We now go to the NFL on Fox which previews Week 16 plus the announcing assignments and regional splits for today. Check them out.
FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES
NFC East Playoff Hopes on the Line This Saturday on FOX
Oliver Visits with 2010 Giants Draft Pick Chad Jones and Documents His Road to Recovery on FOX NFL Special This Saturday
Siragusa: Ryan Adds Fire to Jets/Giants ShowdownGIANTS/JETS BATTLE FOR NYC SUPREMACY-EAGLES BATTLE COWBOYS FOR PLAYOFF LIVES – On Saturday, Dec. 24 FOX Sports kicks-off Week 16 with special Saturday doubleheader coverage of seven enticing matchups – each presented in true HD. The Battle of NY starts the holiday festivities as Eli Manning and the Giants take on Mark Sanchez and the Jets. Not only are NY bragging rights at stakeout, each team’s playoff chances hang in the balance. Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and on-field analyst Tony Siragusa call all the action from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. In Charlotte, Cam Newton and the Panthers look to put on another offensive display as they host the Bucs. Coming off a convincing win over the Giants, the Redskins host the Vikings. Meanwhile the Steelers travel to St. Louis to face the Rams. Also, Andy Dalton, AJ Green and the Bengals host the Cardinals. The second half of FOX Sports’ doubleheader begins in Big D as Michael Vick, LeSean McCoy and the Eagles continue to fight for their playoff lives when they take on Tony Romo and the Cowboys. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver call all of the action from Cowboys Stadium. Coming off their impressive win over the Steelers, Frank Gore and the 49ers take on the Seahawks in Seattle.
Coverage begins at 12:00 PM ET with America’s most-watched Sunday afternoon pregame show, FOX NFL SPECIAL. 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 SPECIAL studio while comedic prognosticator Frank Caliendo contributes his weekly “Frank’s Picks” segment.
This week’s edition of “The Journey,” which opens the show, is narrated by singer Usher. Also, Oliver has a heartwarming story about a remarkable journey after a devastating injury. Just a few months after being drafted in the third round by the New York Giants in 2010, former LSU standout Chad Jones was involved in a serious car accident. Doctors thought they might have to amputate his left leg because he lost so much blood and feared he may never walk again. Oliver visits with Jones a year and a half after the accident as he fights to make an unlikely comeback and reach his goal of playing in the NFL. This behind-the-scenes piece features Jones rehabbing from his injuries and shows the exercises he did to teach himself to walk again.
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.
New York Giants at New York Jets, Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston & on-field analyst Tony Siragusa, going to 72% of USA, 1:00PM
MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, NJ
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Dayton, Denver, Detroit, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Portland, Providence, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tulsa, West Palm Beach
Tampa Bay Bucs at Carolina Panthers, Sam Rosen & Chad Pennington, going to 8% of USA, 1:00PM
Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte, NC
MARKETS INCLUDE: Charlotte, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Orlando, Raleigh, TampaMinnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins, Chris Myers, Tim Ryan & Jaime Maggio, going to 7% of USA, 1:00PM
FedEx Field – Landover, MD
MARKETS INCLUDE: Minneapolis, Norfolk, Richmond, WashingtonSt. Louis Rams at Pittsburgh Steelers, Dick Stockton, John Lynch & Jennifer Hale, going to 5% of USA, 1:00PM
Heinz Field – Pittsburgh, PA
MARKETS INCLUDE: Pittsburgh, St. LouisArizona Cardinals at Cincinnati Bengals, Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick & Laura Okmin, going to 3% of USA, 1:00PM
Paul Brown Stadium– Cincinnati, OH
MARKETS INCLUDE: Columbus, Louisville, PhoenixPhiladelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys, Joe Buck, Troy Aikman & Pam Oliver, going to 88% of USA, 4:15PM
Cowboys Stadium – Arlington, TX
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Denver, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, St. Louis, Tampa, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks, Ron Pitts, Charles Davis & Drea Avent, going 8% of USA, 4:15PM,
CenturyLink Field – Seattle, WA
MARKETS INCLUDE: New Orleans, Portland, Sacramento, San Francisco, Seattle
SIRAGUSA: JETS USED TO BE NY’S SECONDARY FOOTBALL TEAM BUT REX HELPED CHANGE THAT – During his playing days as a member of the Baltimore Ravens defensive line, NFL on FOX on-field analyst Tony Siragusa was under the leadership of then Ravens defensive coordinator and current New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan. Siragusa believes the outspoken head coach has most media attention focused on him by design. “Rex is dumb as a fox,” said Siragusa. “He draws all the attention to himself so his players don’t have to deal with it. They’ve had some ups and downs but just because you have ups and downs doesn’t mean you shouldn’t talk about going to the Super Bowl. Rex is just saying what everyone else in that locker room thinks. Some coaches don’t like saying it but he’s outspoken as everyone knows and was the same when we he coached me in Baltimore.” As for this Saturday’s Jets vs. Giants matchup, Goose reflected on how the Jets head coach has helped fuel this rivalry in New York. “The Jets were the step child in the Tri-state area and Rex has tried to change that attitude. You can change that attitude by saying what’s on your mind and Rex has done that. Rex gives his team confidence and that’s all he cares about.”
PEREIRA: STEELERS SHOULD’VE RESTED ROETHLISBERGER – This week, NFL on FOX rules analyst Mike Pereira conducted a chat on FOXSports.com where he answered fans questions on a variety of topical issues in the NFL.
On the injury concerns of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger and whether he should’ve been benched on Monday night: “Benched is a little severe. Rested is the right word. There was a lot at stake for the Steelers but at some point, you have to get him healthy for the playoff run, first round bye or not.”
On the possible return of Peyton Manning and how refs may treat him in the future: “He will be back and he will be treated the same as any quarterback would be treated. I don’t know whether he should or should not come back. I just hope that he lives a healthy life. He has a lot of years ahead of him to live. Football is not the end-all.”
To read the entire chat please click here: http://on-msn.com/vCZBly
That’s will do it for today’s NFL previews. We’ll move to NBC’s preview of a Christmas edition of Sunday Night Football.
