You hear that theme music—the Carrie Underwood anthem or that iconic John Williams score—and you just know. It's Sunday night. The weekend is basically over, but the biggest game of the week is just starting. For over a decade, that feeling was tied to two specific voices. Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth. They were the soundtrack of the NFL. But things change. TV contracts get weird, people move networks, and suddenly you’re sitting on your couch wondering, "Wait, who is that?" It’s a fair question because the booth for who announced Sunday Night Football looks a lot different than it did a few years ago.
Honestly, the transition was a massive deal in the sports media world. When NBC Sports decided to shake things up, they didn't just pick names out of a hat. They promoted from within and leaned into a pair that has actually been working together in various capacities for a while.
The Main Team: Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth
The short answer to who is calling the game right now is Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth.
Tirico is the play-by-play guy. He’s the professional's professional. If you’ve watched the Olympics, the Masters, or even old Monday Night Football broadcasts from the ESPN days, you know his voice. He’s steady. He doesn't trip over his words. He has this way of making a 3-yard run sound important without over-hyping it. NBC brought him over from ESPN years ago specifically to be the heir apparent to Al Michaels. It took a while—Al didn't exactly want to leave—but Tirico is officially the "voice" of the franchise now.
Then you have Cris Collinsworth.
Love him or hate him, the "Collinsworth Slide" is legendary. He’s the color commentator, the guy who explains why the cornerback got beat or how the quarterback looked off the safety. He’s been in the NBC booth since 2009, when he took over for John Madden. That is a lot of history. He brings a high-energy, film-junkie vibe to the broadcast. Sometimes he obsesses over a specific player—usually a superstar like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen—and the internet goes wild with memes about it. But the guy knows ball. You can’t deny that.
💡 You might also like: Why Isn't Mbappe Playing Today: The Real Madrid Crisis Explained
Melissa Stark on the Sidelines
You can't talk about the broadcast team without mentioning Melissa Stark. She’s the one down on the field, usually braving the cold or the rain to get those 30-second injury updates or the quick halftime interview with a coach who clearly doesn't want to be talking. Stark replaced Michele Tafoya a couple of seasons back. It was actually a homecoming of sorts because Stark had a huge run on Monday Night Football back in the early 2000s. She’s sharp, she knows when to push a coach for a real answer, and she fits the polished NBC "big event" aesthetic perfectly.
Why Al Michaels Left (and Where He Is Now)
So, what happened to Al? This is where people get confused. Al Michaels is arguably the greatest play-by-play announcer in the history of the league. "Do you believe in miracles?" Yeah, that was him. But TV is a business.
NBC wanted to transition to Tirico to ensure they had a long-term plan. Michaels eventually moved over to Amazon Prime Video to call Thursday Night Football. He still has an "Emeritus" role at NBC, meaning they bring him back for a playoff game or two, but his days as the every-week voice of Sunday night are over. It felt weird at first. Like seeing your teacher at the grocery store. But Tirico has grown into the role, and the chemistry with Collinsworth is much better now than it was during those awkward "guest" appearances Tirico used to make.
The "Second" Team: Big Games and Doubleheaders
Sometimes, the NFL schedule gets crazy. You might see a Sunday afternoon game on NBC, or a special Saturday doubleheader during the holidays. When that happens, Tirico and Collinsworth can’t be in two places at once.
In those cases, NBC usually taps their "B-Team." For a long time, this was Noah Eagle and Todd Blackledge. They’ve handled Big Ten Saturday Night games and have been tossed into the NFL fire a few times. Noah Eagle is actually the son of Ian Eagle (who does games for CBS), and he’s incredibly talented for his age. He has a faster, more modern pace than the older guards. Terry McAulay is usually the one they cut to in the booth for rules officiating. Terry's the guy who explains why a "catch" isn't actually a catch according to the 400-page rulebook.
📖 Related: Tottenham vs FC Barcelona: Why This Matchup Still Matters in 2026
How Sunday Night Football Became the #1 Show
It isn't just about the voices; it's about the production. Fred Gaudelli and Rob Hyland are the names you see in the credits that actually make the show work. Sunday Night Football has been the most-watched show on television for over a decade. That’s not just "sports" television—that’s all of television.
The league specifically picks the "best" game for this slot. It’s why the schedule is "flexible" starting around Week 5. If a team like the Giants or the Cowboys is playing like garbage, the NFL can actually swap that game out for a better matchup. This "flexing" ensures that whoever is announcing Sunday Night Football is talking about a game that actually matters.
People tune in for the spectacle. The sky-cam angles, the 4K resolution, and the crisp audio. If you have a decent sound system, you can hear the crunch of the pads. That’s intentional. NBC spends more on the technical side of this one game than some networks spend on an entire weekend of coverage.
What to Watch For Next Time
When you're watching this week, pay attention to how Tirico handles the "reset."
Every few minutes, a good announcer has to tell you the score, the quarter, and the situation. Tirico is a master at weaving that in without it feeling like he's reading a script. Also, keep an eye on Collinsworth's telestrator work. He uses that digital pen like an artist. He’ll circle a pulling guard and a linebacker at the same time to show you the "collision point." It's a level of detail you don't always get on the regional Sunday afternoon broadcasts.
👉 See also: Buddy Hield Sacramento Kings: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
If the game is a blowout, that's when you really see the skill of the announcers. When the score is 35-3 and it's the 4th quarter, they have to keep you from changing the channel. They start telling stories. They talk about the backup quarterback’s journey from a D-II school. They discuss playoff scenarios. It’s basically a three-hour podcast with a football game happening in the background.
Actionable Tips for the Best Viewing Experience
If you're a die-hard fan or just someone trying to win your fantasy league, here is how to get the most out of the broadcast:
- Listen for the "Ref-Mic": Terry McAulay is usually "on call" for every broadcast. If there is a controversial flag, don't just listen to the announcers—listen to what the retired ref says. He usually knows the ruling before the guys on the field even finish their huddle.
- Check the "Next Gen Stats": NBC integrates Amazon's Next Gen Stats into the broadcast. If you see a percentage on the screen like "Catch Probability: 12%," that's real-time data. It helps you realize just how insane some of these catches actually are.
- The Second Screen: If you find the TV commentary distracting, many fans now use the "SAP" feature or follow specific beat writers on X (formerly Twitter) during the game. But honestly, Tirico and Collinsworth are about as good as it gets in the modern era.
- Watch the Pre-Game: Football Night in America starts at 7:00 PM ET. It’s the highest-rated pre-game show for a reason. Maria Taylor leads a massive panel including Jason Garrett, Chris Simms, and Devin McCourty. It’s where you get the "why" behind the matchups before the main announcers take over.
The lineup of Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth is likely here to stay for a long time. They’ve built a rhythm that feels familiar. In a world where every streaming service is trying to buy a piece of the NFL, the consistency of the Sunday night booth is a rare thing. Whether you're there for the tactical analysis or just want something loud in the background while you fold laundry, those are the people guiding you through the night.
To keep up with any last-minute changes—like if an announcer gets sick or a special guest joins the booth—you can always check the official NBC Sports Pressbox site on the afternoon of the game. They post the full broadcast assignments including the producers and directors for every single "Big Event" game on the calendar.