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SEAHAWKS QB RUSSELL WILSON & COWBOYS QB DAK PRESCOTT SPEAK WITH PETER KING IN THIS WEEK’S “FMIA” COLUMN

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“I want to be the best in the world. If I’m not thinking like that, I’m not going to be successful.” – Seahawks QB Russell Wilson

“I have never been in a game like this…The other thing that was important today – not just the win – but the way Coach McCarthy was with us at halftime…He’s easy to follow.” – Cowboys QB Dak Prescott

 “Gardner (Minshew) might be good. Really good…The rest of this year is going be very interesting for a team with four picks in the first two rounds next April.” – King on Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew

STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 21, 2020 – Peter King speaks with Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson, who led the Seahawks to a 35-30 victory over New England last night on Sunday Night Football, in this week’s edition of Football Morning in America, available now exclusively on NBCSports.com. King also speaks with Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott, recaps the games and news from Week 2, and hands out his weekly awards.

Across NBC Sports this week, The Rich Eisen Show continues on Peacock and NBCSN at Noon ET. PFT Live featuring Mike Florio and Chris Simms streams live on Peacock at 7 a.m. ET every weekday, followed by The Dan Patrick Show at 9 a.m. ET. Brother From Another, with Michael Holley and Michael Smith, and PFT PM both debut on Peacock this week. ProFootballTalk.com continues to provide the latest offseason news, and the Rotoworld Football Podcast and Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast discuss Week 1.

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

RUSSELL WILSON

King on Seattle and Russell Wilson: “Seattle is 2-0 after the scintillating 35-30 win over New England on Sunday night. After two weeks, Wilson’s the most accurate passer in football (82.5 percent), he’s got the most touchdown passes in football (nine), with the highest rating in football (140.0)…We all talk about what an athletic gumby Wilson is, but he does take a pounding too.”

Wilson to King on last night’s game: “Honestly, I think you know they popped me pretty good on the touchdowns that you’re referring to. I think to be able to stay in the pocket and just be able to take all the hits and still make the throws is always the key. Give your guys a chance. My thing is always giving guys a chance.”

King on Wilson’s chances of winning MVP for the first time this season: “Projecting now is silly, but Wilson’s off to the best start of a great career, and you can’t stop him from dreaming.”

Wilson on wanting to be the best: “I want to be the best in the world. If I’m not thinking like that, I’m not going to be successful…I think when you’re trying to be the greatest to do this, you always have to believe that way, think that way, and know that.”

King on Seattle’s offense: “The ‘Let Russ cook’ thing – fans and media wishing he’d be able to create more, the way he did at time Sunday night – is gaining traction, maybe even in the coaches offices…But it’s no secret Wilson has wanted a freer hand in the offense…Seattle looks dangerous and diverse, though, especially when Russ cooks.”

Wilson on Seattle’s offense: “I think I have a tremendous relationship with Coach (Pete) Carroll and also Coach (Brian) Schottenheimer. I don’t think Coach Schotty gets enough credit…I’m trying to go somewhere, you know what I mean? I’m trying to help take this team somewhere special. It takes a lot of hard work. It takes everyone. It’s not just me.”

DAK PRESCOTT

Dak Prescott on the Cowboy’s come-from-behind win over Atlanta yesterday and their onside kick: “I have never been in a game like this. Maybe the playoff game my rookie year against Green Bay, but we lost that one, and it didn’t come down to a play like this one. It was incredible, honestly. We’ve seen it done in practice. [Offensive coordinator] Kellen Moore saw it get set up, and [quarterbacks coach] Doug Nussmeier told me, ‘Watermelon kick!’”

Prescott on calling Dallas’ onside kick ‘the Watermelon Kick’: “That’s what we call it. The ball just kind of sits there like a watermelon, not on a tee…I asked our punter, Chris Jones, why [the Falcons] wouldn’t just dive on it, and he said the way it spins makes it really hard to do that. They were probably afraid that if they jumped on it, it might get loose and we’d recover.”

King on the onside kick: “It’s actually an ingenious idea. Because players can’t line up more than one yard from the spot of the kickoff, kicking team players can’t get the kind of running start they used to on onside kicks…Cowboy players could run to the skidding ball and attempt to block out, as on a basketball rebound, any opposing players who might be trying to get to the ball.”

Prescott on Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy: “The other thing that was important today – not just the win – but the way Coach McCarthy was with us at halftime. That was an important time for our team. We were down big [29-10 at halftime] and he said, ‘Forget the final score. Let’s see the team we’ve got out there in the second half. Let’s see the men we’ve got.’ He’s easy to follow.”

KING’S WEEK 2 AWARDS

Offensive Players of the Week: Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams, & Aaron Jones, Green Bay.

King on Goff: “He’s rapidly dispelling doubts about his ability brought on by his 16-pick season last year. Great game for Goff in a tough place to play – made very much easier by the no-fan edict.”

Defensive Player of the Week: Kenny Vaccaro, Tennessee.

King: “The Titans allowed the Jags to score 30 points…without Vaccaro, it would have been worse, and maybe much worse…It’s a terrific all-around game by a terrific safety.”

Special Teams Players of the Week: Harrison Butker, Kansas City, & Stephen Gostkowski, Tennessee.

King on Gostkowski: “The least effective kicker in the league through two weeks has two game-winning field goals through two weeks; he’s the first kicker this century to kick game-winners in the last two minutes of the first two games.”

Coach of the Week: Matt LaFleur, Green Bay.

King: “For all those (like me) who thought the Packers’ stay atop the division would be brief, LaFleur and his team have demonstrated in eight quarters that 2019 was no fluke.”

