On Sunday, Fox Sports airs the NFC Championship live from Candlestick Park in San Francisco. The New York Giants which have never lost an NFC Championship take on the San Francisco 49ers.
Coverage begins at 6 p.m. ET as the Fox NFL Sunday crew travel from their customary Los Angeles home to be live on-site in the Bay Area. Friend of Fang’s Bites Curt Menefee hosts and he’ll be joined by co-host Terry Bradshaw as well as analysts Howie Long, Michael Strahan and Jimmie Johnson. Insider Jay Glazer will also be on hand.
Calling the game will be Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. Pam Oliver and Chris Myers will roam the sidelines for Fox.
Here’s the Fox press release.
FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES
Giants/49ers Battle in San Fran for the NFC Title Sunday on FOX
FOX NFL SUNDAY Pregame Live from Candlestick Park: Coverage at 6:00 PM ETNFL ON FOX: NFC CHAMPIONSHIP – A trip to Super Bowl XLVI is on the line Sunday, Jan. 22 (6:00 PM ET) as Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and the Giants look to orchestrate another improbable run to the Super Bowl against Alex Smith, Frank Gore, Patrick Willis and the 49ers. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver & Chris Myers call this matchup for the George Halas trophy and NFC title in the City by the Bay.
Coverage begins at 6:00 PM ET with America’s most-watched 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 live from Candlestick Park. NFL Insider Jay Glazer presents the latest playoff news and scoops from the FOX NFL SUNDAY studio while comedic prognosticator Frank Caliendo contributes his weekly “Frank’s Picks” segment. FOX Sports rules analyst Mike Pereira is also on hand to go over any impactful officiating issues. In this week’s Championship edition, Bradshaw sits down with Alex Smith to discuss San Francisco’s game-winning drive last week against the Saints and how it feels to be one game away from the Super Bowl after many frustrating years in San Fran. Johnson breaks down New York’s impressive defensive turnaround.
For instant updates during the week and games from the entire NFL on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/NFLONFOX. Follow the NFL on FOX on-air personalities @Jay_Glazer, @JimmyJohnson, @CurtMenefee, @MikePereira, @MichaelStrahan, @TroyAikman, @Buck, @KennyAlbert, @CoachBillick, @TimBrewster, @CFD22 (Charles Davis), @DarylJohnston, @The_ChrisMyers, @LauraOkmin, @ChadPennington, @TimRyan99 & @TonySiragusa on Twitter as they provide insight and analysis all weekend. Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports.
Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012
New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers, Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver & Chris Myers, 6:30PM
Candlestick Park – San Francisco, CA
AIKMAN: EXPECT TOUGH PHYSICAL GAME WHEN GIANTS & 49ERS CLASH IN SAN FRAN FOR NFC CROWN — NFL on FOX lead analyst Troy Aikman looks at the pressure on Eli Manning and Alex Smith this weekend and the keys to these two evenly matched teams representing the NFC in this year’s Super Bowl.
ON THE PRESURE ON A QB AND ULTIMATELY WHAT YOU ARE REMEMBERED FOR: “When you are the top draft pick at quarterback, you were brought in to win a championship. All that matters is winning. If Alex Smith or Eli Manning had the same years they had statistically but their teams were 5-11, no one would be talking about what a good year they had. As great a year as Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees each had, they’d give it all back to still be playing this weekend.”
ON THE KEYS TO THE 49ERS WINNING: “Of all the teams, I’ve seen this season, I’d say the 49ers are the most complete. They run the ball well, are excellent on defense and their special teams plays well. There aren’t many holes in San Francisco. They aren’t as explosive offensively as the Giants or Packers but they are a well-coached, tough team. The 49ers need to keep up the formula that’s worked; playing great defense, not giving up points, being physical.”
ON WHAT MAKES THE GIANTS SUCH A GOOD ROAD TEAM: “Emotions are really heightened on the road with the crowd reacting to incompletions, missed 3rd downs conversations. A lot of teams can think the game is getting away from them when it’s really not. The Giants haven’t let things like that affect them and it’s a testament to Tom Coughlin and the job that he and his staff do in getting the Giants ready. The kicking game Sunday is going to be huge factor. Coughlin puts a lot of emphasis on special teams and kicking game. In the tough physical game that I expect, field position could be the deciding factor.”
And that will do it for our Conference Championship Sunday previews.