ESPN NFL Content for Week 10

Sunday NFL Countdown: The Flyover; The Asterisk Game; Dolphins Locker Room; and Redskins Ryan Clark Joins as Guest Analyst
Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, and Keyshawn Johnson will preview the weekend’s NFL games on ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 10 a.m. ET. Anchor/host Wendi Nix will handle select segments, while NFL insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter will report the day’s headlines and news.

Sunday’s program will feature Washington Redskins safety Ryan Clark. The 13-year NFL veteran, who has had guest analyst stints with ESPN the past two seasons, will join the Countdown crew in-studio while his team is on a bye.

ESPN reporters at game sites:

• 49ers at Saints (Ed Werder and Merril Hoge)
• Cowboys at Jaguars (ESPN NFL Nation Cowboys reporter Todd Archer)
• Chiefs at Bills (Britt McHenry)
• Dolphins at Lions (Sal Paolantonio)

Features:

• The Flyover: In honor of Veterans Day and ESPN’s salute to the U.S. Armed Forces, Countdown will highlight the connection between the military and the NFL with a feature on pre-game military flyovers. In their own words, top coaches, players and the pilots from the Super Bowl XLVIII flyover discuss the significance of the tie between the military and the NFL.
• Dolphins Locker Room:  A year ago this week, the Miami Dolphins organization was mired in the turmoil of a workplace bullying scandal. With a 5-3 record this season, the Dolphins are fighting for a playoff spot. Reporter Jim Trotter travels to Miami to find out what has changed by speaking with the team’s locker-room leaders.
• The Asterisk Game: Twenty-five years ago at Lambeau Field, the Bears-Packers NFC North rivalry game delivered a classic ending. In a contested game-winning touchdown from Don Majkowski to Sterling Sharpe, the call on the field was that quarterback Majkowski’s leg was beyond the line of scrimmage when he threw the pass. On replay, the call was overturned, making it the first game-deciding play determined by “instant replay.” Then Bears coach Mike Ditka was incensed by the outcome and reportedly ordered to have an asterisk next to the game on the team’s media guide. Jeremy Schaap reports.
• Soundtracks – Russell Wilson: Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was wired for in-game audio during Seattle’s 30-24 home victory over the Raiders last Sunday.

ESPN’s Monday Night Football: LeSean McCoy and the Eagles Host Cam Newton and the Panthers

LeSean McCoy and the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles host Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers on ESPN’s Monday Night Football on November 10 at 8:15 p.m. ET. Newton is a perfect 2-0 on MNF, as are the Eagles under head coach Chip Kelly. Play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico   and analyst Jon Gruden will call the game from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia with sideline reporter Lisa Salters.

The game is also available on Spanish-language ESPN Deportes and via WatchESPN for fans with video subscriptions from affiliated providers.

More than five hours of ESPN NFL studio programs lead into the MNF matchup, culminating with Monday Night Countdown at 6 p.m. Suzy Kolber and NFL analysts Trent Dilfer, Ray Lewis and Steve Young provide analysis from Lincoln Financial Field, while studio host Chris Berman anchors the show from ESPN’s studios in Bristol, Conn., with NFL analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson and Insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter.

Monday Night Countdown features:

• Gruden’s Grill Session with Mark Sanchez: Prior to his first start since playing for the Jets in 2012, quarterback Mark Sanchez sits for a grill session with MNF’s Jon Gruden.
• Luke Kuechly Conversation with Lisa Salters: Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly was the defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012 and the Defensive Player of the Year in 2013. As he prepares for the fast-paced Eagles offense, Kuechly sits for a one-on-one conversation with MNF sideline reporter Lisa Salters.
• Soundtracks – Chip Kelly and Mark Sanchez: During the Eagles’ week 6 win over the Giants, head coach Chip Kelly was wired for audio as was then backup quarterback Mark Sanchez while he interacted with Nick Foles, the Eagles starting quarterback for the game. In a special “Soundtracks,” Countdown takes viewers onto the sidelines to listen in on Kelly and Sanchez in-game chats with Foles.
• Rick Reilly’s Feature – Connor Barwin: As the son of a city manager, Eagles linebacker Connor Barwin has always tried to fully embrace the community he lives in.  Barwin rides the subway and his bike as often as he can for two reasons: preserve the environment and attain a better appreciation for his surroundings. Countdown’s Rick Reilly tells the story how one of Barwin’s bicycle trips led to a major change in one Philadelphia community.

NFL Matchup: The Saints Running Game; Colin Kaepernick Taking Sacks; Aaron Rodgers to Jordy Nelson in the Red Zone; and More
NFL Matchup host Sal Paolantonio and analysts Ron Jaworski and Merril Hoge preview the weekend’s key matchups via fill room Xs and Os analysis Saturday, Nov. 8, at 8:30 a.m. on ESPN2 (re-air on ESPN, Sunday at 3:30 a.m.).  Highlights:

• Run to Daylight – The Saints Running Game: Hoge explains why the Saints have gone to the ground game recently, adding another dangerous dimension to their offense with the physical running of Mark Ingram.
• Jaws Playbook – Colin Kaepernick Taking Sacks: Jaworski explains how the fault for sacks against San Francisco offense partly lies on Colin Kaepernick and shows how the quarterback has missed open receivers when opponents blitz.
• Money Down – Carson Palmer on 3^rd Down: Hoge illustrates the effective elements of the Cardinals passing attack on third down, which is the best in the league with Palmer at the helm.
• Inside the Matchup – Rodgers to Jordy Nelson in the Red Zone: The chemistry and rapport between quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receiver Jordy Nelson is most evident on plays when Rodgers leaves the pocket, as Hoge demonstrates via a touchdown between the pair.
• Passing Thought – Cam Newton Struggling to Find Rhythm: Jaworski explains the inconsistencies in Cam Newton’s game, such as throwing inaccurate balls to open wide receivers on big play opportunities.
• X and O Files – Dolphins’ and Lions’ Menacing Fronts: In a matchup featuring two of the game’s best defensive lines, Hoge explains how the emphasis will be on the offensive units to devise ways to protect their QBs.
• Between the Lines – Kyle Orton to Sammy Watkins TD: Jaworski shows how the Bills used a specific formation to get Sammy Watkins one-on-one with a Vikings defender, leading to an easy touchdown.
• QB Corner – Roethlisberger Finds Bryant for Red Zone Score: The defensive recognition and timing on Ben Roethlisberger’s throws over the past two games has been spectacular. Jaworski illustrates a critical red zone touchdown throw to Martavis Bryant.

NFL on ESPN Radio: Tony Romo and the Cowboys vs. Jacksonville Jaguars from London’s Wembley Stadium

On Sunday, Nov. 9, at 12 p.m., ESPN Radio will broadcast the matchup between Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys vs. Blake Bortles and the Jacksonville Jaguars from Wembley Stadium in London. Play-by-play voice Mark Kestecher, analyst Bill Polian and reporter Ian Fitzsimmons will provide game commentary.

Mike Golic Returns to Philadelphia with Mike & Mike on Fall Football Tour

Former Philadelphia Eagle Mike Golic will return to the City of Brotherly love when ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike broadcasts live from Xfinity Live! in Philadelphia on Monday, Nov. 10, as part of ESPN Audio’s annual Fall Football Tour.  The show will preview MNF’s the Panthers-Eagles matchup. Golic will be joined by co-host Mike Greenberg.  Mike & Mike airs weekdays 6 – 10 a.m. on ESPN Radio via terrestrial stations, ESPNRadio.com, the ESPN Radio app, SiriusXM, iTunes Radio, Slacker, TuneIn and is simulcast on ESPN2.

ESPN.com NFL Hot Read: Can Isaacson save the NFL?

In this week’s ESPN.com NFL Hot Read, Wayne Drehs reports on 35-year old Anna Isaacson, the league’s new vice president in charge of its domestic violence policy. Story. Additional NFL content on ESPN.com:

• In ESPN.com’s midseason report, ESPN’s NFL Nation reporters assess the performance of all 32 teams in the league. The Patriots, Broncos and Colts earn top marks midway through the 2014 season.
• Senior NFL writer John Clayton presents his midseason All-Pro team that includes receivers Antonio Brown (Steelers) and Jordy Nelson (Packers), quarterback Peyton Manning (Broncos), right guard Marshal Yanda (Ravens) and more.

ESPN The Magazine Profiles Broncos Wide Receiver Demaryius Thomas in The Long Way Home

Writer Eli Saslow profiles Denver Broncos All-Pro wide receiver Demaryius Thomas in his story “The Long Way Home” in the upcoming issue of ESPN The Magazine. While within reach of realizing all his NFL dreams, what Thomas wants most is for his family to be reunited as he learns to let go of what tore them apart. Currently posted on ESPN, the story also includes E:60’s “No Doubting Thomas” feature that originally aired in the fall of 2013. It tells the poignant story of Thomas, whose mother and grandmother cheer for him from behind a prison wall.

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