worlds are colliding – the Rams, the Bears, FOX – it’s almost too much to take.”

Howie added: “Kyle just walked up and kissed his mom during pregame warm-ups.”

Diane responded to an earlier feature in which Chris said he was going to “take Kyle’s head off:” “He used to say stuff like that in high school, and I thought honey, you’re trying to achieve your goal, you’re not trying to hurt the other person. I think he probably said that just to get my goat.”

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Bradshaw says Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is having more success because he’s realized the importance of winning as a team: “The one thing he has done in seven wins, he hasn’t turned the ball over – just four turnovers. I think what’s happened is, all of us coming out of college want to show how great we are at throwing the ball or catching passes, and winning … okay, if we win, great, but look how good I am. That’s kind of my impression of Cam Newton who all of a sudden has realized this winning is a lot of fun.”

Analyst Michael Strahan added that the Panthers have surprised him this season: “The Panthers were a team I was skeptical about, and then I watched them finish games against New England and San Francisco with fourth-quarter drives and tough defense. In my opinion, they are the surprise team in the NFC this year.”

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NFL Insider Jay Glazer reported that the NFL is trying to start a movement across all sports to rid locker rooms of the N-word: “They want to start a movement where they’re the ones that rid that word from the NFL locker rooms and locker rooms throughout sports. They don’t want to do it in a lawyer kind of way or a Park Avenue kind of way. They even had talks this week about maybe fining guys, flagging guys, but that doesn’t deter you enough. So they’re hoping that they maybe can get some players together and coaches together and really start a movement of just how heinous that word is and get it rid from sports once and for all.”

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Strahan says the secret to Rob Ryan’s success in New Orleans is keeping it simple: “Rob Ryan, for a guy who they said was not a great coordinator, has really turned it around because he’s become more simple. He hasn’t over-complicated things for the players. He’s kept it streamlined, and the guys have responded. Their defense is playing really well.”

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Bradshaw says Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy is one of the game’s top offensive minds: “All you Green Bay Packers fans are witnessing one of the greatest offensive minds, and that’s Mike McCarthy. What he does, his system is just safe, it just works. [Scott] Tolzien is putting up big numbers even though he has the turnovers. So sit back – I know you’re on a losing streak – but you’ll get it turned around today.”

—————————————————————————

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman joined the studio during his bye week and explained how he defends receivers like analyst Randy Moss: “You want to be patient at the line of scrimmage. You want to stay with, play through his quick moves, and then stay on top of him. You want to stay in lead position with him and make sure you have an eye on the quarterback to see where he puts it, because you don’t want to get back-shouldered.”

Moss, filling in for Howie Long on Sunday’s show, replied: “The thing that I have to do to counter that, knowing that he’s trying to run and beat me to the point means that whatever I do I have to do it quick at the line because if he’s pressing or he’s bailed, that means I have to decide what he’s doing.”

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Glazer reported that umpire Roy Ellison is not a full-time NFL employee, as many people had believed: “A lot more people were appalled because supposedly Roy Ellison was one of those new full-time hires that the NFL made. Well, guess what? They never made those full-time hires. Remember last year they got the new deal done with the officials and one of the things they announced was that they’re going to start having full-time officials hired. It never happened. That part of the talks very quietly broke down, and good for Ellison, because if he was a full-time league employee, he would’ve been hit a lot harder than one game.”

Moss said Ellison’s suspension should have been more than one game: “I’m a little biased; I’ve had my run-ins with officials. I don’t think that one game was good enough. A little bit more, NFL.”

Strahan agreed: “I don’t think that was enough either. As an official, you’re supposed to be above that. I think one game is not enough.”

“Behind The Seams: Decoding The DH” Premieres Tonight at 9:00 p.m. ET

November 25, 2013 By admin

BOB COSTAS EXAMINES 40 YEARS OF THE DESIGNATED HITTER IN

BEHIND THE SEAMS: DECODING THE DH TONIGHT AT 9:00 P.M. ET

Interviews Featured with Renowned DHs Including Harold Baines, Billy Butler, Edgar Martinez, David Ortiz, Frank Thomas & Jim Thome

Documentary from MLB Productions Covers the Origins and Decades-Long Debate

About the Designated Hitter

Secaucus, N.J., November 25, 2013 – The 40-year history of baseball’s designated hitter is examined tonight in Behind the Seams: Decoding the DH, a one-hour show narrated by Bob Costas and produced for MLB Network by MLB Productions, premiering at 9:00 p.m. ET.

