Let’s provide the NFL Network schedule through next Tuesday. Check out the programming and other features. This is a long press release so get ready to scroll.
NFL NETWORK & NFL.COM PROGRAMMING NOTES (12/21 – 12/27)
AFC SOUTH CHAMPION HOUSTON TEXANS FACE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS ON NFL NETWORK’S THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL DEC. 22 AT 8:00 PM ETColts Owner Jim Irsay Live with Rich Eisen on Thursday Night Kickoff at 6:00 PM ET
2012 Pro Bowl Squads Announced Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 7:00 PM ET on NFL Network & NFL.com
The Longest Game Ever – Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Debuts Christmas Day at 6:00 PM ET
Dan Patrick, Michael Lombardi, Jason La Canfora & Dave Dameshek on The Rich Eisen Podcast Thursday, Dec. 22 at 2:30 PM ET
AFC South Champion Houston Texans Face Indianapolis Colts on Thursday, December 22 at 8:00 PM ET on NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football Season Finale
Running back Arian Foster and the AFC South champion Houston Texans travel to face the division-rival Indianapolis Colts on the season-finale of NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football December 22 at 8:00 PM ET. Brad Nessler provides the play-by-play and Mike Mayock serves as game analyst. Alex Flanagan provides reports from the sidelines of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.Coverage begins with the Thursday Night Kickoff pregame show at 6:00 PM ET.
Colts owner Jim Irsay joins the pregame for a live 1-on-1 interview with host Rich Eisen for a discussion about the future of quarterback Peyton Manning, the 2012 NFL Draft and more.
Additionally, the Thursday Night Kickoff crew plays “Wheel of Tebow” – a game revolving around Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow and the AFC West.
Thursday’s two-hour pregame show also includes:
- Deion Sanders unveils the Top 10 Plays of the Year on a road edition of Let’s Go Primetime
- Report from New York on Sunday’s upcoming game between the Jets and Giants
2012 Pro Bowl Squads Announced on Tuesday, December 27 at 7:00 PM ET on NFL Network & NFL.com
Who will be the starting quarterback for the NFC, Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees? Which running backs will be represented in each conference? Who will be the surprise selections, and who should have made it?Find out the answers to these questions and more when the AFC and NFC Pro Bowl squads are announced on the NFL Total Access 2012 Pro Bowl Selection Show Tuesday, December 27 at 7:00 PM ET on NFL Network and NFL.com.
Hosts Andrew Siciliano and Kara Henderson, along with Charles Davis and Steve Wyche reveal both rosters, analyze the players selected and debate who should have made it.
The 2012 Pro Bowl is on Sunday, January 29 in Honolulu, Hawaii and is televised on NBC at 7:00 PM ET, marking the third consecutive year the Pro Bowl will be played prior to the Super Bowl.
For more information on the 2012 Pro Bowl, visit http://www.nfl.com/probowl.
THIS WEEK ON NFL GAMEDAY MORNING – Christmas Eve Saturday, December 24 at 9:00 AM ET
This week NFL GameDay Morning – the first and most comprehensive pregame show on television – airs on Christmas Eve Saturday, December 24 at 9:00 AM ET. Host Rich Eisen and analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin take viewers straight up to kickoff with the latest news, injury reports, pregame analysis, exclusive interviews and game previews.With the New York Jets hosting their stadium-sharing rival Giants, NFL GameDay Morning profiles the rivalry between the two teams and NFL Network’s Melissa Stark reports live from MetLife Stadium.
Additionally, NFL GameDay Morning looks back at the best Christmas Day games and features wired sound of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo during last week’s victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football.
Featured on NFL GameDay Morning:
- The crew unscramble the NFC East & AFC West division races
- With two games left, is it too late for the 6-8 Philadelphia Eagles?
- How will the Green Bay Packers respond following their first loss of the season, and is quarterback Aaron Rodgers still the MVP?
- Does Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow have any magic left?
- What role will defenses play in the playoffs?
NFL Network reporters will provide pre-game news and interviews from the following games:
- Albert Breer reports from New England for Dolphins-Patriots
- Stacey Dales reports from Pittsburgh for Rams-Steelers
- Steve Cyphers reports from Buffalo for Broncos-Bills
- Michelle Beisner reports from Dallas for Eagles-Cowboys
NFL Films-Produced The Longest Game Ever – Miami Dolphins vs. Kansas City Chiefs Debuts Christmas Day at 6:00 PM ET – 40 Years to the Day of the Game
On the 40th anniversary to the day of the 1971 AFC Divisional Game between the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs, NFL Network presents a one-hour NFL Films-produced special on the game, The Longest Game Ever, Sunday, December 25 at 6:00 PM ET on NFL Network.On Christmas Day in 1971, the Dolphins defeated the Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Game 27-24, in double overtime after 82 minutes and 40 seconds of play. Four decades later, that game remains the longest NFL game ever played.
