The CBS Television Network, home of Super Bowl XLVII, continues its 53^rd year broadcasting the NFL with coverage of THE NFL ON CBS on Sunday, Dec. 9 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s one-hour studio show (12:00 NOON-1:00 PM, ET), live from THE NFL TODAY studio in New York City.

       THE NFL ON CBS lead announce team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms call the action live from the San Diego Chargers-Pittsburgh Steelers game from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pa.  Lance Barrow is the coordinating producer and lead game producer and Mike Arnold is the lead game director.

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

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PHIL SIMMS

(On Ben Roethlisberger’s return): It’s always a good thing when you get back one of the best players in the NFL. Ben Roethlisberger is not only one of the best quarterbacks, but one of the best players, in the NFL.  Having him back changes the mindset of all the players and gives them confidence.  It gives the coaches confidence in what they’re trying to do in calling and designing plays.  The one thing about Ben Roethlisberger that people don’t pay enough attention to is that he’s a terrific thrower of the football. When there’s a play to be made by throwing it down the field, he makes it. It always gets lost when people talk about these quarterbacks in the NFL.  He may not put up the numbers of Drew Brees or Tom Brady, but he takes advantage of every opportunity that’s presented to him.  It will be interesting to see how the Steelers are emotionally after the great victory they had against the Baltimore Ravens last week.  The verbal beating that Charlie Batch took during the week by everybody in the business was strong.  That’s the best word I can say for it.  For him to play the way he did, against that team and that rivalry down in Baltimore, was special.  I’m not going to overstate it, but it could be a huge part of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season. The fact that he went down and won that game – it’s what could’ve saved the season. It gives them a better chance of getting to the playoffs.  If a team like the Steelers get into the playoffs, you never know what can happen. We know that because of all the success of teams that have gone in as wild cards over the last few years.

DAN DIERDORF

(On San Francisco’s quarterback situation): The only reason it’s hard for me to criticize this situation is because the guy making the decision played quarterback in the National Football League for 15 years.  If anyone would have an appreciation for the delicacy of handling this, you would think it would be a guy like Jim Harbaugh with his vast amount of experience.  Jim Harbaugh is a tough guy who played for some tough coaches.  I’m assuming he is one of those guys that isn’t all that concerned about the “delicate psyche” of a quarterback.  He is the guy that sees every snap in practice.  He has seen every snap that Colin Kaepernick has taken since he got to the 49ers last year.  He sees something that is telling him, "This is the quarterback of the future for the 49ers."  And he is going to roll with it.  If this decision was made by anybody other than someone who has played quarterback for his entire life, and played it very well, it would be ripe for second-guessing.  But Jim Harbaugh gets the benefit of the doubt because of his background.  The 49ers know they have two guys that can play quarterback in this league.  Some teams don’t have one.    

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Following are THE NFL ON CBS assignments for Week 14 and Week 15 (subject to change).

WEEK 14 – Dec. 9

GAME                                    PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST            PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

1:00 PM, ET starts:              

·Baltimore @ Washington        Marv Albert/Rich Gannon               Ross Schneiderman/Andy Goldberg

·Kansas City @ Cleveland        Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker             Victor Frank/Chris Svendsen

·San Diego @ Pittsburgh          Jim Nantz/Phil Simms                  Lance Barrow/Mike Arnold

·Tennessee @ Indianapolis       Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts                     Bob Mansbach/Suzanne Smith

·N.Y. Jets @ Jacksonville         Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots       Jim Rikhoff/Mark Grant

4:00 PM, ET starts:

·Miami @ San Francisco         Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf             Mark Wolff/Bob Fishman

WEEK 15 – Dec. 16 – CBS DOUBLEHEADER

GAME                                    PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST            PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

1:00 PM, ET starts:              

·Jacksonville @ Miami             Marv Albert/Rich Gannon               Ross Schneiderman/Andy Goldberg

·Denver @ Baltimore                Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf             Mark Wolff/Bob Fishman

·Indianapolis @ Houston           Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts                     Bob Mansbach/Suzanne Smith

4:25 PM, ET starts:

·Pittsburgh @ Dallas                Jim Nantz/Phil Simms                  Lance Barrow/Mike Arnold

·Kansas @ Oakland                 Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots      Jim Rikhoff/Mark Grant

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Follow CBS Sports on Twitter: @CBSSportsGang and @NFLonCBS, #CBSSuperBowl

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