Week #17 of #18: Decision time; TV geographic splits to accommodate regional races

• The penultimate weekend of the NFL season. All the league’s 32 teams will be in action.

• Fox has the doubleheader, CBS sails alone.

• Tight races, lots of teams still have opportunities.

• Eli Gold, deliberate and thick throated voice of the University of Alabama does Miami at Tennessee game on an ad-hoc radio network. Always liked his call. Doesn’t overdo it. I was surprised recently when he pegged Kevin Harlan as the best radio NFL voice today. You’re talking about two of the best. Well, Harlan has the same assignment Sunday, but for CBS TV.

• I always liked Tom Rinaldi. He can drill an interviewee so softly that the subject never knew what hit him or her. I just wish Tom would be used a bit more consistently.

• Mike Tirico is getting more preps prior to his expanded role next SNF season . He has Minnesota – Green Bay this New Year’s weekend. Kathryn Tappen and Cris Collinsworth join Tirico. The mystery behind Michele Tafoya’s absence is troubling. Maria Taylor came out of hiding last weekend. Look out.

• Need an update on the schedule check out Eye on Sky and Air Sports

• The 506 and its well known and convenient maps are always helpful and convenience

• NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will be the Mannings’ guest on ESPN’s MNF

NFL WEEKEND #17 SCHEDULE

Sunday, January 2

1 PM- Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals

CBS: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson

 45%, 146 stations

1 PM- Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans

CBS: Kevin Harlan, Trent Green, Melanie Collins               

 7%, 15 stations

1 PM- Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots

CBS: Andrew Catalon, James Lofton, Sherree Burruss

 7%, 12 stations

1 PM- New York Giants at Chicago Bears

CBS: Spero Dedes, Jay Feely

12%, 16 stations

1 PM- Los Angeles Rams at Baltimore Ravens

FOX: Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olson, Pam Oliver 

55%, 142 stations

1 PM- Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Football Team

FOX: Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth, Shannon Spake

18%, 11 stations

1 PM- Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts

FOX: Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma, Sara Walsh

10%, 22 stations

1 PM- Atlanta Falcons at Buffalo Bills

FOX: Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez, Laura Okmin

7%, 21 stations

1 PM- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets

FOX: Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston, Jennifer Hale

16%, 16 stations

4:05 PM- Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers

CBS: Ian Eagle, Charles Davis, Evan Washburn

16%, 37 stations

4:05 PM- Houston Texans at San Francisco 49ers

CBS: Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta, AJ Ross

13%, 14 stations

4:25 PM- Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys

FOX: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi

85%, 172 stations

4:25 PM- Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks

FOX: Gus Johnson, Aqib Talib, Megan Olivi

8%, 24 stations

4:25 PM- Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints

FOX: Brandon Gaudin, Matt Millen

6%, 16 stations

Sunday, January 2 – Sunday Night

8:20 PM- Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers

NBC, Peacock: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Kathryn Tappen 

100% of U.S.

Monday, January 3

7 PM- Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers

ESPN, ESPN+: Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, Laura Rutledge 

83 Million subscribers

CBS

FOX EARLY