“This show is like unearthing a treasure that was buried for 40 years,” said NFL Films president Steve Sabol. “I am so glad that we can re-tell the story of this classic game to an entire new generation that has never had the chance to see it. Never mind sending this game film to the Hall of Fame; the Smithsonian would be a better choice.”
Featuring never-before-seen NFL Films footage, the original Dolphins and Chiefs radio broadcasts and interviews with players and coaches, The Longest Game Ever provides the most comprehensive production ever surrounding the classic game.
The Longest Game Ever includes new interviews with the following individuals:
Bob Griese – Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame quarterback
Don Shula – Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame head coach
Len Dawson – Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame quarterback
Bobby Bell – Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame linebacker/defensive end
Ed Podolak – Kansas City Chiefs running back
Jan Stenerud – Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame kickerFollowing the special at 7:00 PM ET, hosts Scott Hanson and Lindsay Soto join analysts Willie McGinest and Tom Waddle on a special Christmas edition of NFL Total Access to preview the game that night between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. At 11:30 PM ET, host Rich Eisen and analysts Steve Mariucci, Deion Sanders and Michael Irvin recap the Week 16 games on a special Christmas edition of NFL GameDay Final.
THIS WEEK ON AROUND THE LEAGUE LIVE and NFL TOTAL ACCESS
Thursday, December 22
Around the League Live: Thursday Night Football preview
- Steve Wyche, Alex Flanagan and Stacey Dales report from Indianapolis
- Melissa Stark reports from New York with the Giants
- Lindsay Soto reports from Dallas
Guest Analysts Darren Sharper & Derrick Mason Join Warren Sapp & Joe Theismann on No Huddle TONIGHT at 10:00 PM ET
Guest analysts Darren Sharper and Derrick Mason join Warren Sapp and Joe Theismann this week on No Huddle tonight at 10:00 PM ET for a roundtable discussion. The four analysts will discuss the following topics:
- Did the Kansas City Chiefs discover a blueprint for beating the Green Bay Packers?
- Did Tom Brady and the Patriots prove that Tim Tebow and the Broncos are not ready for elite status yet?
- Which AFC contender should be the most concerned – Jets, Ravens or Texans?
Below are quotes from this week’s edition of No Huddle:
“Coach Payton at times in games, we would be in the third quarter and have 35 points. He’d look at his sheet and say, ‘I have 40 percent of the sheet I haven’t got to yet. Get us the ball back.’” – Darren Sharper on New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton
“After the loss [to Philadelphia], he said we’re still the best team, just get us in. [You need to] get yourself in.” – Warren Sapp on head coach Rex Ryan and the New York Jets
Dan Patrick, Michael Lombardi, Jason La Canfora & Dave Dameshek on The Rich Eisen Podcast Thursday, December 22 at 2:30 PM ET – Available for Download on NFL.com & iTunes
The latest edition of The Rich Eisen Podcast airs on NFL Network Thursday, December 22 at 2:30 PM ET, with a replay on Friday, December 23 at 3:30 PM ET. It is also available for download on NFL.com and iTunes.Longtime friend and host of The DP Show, Dan Patrick, joins the podcast from his mancave to breakdown the division races still up for grabs, discuss the top teams in the AFC and preview the showdown in New York between the Giants and Jets.
With the two weeks remaining in the regular season and playoff berths up for grabs, Eisen hits up two of the top insiders in the NFL. NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi and Jason La Canfora answer all of the burning questions in the NFL, including which team will emerge out of the AFC West, if the 6-8 Philadelphia Eagles can win the NFC East and who might fill the current head coaching vacancies.
NFL.com’s and host of The Dave Dameshek Football Program, Dave Dameshek, joins Eisen in-studio to talk about fantasy football, the city of Pittsburgh and his hometown Steelers, and all of the happenings in the NFL as the playoffs rapidly approach.
To download this edition of The Rich Eisen Podcast, visit:
http://richeisen.nfl.com/2011/12/21/rich-eisen-podcast-dan-patrick-dave-dameshek-and-michael-lombardi-with-jason-lacanfora/
To download the latest editions of NFL.com’s six podcasts, visit the NFL.com podcast page:
http://www.nfl.com/podcastTHIS WEEK ON PLAYBOOK
Friday 8:00 PM ET – AFC Playbook with Solomon Wilcots, Brian Baldinger, Joe Theismann and Matt Millen
- Joe Theismann on why the Jets defense might be overwhelmed by the Giants passing game
- Brian Billick film study on if the Patriots have found a blueprint for defending Tim Tebow
- How the Patriots can win their seventh consecutive game
- Can the Ravens offense get back on track in time for the playoffs?
