It’s a rare treat when the prime-time Sunday and Monday night games feature the four best teams in a single conference. However, such is the case this week as the Steelers visit the Ravens on NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” and then 24 hours later the Jets travel north up I-95 to face the Patriots on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football.” The two games prompted both networks to offer their broadcasters to the media this week and I was more than happy to ask some questions of the gang at NBC and ESPN.
NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth on the rivalry between the Steelers and Ravens » Both of these teams think they are the toughest teams in football. Both these teams know that to get to where they want to go they have to go through the other one. It’s a classic matchup, if you like football the old-fashioned way. Two bullies meeting in the center of the street. That’s all we’ve got with this one. It should be fun.
NBC analyst Tony Dungy on Steelers linebacker James Harrison » He’s the former defensive player of the year in the NFL and he’s playing to that level again. He’s a guy who could impact the game in so many ways. It is a shame that some of the hits and the fines have taken away from what he’s really doing. But sacks, putting pressure on the quarterback, chasing down run plays from behind, dropping into pass coverage, making plays up the field in the passing game, he’s really doing it all. Troy Polamalu is obviously the heart and soul and spiritual leader of that defense, but James Harrison is the one irreplaceable guy because he does so much for them.
ESPN “Monday Night Football” play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico on the Pats-Jets matchup » It’s been 20 years since we’ve had a Monday night game this late in the season with teams having records this good. … It’s a game that has all that buildup and hopefully it will deliver. You also have that New York-Boston dynamic which is unique and special. … All that venom between the two cities built up adds to the dynamic going in.
ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski on Jets coach Rex Ryan » As a football guy, he’s outstanding with the X’s and O’s. Don’t let the fun he has on TV and way he jokes around fool you. The guy is brilliant when it comes to designing the X’s and O’s in the game. I find it very refreshing. … We act like its brain surgery at kickoff. It’s still sport. It’s still fun. It’s still a game. It’s important to win, but I think Rex has a great understanding how the game should be played and never forgot it was a game.
Examiner columnist Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this!
