The marquee matchup between Justin Herbert’s Chargers and Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs aside, Prime Video’s stellar broadcast has made TNF prime viewing for diehard and casual fans alike.
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The smart and savvy pregame and halftime
There’s a reason photogenic Fox veterans Charissa Thompson and Tony Gonzalez are on the left side of the desk. Their experience in presentation is a great balance to newcomers Ryan Fitzpatrick, Andrew Whitworth and Richard Sherman. It doesn’t take a Harvard or Stanford education to know those four former NFL players are four of the most intelligent modern players.
Fitzpatrick and Sherman have different personalities but mesh well together on the right side with the venerable Whitworth in between. They all provide articulate commentary with some humor but no hot takes. The only regret is that Aqib Talib, due to personal reasons, couldn’t bring his fresh spin to the set.
The big-game opening and majestic music
Back in the day, the late Pat Summerall was the best at setting the stage for big NFL games on CBS. Michaels, when “MNF” was an ABC fixture, had that kind of support in hyping games from the late Frank Gifford.
From setting the stage to Kansas City to the part-animated titles to introduce the game itself, there was justice done for the exciting spectacle to come featuring AFC West Super Bowl contenders with elite quarterbacks.
The return of a underrated reporting star
Michaels and Herbstreit couldn’t have asked for better seasoned support and Hartung ensures the quality on the field matches what is upstairs.
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Anyone still stuck in traditional broadcast ways may not like it, but Roger Goodell and the NFL had to take the next step to start delivering national games OTT. For those familiar with Prime Video, it was hard to miss the big banner that made the game just a click away.
The amazing picture quality, even with no 4K
For those who appreciate 1080p — also known as full high definition — were rewarded with a crystal-clear streaming experience. The camera work and production value were clean and bright, helped by the right mix of vibrant colors from the Chiefs and Chargers’ uniforms. The graphics also were easy to grasp without overwhelming data.
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