Heading into Saturday’s and Sunday’s doubleheaders, the NFC and AFC title games lurk next weekend

2023 NFL Divisional Weekend TV & National Radio Schedule below

Notes first:

• Game one Saturday on network radio in Kansas City is assigned to Kevin Harlan. He is right there, among the Avant-Garde. A radio picture painter among artists. Harlan does TV as you know of both football and basketball on television for Westwood radio. It’s father and daughter Olivia this weekend from hometown of Kansas City.

• Greg Olsen sounds sufficient among younger and promising staffers. Eager to get a gig, he did, at Fox, while hungry and prepped. Meanwhile, Tom Brady gripped the analytics’ job from Greg, unseating many millions of Fox’ dough. Perhaps as early as next season if he hangs up the cleats. Tom will do as he wishes and can begin as early as next fall. Fox has the next Super Bowl in February in Arizona. A little preview from Brady on-air? There’s always the unknown.

• Mike Tirico will get to do his biggest game yet. He’s confident enough by now. Lots of focus on others like Brady gives Tirico time to breathe.

• Melissa Stark who now works on NBC with Tirico and Collinsworth took over for veteran, Michelle Tafoya last September on the sideline. The rumblings at NBC were at first over Kathryn Tappen, 42, who was strongly rumored to get Tafoya’s assignment. It didn’t eventuate. Tappen is likely to commit to college sports.

• For the Fox execs, who ran Olsen off top-stage and overpay Brady, it makes you wonder. Other than a publicity press release, how much does it matter?

• If 100% of sports fans know who Al Michaels is how many will know, 90% don’t know who Kevin Burkhardt is.

• Has Daryl Johnston ever taught you a thing about the NFL?

• You can count on Jim Nantz and Tony Romo to keep it gentlemanly throughout the Cincy-Buffalo CBSer. They’re like buddies chiming away. CBS’ CEO Sean McManus’ best talent has been Romo, neatly trained by Nantz.

• Tracy Wolfson brings a smile, a code of commitment and a sign of humility every Sunday.

• Jay Feely has little respect for his cohorts. He was a kicker with little else to share. What in the world is he doing part of this important broadcast? Give James Lofton a shot; overt and depth

• Gene Steratore, 59, the ex-ref is perfectly placed. He’s immediately on the rules for both football and basketball. I believe he and his brother are co-owners of Steratore Sanitary Supply in Washington, Pennsylvania. It’s called meals on the table.

• Some of the better local play-by-players  who’ll call games locally this weekend are:

Merrill Reese (closing on 50 years in Philly), Brad Sham (decades with Cowboys), Greg Papa (SF 49ers), (an institution in Bay Area), Dan Hoard (Bengals and U/Cincy) Mitch Holthus (Chiefs)