FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES
Vikings Playoff Hopes & Peterson’s Quest for Single-Season Rushing Record on the Line Sunday as FOX Sports Presents AMERICA’S GAME OF THE WEEK — Packers at Vikings
Week 17 Doubleheader Action Includes Many Matchups Critical to NFC Playoff Picture
Billick: Rebuilding Teams Need to Get the Right Formula for 2013
NFL ON FOX CLOSES 2012 IN BIG WAY –On Sunday, Dec. 30, FOX Sports closes out 2012 and the NFL regular season with doubleheader coverage of seven matchups, most critical to the NFC playoff picture. With their backs against the wall, Eli Manning and the Giants need a win against the Eagles and some help to get into the playoffs. All-time single season receiving yardage leader Calvin Johnson and the Lions look to play spoiler as they host Jay Cutler and the Bears, who will need a lot of help to get into the playoffs should they lose in Detroit. The NFC South closes out the 1:00 PM slate as Matt Ryan and the No. 1-seeded Falcons host the Bucs and Panthers are in New Orleans to take on Drew Brees and the Saints. With a playoff spot on the line, Adrian Peterson and the Vikings face a win-and-in scenario as they host Aaron Rodgers and the NFC North champion Packers in America’s Game of the Week. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver call the action from Minneapolis. The NFC West title is on the line as the Cardinals travel to San Francisco to battle Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers while the Russell Wilson and the Seahawks host the Rams.
Coverage begins at 12:00 PM ET with America’s No. 1 pregame show, FOX NFL SUNDAY. Terry Bradshaw and Curt Menefee co-host the Emmy Award-winning program and are joined by analysts Howie Long, Michael Strahan and Jimmy Johnson. NFL Insider Jay Glazer breaks the latest league news and scoops from the FOX NFL SUNDAY studio while NFL rules analyst Mike Pereira discusses the previous week’s important impactful calls and points of emphasis in officiating. Comedic prognosticator Rob Riggle provides his weekly picks segment.
In a sit-down interview airing on FOX NFL SUNDAY, Erin Andrews talks with Vikings RB Adrian Peterson to discuss his chances of breaking the all-time rushing record and the Vikings’ playoff prospects. In a special presentation of BEING: Vincent Jackson—the Tampa Bay Bucs wide receiver gives a behind-the-scenes look at his preparations for Tampa’s final game of the season.
For instant updates during the week and games from the entire NFL on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/NFLONFOX. Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports.
GAME
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick 52% 1:00PM
MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, NJ
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Dallas, Hartford, Houston, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, New York, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Portland, Providence, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, West Palm Beach
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
Ford Field – Detroit, MI
MARKETS INCLUDE: Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Denver, Detroit, Kansas City, Louisville, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Phoenix, St. Louis, Tulsa
Tampa Bay Bucs at Atlanta Falcons
Georgia Dome – Atlanta, GA
MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Birmingham, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints Ron Pitts, Mike Martz
Mercedes-Benz Superdome – New Orleans, LA
MARKETS INCLUDE: Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, New Orleans, Raleigh
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings Joe Buck, Troy Aikman
Mall of America Field – Minneapolis, MN
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Detroit, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Tampa, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers Gus Johnson, Charles Davis 7% 4:25PM
& Kristina Pink
Candlestick Park – San Francisco, CA
MARKETS INCLUDE: Phoenix, Sacramento, San Francisco
St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks
& Jaime Maggio
Century Link Field – Seattle, WA
MARKETS INCLUDE: Portland, Seattle, St. Louis
BILLICK: THE FORMULA FOR RENEWED NFL SUCCESS – As Week 17 approaches, this could be the last week of employment for some GM’s and head coaches with their current teams. NFL on FOX analyst Brian Billick examines how these teams will look to change the fortunes of their organizations heading into 2013. “Each team will be looking for that right formula to turn the fortunes of their franchise around. Over the last few years that formula seems to be hiring a new coach and then acquiring your franchise quarterback at the same time.” This formula is, Billick writes, “easier said than done. Current playoff teams such as Houston, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Green Bay and Indianapolis did just that.”
To read an in-depth look from Billick at franchises who’ve made the correct coach-QB decision over the last few years and those who haven’t, click here: http://on-msn.com/UmSzAr
STRIKEFORCE HEAVYWEIGHT GRAND PRIX CHAMP DANIEL CORMIER JOINS FUEL TV’S UFC 155 WEIGH-IN AND POSTFIGHT SHOWS – Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion Daniel Cormier joins the FUEL TV Weigh-in and postfight shows as an analyst this weekend for the network’s coverage of the UFC 155 Heavyweight Championship rematch between current champion Junior dos Santos and former champ Cain Velasquez. Things begin on Friday, December 28 (7:00 PM ET) with the live UFC 155 WEIGH-IN ON FUEL TV, hosted by Jon Anik. Cormier and FUEL TV’s UFC TONIGHT Analyst Kenny Florian join Anik on location in Las Vegas, offering analysis. Two-time MMA Journalist of the Year Ariel Helwani conducts fighter interviews. FUEL TV wraps up coverage of UFC 155 Saturday, December 29 with the UFC 155 POSTFIGHT SHOW ON FUEL TV, live immediately following the pay-per-view. Karyn Bryant leads the recap from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, with Florian’s analysis, while Helwani conducts postfight interviews.
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