Jim Rome Makes Special Appearance Via Satellite;

Legendary Aerosmith Rocker Steven Tyler Performs National Anthem

          THE NFL ON CBS, celebrating its 52^nd year broadcasting the NFL, travels to Foxborough, Mass. for the 2012 American Football Conference Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 22 (3:00 PM, ET) as the AFC North Champions and #2-seeded BALTIMORE RAVENS (13-4) take on the AFC East Champions and #1-seeded NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (14-3) live on the CBS Television Network. 

         CBS Sports’ coverage of the AFC Championship Game begins with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s pre-game studio show, on Sunday (2:00 PM, ET) with host James Brown and analysts Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, as well as NFL TODAY “General Manager” Charley Casserly and Lesley Visser, reporting live from THE NFL TODAY studio at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.

        THE NFL TODAY’s Dan Marino has a quarterback-to-quarterback chat with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady as he prepares to face the Baltimore Ravens and their vaunted defense.  After six lean non-Super Bowl-winning seasons (including a three-game postseason losing streak), Brady served notice last Saturday night that New England was back with a vengeance.  Now, 10 years after winning his first Super Bowl, Brady is two wins away from capturing his fourth Super Bowl ring.  Deb Gelman is the producer.

        Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and former Super Bowl teammate, THE NFL TODAY’s Shannon Sharpe, reunite to discuss the challenge of stopping Tom Brady and his high-scoring Patriots' offense.  Considered one of the greatest defensive players of all-time, Lewis has been the heart and soul of the Baltimore defense for the past 16 seasons. Back in the 2000 season, Lewis was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year and led the Ravens to victory in Super Bowl XXXV earning MVP honors.  Now, he's within two victories of capping his career with a second ring.  Jeff St. Arromand is the producer.

       Thirty years ago, San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana connected with wide receiver Dwight Clark for what has become known in NFL lore as “The Catch.”  Last Saturday, the latest 49ers’ quarterback, Alex Smith, connected with tight end Vernon Davis for the game-winning, 14-yard touchdown with nine seconds remaining that was immediately dubbed “The Catch III” by Bay Area fans.  The play propelled the 49ers back into the NFC Championship Game for the first time in 14 years.  It also put Davis into the NFL record books for most receiving yards (180) by a tight end in pos-tseason history.  THE NFL TODAY’s Lesley Visser sits down with the Pro Bowl Tight End as he and his fellow 49ers prepare to host the New York Giants. Charlie Bloom is the producer.

       In addition, Jim Rome will be a special guest from Los Angeles offering his unique perspective on the NFL Playoffs.  Rome, who joins CBS, will launch ROME on the CBS Sports Network in addition to hosting a news sports and entertainment series on SHOWTIME and contributing to CBS Sports.

      THE NFL ON CBS’s lead announce team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms will report live from Foxborough on the AFC Championship Game.   Visser will be live in San Francisco with the latest on the NFC Championship Game.

      Legendary Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler will perform the National Anthem, while halftime will include the announcement of the three finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.  The presentation of the Lamar Hunt Trophy to the AFC Champions will be conducted live following the game.

      Eric Mann is senior producer and Bob Matina is director of THE NFL TODAY.

            Sean McManus is Chairman, CBS Sports and serves as executive producer for the Network’s coverage of THE NFL ON CBS.  Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

* * * * *

CBS Sports Contacts:  Jen Sabatelle              212-975-4120               jsabatelle@cbs.com

                                  Robin Brendle              212-975-1533              rlbrendle@cbs.com

                                  Jerry Caraccioli            212-975-7466              gwcaraccioli@cbs.com