Sunday NFL Countdown and NFL Matchup: Dec. 30

December 27, 2007 -- Sunday NFL Countdown Presented by IBM featuring Chris Berman, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson and Emmitt Smith will preview all the day’s NFL games Sunday at 11 a.m. ET. Chris Mortensen will provide headlines and league news, and Steve Young will contribute his weekly Sunday opinion segment, “Young is Restless.”

The pre-game show will include reports from Ed Werder in FedEx Field for the Cowboys at Redskins game and Bob Holtzman reporting from Indianapolis for the Titans at Colts. Planned features:

The Patriots Perfect Season?

Berman will serve up highlights of Saturday’s Patriots at Giants game with post-game analysis by Ditka, Johnson, Jackson and Smith as they discuss the impressiveness of New England’s season. The team will also discuss the likelihood of the New England Patriots remaining perfect in the playoffs.

The Art of Play-Action

The play-action fake – what are the key elements to it and what are the common characteristics of quarterbacks who do it well? Some say it’s all about the “slight of hand” or that some quarterbacks are part-magician in fooling the defense to think it’s a run play as opposed to a pass play. The crew looks back at those players and coaches in the NFL who have done it and coached it best, as well as asks many players in today’s NFL to discuss the fine art of play-action. Greg Garber reports.

Demonstration: How the Best Quarterbacks use Play-Action

Coincidentally, the best quarterbacks in the NFL today, are also the best examples of good play-action fakers. The crew heads to the demo field to break down how Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Brett Favre have all mastered the art of play-action.

Mayne Event: A History Lesson?

With the Patriots’ pursuit of perfection on the line, Kenny Mayne makes a trip to Giants Stadium on Saturday night for a front-row view of the game in the tongue-in-cheek “Mayne Event.” However, Mayne’s idea of history may be different than most.

2007 Year in Review

It has been a historical year in the NFL, beginning with Tony Dungy becoming the first African-American head coach to win a Super Bowl and ending with the New England Patriots attempt to become the first perfect-season team since the 1972 Dolphins. Re-live all the plays, sounds and special moments as Sunday NFL Countdown presents the “Images of 2007.”

“Takin' It To The House”

When the year began, 10-year-old Jason Krause was just a football fan from Chicago living a quiet, unassuming life. But, at year’s end, Jason has become an NFL pre-game show staple – whether it’s been questioning Jon Kitna’s 10-win “guarantee,” giving out quarterly report cards or dressing up as Coach Ditka for Halloween - he offered a unique take on the NFL each week. Krause reflects on his year and all the things he’ll remember from an entire season of “Takin’ It to the House.”

Start 'Em or Sit 'Em

ESPN.com fantasy expert Matthew Berry takes questions from fantasy players across the globe posted by fans on www.espn.go.com/sundaycountdown in “Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em” and will also preview weekly trends and sleepers for Week 17.

Berman, Ditka, Jackson, Johnson and Smith will pick the biggest games of the day and tell fans which players will make the biggest impact in NFL’s Week 17 action.

STATE FARM NFL MATCHUP, SUNDAY, 3 A.M. AND 8:30 A.M. ON ESPN

State Farm NFL Matchup (Sundays at 3 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.) with host Sal Paolantonio and analysts Ron Jaworski and Merril Hoge will preview week 17 of the NFL season by bringing viewers inside the film room. The 30-minute X’s and O’s program – taped each week at NFL Films in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey – highlights team strategy and game planning. This week’s features:

New England Patriots

No team has solved the Patriots offense in 2007, and Jaworski doesn’t see any indication of New England slowing down this season with Tom Brady as their quarterback. He pulls out his Playbook and points out a play where Brady recognizes a brand new defensive coverage designed to stop the Patriots – and foils it.

Titans @ Colts

The Titans can run the ball and play solid defense, but won’t be able to compete in the AFC unless they can win through their passing game. Jaworski reveals how the Titans must manufacture big plays with their passing game to become an elite team and win against the Colts.

49ers @ Browns

The Browns need a Titans loss to make the playoffs, and if they get that chance in January their defense must continue to improve. Hoge illustrates how the Browns have become a contender because of their increasingly aggressive defensive approach and the strategy they will use against the 49ers.

Cowboys @ Redskins

Quarterback Todd Collins is playing like a seasoned veteran for the Redskins, with a coach that has won three Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks. Head coach Joe Gibbs knows how to cater his offense to any quarterback’s abilities and Hoge highlights how Gibbs has created successful throwing situations for his newest quarterback as he prepares to face Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys.

Steelers @ Ravens

To be a championship football team, you need to have structure. While Ben Roethlisberger is known for his improvisational skills, the Steelers offense is at its best when every player stays within its design. Jaworski displays how Roethlisberger must stay disciplined against the Ravens for the Steelers to end up where they want to come February.

Chargers @ Raiders

Chargers running back Ladainian Tomlinson is having a sub-par year by his standards, yet he still leads the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. Hoge presents how the design of the Chargers’ running game has evolved this season, and what it must do against the Oakland Raiders to continue into the playoffs.

Vikings @ Broncos

The Minnesota Vikings running game has stalled in recent weeks, and now Minnesota is on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. Hoge breaks down how defending teams have been containing Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, and forcing the Vikings to summon wins with their inconsistent passing game. He’ll also show what the Vikings will be up against as they prepare to face the AFC’s Broncos.

Quick Hits:

San Francisco 49ers: 49ers rookie linebacker Patrick Willis proves himself on the field with a play that takes out a tight end before batting down what would have been a sure touchdown pass.

Philadelphia Eagles: After a tough season, the Eagles didn’t make the playoffs and our analysts point out why. In this clip, defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley does more spinning and running than tackling, as he struggles to find the ball carrier.

Source: ESPN

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