We continue with the NFL previews with what Fox Sports is saying about Week 14. We’ll also have the announcing assignments and regional splits for today.
FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES
Long: Newton Has Performed Beyond Expectations
Lynch: Cowboys Not An Elite Team But Garrett Has Coached Them WellTEBOW & BRONCOS HEADLINE NFL ON FOX WEEK 14 ACTION – On Sunday, Dec. 11 FOX Sports kicks off Week 14 with singleheader coverage of seven enticing matchups – each presented in true HD. The 1:00 PM window opens with Drew Brees and the Saints’ high-flying offense traveling to Nashville to take on the resurgent Chris Johnson and the Titans. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver call all of the action from LP Field. Coming off a tough loss in Houston, the Falcons now have to contend with Cam Newton and the Panthers in this NFC South matchup. Looking to stay in playoff contention, Matthew Stafford and the Lions host the Vikings. The Eagles will look to get something going as they travel to South Florida and face a tough matchup in the Dolphins. Also, the Jags host the Bucs in a Floridian battle. The 4:00 PM window features Tim Tebow and the streaking Broncos as they host the banged-up Bears. Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and on-field analyst Tony Siragusa call all of the action from Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Also, the NFC West Champion 49ers are in Arizona to take on the Cardinals.
Coverage begins at 12:00 PM ET with America’s most-watched Sunday afternoon 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 presents the latest league 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. This week’s edition of “The Journey,” which opens the show, is narrated by actress Scarlett Johansson. Additionally, Oliver explores the nature of the Saints’ record setting offense.
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, @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.
LONG: CAM NEWTON HAS PERFORMED BEYOND ANYONE’S EXPECTATIONS – NFL Hall of Famer and FOX NFL SUNDAY analyst Howie Long appeared on Fox Sports Radio’s Dan Patrick Show earlier this week and provided a glowing review of what No. 1 draft pick Cam Newton has done for himself and the Carolina Panthers. “There were so many questions going into Cam’s rookie year: can he adapt to the pro offense, is he a high character guy,” said Long. “On every level he has been well beyond anyone’s wildest expectations. His athleticism, size, poise, maturity and his ability to say the right things is remarkable. It’s not always easy to say the right thing. Today’s world is in your face, it’s 24 hours, non-stop. You have to be as patient the first time you answer the question as you are the 30th time you answer the same question as the face of the franchise. The future is bright in Carolina.”
LYNCH: COWBOYS NOT AN ELITE TEAM BUT GARRETT HAS COACHED THEM WELL – NFL on FOX analyst John Lynch, who was in the booth for the Dallas Cowboys overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, appeared on ESPN Radio’s The Herd with Colin Cowherd Wednesday. Lynch said despite head coach Jason Garrett calling a timeout that iced his kicker’s attempt to win the game in regulation, Garrett has done a good job coaching this Cowboys team. “They’re not an elite team. They’re a good football team,” said Lynch. “It’s kind of ironic in the midst of all the controversy, I think Jason Garrett has done one heck of a coaching job with this team because everybody has an over inflated perception of how talented that football team is. They do have some special players like DeMarcus Ware, Tony Romo at times can be a special player, DeMarco Murray has really helped that team. But in many ways, it’s a rebuilding team. Brand new defense, offensive line completely rebuilt and so it’s a team that’s finding themselves. They’ve played without Miles Austin. Last week it was a blunder, there’s no doubt about it at the end of that game. No one was more surprised than me because Jason’s a guy that’s usually so buttoned up and thought through every scenario. Possibly what happened there is he overthought it.”
New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans, Joe Buck, Troy Aikman & Pam Oliver, going to 23% of USA, 1:00PM
LP Field – Nashville, TN
MARKETS INCLUDE: Austin, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Hartford, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Pittsburgh, Richmond, San Antonio, San Diego, TulsaAtlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers, Ron Pitts, Jim Mora & Drea Avent, going to 9% of USA, 1:00PM
Bank of Americas Stadium– Charlotte, NC
MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Birmingham, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, RaleighMinnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions, Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick & Laura Okmin, going to 8% of USA, 1:00PM
Ford Field – Detroit, MI
MARKETS INCLUDE: Detroit, Milwaukee, MinneapolisPhiladelphia Eagles at Miami Dolphins, Chris Myers, Tim Ryan & Jaime Maggio, going to 6% of USA, 1:00PM
Sun Life Stadium – Miami Gardens, FL
MARKETS INCLUDE: Miami, Philadelphia, West Palm Beach
Tampa Bay Bucs at Jacksonville Jaguars, San Rosen, Chad Pennington, going to 4% of USA, 1:00PM
EverBank Field – Jacksonville, FL
MARKETS INCLUDE: Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Orlando, TampaChicago Bears at Denver Broncos, Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston & on-field analyst Tony Siragusa, going to 42% of USA, 4:05PM
Sports Authority Field at Mile High – Denver, CO
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Columbus, Dayton, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, New York, Norfolk, Portland, Providence, Salt Lake City, Seattle, St. Louis, WashingtonSan Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals, Dick Stockton, John Lynch & Jennifer Hale, going to 7% of USA, 4:05PM
University of Phoenix – Glendale, AZ
MARKETS INCLUDE: Phoenix, Sacramento, San Francisco
We’ll move to the Sunday Night Football preview from NBC next.
