CBS' Tony Romo was "once again the star" during the Chiefs-Titans AFC Championship broadcast, according to Rob Tornoe of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. Romo has "quickly become a fan-favorite for his unique mix of enthusiasm, clairvoyance, and playfulness," and all three "were on display" yesterday. Romo was "so on his game, at one point it appeared he called a penalty on the Titans." Romo "noticed the Titans had 12 players on the field, a fact that had gone unnoticed by officials." Several minutes later, following a Titans timeout, the referees "finally noticed and threw a very-late flag." One of Romo's "big strengths as a broadcaster is to break down what's happening on the field in informative ways while avoiding clunky football nomenclature." That happened during the fourth quarter, when Romo "walked viewers through a Chiefs' play where Tyreek Hill was used to draw single coverage on Mecole Hardman, drawing a pivotal pass interference penalty late in the game." Yesterday's game was the last for Romo under his current contract with CBS (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 1/20). NFL Network's Rich Eisen wrote any player in their free agent year "wants to have a perfect performance in the potential walk-off game," and it works the "same in broadcasting." Romo yesterday was "having that performance" (TWITTER.com, 1/19).
CBS showed two separate slo-mo replays of Mahomes' 27-yard TD run at the end of the first halfgetty images
STAYING ON TOP OF IT: THE ATHLETIC's Richard Deitsch writes CBS displayed "gorgeous production work" on Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes' 27-yard TD run in the second quarter of Chiefs-Titans. Seconds after Mahomes scored, the production truck "showed two slo-mo replays -- one from behind the Chiefs quarterback and one from in front -- that gave viewers a great sense of where Mahomes was in relation to the left sideline" (THEATHLETIC.com, 1/20). The N.Y. Post's Andrew Marchand wrote, "Really good camera work and replay sequencing by CBS on Mahomes sideline TV run" (TWITTER.com, 1/19).
NICE HAND OFF: In Chicago, Phil Rosenthal named CBS' Jim Nantz a "winner" from yesterday's Chiefs-Titans broadcast. Nantz "didn't just plug the Super Bowl after the Chiefs' victory," he "tied loose ends of history in a lovely bow." Nantz at the end of the broadcast said, "When the Chiefs won Super Bowl IV, the game was called by Jack Buck. And how cool is it that his son, Joe, will be calling the Chiefs' appearance 50 years later in this 100th season of the NFL?" Buck replied on Twitter, "This is easily the nicest thing a [colleague] has ever done for my family and me on tv. What a great moment for my mom and sister as well. Thank you Jim Nantz. A classy, great broadcaster and friend" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/20). SI.com's Jimmy Traina writes it "warms the heart when we see talent from different networks coming together for a nice moment." That was a "classy gesture by Nantz and it meant a lot to Buck and his family" (SI.com, 1/20).
INTRO ICON: THE ATHLETIC's Deitsch writes CBS Sports Creative Dir Pete Radovich Jr. is "known as one of the best in history," and he "nailed it again" yesterday with a hype video previewing the AFC Championship, which was set to Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'." Radovich said that it was the "first time that Journey singer-songwriter Steve Perry entertained allowing someone to redo the iconic song." Radovich: "He only considered allowing it after we sent him a sample over the summer of what it could sound like. The music has been in the works for months." Radovich said the video itself "came together very quickly." He added, "We finished mixing the audio and sent the final piece to [CBS NFL producer] Jim Rikhoff and his crew two hours before it aired." Radovich: "This was a tight one!" (THEATHLETIC.com, 1/20).
HOT MIC MOMENT: THE RINGER's Rodger Sherman notes CBS "missed a spot" yesterday when Chiefs TE Travis Kelce came over to celebrate with Mahomes during a postgame interview. CBS mics picked up Kelce saying, "I f*****g love you." The AFC Championship is "one of the biggest games of the year," and postgame celebrations are "when cursing is most likely to happen." Thus, when Kelce "stepped near an active microphone, sirens should have gone off all around" CBS' offices, "warning them of the incoming storm." CBS' censor was "asleep at the wheel" (THERINGER.com, 1/20).
SANTA CLARA 49ERS? In San Jose, Pueng Vongs notes during Fox' NFC Championship broadcast, viewers from around the world were "played scenes" of the Golden Gate Bridge in S.F. and the Bay Bridge in Oakland -- some 50 miles away from Levi's Stadium (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 1/20).