The ratification of the DH in 1973, more than eight decades after it was first proposed within baseball in 1891, became one of the most pivotal changes to shape the game, and to this day it fuels debates between those who oppose it and those who embrace it. In looking at the position’s origins and those who rose to prominence or extended their playing careers because of the position, Behind the Seams: Decoding the DH features 25 new interviews with Hall of Famers, writers and historians as well as current and former DHs, including Harold Baines, Billy Butler, Edgar Martinez, David Ortiz, Frank Thomas and Jim Thome, among others.

Baseball-Reference.com’s Sean Forman, SB Nation’s Rob Neyer, Fangraphs.com contributor Bill Petti and MLB’s official historian John Thorn also analyze the statistical impact the DH has had on run scoring in the American League and National League. Noted quotes from the episode are featured below.

Pro-DH

John Thorn, Official Historian, MLB: As a historian, I should be expected to embrace pitchers as batters, but this tradition has outlived its usefulness.

Billy Butler: You’re not really coming to the park to watch the pitchers hit. You’re watching the guys that are paid to hit, hit, and the guys that are paid to pitch, pitch.

Joe Mauer: Would we rather want to see one of our starting pitchers hit or Jim Thome hit? I think everybody has the answer to that.

Anti-DH:

Cliff Lee: I enjoy the National League style of play a lot more as far as playing it. A pitcher is not just a pitcher, he has to play the game.

Mark Melancon: Strategy wise, there is so much more that goes into a National League game than an American League game.

Alvin Davis: The biggest thing that I missed was the feel of the game. Playing defense regardless of how good of a defensive player you are, the focus that comes from that actually helps you offensively.

On being a DH

David Ortiz: It’s not easy because as you get older, you start losing skills, but I feel like I’m a better hitter now than what I used to be seven years ago. Seven years ago, I was more powerful, the kind of guy that if you throw me anything in the strike zone, I would hit it out. Right now, I feel like I …. stick … with the plan that I have. I walked away from my plan before. Right now I just stay with [it] more. Every year that I get older, I just try to attach ideas the way that I can continue doing what I do and it’s worked.

Frank Thomas: You got to stay involved with the game. You got to get yourself on that top step so that you still get that feel that you’re watching every pitch from the opposing pitcher.

Fred McGriff: I always laugh sometimes at home when you’re reading the paper and they’re like, “Oh yeah, we’ll just make this guy a DH and that guy a DH and it isn’t a big deal.” But it’s tougher than people think.

Edgar Martinez: We had this machine that threw tennis balls at a very high speed. The guy that operated the machine, he used to put numbers on the ball. I didn’t like to swing, but I would track the ball and would try to bunt. In the beginning, I couldn’t see anything, but I did it every day … and was able to see the numbers. Your eyes see the ball at 150 [mph] and then you go see it at 90 [mph], it helps you wait on the pitch a little more.

Ortiz on Martinez: I remember when I was coming up, I used to watch a guy like Edgar hit and I was like, “This is ridiculous.” I don’t think anybody could get to that level as a hitter. He was, I would say “perfect.” He’s a .312 career hitter. When you’re a .312 career hitter at this level, that means you pretty much got everything done.

Cal Ripken Jr. on Martinez making the Hall of Fame: If you acknowledge that the DH is a position then they should be considered for the Hall of Fame. You shouldn’t take away judgment on him because he hasn’t played in the field.

News & Sound Bites From Week 12 Editions of NFL Network’s ‘NFL GameDay First’ & ‘NFL GameDay Morning’

November 25, 2013 By admin

Quick Quotes from NFL GameDay First & NFL GameDay Morning

– “[Robert Griffin III] met with Mike Shanahan to clear the air and the word I get from inside the building is they are working together.” – Ian Rapoport on Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III and head coach Mike Shanahan

– “At Baylor, they didn’t put [Robert Griffin III’s] bad plays up on the board in the meeting rooms; sources familiar with the situation say he has asked the Redskins to do the same. They have refused to this point.” – Mike Silver on Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III

– “Wes Welker’s knowledge of the Patriots is going to trump Bill Belichick’s knowledge of Peyton Manning.” – Marshall Faulk on Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker

– “That Panther team that I saw Monday night, if that team shows up the rest of this season…the Panthers will win this division.” – Michael Irvin on the Carolina Panthers

– “I’m going with the Cleveland Browns because of the defense. The corner [Joe Hayden] can shut you down and the linebackers can play.” – Jerry Glanville on who will take the final playoff spot in the AFC