WEEK 2 NOTES

King on NFL QBs: “The quarterbacks just keep on coming. The over-35 set – (Tom) Brady, (Philip) Rivers, (Ben) Roethlisberger, (Aaron) Rodgers – went 4-0 Sunday, winning by an average of two touchdowns a game. But the QB farm system continues to churn out quality. Eleven of the 13 quarterbacks drafted in the top 10 picks over the past five years started over the weekend.”

King on the injuries around the NFL on Sunday: “We can’t be rash about the rash of injuries, but the NFL and NFLPA must study these especially closely…I think one other thing has to be considered: the loss of a legitimate offseason program, with organized and enforced strength and conditional and speedwork for nine or 10 spring weeks.”

King on Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker: “I’ve never seen anything like what happened at the end of Kansas City 23, L.A. Chargers 20 (overtime)…Before Sunday, the 25-year-old Butker had never kicked a field goal of 58 or more yards in a game. In the span of 90 minutes, he kicked three of them, and two counted.”

Butker on the final sequence: “Definitely the hardest situation I’ve ever been put in. But what gave me a little confidence is how we practice. In practice, I have to hit eight to 10 long field goals, like 54, 63, 65, 58. So some kickers, maybe their leg would get tired kicking three long ones in a row like that.”

King on Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew: “Gardner might be good. Really good…The rest of this year is going be very interesting for a team with four picks in the first two rounds next April – and three or four bright-prospect quarterbacks in the draft.”

King on Detroit: “It’s Sept. 21, and Matt Patricia looks done already…Patricia doesn’t have a lot of time to save his job, not when the Cleveland Browns have five more wins than Patricia since opening day 2018.”

King on the Chargers QB situation: “I would disagree with Anthony Lynn, the Chargers’ coach who said Sunday night that if Tyrod Taylor is “100 percent ready to go,” he’d remain the Chargers’ starting quarterback…Justin Herbert played well enough Sunday to keep the job, for now.”

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

The following are additional highlights of NBC Sports’ NFL coverage:

    • Football Night in America: Week 2 Recap with Mike Tirico, Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison, and Mike Florio
    • Football Night in America: SNF Week 3 Preview: Packers-Saints
    • PFT Live with NBC Sports’ Mike Florio and Chris Simms streams live on Peacock from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. ET on weekdays, followed by The Dan Patrick Show at 9 a.m. ET.
    • The Rich Eisen Show continues on Peacock and NBCSN weekdays at Noon ET.
    • Brother From Another and PFT PM debut on Peacock this week.
    • ProFootballTalk.com continues to provide the latest news and updates.
    • The Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast and Rotoworld Football Podcast discuss Week 2 and look ahead to Week 3.

 

A new “Football Morning in America” posts every Monday morning exclusively on NBCSports.com through the NFL season. It was announced in May 2019 that King signed an exclusive agreement with NBC Sports Group that included writing a weekly Monday morning NFL column for NBCSports.com; making regular appearances on PFT Live with Mike Florio; and continuing to contribute to Football Night in America, the most-watched studio show in sports.

—NBC SPORTS—

NOTES & QUOTES FROM WEEK 2 EDITION OF FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA ON NBC

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“Jerry, stop trippin’. Pay the man. He’s a franchise quarterback.” – Rodney Harrison on Cowboys QB Dak Prescott

 “Two weeks into the season, he’s been the best player in the NFL.” – Chris Simms on Bills QB Josh Allen

 “This is what’s special. He’s not sliding, not running out of bounds. He’s thinking end zone.” – Tony Dungy on Cardinals QB Kyler Murray

“Good thing no fans are there to boo them right now.” – Mike Tirico on the 0-2 Philadelphia Eagles

STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 20, 2020 – NBC Sports’ presentation of Week 2 of the 2020 NFL season began tonight from CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wash., with Football Night in America leading into coverage of Patriots-Seahawks on Sunday Night Football on NBC.

Mike Tirico hosted FNIA from NBC Sports Group’s Studio 1 in Stamford, Conn., and was joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach Tony Dungy and former NFL quarterback Chris Simms. Due to COVID-19 precautions, two-time Super Bowl-winner Rodney Harrison and NFL Insider Mike Florio joined Football Night remotely from studios in their respective homes. Jac Collinsworth co-hosted the show on-site from CenturyLink Field and was joined by Sunday Night Football analyst and his father Cris Collinsworth.

In addition, actor and Seahawks fan Jeffrey Dean Morgan set the stage for tonight’s game with a taped piece and Jac Collinsworth interviewed Seahawks WR D.K. Metcalf.

Al Michaels (play-by-play), Collinsworth (analyst), Michele Tafoya (sideline reporter) and Terry McAulay (rules analyst) are calling tonight’s Patriots-Seahawks game.

***

Following are highlights from tonight’s edition of Football Night in America on NBC:

ON INJURIES

Florio: “A bad day for several high-profile players in the NFL.”

Tirico: “I’ll say there was an hour between 1:15-2:15 (p.m. ET) where you didn’t want to watch the next play and were afraid who else would get hurt…maybe last week we thought this was going to happen, but we see it this week.”

Dungy: “I was concerned about this as a former coach, where you have no offseason program, no preseason games. Now your guys are coming out going 100 miles per hour for the first time. We didn’t see it last week, but I think it caught up with them this week.”

Simms: “No doubt, I agree — beat up from last week still and still getting game ready. No OTAs, no preseason …, training camp and the whole process was sped up. We shouldn’t be shocked with guys going down right now.”

Florio on the turf at MetLife Stadium and numerous injuries in 49ers-Jets: “Plenty of lower leg injuries today creating concerns about the quality of the turf and there were complaints today from multiple players about that turf. I’m told NFL Field Operations will be taking a look at the situation as a result of all those injuries and they need to because the 49ers actually play there again next week against the New York Giants.”

ON PATRIOTS

Cris Collinsworth: “At this point, I’d be more confident in (Cam Newton’s) ability to throw the ball than I would be in this group of receivers to get open.”

