Super Bowl Champion New York Giants Face Carolina Panthers on NFL Network’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ Sept. 20 at 8:00 PM ET — NFL MEDIA PROGRAMMING NOTES (9/18 – 9/25)

NFL MEDIA PROGRAMMING NOTES (9/18 – 9/25)

SUPER BOWL CHAMPION NEW YORK GIANTS FACE CAROLINA PANTHERS ON NFL NETWORK’S THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL SEPTEMBER 20 AT 8:00 PM ET

Giants QB Eli Manning Sitdown Interview with Deion Sanders on Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Craftsman at 6:00 PM ET

Buccaneers Head Coach Greg Schiano Sitdown Interview with Melissa Stark Sunday, September 23 on First on the Field & NFL GameDay Morning

Ray Lewis: A Football Life Premieres TONIGHT at 8:00 PM ET

The Rich Eisen Podcast Remembers NFL Films’ Steve Sabol

NFL Network’s expanded 13-game Thursday Night Football schedule continues when Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning and the New York Giants travel to face 2011 Offensive Rookie of the Year Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers Thursday, September 20 at 8:00 PM ET. Play-by-play announcer Brad Nessler and game analyst Mike Mayock have the call, with Alex Flanagan providing reports from the sidelines of Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Coverage begins at 6:00 PM ET with the Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Craftsman pregame show live from Bank of America Stadium. 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:

• Deion Sanders interview with New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning
• Steve Cyphers compares Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton to Sir Isaac Newton and their love of physics
• Deion Sanders honors New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz with his top five touchdown celebrations of all-time
• Report from Baltimore previewing Ravens-Patriots in a rematch of the 2011 AFC Championship Game

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.

NFL Network analyst Kurt Warner previews this week’s matchup:

– “He’s really been as advertised. Outside of a couple of bad interceptions early in Week 1, he’s done everything we’ve come to expect. Accurate down the field, has the ability to make the big plays both inside and outside of the pocket; he threw a touchdown pass on Sunday, ran for another. [He’s] back to the dynamic Cam Newton that we saw in his rookie year.” – Warner on Panthers quarterback Cam Newton

– “He really struggled for the first three halves of football this year; it looked like missing his receivers in training camp really affected his rhythm. But wow did he have a second half on Sunday. He ended up throwing for [more than] 500 yards, a big comeback victory. Interesting to see if this gets him back into a rhythm and back to where he was last year.” – Warner on Giants quarterback Eli Manning

The Emmy-nominated series A Football Life continues with a full-season wiring of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis tonight at 8:00 PM ET on NFL Network. Following in the footsteps of last year’s critically-acclaimed Bill Belichick: A Football Life, Lewis became the first player in NFL history to wear a wireless microphone in every game for an entire season.

NFL Films’ cameras followed Lewis on and off the field throughout the 2011 season, which ended in a loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, capturing the middle linebacker in a variety of situations and roles. Featuring footage from inside the team meeting room prior to their Week 9 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, his speech to the Harvard Black Law Students Association at their Spring Conference, lighter moments spent with his family, and more, an all-encompassing profile of the 13-time Pro Bowl linebacker is provided.

The one-hour episode also chronicles his relationship with his father and the bond he formed with Ravens fan Bill Warble, who passed away earlier this year.

Emmy-nominated actor from CBS’ The Good Wife, Josh Charles, narrates.

To view the trailer of Ray Lewis: A Football Life, visit:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/a-football-life/0ap1000000061655/A-Football-Life-Ray-Lewis

Today on NFL Network’s NFL AM, Lewis discussed being wired for an entire season by NFL Films:

– “You can have reservations if you have anything to hide or if you don’t trust the people that you’re working with. But I have worked with those guys for so many years and I knew that Steve [Sabol] and they had a great vision for what they really wanted to get accomplished. So when they asked me to do it, I was really overwhelmed and also humbled being able to go in ‘A Football Life’ right after Bill Belichick.” – Lewis on if he had any reservations when NFL Films approached him about wiring him for an entire season

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 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.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano sits down with NFL Network’s Melissa Stark for an interview that will air Sunday, September 23 on First on the Field at 7:00 AM ET and NFL GameDay Morning at 9:00 AM ET. Schiano discusses his first season as an NFL head coach, where the Buccaneers stand right now, and the end of the Buccaneers-Giants game last week.

