If you’re anything like me, the voice in the booth matters almost as much as the game on the field. You know that feeling when you flip to the game and hear Kevin Harlan’s electric energy? Instant vibe shift. Week 9 of the 2024 season wasn't just another slate of games; it was a massive week for the networks. We had heavy hitters like the Lions and Packers squaring off, which meant the "A-Teams" were out in full force.
Week 9 kicked off with a Halloween treat (or trick, depending on if you're a Jets fan) on Thursday night. Since we're looking back at the nfl announcers week 9 2024 lineup, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of who was behind the mic for every single matchup. Honestly, the broadcast pairings this year have been wild, especially with Tom Brady finding his rhythm over at FOX.
The Big Primetime Slots
Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime Video stayed consistent. We had the legendary Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit calling the Texans at the Jets. It’s funny—Michaels gets some flak for being "low energy" lately, but he still has that classic big-game feel. Kaylee Hartung was down on the sidelines as usual.
Sunday Night Football featured a cross-conference matchup with the Colts visiting the Vikings. Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth handled the duties for NBC. Love him or hate him, Collinsworth’s "Now here’s a guy" energy is basically a staple of Sunday nights at this point.
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Then we had the Monday Night finale. The Buccaneers took on the Chiefs, and of course, Joe Buck and Troy Aikman were the voices for ESPN/ABC. They’ve been together so long they basically finish each other’s sentences now.
FOX Doubleheader and the Brady Factor
FOX had the doubleheader in Week 9, and they didn't hold back. The massive Detroit vs. Green Bay game at 4:25 PM ET was the crown jewel. This meant Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady were in the booth, with Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi on the sidelines. Brady’s analysis has actually gotten a lot more "tell-it-like-it-is" as the season has progressed, which is refreshing.
Here is how the rest of the FOX slate looked:
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- Dallas at Atlanta (1:00 PM ET): Adam Amin and Greg Olsen. This was actually a great pairing for a game that felt like a "must-win" for both teams.
- Las Vegas at Cincinnati (1:00 PM ET): Kevin Kugler and Daryl Johnston.
- Washington at New York Giants (1:00 PM ET): Chris Myers and Mark Sanchez. The "Sanchise" always brings a different perspective on QB play.
- New England at Tennessee (1:00 PM ET): Jason Benetti and Mark Schlereth.
- LA Rams at Seattle (4:25 PM ET): Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma.
CBS Coverage: Nantz, Romo, and Company
CBS had some sneaky-good games in the early window. The main attraction was Denver at Baltimore. When the Ravens are on CBS, you can almost guarantee you're getting the top crew. Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, and Tracy Wolfson were on the call for that one. Romo is still doing his "prediction" thing, though he’s toned it down a bit compared to a couple of years ago.
The rest of the CBS Week 9 lineup:
- Miami at Buffalo (1:00 PM ET): This was the Kevin Harlan game! He was joined by Trent Green and Melanie Collins. If you’ve never listened to a Harlan broadcast, you’re missing out on the best "radio-style" play-by-play in the business.
- LA Chargers at Cleveland (1:00 PM ET): Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta.
- New Orleans at Carolina (1:00 PM ET): Tom McCarthy and Jay Feely.
- Jacksonville at Philadelphia (4:05 PM ET): Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, and Jason McCourty. This was an interesting "three-man" booth setup.
- Chicago at Arizona (4:05 PM ET): Ian Eagle and Charles Davis. Ian Eagle is probably the most underrated "A-tier" guy in the league right now.
Why the Week 9 Lineup Stood Out
Broadcasting assignments aren't just random. They tell you exactly what the networks think about the teams. The fact that the nfl announcers week 9 2024 schedule put Brady on the Lions/Packers game shows that Detroit has officially arrived as a "national" draw.
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Also, look at the CBS late window. Putting Ian Eagle on the Bears/Cardinals game instead of a "lower" crew meant they expected Caleb Williams to be a huge ratings mover. It’s all a chess match. Networks fight over these windows because of the advertising dollars tied to specific announcer "prestige."
How to Find Your Favorite Announcers Next Time
If you’re ever trying to track down who is calling your game before kickoff, there are a few reliable ways to do it. Honestly, just checking the 506 Sports maps on Wednesday or Thursday of each week is the gold standard. They show the coverage maps so you know if you're actually getting the game you want in your local market.
You can also follow the network PR accounts on X (formerly Twitter). Both @NFLonFOX and @CBSSportsGang usually drop their full crews by Tuesday afternoon.
Keep an eye on the "bye week" schedule too. In Week 9, the Steelers and 49ers were off. This usually means some of the "B-teams" for the networks get the week off as well, or they get shuffled around to different games.
For the rest of the 2024 season, look for the lead crews to stay fairly locked into the divisional leaders. As we head toward the playoffs, you’ll be seeing a lot more of Nantz and Burkhardt.