Dungy on both teams’ persona flip-flop: “The personality of the teams have totally flip flopped. In the past, Seattle pounds it and runs the ball, while now it’s Russell Wilson. I think New England comes in and stops them from throwing and make Seattle run. Other side of the coin, whenever you played Tom Brady, you had to take away the passing game from New England. Seattle today, we have to stop Cam Newton from running and force them to throw. It’s a different mindset.”

Simms: “I think they’ve got the secondary to matchup with these receivers and I think this running offense with Cam Newton is still going to be a pain in the butt this early in the season even for Pete Carroll.”

ON SEAHAWKS

Cris Collinsworth: “On both sides of the ball right now, we’re seeing Pete Carroll being willing to let Russ cook.”

Harrison on S Jamal Adams: “He’s at his very best when he’s moving forward. He’s aggressive, he’s a physical player with a tremendous motor.”

Tirico on head coaches Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll: “They’re not oldies but goodies, they’re oldies but greaties.”

ON BUCCANEERS

Dungy: “This is exactly why they got Leonard Fournette. When we have the lead at the end of the game, that big back to pound it out and seal the game for them.”

Simms: “We saw more ‘Tom Brady New England plays’ today, especially early on. Last week it seemed like it was more Bruce Arians, let’s push the ball down the field. No biscuit, no risk it. This week was let’s get the high-percentage, underneath stuff.”

ON COWBOYS

Harrison: “I got to give a lot of credit to head coach Mike McCarthy. The Cowboys never gave up. They were down 29-10 at halftime and you always have a chance to win when you have these type of weapons. Today showed what type of leader and player Dak Prescott Is. What a tremendous victory for Mike McCarthy and the Cowboys.”

Tirico on Falcons 20-0 first-quarter lead in Dallas: “What in the wide world of Jerry World is going on?”

Harrison’s message to owner Jerry Jones on Dak Prescott’s performance, but no long-term contract: “Jerry, stop trippin’. Pay the man. He is a franchise quarterback.”

ON BEARS

Dungy on QB Mitchell Trubisky: “He extended the plays, didn’t panic, and stayed with his reads.”

Simms on Trubisky: “He’s playing smart, making good decisions, throwing the ball accurate. His legs are getting him out of trouble and he’s not making stupid mistakes.”

Florio: “I’ve spoken with Mitchell Trubisky multiple times in the past. Something is different about him, he’s relaxed, he’s confident and he’s sure of himself. He told me back in the early days during the pandemic when there was nothing to do, that’s when the Bears acquired Nick Foles and that’s when he took that time to reflect and decide what he wanted to be as an NFL quarterback and that made him put in the work, put in the effort and do what needed to be done to win that starting job. As for Foles, he was brought there because of knowing that offense. What Trubisky told me is that it’s all of the other offenses that Foles has been a part of and he brought that information and made their offense better.”

ON BILLS

Simms on QB Josh Allen: “So far, two weeks into the (season), he’s been the best player in the NFL. They have put the ball in his hands and he has been delivering with his legs and improved throwing.”

ON CARDINALS

Dungy on QB Kyler Murray: “This is what’s special. He’s not sliding, not running out of bounds. He’s thinking end zone.”

ON RAMS

Dungy: “I thought Sean McVay called an outstanding game getting the ball out of Jared Goff’s hands quickly.”

Harrison: “I love Sean McVay’s commitment to running the football. It’s really opening up the offense.”

ON CHARGERS

Harrison on rookie QB Justin Herbert: “Anthony Lynn, don’t overthink this. You have a really good young quarterback. Continue to build on this. He can continue to build on his confidence. This is the guy who should be starting, not Tyrod Taylor.

Dungy: “I met Justin Herbert last summer in Eugene, Oregon. He could have come out the year before and been a top-five pick, but wanted to come back and throw to his brother (Patrick) and win a national championship. That told me, ‘this guy is something special.’ He’s not thinking about money or individual things. Everybody out there raves about him and the type of leader he is. I agree with Rodney, they have a winner.”

ON EAGLES

Tirico: “Good thing no fans are there to boo them right now.”

ON JAGUARS

Simms on QB Gardner Minshew: “He’s a gamer. You’re never out of it with Gardner.”

ON STEELERS

Dungy: “The Pittsburgh defense wasn’t great today, but that pass rush was relentless.”

ON JETS

Tirico on zero Jets touching Raheem Mostert on his 80-yard TD: “That is not next-gen, that is same Jets.”

–FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA–

NBC SPORTS PRESENTS LIVE BIG-EVENT SPORTS ALL WEEKEND LONG BEGINNING TODAY

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Live-Event Weekend Coverage Features Sunday Night Football, U.S. Open Golf, NHL Stanley Cup Final, NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, Notre Dame Football, Premier League Soccer and Tour de France Conclusion

Big Events to Air Across NBC, NBCSN, GOLF Channel, USA Network, Peacock and NBC Sports Digital Platforms

STAMFORD, Conn. – September 18, 2020 – NBC Sports will present an unprecedented weekend of live big-event sports over the next three days across numerous NBCUniversal properties – NBC, NBCSN, GOLF Channel, USA Network, Peacock and NBC Sports digital platforms.

From today through September 20, NBCUniversal properties will combine to present more than 125 live event coverage hours.

Among the highlights of NBC Sports’ live event coverage for this weekend:

    • Sunday Night Football: A star-studded QB matchup headlines this week’s edition of NBC’s Sunday Night Football as Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks (1-0) host Cam Newton and the New England Patriots (1-0). Coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET with Football Night in America on NBC, followed by kickoff at 8:20 p.m. ET from CenturyLink Field.