At 7:00 AM ET, NFL Network is First on the Field with Stark, LaDainian Tomlinson, Sterling Sharpe and Michael Lombardi providing the first analysis of the day’s games. Featured this week on First on the Field:

• LaDainian Tomlinson discusses the emergence of Bills running back C.J. Spiller
• Sterling Sharpe explains how the 49ers’ offense goes through tight end Vernon Davis
• Who is on the hot seat going into Week 3?
• Live reports from Buccaneers-Cowboys, Rams-Bears, Bengals-Redskins, Chiefs-Saints & Jets-Dolphins

At 9:00 AM ET, host Rich Eisen and analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin take viewers up to kickoff on NFL GameDay Morning. Featured this week:

• “Greatest Wired of All-Time” – a tribute to the late Steve Sabol with the greatest collection of the innovation that helped change the game
• How do the Dallas Cowboys overcome inconsistent play?
• Feature on the relationship between Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Sean Payton
• Ian Rapoport reports from Dallas for Buccaneers-Cowboys
• Stacey Dales reports from Chicago for Rams-Bears
• Michelle Beisner reports from Washington for Bengals-Redskins
• Albert Breer reports from New Orleans for Chiefs-Saints
• Kimberly Jones reports from Miami for Jets-Dolphins
• Jeff Darlington reports from Denver for Texans-Broncos

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

Wednesday, September 19

Around the League Live:

• Host: Fran Charles; Analysts: Tom Waddle & Michael Lombardi
• Interview with Philadelphia Eagles linebacker DeMeco Ryans
• Interview with Washington Redskins defensive end Ryan Kerrigan
• Rebecca Haarlow reports from Charlotte
• Jeff Darlington reports from Denver
• Albert Breer reports from Baltimore

NFL Total Access:

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

Thursday, September 20

Around the League Live:

• Host: Fran Charles; Analyst: Michael Lombardi
• Stacey Dales reports from Charlotte

NFL Total Access:

• Hosts: Chris Rose & Lindsay Rhodes; Analysts: Willie McGinest & Shaun O’Hara

Friday, September 21

Around the League Live:

• Host: Fran Charles; Analyst: Charley Casserly
• Kimberly Jones reports from Miami
• Albert Breer reports from New Orleans

NFL Total Access

• Hosts: Scott Hanson & Amber Theoharis; Analysts: Willie McGinest, Shaun O’Hara & Charley Casserly
• Interview with San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers

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

On this special edition of The Rich Eisen Podcast, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, sports broadcaster Bob Costas, former Kansas City Chiefs executive Carl Peterson, and NFL Network analysts Michael Lombardi, Sterling Sharpe and Steve Mariucci join Eisen to remember the life and contributions of NFL Films president Steve Sabol.

– “Even though Steve hasn’t been to work in awhile at [NFL] Films, his personality is there, he’s present there and that will never go away. That will never go away. He’s laid the foundation for what NFL Films is and will always be.” – Michael Lombardi

– “We’re talking about a guy who loved football more than the players. He couldn’t wait to sit down and talk to all of us who were in the building about what was going on in the NFL and what it was like in the early days when his dad started NFL Films…We use the term and phrase ‘they will be missed’ an awful lot. It’s going to be really hard to replace Steve Sabol. He truly will be missed.” – Sterling Sharpe

– “I really believe Steve was put on this earth to do this job, and be a part of what he contributed to the NFL. I honestly don’t know of anyone who loved, understood or appreciated the NFL more than Steve did. He was one the greatest storytellers of our time – not just in sports but in any part of the American society.” – Jerry Jones