- 2:00 Warning – A look at the fantasy impact of running backs in the AFC East
Friday 9:00 PM ET – NFC Playbook with Solomon Wilcots, Brian Baldinger, Joe Theismann and Matt Millen
- Joe Theismann on how the Eagles offense can create big problems for Dallas and potentially derail the Cowboys’ postseason plans
- Brian Billick film study on how Calvin Johnson can attack the Chargers secondary
- How the Saints can win their seventh consecutive game and clinch the NFC South title
- Who needs to step up and help the Packers offense compensate for the loss of Greg Jennings?
- 2:00 Warning – A look at the fantasy impact running backs in the NFC South
Green Bay Packers Remain Atop NFL.com’s Week 16 Power Poll; New Orleans Receives First Place Vote
The defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers remain atop NFL.com’s Week 16 Power Poll despite suffering their first loss of the season. The Packers received eight of nine first place votes, with the No. 2 New Orleans Saints receiving the remaining vote.The No. 7 Houston Texans face AFC South division-rival Indianapolis Colts on the season-finale of NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football December 22 at 8:00 PM ET.
Below are the top 10 teams in the NFL.com Power Poll, with their previous week’s ranking listed in parentheses:
1. Green Bay Packers (1)
2. New Orleans Saints (2)
3. New England Patriots (5)
4. San Francisco 49ers (6)
5. Baltimore Ravens (3)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (4)
7. Atlanta Falcons (9)
8. Houston Texans (7)
9. Detroit Lions (12)
10. Dallas Cowboys (13)To view the entire poll, visit:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8253cfb9/article/week-16-packers-use-their-mulligan-saints-pats-gain-ground?module=HP11_headline_stack
DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (all times listed are ET)
Wednesday, December 21
4:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Dallas Cowboys
5:00 PM – Around the League Live
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:00 PM – NFL Replay: TBD
9:30 PM – Sound FX: Week 15, 2011
10:00 PM – No Huddle
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access
12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Fantasy Live
12:30 AM – NFL Replay: TBD
2:00 AM – Sound FX: Week 15, 2011
2:30 AM – No Huddle
3:30 AM – NFL Films Presents: Passion & the PianoThursday, December 22
12 NOON – Sound FX: Week 15, 2011
12:30 PM – NFL Replay: TBD
2:00 PM – NFL Fantasy Live
2:30 PM – The Rich Eisen Podcast
3:00 PM – No Huddle
4:00 PM – Around the League Live
6:00 PM – Thursday Night Kickoff – LIVE
8:00 PM – Thursday Night Football: Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts – LIVE
11:30 PM – Postgame
12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Total AccessFriday, December 23
12 NOON – NFL’s Top 10: Coaches Who Belonged in College
1:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Gutsiest Performances
2:00 PM – NFL Fantasy Live
2:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Homefield Advantages
3:30 PM – The Rich Eisen Podcast
4:00 PM – NFL Films Presents: Colts Kicking Combo
4:30 PM – Sound FX: Week 15, 2011
5:00 PM – Around the League Live
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:00 PM – Playbook: AFC
9:00 PM – Playbook: NFC
10:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Green Bay Packers
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access
12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Fantasy Live
12:30 AM – Playbook: AFC
1:30 AM – Playbook: NFC
2:30 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Green Bay Packers
3:30 AM – Sound FX: Week 15, 2011Saturday, December 24
9:00 AM – NFL GameDay Morning
1:00 PM – NFL GameDay Statzone
4:00 PM – NFL GameDay Scoreboard
7:30 PM – NFL GameDay FinalSunday, December 25
12 NOON – 2010 Green Bay Packers
12:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Endzone Celebrations
1:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Passing Celebrations
2:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Weather Games
3:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Overtime Finishes
4:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Green Bay Packers
5:30 PM – Super Bowl XLV: Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
6:00 PM – The Longest Game Ever – PREMIERE
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Lefty Quarterbacks
9:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Shortest Players
10:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Uniforms
11:30 PM – NFL GameDay FinalMonday, December 26
1:00 PM – Around the League Live
6:00 PM – Up to the Minute
6:30 PM – The Coaches Show
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:30 PM – The Coaches Show
9:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Controversial Calls
10:00 PM – The Coaches Show
10:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Opening Days
11:30 PM – NFL Total Access Monday Night Football Presser
12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Total Access Monday Night Football ReviewTuesday, December 27
12 NOON – America’s Game: 1995 Dallas Cowboys
1:00 PM – America’s Game: 2007 New York Giants
2:00 PM – NFL Fantasy Live
2:30 PM – Sound FX: Terrell Owens
3:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Biggest Upsets
4:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Worst Free Agent Signings
5:00 PM – Around the League Live
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access 2012 Pro Bowl Selection Show
8:00 PM – NFL Replay: TBD
9:30 PM – NFL Replay: TBD
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access
12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Fantasy Live
12:30 AM – NFL Replay: TBD
2:00 AM – NFL Replay: TBD
3:30 AM – Sound FX: Terrell Owens
That will do it.