 

    • U.S. Open: The U.S. Open returns home to NBC Sports. The USGA stages the 120th edition of the U.S. Open this week (thru Sunday) from Winged Foot Golf Club, and NBC Sports will present nearly 45 hours of live primary coverage of the championship exclusively across NBC, GOLF Channel, NBC Sports digital platforms, and Peacock, NBCUniversal’s new streaming service. Viewers tuning will recognize a familiar musical refrain previously synonymous with NBC Sports’ coverage of the U.S. Open, as Yanni’s In Celebration of Man will be incorporated throughout the championship.

 

    • NHL Stanley Cup Final: Game 1 of the 2020 Stanley Cup Final between the Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning will be presented tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC immediately following U.S. Open coverage from Winged Foot Golf Club.

 

    • NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs: NBC Sports presents the first elimination race of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs tomorrow night in primetime at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN from iconic Bristol Motor Speedway, as the field of 16 narrows to 12 and drivers fight to keep their championship hopes alive. Tonight at 7 p.m. ET, Bristol also hosts the regular season finale for the NASCAR Xfinity Series, which has 11 of its 12 Playoff spots decided entering the “World’s Fastest Half Mile.”

 

    • Notre Dame Football: NBC Sports’ 30th season of Notre Dame Football continues tomorrow when the No. 7 Fighting Irish (1-0) host South Florida (1-0) at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind., at 2:30 p.m. ET on USA Network. Following last weekend’s victory over Duke, Notre Dame moved to No. 7 in the country. The Fighting Irish were led last week by QB Ian Book, who passed for 263 yards and one touchdown, and RB Kyren Williams, who totaled 205 yards from scrimmage (112 rushing, 93 receiving) and two rushing touchdowns.

 

    • Premier League: USMNT star Christian Pulisic – who’s hoping to return from injury – and Chelsea host 2019-20 champions Liverpool this Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET exclusively on Peacock Premium, highlighting NBC Sports’ Premier League schedule this weekend.

 

    • Tour de France: NBC Sports’ live coverage of the 107th Tour de France concludes this weekend on NBCSN with Stage 21 starting at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday from Mantes-la-Jolie in France. Following yesterday’s Stage 18 victory by Poland’s Michał Kwiatkowski (Ineos Grenadiers), Slovenia’s Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) currently sits in first place and carries a 57-second lead over Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and a 1:27 lead over third-place Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana Pro Team) into this weekend’s final stages.

 

NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app will stream live coverage to desktops, mobile, tablets, and connected TVs via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value to their subscription service, and making high-quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app are available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Windows Store, Roku Channel Store, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox, and Chromecast.

Following is the NBC Sports’ schedule for major sporting events this week (all times ET, subject to change):

Date Time (ET) Coverage Platform
Fri., Sept. 18 7:30 a.m. Tour de France: Stage 19: Bourg-en-Bresse / Champagnole NBCSN
Fri., Sept. 18 7:30 a.m. U.S. Open – Second Round Peacock
Fri., Sept. 18 9:30 a.m. U.S. Open – Second Round GOLF Channel
Fri., Sept. 18 4 p.m. U.S. Open – Second Round NBC
Fri., Sept. 18 6:30 p.m. NASCAR: Xfinity Series – Countdown to Green NBCSN
Fri., Sept. 18 7 p.m. NASCAR Xfinity Series Racing – Bristol NBCSN
Fri., Sept. 18 7 p.m. Golf Central Live From the U.S. Open GOLF Channel
Fri., Sept. 18 9 p.m. NASCAR: Xfinity Series Post-Race NBCSN
Sat., Sept. 19 6:30 a.m. Tour de France Pre-Race Show NBCSN
Sat., Sept. 19 7 a.m. Tour de France: Stage 20: Lure / La Planche des Belles Filles NBCSN
Sat., Sept. 19 7 a.m. Golf Central Live From the U.S. Open GOLF Channel
Sat., Sept. 19 9 a.m. U.S. Open – Third Round Peacock
Sat., Sept. 19 11 a.m. U.S. Open – Third Round NBC
Sat., Sept. 19 2:30 p.m. College Football: Notre Dame v. South Florida USA Network
Sat., Sept. 19 6:30 p.m. NASCAR America Pre-Race Show NBCSN
Sat., Sept. 19 7 p.m. NASCAR Cup Series – Countdown to Green NBCSN
Sat., Sept. 19 7:30 p.m. NASCAR Cup Series Racing – Bristol NBCSN
Sat., Sept. 19   7:30 p.m. NHL Stanley Cup Final – Game 1: Dallas vs. Tampa Bay NBC
Sat., Sept. 19 7:30 p.m. Golf Central Live From the U.S. Open GOLF Channel
Sat., Sept. 19 10:30 p.m. NASCAR America Post-Race Show NBCSN
Sun., Sept. 20 6 a.m. Golf Central Live From the U.S. Open GOLF Channel
Sun., Sept. 20 8 a.m. U.S. Open – Final Round Peacock
Sun., Sept. 20 9 a.m. Tour de France Pre-Race Show NBCSN
Sun., Sept. 20 9:30 a.m. Tour de France: Stage 21: Mantes-la-Jolie / Paris Champs-Élysées NBCSN
Sun., Sept. 20 10 a.m. U.S. Open – Final Round GOLF Channel
Sun., Sept. 20 11:30 a.m. Premier League: Chelsea v. Liverpool Peacock
Sun., Sept. 20 Noon U.S. Open – Final Round NBC
Sun., Sept. 20 1:30 p.m. Premier League Live Peacock
Sun., Sept. 20 6 p.m. Golf Central Live From the U.S. Open GOLF Channel
Sun., Sept. 20 7 p.m. Football Night in America NBC
Sun., Sept. 20 8:20 p.m. SNF: New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks NBC

 

–NBC SPORTS–

ESPN’s Monday Night Football Featuring Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Giants Delivers Cable’s Third Most-Watched Sporting Event in 2020

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ESPN’s Monday Night Football Featuring Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Giants Delivers Cable’s Third Most-Watched Sporting Event in 2020

The post ESPN’s Monday Night Football Featuring Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Giants Delivers Cable’s Third Most-Watched Sporting Event in 2020 appeared first on ESPN Press Room U.S..