– “I am sure many people have noted this already but in addition to all his accomplishments and his dad’s accomplishments with NFL Films, those of us who know him really just feel a personal loss because he was such a good guy. Everybody loved this guy; they loved being in his company. He was a tremendous story teller. He had a vibrancy about him. He had a real enjoyment of the life he lived, being around his friends and the work he did and that enthusiasm never waned.” – Bob Costas

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

http://richeisen.nfl.com/2012/09/18/rich-eisen-podcast-remembering-steve-sabol/

To download the latest editions of all seven NFL.com podcasts, visit:

http://www.nfl.com/podcast

The San Francisco 49ers remain atop NFL.com’s Power Poll following their victory over the Detroit Lions. Rounding out the top five are the Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles, who jump up six spots following their second win of the season.

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 (1)

2. Houston Texans (3)

3. Atlanta Falcons (6)

4. Green Bay Packers (8)

5. Philadelphia Eagles (11)

6. Baltimore Ravens (4)

7. New England Patriots (2)

8. Denver Broncos (5)

T-9. New York Giants (10)

T-9. Pittsburgh Steelers (12)

To view the entire poll, visit:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000063584/article/week-3-power-poll-49ers-strengthen-hold-on-top-spot?module=HP11_headline_stack

Wednesday, September 19

3:00 PM – NFL Replay: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New York Giants – Week 2, 2012

4:30 PM – Sound FX: Tom Coughlin

5:00 PM – Around the League Live

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:00 PM – Ray Lewis: A Football Life – PREMIERE

9:00 PM – NFL Replay: Washington Redskins vs. St. Louis Rams – Week 2, 2012

10:30 PM – Sound FX: Week 2, 2012

11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Fantasy Live

1:00 AM – Ray Lewis: A Football Life

Thursday, September 20

6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE

10:00 AM – NFL AM – Re-Air

2:00 PM – NFL Fantasy Live

3:00 PM – Ray Lewis: 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: New York Giants vs. Carolina Panthers – LIVE

11:30 PM – McDonald’s Postgame Show

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Total Access

Friday, September 21

6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE

10:00 AM – NFL AM – Re-Air

2:00 PM – NFL Fantasy Live

3:00 PM – Sound FX: Michael Strahan

3:30 PM – Sound FX: Tom Coughlin

4:00 PM – Sound FX: Week 2, 2012

4:30 PM – NFL Films Presents: D Never Rests

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: Collapses

11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Fantasy Live

1:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Collapses

Saturday, September 22

11:00 AM – Playbook – NFC

12 NOON – Playbook – AFC

1:00 PM – Sound FX: Tom Coughlin

1:30 PM – NFL Films Presents: D Never Rests

2:00 PM – NFL Replay: Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots – 2011 AFC Championship Game

4:30 PM – Sound FX: Bill Belichick

5:00 PM – Playbook – NFC

6:00 PM – Playbook – AFC

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:30 PM – Sound FX: Week 2, 2012

9:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Collapses

10:00 PM – Ray Lewis: A Football Life

11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

12:30 AM – Sound FX: Ray Lewis

1:00 AM – Ray Lewis: A Football Life

Sunday, September 23

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 24

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: Things We Love About Giants-Eagles Rivalry

10:00 PM – The Coaches Show

10:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Comebacks

11:30 PM – NFL Total Access: MNF Presser

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Total Access: MNF Review

Tuesday, September 25

6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE

10:00 AM – NFL AM – Re-Air

2:00 PM – NFL Fantasy Live

3:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Comebacks

4:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Things We Love About Giants-Eagles Rivalry

5:00 PM – Around the League Live

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:00 PM – NFL Replay

9:30 PM – NFL Replay

11:00 PM – NFL Total Access

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Fantasy Live

1:00 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Collapses