Plus, ESPN Reporters at All Three Thanksgiving Day Games
ESPN’s week 13 NFL coverage features reporters at all three Thanksgiving Day games on Thursday, November 27, as well as an on-site Sunday NFL Countdown presence at Lambeau Field in Green Bay for the much-anticipated Patriots-Packers game on Sunday.
Reporters Bob Holtzman (Bears-Lions), Ed Werder (Eagles-Cowboys) and Britt McHenry (Seahawks-49ers) will provide stadium reports on editions of SportsCenter and other ESPN platforms leading up to and following the Thanksgiving Day tripleheader.
On Sunday NFL Countdown (Sunday, 10 a.m. ET), Wendi Nix will host coverage from Lambeau with Hall of Famers Cris Carter and Mike Ditka previewing the potential Pats-Packers Super Bowl matchup. Reporter Bob Holtzman will also provide updates from Green Bay. From the studio in Bristol, Conn., Chris Berman will host Countdown with Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson, Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter.
Reporters at other Sunday games:
- Saints at Steelers (Josina Anderson)
- Browns at Bills (Sal Paolantonio)
- Chargers at Ravens (analyst Ron Jaworski)
- Broncos at Chiefs (McHenry)
Features:
- Danny’s Army: Chris Connelly reports how Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and owner Robert Kraft rallied around a Bridgewater, Mass., youth football team that took a public stand against the bullying and teasing of seven-year-old player Danny Keefe, who was born with a speech impediment.
- Dangers of the Lambeau Leap: Current and former Green Bay Packers players – Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, Donald Driver and Leroy Butler – tell stories of the beer thrown on them and the comments made to them by excited fans as they made the leap into the stands at famed Lambeau Field after a touchdown, reports ESPN.com senior writer Greg Garber.
- The Other Brandon Marshall: While linebacker Brandon Marshall has led the Broncos in tackles, he is often confused for the former Broncos and current Chicago Bears wide receiver with the same name. The linebacker shares classic anecdotes on how fans are caught off guard when they meet him.
- James Harrison: Linebacker James Harrison was without a team in the middle of September when past Steelers teammates started recruiting him back to Pittsburgh. Josina Anderson reports on Harrison’s return, why the Steelers defense is an ideal fit for him, and the close bond he has with defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau.
ESPN’s Monday Night Football: New York Jets Host Miami Dolphins
Geno Smith and the New York Jets host Ryan Tannehill and the Miami Dolphins on ESPN’s Monday Night Football on December 1 at 8:15 p.m. The MNF booth team of Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden will call the game from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., with sideline reporter Lisa Salters. In addition to the ESPN telecast, Jets-Dolphins will be available on Spanish-language ESPN Deportes and via WatchESPN for fans with video subscriptions from affiliated providers.
ESPN’s NFL studio programming kicks off at 2 p.m. with NFL Primetime and continues through Monday Night Countdown (6-8:15 p.m. on ESPN). Suzy Kolber anchors the on-site portion of the MNF pregame with NFL analysts Trent Dilfer, Ray Lewis and Steve Young, and Chris Berman hosts from ESPN’s studios in Bristol, Conn., with NFL analysts Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson and Insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter.
The two-hour program will include a feature by Rick Reilly on the 20th anniversary of Dan Marino’s “fake spike” vs. the New York Jets. In the piece, Reilly interviews both the former Dolphins quarterback and Bernie Kosar, who was Marino’s backup in Miami at the time and introduced the play to him. In addition, Tannehill will join MNF’s Jon Gruden for the weekly “Gruden’s Grill” session.
| Time (ET) | NFL Show |
| 2-3 p.m. | NFL Primetime |
| 3-4 p.m. | NFL Insiders Presented by Farmers Insurance |
| 4-5 p.m. | NFL Live |
| 6-8:15 p.m. | Monday Night Countdown Served by Applebee’s |
| 8:15 p.m. | Monday Night Football |
NFL Matchup: Packers Run Defense, Jamaal Charles’ Versatility, Randall Cobb vs. Man Coverage, Robert Griffin III and More
NFL Matchup host Sal Paolantonio and analysts Ron Jaworski and Merril Hoge preview the weekend’s key matchups via a film-room Xs and Os analysis on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 8:30 a.m. on ESPN2 (re-airs on ESPN, Sunday at 4 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.). Highlights:
- Hoge Breakdown – Packers 30th-Ranked Run Defense: Hoge dissects the matchup between the Patriots running game and the Packers run defense, which is giving up the third-most rushing yards per game.
- Jaws Playbook – Randall Cobb vs. Man Coverage: Jaworski explains Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb’s ability to beat man coverage, an asset against Patriots man defense.
- Seal of Approval – Jamaal Charles’ Versatility: Hoge shows how the Chiefs offense runs through Jamaal Charles, who’s equally effective running between the tackles, outside the tackles and catching the ball from the backfield.
- Beyond the Film Room – C.J. Anderson 4th-Down Run: Hoge and Jaworski show a clip of Peyton Manning explaining C.J. Anderson’s 4th-down scamper, and discuss the need for a more balanced offense for Denver.
- Factor Back – Le’Veon Bell: Hoge makes the case for Steelers Le’Veon Bell as the most complete running back in football.
- Run to Daylight – Justin Forsett Breakout Performance: Jaworski highlights the foundation of the Ravens offense, running back Justin Forsett, who has the second-most 10-plus-yard runs this season.
- Between the Lines – Robert Griffin III: Jaworski identifies the problems plaguing the Washington Redskins quarterback.
- Blitz Breakdown – Dolphins Pass Rush: Hoge shows why the Jets will need to avoid third down passing situations because the Dolphins have the most third-down sacks in the NFL this season.
NFL on ESPN Radio: Steelers at Saints on NFL Sunday
The NFL on ESPN Radio continues Sunday, Nov. 30, as Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints host Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers at noon. Play-by-play commentator Marc Kestecher and analyst Louis Riddick will call the game with reporter Ian Fitzsimmons.
ESPN.com: Connor Barwin – Making a Difference
ESPN.com’s Ashley Fox pens a profile of Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin, who, in the midst of a career year, is helping to restore an inner-city park in the Philadelphia.
- This week’s “NFL Hot Read”: Overwhelmed by requests for cash, Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith had to take drastic action against his family, writes Tim Keown.
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