NFL Network’s Expanded 13-Game ‘Thursday Night Football’ Schedule Kicks off with Bears-Packers at 8:00 PM ET — NFL Network & NFL.com Programming Notes (9/12 – 9/17)

NFL NETWORK’S EXPANDED 13-GAME THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL SCHEDULE KICKS OFF WITH BEARS-PACKERS AT 8:00 PM ET

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers Sitdown Interview with Deion Sanders on Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Craftsman at 6:00 PM ET

The Faces of Tebow: A Football Life Premieres TONIGHT at 8:00 PM ET

Ravens S Ed Reed & Actor Jerry Ferrara Featured on The Rich Eisen Podcast

NFL Network’s expanded 13-game Thursday Night Football schedule kicks off Thursday, September 13 at 8:00 PM ET when the Green Bay Packers host the division-rival Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Play-by-play announcer Brad Nessler and Emmy-nominated game analyst Mike Mayock return for the second season as the Thursday Night Football broadcast team. Alex Flanagan enters her third season as sideline reporter.

Coverage begins at 6:00 PM ET with the Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Craftsman pregame show live from Lambeau Field. Host Rich Eisen and analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders and Michael Irvin take viewers up to kickoff, covering all of the storylines surrounding the matchup, plus the latest news and information from around the league.

Featured on the Thursday Night Kickoff pregame show:

• Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers sitdown interview with Deion Sanders
• The top 10 NFL rivalries of all-time
• NFL Network analysts Kurt Warner and Donovan McNabb discuss Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler’s leadership
• Preview of the remaining Week 2 games, including Jets-Steelers, Ravens-Eagles and Lions-49ers

Eisen, Faulk, Sanders, Irvin and Mariucci provide additional analysis on the Lexus Halftime Show and the McDonald’s Pregame Show.

Following the game, hosts Chris Rose and Lindsay Rhodes as well as analysts Willie McGinest and Shaun O’Hara will deliver a postgame edition of NFL Total Access live from NFL Network’s studios in Los Angeles.

The Emmy-nominated series A Football Life returns tonight at 8:00 PM ET with The Faces of Tebow: A Football Life, a one-hour profile on the New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow.

Legendary quarterbacks Joe Namath, Roger Staubach, Steve Young, Doug Flutie and Kordell Stewart examine what makes Tebow so unique, and how each sees a little bit of themselves every time they watch him play.

“Tim’s prepared better than anyone that’s gone in there in this kind of situation. Dealing with the media, dealing with endorsements, dealing with requests for your time – he’s better prepared than I was by a long shot.” – Joe Namath

“I was always viewed as a guy who was unconventional, and so is Tim Tebow…When you don’t fit the mold, it messes with their heads.” – Doug Flutie

“He sets a great example and he lives it. When you’re Tebowing and you’re on your knee and you’re praying, hopefully that’s who you are. I just like the guy. He just seems for real to me.” – Roger Staubach

“What he brings to the table is the heart of a lion and he wins. That’s what you have to love about Tim Tebow, and that’s what the world loves about him. He’s a fighter.” – Kordell Stewart

“He can do the job. He has the natural throwing talent to actually play quarterback in the NFL, drop back 40 times, be efficient and be good at it, and then possibly great at it.” –  Steve Young

The NFL Films-produced series returns for a second year with an expanded 13-episode season. Airing throughout the NFL season, A Football Life examines the iconic individuals and subjects that have had an undeniable and profound impact on the history of the National Football League, offering an inside look into their untold stories. Forthcoming episodes include profiles of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, Super Bowl-winning head coaches Tom Coughlin and Jimmy Johnson, former owner of the San Francisco 49ers Eddie DeBartolo, Jr., and the late Steve McNair.

NFL Network’s new Sunday morning pregame show First on the Field provides all of the analysis of the day’s matchups and live reports from the stadiums at 7:00 AM ET. Host Melissa Stark and analysts LaDainian Tomlinson, Sterling Sharpe and Michael Lombardi cover all of the storylines surrounding the Week 2 matchups.