ESPN Announces Monday Night Football Music Collaboration with Grammy Award-Winning Producer DJ Khaled

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ESPN today announced a season-long music collaboration with Grammy Award-winning producer DJ Khaled for Monday Night Football. DJ Khaled – who also announced the news on social media, including a takeover of ESPN’s social accounts – will work with ESPN throughout the season to choose tracks that reflect the energy, intensity, and storylines of select Monday Night Football match-ups on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

The post ESPN Announces Monday Night Football Music Collaboration with Grammy Award-Winning Producer DJ Khaled appeared first on ESPN Press Room U.S..

New-Look ‘NFL Total Access’ with MJ Acosta-Ruiz as Host Kicks Off Tonight

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Airs TONIGHT at Special Time of 6:00 PM ET on NFL Network

MJ Acosta-Ruiz Becomes First Afro-Latina to Host a Show on NFL Network

A new chapter of NFL Network’s signature show NFL Total Access begins TONIGHT at the special time of 6:00 PM ET when recently named host MJ Acosta-Ruiz anchors the program from NFL Network’s studios in Culver City, CA.

Acosta-Ruiz (@MJAcostaTV) – who was officially named the host of NFL Total Access on Monday, September 7 – becomes the first Afro-Latina to host a show on NFL Network.

“I’m excited and eager to start this next chapter as the host of NFL Total Access,” said Acosta-Ruiz. “For over a decade I have worked tirelessly towards this professional goal. As the first Afro-Latina to host a show on NFL Network, this moment carries a deeper level of appreciation than I can express. I stand here as a reflection of a vast and diverse community of women in sports, and a true testament of how hard work and relentless preparation can lead you to where you were meant to be.”

“We are thrilled for MJ to be the face of NFL Total Access,” said Galen Gordon, NFL Network Vice President – Talent Management. “In just two short years, she has made an incredible impact on the NFL Media Group across all platforms, reaching both English and Spanish-speaking fans. In addition, MJ has been an incredible ambassador for what we do here at NFL Network. As we strive to engage more fans on more screens, I’m encouraged that we have a woman of color leading our daily weeknight show. She’s someone with strong relationships throughout the NFL community who will certainly bring a fresh perspective to our programming.”

Along with the addition of Acosta-Ruiz as host, NFL Total Access will have a new presentation and shift in focus, including the following elements:

  • Greater focus on in-depth elements such as Next Gen Stats to break down how positions are performing on a day-to-day basis and provide fans greater insight into the game
  • Expanded participation by NFL Network’s reporter group which spans the United States, creating a daily reporters’ notebook to bring fans closer than ever before to NFL news on a local level
  • Increased attention on social justice topics and storytelling, providing a voice to the players, coaches and personalities across the league – including NFL Network talent
  • All analysts, reporters and contributors will join the show remotely, with Acosta-Ruiz hosting the show from the expansive video wall on the NFL Total Access set located in NFL Network’s Los Angeles-based studios
  • Continuation of past staples such as X’s and O’s content, mic’d up segments, Fantasy Football advice, and more

“NFL Total Access will continue to entertain our avid fan base with a diverse production that reflects our league,” said Lya Vallat, NFL Network senior coordinating producer. “We are excited for the fresh perspective that our new host, MJ Acosta-Ruiz, will bring. MJ will lead our team made up of former players, coaches, front office staff and team reporters. Let the games begin!”

NFL Total Access airs Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:00 PM ET, and Thursday following Thursday Night Football on NFL Network, and in addition to Acosta-Ruiz features analysts such as Willie McGinest, James Jones, David Carr, Maurice Jones-Drew, Shaun O’Hara, DeAngelo Hall, Michael Robinson, LaDainian Tomlinson and Kurt Warner on a rotating basis.

PETER KING RECAPS THE NFL’S OPENING WEEKEND AND SPEAKS WITH BEARS QB MITCHELL TRUBISKY IN THIS WEEK’S “FMIA” COLUMN

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“A rally like this one, and a strike like the winning throw to Miller, was, for one building-block week, something the Bears needed desperately…For one week at least, the promise of 2017 lives.” – King on Mitchell Trubisky and the Bears’ Week 1 win

“I kind of didn’t believe it at first…I was quiet, but I was happy. Really happy.” – Trubisky on being told he won the starting job

“The atmosphere, from the time we came out of the tunnel, was unlike anything any of us have felt…You come to the realization that we’re going to have to do a lot of this ourselves, generate a lot of the energy ourselves.” – Patriots DB Jason McCourty to King on playing with no fans in attendance

“Another case of incredible efficiency by an incredible quarterback…Maybe this is finally the year Wilson wins his elusive MVP, or at least gets his first MVP vote.” – King on Seahawks QB Russell Wilson

STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 14, 2020 – Peter King recaps the games and news from the NFL’s opening weekend and speaks with Chicago quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who led the Bears to a come-from-behind 27-23 victory over Detroit, in this week’s edition of Football Morning in America, available now exclusively on NBCSports.com. King also hands out his Week 1 awards and speaks with individuals from around the league about the uniqueness of this weekend’s games.

Across NBC Sports this week, The Rich Eisen Show continues on Peacock and NBCSN at Noon ET. PFT Live featuring Mike Florio and Chris Simms streams live on Peacock at 7 a.m. ET every weekday. ProFootballTalk.com continues to provide the latest offseason news, and the Rotoworld Football Podcast and Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast discuss Week 1.

