Michaels and Collinsworth both had unsuccessful moments trying to interpret replay reviewsTWITTER
NBC's Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth had some "strong moments" during their call of Super Bowl LII last night, but they also had some "baffling moments, especially Collinsworth," according to Alan Pergament of the BUFFALO NEWS. The pair were "at their best at the end of the first half, when the Eagles' trick play led to a fourth-down touchdown catch." However, they "weren't very good second-guessing the officials on whether two Eagles touchdown passes would stand or be overturned." In both cases, they "speculated the touchdowns wouldn't stand when they did." There is "no debating that Collinsworth has had better nights in his broadcasting career" (BUFFALO NEWS, 2/5). On Long Island, Neil Best writes the Eagles' fourth-down play for a touchdown was the "craziest moment in a crazy Super Bowl," and Michaels and Collinsworth "lived up to it." As the Eagles lined up on the play, Collinsworth said, "This is an unbelievable call. ... This could decide the game." Best: "Sure enough, it likely did." However, Collinsworth "got off to a strange start when he spent far too much of the Eagles' first drive talking about something called 'RPO' -- run-pass option -- without fully explaining it." He was also "out of sync with the officials when discussing a couple of catch/no-catch controversies" (NEWSDAY, 2/5). SPORTING NEWS' Michael McCarthy writes NBC's coverage "was crisp and smart," but Collinsworth "went on and on about officials upholding" Eagles RB Corey Clement's third-quarter touchdown catch (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 2/5). CNBC's John Harwood asked, "Since passions cooled overnight is everyone gonna stop beating up on Cris Collinsworth?" (TWITTER.com, 2/5).
LEAVING MUCH TO THE IMAGINATION: In Albany, Pete Dougherty writes NBC had a "horrible telecast" that was punctuated by Michaels and Collinsworth "unsuccessfully trying to interpret replay reviews." Following Clement's touchdown, Michaels and Collinsworth were "convinced the ruling would be overturned." However, the play "stood as called." After Eagles QB Nick Foles connected with TE Zach Ertz on the game-winning score, both Michaels and Collinsworth again were "adamant that the call would be reversed, comparing the play to one last month" by Steelers TE Jesse James against the Patriots in Week 14. Meanwhile, sideline reporter Michele Tafoya was a "bright spot on the telecast" (Albany TIMES UNION, 2/5). SI.com's Jimmy Traina writes Michaels and Collinsworth "had a very rough night." Some "emotion or excitement would've been nice" from Michaels on his call of the game's final play, while Collinsworth was "brutal from start to finish" (SI.com, 2/5). In Philadelphia, Rob Tornoe writes after the officials "confirmed that a spectacular catch" by Clement was "indeed a touchdown, Collinsworth apparently couldn't accept that the call" went the Eagles' way (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 2/5). It is "one thing to dispute Corey Clement's touchdown reception or question the consistency of what the NFL considers a catch, but it's another thing to say if that's a catch, 'I give up'" (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 2/5). ESPN's Booger McFarland: "He took 3 steps. ... It’s not that hard collinsworth." South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Omar Kelly: "Collinsworth needs to shut the hell up talking about the debatable calls." Politico's Ben White: "Collinsworth is STILL banging on about these calls. Unreal. We will NOT be talking about it. They were TDs" (TWITTER.com, 2/4).
TAKE THE GOOD WITH THE BAD: In Minneapolis, Rachel Blount writes Michaels and Collinsworth last night "kept it simple, entertaining and educational." They "quickly reintroduced storylines for new viewers," discussing Foles' "rejuvenation and using a nasty closeup view to explain" Patriots QB Tom Brady's injured thumb." Collinsworth "again demonstrated why he is the NFL's best analyst." His "immersive preparation left no angle uncovered, and his exuberance reflected a game stuffed with breathtaking plays and momentum shifts" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 2/5). CNN.com's Brian Lowry writes Michaels and Collinsworth for the most part "avoided any conspicuous screw-ups and made several astute observations, including Collinsworth comparing the game to 'fast-break basketball' and identifying Philadelphia's fourth-down trick play as 'breathtaking'" (CNN.com, 2/5). SI.com's Richard Deitsch writes Michaels gets credit for immediately noting the Ertz touchdown "was going to be questionable" and for referencing the James play from earlier this year (SI.com, 2/5).
NOT AL'S BEST NIGHT: In L.A., Angel Rodriguez notes Michaels referred to Angels CF Mike Trout, a Philadelphia native, as "California Angels outfielder instead of how the team is now known as the Los Angeles Angels." The Angels social media team "didn't miss the opportunity to correct the mistake" (L.A. TIMES, 2/5). Michaels also said Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia "was about to be announced as the new Pistons coach in about 48 hours," rather than the Lions (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 2/5). Michaels later said the Patriots "had its lead when the game was tied and they needed an extra point for the lead." But Michaels was able to use "some humor to correct those errors quickly" (SI.com, 2/5).
