Sunday NFL Countdown: Richard Sherman’s Jam, Robert Mathis Conversation and More

Sunday NFL Countdown host Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson will preview the NFL games on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 10 a.m. ET. The three-hour program will include ESPN senior fantasy sports analyst Matthew Berry providing fantasy football updates and insight, and NFL insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter reporting the day’s news from across the league.

Countdown will also feature updates from reporters at games, including:

• Suzy Kolber, pre-game and Ron Jaworski and Sal Paolantonio, post-game (Lions at Eagles)
• Bob Holtzman (Colts at Bengals)
• Josina Anderson (Falcons at Packers)
• Colleen Dominguez (Seahawks at 49ers)
• Ed Werder (Panthers at Saints)

Features:

• Richard Sherman’s Jam: One key to Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman’s success is his ability to lock receivers at the line of scrimmage. Countdown features Sherman, in his own words, on the art of the jam.
• Robert Mathis Conversation: With 15.5 sacks this season, Colts linebacker Robert Mathis is poised to break the franchise record for sacks in a season (16) held by Dwight Freeney. Mathis sits with ESPN’s Darren Woodson to discuss his signature move, the strip sack, and his affinity for the late Hall of Famer Deacon Jones.
• Steve Johnson Punk’d at the Drive-Thru: Buffalo Bills wide receiver Steve Johnson goes undercover to work at a drive-thru as a Tim Horton’s employee.
• DJ Steve Porter-’13 Disappointments: DJ Steve Porter offers a mix-up of audio from Robert Griffin III, Adrian Peterson, Matt Ryan and other NFL stars on teams that haven’t lived up to expectations in 2013.

Chicago Bears Host Tony Romo and Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football; Ditka’s #89 to be Retired

The Chicago Bears host Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys – who are tied for first in the NFC East – on ESPN’s Monday Night Football on December 9 at 8:25 p.m. ET. The booth team of Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden will call the game from Chicago’s Soldier Field with sideline reporter Lisa Salters.

Both Chicago and Dallas enter the matchup with MNF winning streaks — the Bears have a four-game MNF home win streak while the Cowboys have won five straight MNF road matchups. Additionally, the Cowboys are second all-time in MNF appearances (74) and MNF wins (43) heading into Monday’s game.

The Bears will honor ESPN NFL analyst Mike Ditka – their Super Bowl winning head coach and Hall of Fame tight end – by retiring his No. 89 at halftime.

Leading into game, Stuart Scott will host Monday Night Countdown beginning at 6:30 p.m. from Soldier Field with analysts Trent Dilfer, Ray Lewis and Steve Young, contributor Rick Reilly and the MNF team of Tirico, Gruden and Salters. Host Berman quarterbacks the studio portion of the show with analysts Carter, Jackson and Johnson and insiders Mortensen and Schefter. Ditka will join from Chicago. Highlights:

• Ditka Tribute: On the night his jersey is retired by the Bears, Countdown takes special look back at Ditka’s brilliant Bears career, both as a player and a coach;
• Soundtracks: In-game audio of Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and the Cowboys offense;
• Gruden’s Extra: Bears running back Matt Forte joins Coach Gruden on the MNF Bus to discuss this week’s must-win game;
• Rick Reilly Feature: Reilly spotlights Bears tight end Martellus Bennett and how he seeks freedom in the world of the art, where he has created his own world, Dinosaur Land, and an alter ego, the Black Unicorn.
• C’Mon Man: The Best of the Worst from Week 14.

NFL Matchup – Cam Newton the Game-Changer, Nick Foles under Center, Saints’ Base Personnel, and More

NFL Matchup host Paolantonio and analysts Jaworski and Merril Hoge will preview the weekend’s key matchups by taking viewers inside the film room with X’s and O’s analysis on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 8:30 a.m. on ESPN2 (re-air on ESPN, Sunday at 6:30 a.m.).  Highlights:

• Blitz Breakdown – Bengals blitz: With the Colts visiting the Bengals in a matchup that could determine the No. 3 seed in the AFC, Hoge breaks down a Bengals blitz concept that could give the Colts offensive line difficulty.
• Passing Thought – Joe Flacco to Torrey Smith: Jaworski explains how the Ravens are unlike most NFL teams, using a 54-yard post-cross pass to receiver Torrey Smith to show how the Ravens offense is an aggressive downfield and vertical passing unit.
• Between The Lines – Nick Foles: Jaworski goes between the lines to explain how quarterback Nick Foles shows poise under center, adding another dimension to his game and the Eagles offense.
• Hoge Breakdown – Joique Bell screen off Reggie Bush reverse action: Hoge explains how defenses focus primarily on Reggie Bush and Calvin Johnson, creating openings for other players like Joique Bell to make explosive plays in the high-powered Detroit offense.
• Coaches Clicker’ – DeMarco Murray 30 yds, Bernadeau Block: The Cowboys rely on Tony Romo’s arm but this season they have shown spurts of an impressive run game. Hoge uses the clicker to explain Dallas’ improved o-line play and commitment to the run.
• Jaws Playbook – Russell Wilson: Jaworski goes to the playbook to show how Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is able to complete passes in predictable coverage situations.
• Game Changer – Cam Newton runs versus Patriots and Bucs: Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has been impressive, accounting for 18 total touchdowns during Carolina’s eight-game winning streak. Hoge breaks down Newton’s ability to create explosive plays against very tight defensive coverage, using his key runs against the Patriots and Buccaneers.
• Shot Play – Drew Brees: After a bad loss in Seattle, the Saints are back home in the Superdome, where they are 6-0. Jaworski previews how the Saints offense will have to attack the Panthers defense from a base personnel package.

ESPN Radio: Colts at Bengals on Sunday, Mike & Mike in Chicago on Monday

ESPN Radio’s Sunday afternoon NFL games continue with the Indianapolis Colts at the Cincinnati Bengals on December 8 at 11 a.m. Sean McDonough and analyst Anthony Munoz will call the game with sideline reporter Ian Fitzsimmons. 

Football Sunday on ESPN Radio continues December 8 with host Jonathan Coachman. Football Sunday on ESPN Radio can be heard on terrestrial ESPN Radio outlets, Sirius XM Channel ESPN 84, ESPNRadio.com, ESPN Radio app, Tune-in and Slacker.  It is simulcast on ESPN2 from 1-3 p.m., ESPN from 3-7 p.m. and ESPNEWS from 7-7:30 p.m. For more information on Football Sunday on ESPN Radio, click here.

On Monday, Mike & Mike will broadcast live from Ditka’s Chicago Restaurant (100 E Chestnut St) in advance of ESPN’s MNF game (Dallas Cowboys at Chicago Bears) and in celebration of the Bears retiring Mike Ditka’s number at halftime. The live broadcast is open to the public and airs from 6-10 a.m. on ESPN Radio, Sirius XM, espnradio.com, ESPN Radio app and simulcast on ESPN2.

ESPN.com Hot Read on the Dilemma of the No. 1 Pick

In this week’s ESPN.com NFL “Hot Read,” senior writer Jeffri Chadiha looks ahead to the 2014 NFL Draft to examine the dilemma of the No. 1 pick. Should the general manager of the team with the top pick take a dominant defensive end or a top quarterback? In this case, the decision could come down to South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney or Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater. The story explores the better bet and similar decisions in past drafts that other GMs have faced.

Pop Warner Super Bowl Week – All 24 Games Live Exclusively on ESPN3 Beginning Saturday

ESPN3 will kick off its coverage of the Pop Warner Super Bowl beginning with the Division II Junior Pee Wee (JPW) Quarterfinal: Northampton Indians (PA) vs. Stratford Redskins (CT) on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 10:45 a.m.  A total of 24 games will be carried on ESPN’s multi-screen sports network. The complete release and schedule.

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