Time for ESPN’s Sunday pregame show previews. We have what NFL Matchup and Sunday NFL Countdown will cover on Sunday.
NFL Matchup will break down a bunch of games when it airs three times on Sunday. We have the particulars below.
NFL Matchup – Cardinals ‘Cover 2 Trap’; Jaworski Playbook on Tony Romo; Hoge on Peyton Manning; and More
NFL Matchup host Sal Paolantonio and analysts Ron Jaworski and Merril Hoge will preview week three action on Sunday, Sept. 16, on ESPN at 3:30 a.m. (ESPN2 at 8:30 a.m.), taking viewers inside the film room with X’s and O’s analysis of the weekend’s key matchups. Highlights:
- X and O Files – Cardinals “Cover 2 Trap”: In last Sunday’s upset victory in New England, the Cardinals’ defense beat quarterback Tom Brady using disguised coverage. Jaworski goes inside the Cardinals defensive matchup with the Eagles to see if they can have similar success this week.
- Game within the Game – Chandler Jones: As the Patriots head into Baltimore for a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship game, Jaworski shows how New England’s rookie defensive end Chandler Jones could be a tough matchup for Baltimore’s offensive line.
- Jaws Playbook – Tony Romo’s Pocket Movement: Jaworski demonstrates how Dallas quarterback Tony Romo’s movement in the pocket creates big plays downfield.
- Hoge on Peyton Manning: Breaking down play from Monday Night Football that led to Atlanta’s second interception of quarterback Peyton Manning, Hoge, in “Hoge Breakdown,” shows how the Texans’ defense must confuse Manning, much like the Falcons did, to be successful.
- Hoge on Seattle’s Blitz: Hoge shows how the Seahawks’ blitz schemes are fundamental to their ability to have success against a high-flying offense such as quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
- In-between the Lines – Alex Smith’s Pre-snap Adjustment: Hoge and Jaworski go “in-between the lines” to show how quarterback Alex Smith’s pre-snap adjustments have become an integral part of the San Francisco 49ers offense.
- Beyond the Film Room – Philip Rivers: After their 2-0 start, the Chargers face Atlanta Falcons defense coming off three interceptions in one quarter vs. Denver’s Peyton Manning. NFL Matchup shows quarterback Philip Rivers’ proficiency during his three-touchdown performance against the Titans.
And we have Sunday NFL Countdown’s rundown for Sunday. Check it out.
Sunday NFL Countdown: Demaryius Thomas – From Shattered Home to Star Wide Receiver; “Getting Gronk’d” with Rob Gronkowski; Vernon Davis’ Turnaround; and More
On Sunday, Sept. 23, at 10 a.m., Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson (on main set), as well as Suzy Kolber, Merril Hoge and Ron Jaworski (on an adjoining set) will preview NFL week three games on Sunday NFL Countdown. ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter and senior analyst Chris Mortensen will provide the day’s headlines and league news.
Correspondents Ed Werder (Tampa Bay at Dallas), Rachel Nichols (Kansas City at New Orleans), George Smith (Cincinnati at Washington), Josina Anderson (Houston at Denver) and Sal Paolantonio (New England at Baltimore) will report from five games. Highlights:
- Demaryius Thomas: After catching the 80-yard winning touchdown in overtime as the Broncos upset the Steelers in last year’s AFC Wild Card game, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has become one of quarterback Peyton Manning’s favorite targets. Thomas’ rise to stardom is a testament to his drive and perseverance. His mother and grandmother are currently in prison for selling illegal drugs. Tom Jackson chronicles Demaryius’ rise, from a shattered home to an NFL starting wide receiver.
- Vernon Davis: A memorable moment from the 2008 season was San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Singletary banishing tight end Vernon Davis from the field during a game. Since then, Davis has become a leader and has cited that moment as a turning point in his career. On Sunday, Davis and the 49ers visit the Minnesota Vikings, where Singletary is now an assistant coach. Trent Dilfer looks back at that moment and the different paths Davis and Singletary have taken since the incident.
- E:60 – Rob Gronkowski: Countdown will air part of a Jeremy Schaap E:60 feature, “Get Gronk’d,” with arguably the best tight end in the game – one who hardly fits the Patriots’ mold. In the feature, Emmy Award winning reporter Schaap discovers what it’s like hanging around with the Gronk, especially on a shopping expedition. The full feature will air Tuesday, Sept. 25, at 7pm on ESPN. (E:60 is ESPN’s Sports Emmy Award winning primetime news magazine.)
- Eric Mangini Film Room – Patriots at Ravens: Former member of the Patriots coaching staff Eric Mangini will present an Xs and Os analysis of the Patriots at Ravens game and offer key matchups to watch.
- Hot Topics: Countdown will debate the impact of the replacement referees on the NFL’s image and the integrity of the game; whether Bears quarterback Jay Cutler’s public berating of his offensive lineman will lead him to lose the team; and more.
And I’ll move to Fox Sports’ preview next.
