Eight days from the start of the season; 21 years since 911; Glimpse at NFL’s TV season

A quick look at the NFL’s first Week.

• At CBS’ Zoom produced media press conference yesterday, Jim Nantz said yesterday and cautiously so that he liked the Los Angeles Chargers.

• Jim’s high on the AFC West, particularly the LA Chargers and KC Chiefs. He suggests that they’re about to explode. He might be accurate but it’s also a convenient thought. The AFC West is CBS’ territory. Yes, the two LA clubs and potentially, ignitable Denver and the Raiders are in playoff contention.

• The praise of the CBS broadcasters still fill Bill Belichick’s ego, not that he doesn’t deserve it.

• The analysts were not as high on Russell Wilson. A bit of hesitation from a lip or two. Analysts peg the Broncos at the boundary line of the top third after his move to Denver.

• Howie Deneroff, the executive producer of Westwood One’s Super Bowl broadcasts and the company’s executive producer is back for yet another season. He’s been there forever. Howie puts his heart into play-by-play programming from the NFL to the NCAA Tournament, college football and more. He has a loyal staff there as well. Kevin Harlan is a fabulous voice for radio, enrapturing and on the money.

Yes, another unpredictable season. And it starts, a week from tomorrow. The network voices have turned topsy-turvy. We hope to dig into it next week.

Thu 9/8

Buffalo-LA Rams (8:20, NBC): Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth

Sun 9/11

New Orleans-Atlanta (1, FOX): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma

Cleveland-Carolina (1, CBS): Spero Dedes, Jay Feely

San Francisco-Chicago (1, FOX): Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston

Pittsburgh-Cincinnati (1, CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis

Philadelphia-Detroit (1, FOX): Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth

Indianapolis-Houston (1, FOX): Tom McCarthy, Tiki Barber

New England-Miami (1, CBS): Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta

Baltimore-NY Jets (1, CBS): Andrew Catalon, James Lofton

Jacksonville-Washington (1, FOX): Chris Myers, Robert Smith

NY Giants-Tennessee (4:25, FOX): Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez

Kansas City-Arizona (4:25, CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo

Las Vegas-LA Chargers (4:25, CBS): Kevin Harlan, Trent Green

Green Bay-Minnesota (4:25, FOX): Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen

Tampa Bay-Dallas (8:20, NBC): Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth

Mon 9/12

Denver-Seattle (8:15, ESPN): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman