49ers' Week 16 matchup with the Dolphins receives treatment it definitely does not deserve
Though both the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins are mathematically still in the playoff hunt, it is a long way from being one of the marquee matchups of Week 16. But is receiving the marquee treatment from CBS. Indeed, the game between two teams likely headed for elimination will be called by CBS' number […]
Though both the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins are mathematically still in the playoff hunt, it is a long way from being one of the marquee matchups of Week 16.
But is receiving the marquee treatment from CBS.
Indeed, the game between two teams likely headed for elimination will be called by CBS' number one broadcast team of Jim Nantz and Tony Romo.
It is a curious decision, one that owes partially to three of the week's best games being played before Sunday. The Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos open the week on Thursday Night Football, before the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers play on Saturday in a doubleheader on Fox and NBC respectively.
CBS' lineup of games for Sunday is uninspiring, though the argument can be made that the Los Angeles Rams' trip to face the New York Jets in the early window and the Buffalo Bills' game with the New England Patriots would both have been better options.
Those contests appear likely to be one-sided, but with the Rams in first place in the NFC West and the Bills in contention for the AFC one seed, there is much more riding on both.
By contrast, the Dolphins could be eliminated with a loss to the 49ers if the Chargers beat the Broncos, while San Francisco will be eliminated before kickoff if the Washington Commanders beat the Philadelphia Eagles and either the Rams or Arizona Cardinals claim victory in the early window. The Cardinals are facing the Carolina Panthers.
Still, CBS has elected for the game between the two glamor franchises who will almost certainly be watching the postseason from home.
There's still plenty to appeal given the number of stars on show and the second meeting between 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and his former assistant Mike McDaniel. In addition, should the 49ers lose, it may be fitting to have the broadcast team for the Super Bowl San Francisco was one play away from winning last season call the same franchise missing the playoffs.
Still, it's tough not to see the choice of announcers for this one as slightly odd.
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