– “He is not the problem; he’s doing just what he need to do. He’s keeping them in some games and he needs some help.” – Michael Irvin on New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith

***For complete quotes from ‘NFL GameDay First’ & ‘NFL GameDay Morning,’ see below***

Quotes from NFL GameDay First

Every Sunday morning at 7:00 AM ET, NFL Network is first on the field with NFL GameDay First. Host Melissa Stark, co-host/analyst Sterling Sharpe, and analyst Shaun O’Hara provide the first analysis of the day’s games, while NFL Network reporters stationed across the league report from stadiums with the first on-location reports of the day. This week, former NFL head coach Jerry Glanville joined as a guest analyst.

– “The Green Bay Packers have set themselves up but it’s a must-win for them today against the Minnesota Vikings.” – Sterling Sharpe on the NFC Wild Card outlook

– “If you can’t stop the run this time of year when the wind is blowing and the weather is bad, forget about being a playoff contender… They have to stop the run; they have been awful the last few weeks.” – Sterling Sharpe on the Chicago Bears

– “I’m going with the Cleveland Browns because of the defense. The corner [Joe Hayden] can shut you down and the linebackers can play.” – Jerry Glanville on who will take the final playoff spot in the AFC

– “They cannot afford to have him standing on the sideline like what happened to Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers.” – Sterling Sharpe on why San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is not scrambling as much this season as he did last year

– “It doesn’t matter. I’ll take either one. They can both get it done.” – Jerry Glanville on which quarterback he would rather have, Peyton Manning or Tom Brady

Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning

NFL GameDay Morning is the most comprehensive pregame show on Sunday morning, airing at 9:00 AM ET for four hours on NFL Network and taking viewers straight up to kickoff. Host Rich Eisen joins analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin to bring fans the latest news, injury reports, pregame analysis and game previews. Additionally, NFL Media Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Silver provide the latest inside information from around the league.

– “Wes Welker’s knowledge of the Patriots is going to trump Bill Belichick’s knowledge of Peyton Manning. He’s going to be the pawn in this chess match to help the Denver Broncos win today.” – Marshall Faulk on Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker

– “That Panther team that I saw Monday night, if that team shows up the rest of this season…the Panthers will win this division. That’s a hard team to stop.” – Michael Irvin on the Carolina Panthers

– “There is no more important down in football than third down and that’s where Cam Newton has been truly special; 127 quarterback rating over the six week span, 73 percent completion – better than anybody in the National Football League. That to me is where he’s made his money and he’s allowed this team to win six straight.” – Kurt Warner on Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton

– “As well as Josh has played – and he might be able to manage games better than Jay – I still think Jay gives them a better chance long-term; gives them a better chance to get into the playoffs by making big plays with that big arm.” – Kurt Warner on if the Chicago Bears are better on offense with Josh McCown at quarterback than Jay Cutler

– “What they’re doing so well is they’re finding ways to get the ball out of [Ben Roethlisberger’s] hands quickly…He’s doing a good job of getting the ball into the playmakers’ hands.” – Kurt Warner on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have won four of their last six games

– “When you want to leave a place, you have to make sure that the next place you go to, they understand you’re not damaged goods. That’s what Ben is doing. This is out now, so if I go somewhere, you’re not going to ask me to come as discount Ben – I’m coming as two-time Super Bowl champ Ben.” – Marshall Faulk on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger

– “He is not the problem; he’s doing just what he needs to do. He’s keeping them in some games and he needs some help. He needs better receivers.” – Michael Irvin on New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith

– “This team will not make the playoffs – will not make any noise – with an offense as boring and stagnant as this.” – Kurt Warner on the Dallas Cowboys

– “I get frustrated looking at the Detroit Lions defense…Do they want to control this division? And if they want to take it, it’s going to take that defense and the leaders on that defense to play way more consistent than they’ve been doing the last six ballgames.” – Warren Sapp on the Detroit Lions defense

– “I don’t believe in either one of these guys.” – Marshall Faulk on New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo

NFL Media Insiders Ian Rapoport & Mike Silver

On Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III and head coach Mike Shanahan:

Ian Rapoport: “What I am told is that [Robert Griffin III] met with Mike Shanahan to clear the air and the word I get from inside building is they are working together. There is an air of positivity, essentially because there is no other choice. Kirk Cousins is not an option, has never been an option, but when you talk to players, you get a guy like Santana Moss who grew up in the Bill Parcells world where the quarterback takes blame for everything, RGIII hasn’t done that and that’s rankled some guys.”

Mike Silver: “There is a lot of air to be cleared. This is real. RGIII has expressed to teammates his dissatisfaction with Mike Shanahan and this could be coming to a head. Inside the building, when you talk to people familiar with this situation they perceive RGIII as kind of insecure, specifically about Kirk Cousins, which may be one reason he was so eager to rush back. At Baylor, they didn’t put RGIII’s bad plays up on the board in the meeting rooms; sources familiar with the situation say he has asked the Redskins to do the same. They have refused to this point but keep an eye on this situation.”

On Seahawks cornerback Walter Thurmond:

Rapoport: “What I am told from several sources familiar with this situation that Walter Thurmond, the starting nickel corner, is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s Policy [for] Substances of Abuse. I am told he is appealing; he is set to drop that appeal early this week. Take into consideration that Brandon Browner is also out four-to-six weeks, a difficult schedule ahead for the Seahawks – they face the 49ers, they face the Saints – they’re going to have to get by without Walter Thurmond.”

On referees:

Rapoport: “I am told referees were reminded this week they need to give an explanation on the microphone when they have a play like [the final play of the Patriots-Panthers game] at the end of the game. And also supervisors, when coaches don’t get an explanation, must head into the locker room now and tell coaches what happened.”

On NFL.com the following video clips from NFL GameDay First & NFL GameDay Morning are available for viewing:

– Week 12 Bold Predictions – The NFL GameDay Morning crew provides their Bold Predictions for Week 12:

http://on.nfl.com/18hnTL2

– Week 12 Sunday Statements – The NFL GameDay Morning team talks about their top storylines from the Week 12 action ahead:

http://on.nfl.com/Idnqhf

– Peyton Manning – Tom Brady: The Rivals – Some of the greatest rivals in sports history tell why having rivalries is so essential to sports and explain what makes the Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady rivalry so special:

http://on.nfl.com/1aQGcEg

– Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady: Round 14 – The NFL GameDay First crew debate which quarterback they would rather have, Peyton Manning or Tom Brady:

http://on.nfl.com/1914vMQ

– Washington Redskins Quarterback Robert Griffin III, Head Coach Mike Shanahan “Clear the Air” – NFL Media Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Silver report Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III and head coach Mike Shanahan met earlier this week to “clear the air”:

http://on.nfl.com/18029NR

– Contenders or Pretenders: AFC Wild Card – Sterling Sharpe, Shaun O’Hara and Jerry Glanville try to figure out which team will claim the final AFC Wild Card spot:

http://on.nfl.com/1cgwOJI

– Who Needs the Game More: New York Giants or Dallas Cowboys? – The NFL GameDay First crew debates which team is in more need of the win, the New York Giants or Dallas Cowboys:

http://on.nfl.com/1aJc1zZ

– Lights, Cam, Action – The NFL GameDay Morning crew explains what’s been most impressive about Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton during the team’s six-game winning streak:

http://on.nfl.com/1aJeo5R

– Quarterback Controversy in Chicago? – As Chicago Bears backup quarterback Josh McCown continues to play well, are the Bears better off with McCown under center or does Jay Cutler give the team the best shot to win?:

http://on.nfl.com/17SlLbX

– Praise for Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger – As the Pittsburgh Steelers have fought their way back in the AFC playoff picture, is quarterback Ben Roethlisberger the reason for the team’s resurgence?:

http://on.nfl.com/1i64pgi

– Clearing Up the Murky AFC Playoff Picture – The NFL GameDay Morning crew debates which team will lay claim to the final AFC playoff spot:

http://on.nfl.com/18zevjW

– Will Geno Smith Cost the New York Jets a Playoff Spot? – The NFL GameDay Morning crew debates whether New York Jets rookie quarterback Geno Smith can lead the team to the playoffs or will ultimately cost the team a playoff spot:

http://on.nfl.com/1jycshk

– Ian Rapoport: Denver Broncos Tight End Julius Thomas ‘Not Looking Good’ to Play – NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport gives the latest injury updates on big names:

http://on.nfl.com/1dtvU1p

– Hall of Famers Only: Who Deserves to go in Next? – NFL GameDay Morning’s Hall of Famers Michael Irvin, Marshall Faulk and Warren Sapp debate which of the semi-finalists deserve to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014:

http://on.nfl.com/1919kpr