ESPN NFL Content Update – Week 11

Mac Nwulu

November 16, 2017

Sunday NFL Countdown: The Butt-Fumble, Todd Gurley Hurdles, Ricardo Benitez – No Excuses
Matt Ryan Leads Falcons Against Russell Wilson and Seahawks on Monday Night Football
Monday Night Countdown: Tailgate Show in Seattle, Russell Wilson Chalk Talk, Michael Bennett Helps Seattle Teenagers

Sunday NFL Countdown (Nov. 19, 10 a.m. ET)

Sam Ponder and analysts Matt Hasselbeck, Randy Moss, Rex Ryan and Charles Woodson will preview the NFL’s week 11 games. NFL Insiders Chris Mortensen, Louis Riddick and Adam Schefter, and senior fantasy sports analyst Matthew Berry will also be featured.

Mexico City-based reporter, host and commentator Sergio Dipp of ESPN Deportes will make his Sunday NFL Countdown debut, reporting live from Estadio Azteca, site of the New England Patriots-Oakland Raiders game in Mexico.

Reporter assignments:

Ravens at Packers (Josina Anderson)
Rams at Vikings (Jeff Darlington)
Redskins at Saints (Dianna Russini)
Patriots at Raiders in Mexico City (Sergio Dipp)
Eagles at Cowboys (Sal Paolantonio/Jim Trotter)

Features:

The Butt-Fumble: Leading up to the fifth anniversary of the “Butt Fumble,” Countdown looks back at the memorable play through the eyes of then Jets head coach Rex Ryan, Patriots safety Steve Gregory, who recovered the fumble and ran it back for a touchdown, as well as New York media who covered the game, including Manish Mehta, Tom Biersdorfer and Mike Matvey of the New York Daily News, as well as Harrison Goodman and Dave Blezow of the New York Post.
Todd Gurley Hurdles: Todd Gurley has the special ability to hurdle opposing defensive backs in the open field. ESPN’s Keyshawn Johnson visits with the Los Angeles Rams running back who explains how he developed the skill as a world-class hurdler and sprinter at Tarboro (N.C.) High School.
Ricardo Benitez – No Excuses: Jen Lada profiles 17-year-old Ricardo Benitez, who was born without femurs (thigh bones) but has overcome the birth defect to become a senior wide receiver at Plano West (Texas) High School. Standing 4 feet 2 inches, Benitez’s perseverance has inspired his favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys, and he was recently invited by head coach Jason Garrett to address the team.
NFL Films – 1963 Life Magazine: On November 22, 1963, Life Magazine’s plan to feature Roger Staubach on its cover was scuttled following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, leaving behind millions of magazine covers that became a collectors’ item. Louis Riddick narrates.

Monday Night Football (Nov. 20, 8:15 p.m. ET)

2016 NFL MVP Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons visit Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks – a rematch of last year’s NFC divisional playoff game – on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. The MNF commentator team of play-by-play voice Sean McDonough, analyst Jon Gruden and sideline reporter Lisa Salters will call the action from CenturyLink Field in Seattle. The Seahawks (6-3) have won their last 11 MNF games. Both teams are vying for the playoffs in the NFC.

MNF will also be streamed live on the ESPN App and televised in Spanish on ESPN Deportes with commentators Alvaro Martin, Raul Allegre and John Sutcliffe.

ESPN NFL shows leading into the week 11 NFL games:

Date	Time (ET)	Show	Network
Sunday, Nov. 19	4 and 6:30 a.m.	NFL Matchup	ESPN
	10 a.m.	Sunday NFL Countdown	ESPN
	10 a.m.	Fantasy Football Now	ESPN2
Monday, Nov. 20	1:30 p.m.	NFL PrimeTime	ESPN
	2:30 p.m.	The Fantasy Show	ESPN
	3 p.m.	NFL Live	ESPN
	6 p.m.	Monday Night Countdown	ESPN

Monday Night Countdown (Nov. 20, 6 p.m. ET)

Prior to Falcons-Seahawks, Suzy Kolber will host Monday Night Countdown with NFL analysts Matt Hasselbeck, Randy Moss, Charles Woodson and Steve Young from Seattle’s CenturyLink Field. The first 75 minutes of the show will be live from outside the stadium (on Occidental Avenue) as the ESPN crew tailgates with fans similar to previous shows in Kansas City and Green Bay. Bristol, Conn.-based insiders Chris Mortensen, Louis Riddick and Adam Schefter, senior fantasy sports analyst Matthew Berry and the MNF commentators will also contribute.

Two captains of Discovery Channel’s popular documentary series Deadliest Catch – Jake Anderson and Keith Colburn – will join the show as special guests. Highlights:

Gruden’s Chalk Talk with Russell Wilson: Super Bowl-winning coach and MNF analyst Jon Gruden sits for a conversation with Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
Michael Bennett: Michael Bennett has been outspoken on social injustice and criminal justice reform. One way the Seahawks defensive end makes an impact in the community is through regular visits to the King County Youth Detention Center in Seattle, where he spends time with teenagers who have committed violent crimes. One way he has connected with them is by building an urban farm in the facility, reports Michelle Beisner-Buck.
Boomer’s Vault: Under former head coach Jack Patera, the Seahawks were known for their wide-open offense and penchant for trick plays. In this week’s Boomer’s Vault, Chris Berman looks back at the Seahawks first MNF game – a 31-28 win over the Falcons on October 29, 1979 – and other Seattle games in that era that featured gadget plays, fake punts and field goals.

ESPN Radio: Doubleheader Sunday – Rams at Vikings and Bengals at Broncos

ESPN Radio continues its weekly 2017 NFL schedule on Sunday, Nov. 19, with a doubleheader – Los Angeles Rams at Minnesota Vikings (noon), followed by Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos (4 p.m.). Adam Amin, Bill Polian and reporter Jeff Darlington will call the early game, followed by Marc Kestecher and Willie Colon in Denver.

ESPN Digital: