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"THE NFL TODAY's" DAN MARINO SITS DOWN WITH KANSAS CITY's MATT CASSEL; AND BILL COWHER GAME PLANS GREEN BAY-PHILADELPHIA GAME FOR WILD CARD WEEK OF "THE NFL TODAY" ON SUNDAY, JAN. 9

THE NFL ON CBS, continues its 51st year broadcasting the NFL with coverage of the 2011 American Football Conference Playoffs with the national broadcast of Wild Card Playoff Game #2 on Sunday, Jan. 9 (1:00 PM, ET) live on the CBS Television Network.  The No. 5-seeded BALTIMORE RAVENS (12-4) visit the AFC West Champions and No. 4-seeded KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (10-6).  THE NFL ON CBS's coverage begins with THE NFL TODAY, the Network's one-hour studio show (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET), live from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.

 

THE NFL TODAY's Dan Marino previews the Baltimore-Kansas City game by sitting down with Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel as he prepares to take on the Ravens defense.  One of the main reasons for Kansas City's success and the turnaround of the AFC West Champions has been the emergence of Cassel.  For the season, Cassel threw for over 3,000 yards and 27 touchdowns with only seven interceptions. One of the most remarkable stories of the NFL season revolved around Cassel.  Only 11 days after an emergency appendectomy, he led the Chiefs to a big win over the Rams.  Can he lead the Chiefs to their first playoff win since 1993?   Deb Gelman is the producer. 

 

When Kevin Kolb suffered a concussion in Philadelphia's Week 1 loss against Green Bay, Michael Vick came in and threw for 175 yards and one touchdown, and also added 103 yards on the ground.  This was the beginning of Vick once again becoming one of the most electrifying players in the NFL.  For the season, Vick threw for over 3,000 yards, 21 touchdowns, and also ran for nine more scores.  THE NFL TODAY's Bill Cowher has been studying the film analyzing what Green Bay must do to stop Vick and the NFC East Champion Eagles in their NFC Wild Card match-up.  Coach Cowher reveals his game plan on Sunday.  Jeff St. Arromand is the producer.

 

Jim Nantz and Phil Simms report live from Kansas City on the Baltimore-Chiefs Wild Card game.   And Lesley Visser reports live from Philadelphia on the Green Bay-Eagles NFC Wild Card game.

 

James Brown hosts THE NFL TODAY, along with analysts Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Cowher, NFL TODAY "General Manager" Charley Casserly, as well as Visser and Sam Ryan reporting.

 

Sean McManus is President, CBS News and Sports, and serves as the executive producer for the Network's coverage of the NFL.  Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

 

Eric Mann is senior producer and Bob Matina is director of THE NFL TODAY.

 

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CBS Sports Contacts: 

Robin Brendle              212/975-1533              rlbrendle@cbs.com

Jerry Caraccioli            212/975-7466              gwcaraccioli@cbs.com