JUST IN: Al Michaels will not be handling the play-by-play duties for an NFL playoff game on NBC this season.
For the first time since NBC resumed televising the NFL in 2006, Al Michaels will not be providing commentary for an NFL playoff game. NBC, as confirmed to The Associated Press, acknowledged that Michaels will not be part of the playoff coverage. This information was initially reported by the New York Post.
Michaels, 79, served as the voice of “Sunday Night Football” from 2006 to 2021, departing for Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday night package after his contract concluded. Over his illustrious career, he has called 11 Super Bowls, including five for NBC.
Al Michaels retained the position of announcer emeritus at NBC, and last year, he fulfilled this role by calling an AFC wild card game alongside analyst Tony Dungy. In that memorable game, the Jacksonville Jaguars staged a remarkable comeback, overcoming a 27-point deficit in the first half to secure a 31-30 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
During the upcoming wild card round from January 14 to 16, NBC has three games scheduled, with one available for streaming on Peacock. The Sunday night broadcast will feature the team of Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth handling two games, while Noah Eagle and Todd Blackledge will be responsible for the third game. Additionally, Eagle and Blackledge, who recently completed their inaugural season working together on Big Ten games for NBC, will also be calling the Saturday matchup between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.
