FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sunday, October 20th, 2019

FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA – WEEK 7 NOTES & QUOTES

Jason Garrett has been on the hot seat so long and so often, I’m only shocked that Elon Musk hasn’t launched him into outer space by now.” – Al Michaels

“Everyone is going to blame Mitchell Trubisky. They could have had Superman back there at quarterback today. It didn’t matter. The Saints were all over them.” – Chris Simms

“For so many years, all we hear about is their offense. But this defense is one of the top defenses in the league, if not the best.” – Rodney Harrison on the Saints

“I am loving this defense. They have put together a front that is awesome.” – Tony Dungy on the 49ers

STAMFORD, Conn. – Oct. 20, 2019 – Mike Tirico hosted the Week 7 edition of Football Night in America tonight from NBC Sports’ International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn., in advance of the Sunday Night Football matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. Tirico was joined on the set by analysts Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison, and Chris Simms, as well as NFL Insider Mike Florio.

Liam McHugh co-hosted Football Night in America from an outdoor set outside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. He was joined by SNF analyst Cris Collinsworth, with Al Michaels and Michele Tafoya also reporting from inside the stadium. In addition, McHugh interviewed Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett and Cowboys great Drew Pearson.

FNIA also included highlights, analysis, and news from around the league.

Following are highlights from Football Night in America on NBC:

ON COWBOYS

Michaels: “Jason Garrett has been on the hot seat so long and so often, I’m only shocked that Elon Musk hasn’t launched him into outer space by now.”

Collinsworth on the excitement at the outdoor set: “If the players want to get a little excited about a football game, this is the place to be because you really can feel the raw emotion of this game out here.”

Collinsworth on tonight’s game and the NFC East: “In all likelihood, it’s a two-team race between these teams, and the loser doesn’t make the playoffs.”

ON EAGLES

Dungy: “What the Eagles are missing is that balance…They’ve got to get back to that balance (of running the ball) and take some pressure off Carson Wentz.”

Harrison: “I like this offense. I don’t think they’re far off.”

Dungy on tonight’s game: “Both secondaries are going to struggle to cover these receivers. Which defensive line can get pressure on the other quarterback? That’s who’s going to win it.”

ON RAMS

Harrison on CB Jalen Ramsey: “The thing that makes him stand out from every other cornerback is he’s not afraid to tackle…He’s physical…He’s just brought a toughness and an attitude to that defense and that secondary that they didn’t have.”

Dungy on Ramsey: “[Hall of Famer] Mike Haynes, in a contract dispute, left New England, went to the Raiders and made a huge difference in that secondary. I think Jalen can do the same type of things.”

Simms: “Have we ever seen the best defensive lineman in football (Aaron Donald) on the same defense with the best secondary player in football (Jalen Ramsey)? It’s an interesting combination. Wade Phillips is going to be able to be real creative with both of these guys.”

Harrison on Ramsey: “He’s missed three weeks, and he comes back with one week of practice, and he covers Julio Jones for the majority of the game. It’s pretty amazing to me.”

ON BEARS

Simms: “Everyone is going to blame Mitchell Trubisky. They could have had Superman back there at quarterback today. It didn’t matter. The Saints were all over them…They are playing phenomenal right now.”

Harrison: “I don’t understand this offense. They ran the ball seven times. You got Mitchell Trubisky throwing the ball over 50 times. He’s not that type of quarterback…The defense is tired. I don’t care how good you are. I don’t care how talented you are. You have to get rest.”

Dungy: “When you’re not doing much on offense, the other team’s offense can play conservative. They don’t have to throw the ball all over the field. They can just dial it down, and that’s what’s happened to the Bears defense these last two weeks.”

ON SAINTS

Tirico: “The New Orleans Saints offense has been terrific without Drew Brees.”

Harrison: “For so many years, all we hear about is their offense. But this defense is one of the top defenses in the league, if not the best.”

ON RAVENS

Dungy: “The Seahawks went all week looking at ways to stop Lamar Jackson. They couldn’t do it. He was the dominant force running the football.”

ON TEXANS

Harrison on QB Deshaun Watson TD pass that was negated by in-the-grasp call: “The officials need to know who they’re dealing with. This is Michael Jordan. You can’t call a play too early…Let them play.”

ON COLTS

Simms on Head Coach Frank Reich: “Always has creative plays on a weekly basis. He’s up there as far as the upper echelon play designers in football right now.”

ON JAGUARS

Harrison: “Last year, watching Leonard Fournette, I didn’t think he liked football. But coming back this year, it’s like a change of attitude. He’s really positive, he’s running physical, and he’s been a difference-maker for them.”

ON BILLS

Tirico: “On Thanksgiving, you know who’s coming to Dallas? Buffalo. When the schedule came out, people said, ‘Buffalo?’ Yeah, Buffalo. They may be the best team in football at that point… (On upcoming schedule) They could be 10-1 going into Thanksgiving.”

ON GIANTS

Simms on QB Daniel Jones’ recent performance: “Not taking care of the ball. The rookie bug has kind of hit him.”

ON CARDINALS

Harrison on RB Chase Edmonds: “Every time you watch the tape, this guy shows up. He’s giving David Johnson some competition.”

ON 49ERS-REDSKINS

Tirico on game conditions: “Full-out slop-fest.”

Tirico: “John Lynch has built a terrific team for the San Francisco 49ers.”

Dungy on 49ers: “I am loving this defense. They have put together a front that is awesome.”

ON CHARGERS

Tirico: “This is the Chargers-est Chargers kind of loss.”

FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA