“I don’t know if I’ve ever been at a game this cold in my life.” – Tony Dungy on weather conditions in Kansas City
“One thing to look for in pre-game warmups is how many layers do they have on, what types of shoes do they have on…ball security, slipping and sliding will be an issue…I walked out on the field and it is as hard as a brick.” – Rodney Harrison on Dolphins-Chiefs
Special Edition of Football Night in America Airs Tonight Leading into Dolphins-Chiefs Immediately Following Conclusion of Browns-Texans
Jared Goff and Detroit Lions Host Matthew Stafford and Los Angeles Rams Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock; Football Night in America Airs at 7:30 p.m. ET
STAMFORD, Conn. – January 13, 2024 – NBC Sports’ Football Night in America previewed NFL Super Wild Card Weekend, beginning with this afternoon’s Browns-Texans game on NBC and Peacock, followed by the NFL’s first-ever exclusive live streamed playoff game tonight at 8 p.m. ET on Peacock, when Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs host Tyreek Hill and the Miami Dolphins.
Ahmed Fareed hosted FNIA from NBC Sports’ Studio 1 in Stamford, Conn. He was joined by three-time Super Bowl champion Devin McCourty, former NFL quarterback Chris Simms, and NFL Insider Mike Florio.
NBC Sports host Michael Smith, NBC Sports’ lead NFL columnist Peter King, and fantasy sports industry pioneer Matthew Berry previewed Browns-Texans and provided reports from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Hall of Fame head coach Tony Dungy and two-time Super Bowl winner Rodney Harrison joined co-host Jac Collinsworth to preview Dolphins-Chiefs and provide reports from GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Jason Garrett (analyst), Kaylee Hartung (sideline reporter), and Terry McAulay (rules analyst) will have the call for Dolphins-Chiefs tonight exclusively on Peacock.
Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst), Kathryn Tappen (sideline reporter) and McAulay have the call of Browns-Texans this afternoon on NBC and Peacock.
Pre-game coverage included:
- Kathryn Tappen’s interview with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski;
- Todd Blackledge’s interview with Texans QB J. Stroud;
- Michael Smith’s interview with Browns QB Joe Flacco;
- Devin McCourty’s interview with Rams QB Matthew Stafford;
- CNBC host and Eagles fan Jim Cramer joining Collinsworth, Harrison and Dungy from Kansas City;
- Peter King’s feature on 49ers LB coach Johnny Holland, who is currently battling multiple myeloma.
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Following are highlights from this afternoon’s Football Night in America on NBC and Peacock:
ON BROWNS
McCourty on defense: “This Browns defense is in your face all day and that’s what Houston is going to have to deal with … ‘everybody, go get the quarterback.’ For Stroud and the offense, they have to protect him and he’ll have to get rid of the ball. You can’t hold the ball against this front.”
Simms: “I will say this one more time to Cleveland – be conservative (on offense). You have a Super Bowl-caliber defense…run the ball. Don’t throw it 45 times with Joe Flacco.”
ON TEXANS
Simms on QB C.J. Stroud: “He’s mature. For a rookie quarterback, he understands the nuances of the game – when to throw it away, when to take a sack…he’s found the balance between aggressive and reckless, and that’s rare for someone this young…I do think that in this game, the Texans need to be more aggressive than the Browns.”
McCourty on Stroud: “The confidence that he has when he drops back in the pocket and he sees something, he says, ‘I’m going to let it rip because I know my arm, my talent, my receivers won’t let me throw an interception.’ That’s why this team believes in him and they follow him.”
ON DOLPHINS-CHIEFS
Dungy on weather conditions: “I don’t know if I’ve ever been at a game this cold in my life…I coached in Tampa, a warm-weather place, for a long time. We played some cold weather games against (New England) and I’d give my best Bud Grant speech, ‘Don’t worry about the cold, let’s go up there and get the job done,’ and then we’d fall apart.”
Harrison on weather conditions: “This is the coldest I have ever been at a football game…one thing to look for in pre-game warmups is how many layers do they have on, what types of shoes do they have on…ball security, slipping and sliding will be an issue…it’s so cold that my mouth is frozen, it’s difficult to talk…I walked out on the field and it is as hard as a brick.”
Harrison on Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill: “Anytime he gets the ball, anytime he’s open the Chiefs have to have two or three guys flying around. The Chiefs know that Miami wants to get him the ball quick and in open space.”
Simms on the Dolphins’ offense: “They’ve lost their mojo. Some teams have figured out how to defend them. I’ve never seen this so pronounced…when the (opposing defense) has two safeties deep, they run the ball and they can’t throw it. When it’s one safety deep, they can’t run the ball at all but they can throw it…they’ve got to be patient with that tonight.”
Dungy on Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco: “Their most important player tonight is going to be Isiah Pacheco. Give him the ball and let him pound. This man runs with attitude.”
ON RAMS-LIONS
Simms on the Rams: “I’m interested in the approach by the Rams in this one. We know that both offenses are very good. The Lions’ defense is not great. I look at it and say the Rams might be able to get into a shootout, but I don’t know if they’re going to feel comfortable with their defense against the Lions’ offense. That’s where they have Kyren Williams, maybe the best running back in football not named Christian McCaffrey…do they play ball control, take a shot every now and then, but control the clock to keep the Lions off the field?”
Harrison on the Lions: “This is going to be an emotional game. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson – it’s important he doesn’t get caught up in that emotion and he runs the football instead of having a scoring contest against (Rams head coach) Sean McVay.”
ON COWBOYS-PACKERS
Simms: “(Cowboys head coach) Mike McCarthy has all the pressure and expectations around him. ‘Oh no, it’s my old squad coming to town.’ The Packers and first-year starter Jordan Love – that’s going to be a fun one. Big time NFC showdown.”
Simms on the Packers: “What can this Packers offense do against this Dallas defense? That will be part of slowing down the Cowboys offense. Aaron Jones has three straight games with 100-plus yards…there is some heat at receiver too, they can beat man-to-man coverage, so that would be their avenue to pull off an upset.”
ON STEELERS-BILLS
Simms on Bills: “Josh Allen is one of the greatest one-man shows in football. Running the ball, scrambling, laser beams down the field…the Bills are coming into the playoffs as hot as anyone in the NFL and they’ve basically been playing playoff football since November.”
ON EAGLES-BUCCANEERS
McCourty: “The Eagles are stumbling into the playoffs. After losing to the Giants last week, they’re still figuring it out…it has a bit of a desperation feel, that nobody knows what’s next.”
ON COACHING CAROUSEL
Florio: “We know one of the big names Jim Harbaugh, last year he was interested in the Chargers job, and it wasn’t open. This year he is reportedly meeting with the Chargers and other NFL teams looking for new coaches. Then there is Bill Belichick, hovering over everything. Atlanta is believed to be very interested, but the only question is if the interest is mutual.”
Florio on Eagles’ head coach Nick Sirianni: “If you talk to enough people around the league, there’s something to see here. There is something going on and if they lose Monday night with the better team in Tampa Bay…Bill Belichick is out there, just something to keep an eye on.”
-- Football Night in America --