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

MITCHELL TRUBISKY

King on Trubisky: “When coach Matt Nagy put (Nick) Foles and Trubisky in competition for the starting job, it looked like he was setting the stage for Foles to win the job. Then a funny thing happened. After five weeks in competition, Trubisky won the job. But he didn’t win the job forever. And when he was firing high and wide again in the first half Sunday in Detroit, Bears fans agonized anew. Same old Trubisky.”

Trubisky to King on his thoughts throughout yesterday’s game: “You can’t go back to that dark place…At times like that, I find myself focusing on my teammates, the guys you grind with. Our relationships run deep. We lean on each other. And I think you’ve just got to believe in yourself, believe you can do it, there’s still time.”

Trubisky on his game-winning touchdown pass to Anthony Miller late in the fourth quarter: “I’ll tell you what was crazy. I was watching the game on the plane home from Detroit, and that play came up, and the receivers coach, Mike Furrey, said to me, ‘You see what 12 [wide receiver Allen Robinson] did?’…Robinson’s got his back turned to the ball, can’t see it, but has his arms raised in the air before the ball even gets to Anthony Miller. He knew.”

King: “A rally like this one, and a strike like the winning throw to Miller, was, for one building-block week, something the Bears needed desperately. Nagy needed it too. He’s joined at the hip with Trubisky, and was when he made the starting call 10 days ago…For one week at least, the promise of 2017 lives.”

Trubisky on being told he had won the starting QB job: “I kind of didn’t believe it at first. I was very detailed in my work. My back was against the wall, obviously, in camp, and all you can do is fight and move forward and show my teammates I can still be the guy…I was quiet, but I was happy. Really happy.”

Trubisky on Nick Foles: “I’m totally grateful for Nick. He’s an amazing teammate. Here we are, in this competition this summer, and he’d say to me out on the field, ‘Wow, great throw! Awesome! You’re trusting it now, you’re seeing it.’ He’s given me so many enlightening points. He’s a guy I want in my corner.”

WEEK 1

King on the Patriots game with no fans in attendance: “So weird, seeing the empty parking lots, the empty four-lane Route 1 alongside Gillette Stadium on game day (it’s usually packed like a parking lot before and after the game), hearing the silence that welcomed the six-time Super Bowl champs when they came out for pre-game warmups. ”

Patriots defensive back Jason McCourty to King: “The atmosphere, from the time we came out of the tunnel, was unlike anything any of us have felt…You can’t really envision what an NFL game is like without fans. This felt more like a high school scrimmage. Maybe you travel somewhere for a scrimmage, and your parents come, but no other fans.”

McCourty on playing without fans: “When you play in a stadium with no fans, no noise, you’ve got to bring your own energy for three hours…Guys were like, ‘This ain’t it.’ And you win, nobody to high-five, no kid to throw your gloves to. You come to the realization that we’re going to have to do a lot of this ourselves, generate a lot of the energy ourselves.”

Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn to King: “To me, travel is the real test this year. How disciplined can we be? How patient? How understanding of the inconveniences? So we’re not going to have many in-person meetings when we travel…Coaches want to have their hands on the player. I get that. But these are different times.”

Lynn on coaching yesterday’s game: “Just different. Really different. I had to watch what I was saying, and be careful how loud I was, because I didn’t want their guys [the Bengals] to hear me, obviously. Being on the sideline, I felt like I could hear every word guys were saying on the field.”

KING’S WEEK 1 AWARDS

Offensive Players of the Week: Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago, Gardner Minshew, Jacksonville, & Russell Wilson, Seattle.

King on Wilson: “Another case of incredible efficiency by an incredible quarterback…Maybe this is finally the year Wilson wins his elusive MVP, or at least gets his first MVP vote.”

Defensive Players of the Week: Aldon Smith, Dallas, C.J. Henderson, Jacksonville, & Jamal Adams, Seattle.

King on Smith: “Smith, lost to football and adrift as a person back in 2015 because of substance-abuse issues, re-dedicated himself to sobriety and football, and it showed Sunday night…An auspicious reappearance by a once-great player who may be back on the road to greatness.”

Coach of the Week: Bill Belichick, New England.

King: “Great coaches take what they have and figure a way to win. Belichick’s only been doing it for most of his adult life, and his first chapter post-Brady was a heck of a good one.”

NFL NOTES

King on Washington coach Ron Rivera: “Ron Rivera deserves a back-pat today for staying the course – and for aiding in the construction of a defensive front that absolutely abused Carson Wentz in NFL Week 1…For the WFT, it was good to start playing sports again. The scandals wore on the players.”

Rivera to King: “The thing I tried to get across, to people inside and outside the organization, is we made a lot of mistakes, and we’re trying to correct them. We’ll learn from the past, but we won’t be stuck in the past. And the players seem to have bought into that.”

King on Seahawks safety Jamal Adams: “I think the most impactful new player on any team Sunday was Jamal Adams. He brought a ferocity to the Seattle secondary I hadn’t seen since Kam Chancellor’s run, and if you know Pete Carroll, you know he wants a rangy, hitting secondary.”

King on the Packers: “Aaron Rodgers put up 43 points at Minnesota…The Pack owned the Vikes. Jordan Love had to be standing on the sidelines Sunday saying, ‘What am I doing here?’”

King on Tampa Bay: “My Super Bowl pick. I should look on the bright side about the Bucs. Tom Brady’s first huddle in Tampa Bay was one month ago today. (Seriously)…Brady’s best friend could be the schedule. Next four games: Carolina, at Denver, L.A. Chargers, at Chicago.”

King on the Colts: “The Colts cannot be losing at Jacksonville. Bad pick at a crucial time for Philip Rivers in his Indy debut. New time zone, same result.”

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

The following are additional highlights of NBC Sports’ NFL coverage:

    • PFT Live with NBC Sports’ Mike Florio and Chris Simms streams live on Peacock from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. ET on weekdays.
    • The Rich Eisen Show continues on Peacock and NBCSN weekdays at Noon ET.
    • com: ProFootballTalk.com continues to provide the latest offseason news and updates.
    • The Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast and Rotoworld Football Podcast discuss Week 1 and look ahead to Week 2.

