I watched the Monday night football game last night and then noticed the commentators were just talking among themselves rather than describing what was happening on the field. It was like I was sitting in on them watching the game on tv. Maybe this only happens in games that are a snooze, or is it the announcers' attention span is shorter than their audience?

    Ringoblack

    You mean Monday night? Chiefs vs Broncos?

    Usually Sean McDonough and Jon Gruden do the play-by-play telecast. Although not a huge fan of McDonough and Gruden - they aren't the worst. This game was, for the most part, an absolute snooze fest. Trevor Siemian has 10 touchdowns versus 9 interceptions through 7 games, with a 76.8 QBR. Their defense isn't near as great as it used to be, and they've managed only one lone win against an above .500 team through 7 games this season.

    I think Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth (NBC) do a much better job. Collinsworth (imo) is the best tv analyst in the business.

    Not a huge fan of Nantz, although Romo has helped the CBS telecasts somewhat.

    Off topic a bit... looks like there's more layoffs coming at ESPN. Not sure anyone at the network feels safe, given the lopsided direction they seem hellbent on maintaining. ESPN has never been more irrelevant in sports imo... Fox Sports is kicking their asses. And then some.

    http://awfulannouncing.com/espn/espn-staffers-reportedly-bracing-layoffs-later-year.html

        Errrr......yes, Monday night, my mistake🤔

        Yes, it's all become about the announcers rather than the game. I may be crossing over to blasphemous for some of you but I'm also sick of whole shows devoted to fantasy football. Screw individual achievements over team play...

          PA-PLAYA Collinsworth is a good analyst, but the question is about play-by-play. I agree, in general, that play-by-play announcing has gone significantly downhill over the past 20 years or so. Al Michaels may be as good as anybody, but that's not saying much.

              rsvman

              I don't disagree. I would much rather mute my television and listen to Merril Reese and Mike Quick on the local radio broadcast during the Eagles games than listen to the broadcast via television. They have much more insight than the national broadcasters via televised network games.

              Very few sports these days, especially golf, have must-hear television commentators for sports. I do hold Michaels and Collinsworth above all the rest, but they're still running second fiddle to the local radio broadcast imo.