The CBS Television Network continues its 51^st year broadcasting the NFL with coverage of THE NFL ON CBS on Sunday, Nov. 21 (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 from the Indianapolis Colts-New England Patriots game live from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.  Lance Barrow is the coordinating producer and lead game producer and Mike Arnold is the lead game director.

 

Throughout the 2010 season, THE NFL ON CBS will broadcast all of its games each week in HDTV, the highest definition television format - 1080i lines of picture resolution - along with 5.1 digital audio.

 

Sean McManus is President, CBS News and Sports, and serves as executive producer of CBS Sports' coverage of THE NFL ON CBS.  Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

 

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PHIL SIMMS

(On Tom Brady-Peyton Manning Rivalry): There is no doubt that it is personal between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. I was never as successful as either one of them, but even with my limited success I made it personal with many guys I played against.  I know others did against me.  That is part of the fun. 

 

(On Indianapolis vs. New England): There is no question the game this year is being looked at differently than it has in many, many years.  I don't think we can say for sure that they are two of the elite teams in the league like they have been for so long. They are two teams dealing with many issues and trying to win a few games and correct those issues as time goes on.  It hasn't turned into a race yet, but it's getting close.  The season is getting to the point now where it is time to start getting nervous.  This might be the first time I have seen Peyton Manning play without a tremendous supporting cast.  I was taught that you have to be able to drive the Cadillac and the rental car.  He has proven he can drive them all.

 

(On New England): I don't think I will ever again say that a team is not good enough to turn it around the following year. The Patriots have turned it around with their offense, and a big part of their team, basically overnight.  They are playing a little different style and, of course, have done a tremendous job with it.  Because of that, they are 7-2.  A player pointed out to me that it is all wonderful, said and done, but the big thing is they are doing it with Tom Brady, so don't think it's such a miracle. It's a good point. The owner, the general manager, the head coach and the quarterback still remain the same, so it is easy to make these transitions when you have that kind of stability at the top.

  

BILL COWHER

(On Tom Brady-Peyton Manning Rivalry): This is a rivalry unmatched by any others when you look at the success that New England and Indianapolis have had.  Both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning represent their teams and their franchises.  Their teams' success has been mirrored by the success of these two quarterbacks.  That, in and of itself, separates these two from any other duo in our recent history.  In today's game they both are clearly viewed as the best at their position.  When you look at them this year, their numbers are eerily similar.  They are two classic pocket-passers with great pocket presence. 

  

DAN DIERDORF:

(On Houston): Houston has this game and then they turn around and play Tennessee at home.  This two-game stretch versus the Jets this week and a huge South Divisional game with the Titans next week is really going to determine the rest of the season for the Houston Texans.  If they don't beat the Jets, all of a sudden they drop to 4-6 and could be looking at another .500 season at best.  There is going to be a certain amount of desperation on their part and they're a little banged up.  Defensively, when you're giving up over 400 yards/game in offense - clearly that is a terrible weakness and the Jets will try to exploit that.  Houston is a desperate team, and at the same time flawed.

 

(On Jets): When you're 7-2 there is not gross disappointment.  But they can't be pleased that both of their losses have come at home and in those two losses they've scored a total of nine points.  The Jets have two games at home in the span of five days, so they are really looking to re-establish their mojo at the New Meadowlands.  Their confidence has come with winning on the road, granted, not exactly against the two best teams in the league in Detroit and Cleveland, the past two weeks.  Though, Cleveland is certainly an up-and-comer.  But it's like golf - they don't ask how, they ask how many?  They're both Ws.  There are no style points awarded in the NFL.

 

(On Jets QB Mark Sanchez): After the disappointment of the opener against Baltimore and against Green Bay in Week 8, it seems like Mark Sanchez has really rebounded after facing some adversity.  Every time it looks as if he's hitting a wall, he's been able to pick himself up and play good football.  Brian Schottenheimer is calling the game differently now realizing Sanchez is doing things he wasn't doing before, like stretching the field and opening things up.  You can just see it.  If you're not impressed with the growth of Mark Sanchez, you don't know a great deal about football.

  

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Following are THE NFL ON CBS assignments for Week 11, Week 12 and Week 13 (subject to change).

 

WEEK 11 - Nov. 21

 

GAME                                    PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST             PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

1:00 PM, ET starts:              

·Baltimore @ Carolina              Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots             Jim Rikhoff/Bryan Lilley

·Houston @ N.Y. Jets              Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf                   Mark Wolff/Bob Fishman

·Buffalo @ Cincinnati                Gus Johnson/Steve Tasker                    Victor Frank/Mark Grant

·Oakland @ Pittsburgh             Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts                             Ross Schneiderman/Chris Svendsen

·Cleveland @ Jacksonville        Bill Macatee/Rich Gannon                     Bob Dekas/Andy Goldberg

 

4:15 PM, ET starts:

·Indianapolis @ New England  Jim Nantz/Phil Simms                            Lance Barrow/Mike Arnold

 

  

WEEK 12 - Nov. 25 (Thanksgiving Day)*

 

GAME                                    PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST             PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

12:30 PM, ET starts:

·New England @ Detroit*        Jim Nantz/Phil Simms                            Lance Barrow/Mike Arnold

  

WEEK 12 - Nov. 28

 

GAME                                    PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST             PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

1:00 PM, ET starts:              

·Jacksonville @ N.Y. Giants     Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf                   Mark Wolff/Bob Fishman

·Pittsburgh @ Buffalo                Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots             Jim Rikhoff/Bryan Lilley

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

 

4:00 PM, ET starts:

·Kansas City @ Seattle             Bill Macatee/Rich Gannon                     Bob Dekas/Andy Goldberg

·Miami @ Oakland                   Gus Johnson/Steve Tasker                    Victor Frank/Mark Grant

 

 

WEEK 13 - Dec. 5

 

GAME                                    PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST             PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

1:00 PM, ET starts:

·Buffalo @ Minnesota               Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots             Jim Rikhoff/Bryan Lilley

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

·Jacksonville @ Tennessee        Gus Johnson/Steve Tasker                    Victor Frank/Mark Grant

·Denver @ Kansas City            Ian Eagle/ Dan Fouts                            Bob Mansbach/Suzanne Smith

 

4:00 PM, ET starts:

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

 

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CBS Sports Contacts:  Robin Brendle              212/975-1533              rlbrendle@cbs.com

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