 

A new “Football Morning in America” posts every Monday morning exclusively on NBCSports.com through the NFL season. It was announced in May 2019 that King signed an exclusive agreement with NBC Sports Group that included writing a weekly Monday morning NFL column for NBCSports.com; making regular appearances on PFT Live with Mike Florio; and continuing to contribute to Football Night in America, the most-watched studio show in sports.

—NBC SPORTS—

NOTES & QUOTES FROM WEEK 1 EDITION OF FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA ON NBC

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 “A stadium fit for Hollywood…It looks like the Dallas stadium and the Minnesota stadium had a baby.” – Mike Tirico on L.A.’s SoFi Stadium

“The pass protection was very good today because of no crowd noise.” – Tony Dungy on the lack of fans today across the league

 “He was the best defensive player I watched today.” – Rodney Harrison on new Seahawks S Jamal Adams

“He looked better than the committee in Houston.” – Chris Simms on new Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins

STAMFORD, Conn. – Sept. 13, 2020 – NBC Sports’ coverage of Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season began tonight with Football Night in America leading into coverage of Cowboys-Rams from the brand new SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Ca.

Mike Tirico hosted FNIA from NBC Sports Group’s Studio 1 in Stamford, Conn., and was joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach Tony Dungy and former NFL quarterback Chris Simms. Due to COVID-19 precautions, two-time Super Bowl-winner Rodney Harrison and NFL Insider Mike Florio joined Football Night remotely from studios in their respective homes. Liam McHugh co-hosted the show on-site from SoFi Stadium and was joined by Sunday Night Football analyst Cris Collinsworth.

In addition, Football Night aired an excerpt of an interview between new NBC Sports host Jac Collinsworth and Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott. Jac Collinsworth also joined Tirico in studio. McHugh narrated a tour of the new $5 billion SoFi Stadium while America’s Got Talent host, actor and former NFL player Terry Crews set the scene for tonight’s game.

Al Michaels (play-by-play), Collinsworth (analyst), Michele Tafoya (sideline reporter) and Terry McAulay (rules analyst) are calling tonight’s Cowboys-Rams game.

***

Following are highlights from tonight’s edition of Football Night in America on NBC:

ON SOCIAL JUSTICE

Harrison on quarterbacks: “Chris Simms talked about it on Thursday night. He said we need more prominent quarterbacks, white quarterbacks, stepping up and getting involved. Matt Ryan did exactly that down here in Atlanta. He donated $500,000 to communities in Atlanta and he told me, ‘I’m just trying to do whatever I can to help.’ Drew Brees, he spent the offseason not only listening to his teammates, but also leaders in the Black community. He stepped up and donated $5 million. So, Coach (Dungy), just like you talked about, it’s not just about talking, but these guys are making that next step in action and I’m really proud of these guys. Great work for taking action.”

Florio, who spoke to head coach John Harbaugh following today’s game: “I asked coach Harbaugh, ‘What will you say to those who will inevitably criticize the players for taking a knee during the (national) anthem?’ And he said to me, ‘I don’t know how you can criticize someone for being passionate and for believing in something important to them. They want America to be great and to realize the ideals we were founded upon. One hundred to two hundred years from now, the African-American story will be the greatest freedom story in the history of the world.’”

ON NO FANS AT GAMES

Dungy: “The pass protection was very good today because of no crowd noise.”

Cris Collinsworth: “Sometimes it actually works against you…As a wideout, you’re not used to hearing the snap counts. You’re just out there, you’re just going on the ball.”

ON RAMS

Tirico on SoFi stadium: “A stadium fit for Hollywood…It looks like the Dallas stadium and the Minnesota stadium had a baby. It’s a beautiful one. It’s a combination of the great of both places.”

McHugh on SoFi stadium: “It’s not often you can say this about a stadium, but this place is beautiful. Designed and laid out for a true L.A. sports experience.”

Dungy on picking the Rams tonight: “The Cowboys strength for years has been their offensive line. They’ve got some new guys playing and they’ve got to block Aaron Donald. I think that’s going to be a big challenge.”

McHugh: “The Rams have a rookie to watch in running back Cam Akers. His teammates say he has a certain swagger about him, but of course the LA offense, it runs through Jared Goff.”

ON COWBOYS

Cris Collinsworth on Mike McCarthy: “I think that he’s going to get back to his roots a little bit and that may mean a little bit more running than may be expected with the three wide receivers that they have on this team.”

Cris Collinsworth on what excites him about rookie WR CeeDee Lamb: “Everything. I mean this kid’s something else…When you go to Dallas and they let you put on No. 88, you know he’s a special guy and they believe in that right now.”

Jac Collinsworth on his conversation with Ezekiel Elliott: “I asked him how this team compares to the past four he’s been a part of, and he said it’s for sure the most talented. He added rookie wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has instantly lived up to the No. 88.”

Tirico on QB Dak Prescott’s recent comments about mental health: “Dak’s openness in these recent comments really renewed the conversations in the sports sphere about the importance of mental health. There was some criticism in the media, but full credit to the wise folks who supported Dak for his strong efforts to be honest and be a leader in a different space than the football field.”

ON PATRIOTS

Simms: “You don’t know where (Cam Newton’s) running, who’s going where. It was unbelievable game plan design by the Patriots.”

Harrison: “I look at the 2020 version of the Patriots and they’re not going to blow any teams out. They’re going to run the football, they’re going to play good defense and they’re going to play great situational football. I look at Josh McDaniels. I thought he did an excellent job of keeping the game plan simple, not allowing Cam (Newton) to overthink any situation and of course leaning on that defense, which created a lot of turnovers. We talk about Stephon Gilmore being great, start listening to J.C. Jackson. J.C. Jackson is a kid that is a tremendous corner that’s making plays for them.”