Featured this week on First on the Field:

• LaDainian Tomlinson discusses which running backs can repeat their performance from Week 1
• Michael Lombardi examines wide receiver Wes Welker’s role in the Patriots offense and the Steelers’ offensive line
• The crew analyzes the evolution of the no-huddle offense
• Live reports from Buccaneers-Giants, Saints-Panthers, Ravens-Eagles, Cardinals-Patriots & Texans-Jaguars

NFL Network’s NFL GameDay Morning, the most comprehensive pregame show on television, takes viewers up to kickoff each Sunday morning at 9:00 AM ET. Host Rich Eisen and analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin preview all of the matchups with expert commentary and the latest news reports.

Featured this week on NFL GameDay Morning:

• Kimberly Jones reports from New York for Buccaneers-Giants
• Stacey Dales reports from Charlotte for Saints-Panthers
• Ian Rapoport reports from Philadelphia for Ravens-Eagles
• Albert Breer reports from New England for Cardinals-Patriots
• Michelle Beisner reports from Jacksonville for Texans-Jaguars

Below is a schedule of what is to come on Around the League Live and NFL Total Access this week:

Wednesday, September 12

Around the League Live:

• Host: Fran Charles; Analysts: Tom Waddle & Michael Lombardi
• Interview with Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb
• Rebecca Haarlow reports from Green Bay
• Ian Rapoport reports from Philadelphia
• Aditi Kinkhabwala reports from Pittsburgh
• Albert Breer reports from New York with the Jets
  

NFL Total Access:

• Hosts: Andrew Siciliano & Lindsay Rhodes; Analysts: Darren Sharper, Heath Evans & Michael Lombardi
  

Thursday, September 13

Around the League Live:

• Host: Fran Charles; Analysts: Jamie Dukes & Michael Lombardi
• Stacey Dales reports from Green Bay
• Ian Rapoport reports from Philadelphia
• Michelle Beisner reports from Denver
• Kimberly Jones reports from New York with the Giants

NFL Total Access:

• Hosts: Andrew Siciliano & Lindsay Rhodes; Analysts: Darren Sharper, Heath Evans & Michael Lombardi
  

Friday, September 14

Around the League Live:

• Host: Fran Charles; Analyst: Charley Casserly
• Aditi Kinkhabwala reports from Pittsburgh
• Ian Rapoport reports from Philadelphia
• Jeff Darlington reports from San Francisco

NFL Total Access

• Hosts: Scott Hanson & Lindsay Rhodes; Analysts: Willie McGinest, Shaun O’Hara & Charley Casserly

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

Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed phones in following the team’s season-opening win over the Cincinnati Bengals in which moved into first place on the NFL’s career interception return yards list. Reed discusses the legacy of the late Art Modell, being mentioned among Hall of Fame safeties Rod Woodson and Deion Sanders, and how the Ravens are now Joe Flacco’s team.

Next up, actor Jerry Ferrara appears in-studio. The star of HBO’s Entourage discusses his hometown New York Giants and runs down his fantasy football lineup with Eisen to see who has the best chance of winning the championship in 2012.

To download the latest edition of The Rich Eisen Podcast, visit:

http://richeisen.nfl.com/2012/09/11/rich-eisen-podcast-ed-reed-and-jerry-ferrara/

Need advice on who to start in Week 2? NFL Media’s fantasy football have you covered on NFL Fantasy Live, which airs Monday-Friday on NFL.com at 1:00 PM ET and re-airs at 2:00 PM ET on NFL Network.

On Sundays, NFL Fantasy Live airs on NFL.com and the NFL RedZone channel at 11:30 AM ET to provide the latest news and injury reports.

Featured on NFL Fantasy Live this week:

Thursday, September 13

• Jason Smith, Michael Fabiano, Adam Rank
  

Friday, September 14

• Jason Smith, Adam Rank, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila

Sunday, September 16

• Jason Smith, Michael Fabiano, Elliot Harrison, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, Adam Rank

Friday 8:00 PM ET – NFC Playbook with Sterling Sharpe, Brian Baldinger & Donovan McNabb

• Sterling Sharpe on how Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III will win his second consecutive game
• Donovan McNabb on why the Saints will fall to 0-2
• Brian Baldinger on how the Cowboys defense will contain Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson
• Brian Billick on why Eagles quarterback Michael Vick will have trouble reading coverage when the Ravens defense can generate pressure
• Matt Millen on why the Buccaneers improved defense will struggle to slow down quarterback Eli Manning and the Giants
• 2:00 Warning – Who will be the best NFC East quarterback in Week 2?