Dungy: “I love what the Patriots did. I was curious all summer, what is Josh McDaniels going to come up with for Cam Newton? Lot of play-action passes, lot of misdirection runs, quarterback runs. He’s going to have defensive coordinators staying up late at night.”

ON BUCCANEERS

Simms: “There was a lot to like…there really was. First off, be realistic — this is a new team, they haven’t had that much preparation in the offseason, but Brady looked comfortable. I just think they have to find the kinks, work that out, and find out exactly how they want to attack as they move forward.”

ON RAVENS

Dungy on QB Lamar Jackson: “He threw the ball so well today. His ball placement was superb. He looked like a pure pocket passer…these guys were not wide open today. He was making exceptional throws from the pocket.”

ON SEAHAWKS

Harrison on S Jamal Adams: “He was the best defensive player I watched today, all over the field.”

Tirico: “We don’t mention Russell Wilson enough with the biggest names, but he was unbelievable today.”

Florio on Russell Wilson: “The saying has been, ‘Let Russ cook,’ and they let him cook. As one source close to Wilson told me today, if they don’t let him cook, it’s going to be time to start baking his farewell cake.”

ON COLTS

Tirico on turnovers by QB Philip Rivers: “New uniform, same story.”

ON BILLS

Simms on Josh Allen: “He had an unbelievable day. This is what he does. His ability to extend plays, buy time and make big-time throws on the run…Josh Allen has superstar talent. I mean, he makes our jaws drop a little bit every weekend.”

ON EAGLES

Simms: “It’s concerning. Offensive line is an issue there in Philadelphia and lack of a run game. It’s going to make it hard to put games away.”

Dungy on Carson Wentz: “If you’re up 17-0, you can’t turn the ball over. Those two interceptions really swung the momentum.”

ON CARDINALS

Simms on Kyler Murray’s running ability: “He’s special that way, he is. That’s why he gave the 49ers fits last year too because it takes away their best thing, which is their pass rush. He negates it.”

Simms on WR DeAndre Hopkins: “He looked better than the committee in Houston.”

 

–FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA–

2020 NFL KICKOFF GAME ON NBC FEATURING TEXANS VS. CHIEFS IS MOST-WATCHED SPORTING EVENT SINCE SUPER BOWL

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NBC TV Viewership Peaked at 22.0 Million; NFL Kickoff Game is Only 2nd Show Since Super Bowl Sunday to Top 20 Million Viewers

Texans-Chiefs Is NBC Sports Digital’s Most-Streamed NFL Game, Excluding Super Bowls – UP 55% from Last Year

Jared Goff & Los Angeles Rams Open SoFi Stadium vs. Dak Prescott & Dallas Cowboys This Sunday on NBC; Coverage Begins with FNIA at 7 p.m. ET, Followed by SNF at 8:20 p.m. ET

STAMFORD, Conn. – September 11, 2020 – Despite the largest fourth-quarter deficit (24 points) in an NFL Kickoff Game in seven years, the Kansas City Chiefs’ 34-20 victory over the Houston Texans in the opening game of the NFL season last night averaged a preliminary* Total Audience Delivery of 20.3 million viewers across NBC TV, NBC Sports Digital, and NFL Digital platforms – making it the most-watched sporting event since Super Bowl LIV in February, according to Fast National data released today by Nielsen, and digital data from Adobe Analytics.

*Does not include Out of Home viewership, which is included in official national viewership, and will be available early next week.

NBC’s TV coverage peaked at 22.0 million viewers between 9:15-9:30 p.m. ET, and topped 20 million viewers in every quarter-hour from 8:45 p.m. ET through 9:45 p.m. ET.  The broadcast averaged 19.3 million viewers on NBC.

With 20.3 million viewers, the NFL Kickoff Game is only the second show since the Super Bowl Sunday to average at least 20 million viewers (Academy Awards, 23.6 million on Feb. 9). Last night’s game faced unprecedented sports competition, as both NBA and NHL playoff games were contested at the same time.

The Average Minute Audience (AMA) for last night’s live stream via NBC Sports digital platforms, NFL Digital platforms, Chiefs and Texans mobile properties, and Verizon Media mobile properties was 970,000 viewers – the highest ever for an NBC NFL game, excluding Super Bowls – and up 55% from last year’s NFL Kickoff Game (627,000).

Last night’s game (8:28 p.m.-11:05 p.m. ET) registered a national TV household rating of 11.2/23.

TOP METERED MARKETS FOR TEXANS-CHIEFS (based on 44 markets available):

1. Kansas City 47.8/71
2. Houston 20.6/39
3. Denver 18.8/36
4. Austin 17.2/34
5. Indianapolis 16.8/32
6. Pittsburgh 16.7/28
7. Baltimore 16.1/28
8. Philadelphia 15.9/27
9. Providence 15.8/28
T10. San Antonio 15.6/28
T10. Milwaukee 15.6/29

 

NBC Sports’ NFL Kickoff Weekend coverage continues this Sunday, Sept. 13 with the season opener of Sunday Night Football as Jared Goff and the Los Angeles Rams open their spectacular, new SoFi Stadium against Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET with Football Night in America, with SNF kickoff at 8:20 p.m. ET.

–SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL–

Legendary NFL Great Joe Montana Joins Detail Exclusively on ESPN+

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Legendary NFL quarterback Joe Montana hosts two new episodes of the historical edition of Detail, the ground-breaking sports analysis series created by the late Kobe Bryant, giving fans new insights into how Montana led his San Francisco 49ers to a classic comeback victory and an overwhelming Super Bowl win.

The post Legendary NFL Great Joe Montana Joins Detail Exclusively on ESPN+ appeared first on ESPN Press Room U.S..