Friday 9:00 PM ET – AFC Playbook with Sterling Sharpe, Brian Baldinger & Donovan McNabb

• Sterling Sharpe on how quarterback Andy Dalton will get the Bengals back on track
• Donovan McNabb on how the Texans will pressure Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert into making mistakes
• Brian Baldinger on why the Chiefs’ tight ends are the key to a win in Buffalo
• Brian Billick on why the Steelers will have a tough time putting pressure on Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez
• Matt Millen on how the Patriots much-improved defense will dominate the Cardinals
• 2:00 Warning – Who will be the best AFC South running back in Week 2?
  

The San Francisco 49ers moved atop NFL.com’s Power Poll, jumping up four spots following their season-opening victory over the Green Bay Packers (No. 8). The Denver Broncos (No. 5), Atlanta Falcons (No. 6) and Dallas Cowboys (No. 9) all moved into the top 10 following victories in Week 1.

NFL.com’s Power Poll is voted on by a panel of 13 NFL.com and NFL Network experts each week.

Below are the top 10 teams in the NFL.com Power Poll, with their previous week’s ranking listed in parentheses:

1. San Francisco 49ers (5)

2. New England Patriots (T-3)

3. Houston Texans (T-3)

4. Baltimore Ravens (6)

5. Denver Broncos (13)

6. Atlanta Falcons (11)

7. Chicago Bears (10)

8. Green Bay Packers (1)

9. Dallas Cowboys (14)

10. New York Giants (2)

To view the entire poll, visit:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000060673/article/nflcom-power-poll-week-1-belongs-to-49ers?module=HP11_hot_topics

Wednesday, September 12

5:00 PM – Around the League Live

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:00 PM – The Faces of Tebow: A Football Life – PREMIERE

9:00 PM – NFL Replay: St. Louis Rams vs. Detroit Lions – Week 1, 2012

10:30 PM – Sound FX: Week 1, 2012

11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Fantasy Live

1:00 AM – The Faces of Tebow: A Football Life

Thursday, September 13

6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE

10:00 AM – NFL AM – Re-Air

2:00 PM – NFL Fantasy Live

3:00 PM – The Faces of Tebow: A Football Life

4:00 PM – Around the League Live

6:00 PM – Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Craftsman

8:00 PM – Thursday Night Football: Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers – LIVE

11:30 PM – McDonald’s Postgame Show

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Total Access

Friday, September 14

6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE

10:00 AM – NFL AM – Re-Air

2:00 PM – NFL Fantasy Live

3:00 PM – Sound FX: Mike Singletary

3:30 PM – Sound FX: Jay Cutler

4:00 PM – Sound FX: Week 1, 2012

4:30 PM – NFL Films Presents: Saluting the Champs

5:00 PM – Around the League Live

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:00 PM – Playbook – NFC

9:00 PM – Playbook – AFC

10:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Things We Love About Tim Tebow

11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Fantasy Live

1:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Things We Love About Tim Tebow

Saturday, September 15

11:00 AM – Playbook – NFC

12 NOON – Playbook – AFC

1:00 PM – Sound FX: Jay Cutler

1:30 PM – NFL Films Presents: Saluting the Champs

2:00 PM – NFL Replay: New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers – Week 5, 2011

3:30 PM – NFL Replay: San Francisco 49ers vs. Detroit Lions – Week 6, 2011

5:00 PM – Playbook – NFC

6:00 PM – Playbook – AFC

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:30 PM – Sound FX: Week 1, 2012

9:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Things We Love About Tim Tebow

10:00 PM – The Faces of Tebow: A Football Life

11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

12:30 AM – Sound FX: Jay Cutler

1:00 AM – The Faces of Tebow: A Football Life

Sunday, September 16

7:00 AM – First on the Field

9:00 AM – NFL GameDay Morning

1:00 PM – NFL GameCenter

4:00 PM – NFL GameDay Scoreboard

7:30 PM – NFL GameDay Highlights

11:30 PM – NFL GameDay Final

Monday, September 17

6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE

10:00 AM – NFL AM – Re-Air

2:00 PM – NFL Fantasy Live

3:00 PM – Around the League Live

6:00 PM – Up to the Minute

6:30 PM – The Coaches Show

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:30 PM – The Coaches Show

9:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Football Divas

10:00 PM – The Coaches Show

10:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Mobile Quarterbacks

11:30 PM – NFL Total Access: MNF Presser

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Total Access: MNF Review