AUDIBLES WITH LEAD "NFL ON CBS" ANALYST PHIL SIMMS

THE NFL ON CBS, continues its 51^st 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 ON CBS lead announce team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms call the action live from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.  Lance Barrow is the coordinating producer and lead game producer and Mike Arnold is the lead game director.

Throughout the 2011 AFC Playoffs, THE NFL ON CBS will broadcast all of its games each week in HDTV, the highest definition television format - 1080i lines of picture resolution - along with 5.1 digital audio.

Sean McManus is President, CBS News and Sports, and serves as executive producer of CBS Sports' coverage of THE NFL ON CBS.  Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

* * * * *

PHIL SIMMS

(On Kansas City Chiefs): Nobody in the country knows about Jamaal Charles and what he has done for the Kansas City Chiefs this year.  He is averaging over six yards-per-carry. And in this day and age in the NFL, that is ridiculous. You think no one could ever do that.  He has, and gained very little attention across the country. The Chiefs are not a big media market team.  So for teams like that, this gives them a chance for people to say, 'Wow I didn't know Jamaal Charles was that good, or that Matt Cassel was such a talented quarterback.' This is how a team like Kansas City brands itself across America.  It's not like the players need press to get them motivated.  But it's like, 'How about we get a little attention?'  It does get you excited.  And sometimes getting a little excited, and paying more attention to what you are doing, results in big things on game day.

(On Baltimore Ravens): The word tough is always put out there to describe the Baltimore Ravens.  They truly are tough and absolutely big.  But what sets them apart is they have been to the playoffs many times.  They have a lot of players who have been through many, many battles. They are battle-tested and willing to go the whole 12 rounds.  The Chiefs have been in some good battles this year, but they haven't been doing it year-after-year like the Ravens. People say the Chiefs have no playoff experience, and ask will it mean anything in this game?  Well of course it will. It means the team without playoff experience is building. So most likely the first time they get into the playoffs they are still building to what they hope to become.  That explains the Kansas City Chiefs.  The Baltimore Ravens went into the year thinking they are a Super Bowl team.  If they don't win the Super Bowl they are going to be really disappointed, and rightly so. They are Super Bowl-caliber.  Their only problem is they have to do it the hard way.  There is a huge difference going to the playoffs playing three road games to get to the Super Bowl, as opposed to playing three games, the first one at home, and the next two, if you win, on the road.  Winning your division is a huge deal.  It's not about getting into the playoffs.  It's about winning your division and getting yourself in the right position to try and win it all.  Some teams are on the 400 yard Par 4 and 100 yards out, and most teams are 200 yards out. Whose chances do you like for making a good score?

(On New York Jets-Indianapolis Colts)

I believe that during the off-season the New York Jets built their football team to beat the Indianapolis Colts. Look at last season when the Patriots lost to the Ravens in a horrendous game.  Thoughts were that the Patriots could be on their way down. Everyone thinks the worst when you lose a playoff game.  And the way the Jets lost to the Colts last year, they tried to correct things. They went out and got Antonio Cromartie and drafted Kyle Wilson to help them get better match-ups against the Colts.  Now, we will see.  The Jets definitely have better match-ups in the passing game this year than last when it comes to covering the Colts receivers. There are many other factors. Can they pressure Peyton Manning enough to get him off the field? And on the other side, how will Mark Sanchez hold up against that pass rush?  He is going to have to have a really, really good day for the Jets to win. The Colts are going to do whatever it takes to stop the Jets running game. They will dare the Jets to throw it because in that building, with that noise, some of those defensive players dare you.  And the big thing is, can you get the time to take advantage of it?

* * * * *

Following are THE NFL ON CBS assignments for the AFC Playoffs (subject to change).

AFC WILD CARD GAME #2 - Jan. 9, 2011

GAME                                    PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

1:00 PM, ET starts:

Baltimore @ Kansas City         Jim Nantz/Phil Simms                Lance Barrow/Mike Arnold

AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF GAME #1 - Saturday, Jan. 15

GAME                                    PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

4:30 PM, ET starts:

TBD @ Pittsburgh                    Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf                   Mark Wolff/Bob Fishman

AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF GAME #2 - Sunday, Jan. 16

GAME                                    PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

4:30 PM, ET start:

TBD @ New England              Jim Nantz/Phil Simms                Lance Barrow/Mike Arnold

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME - Sunday, Jan. 23

GAME                                    PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

6:30  PM, ET start:

TBD                                         Jim Nantz/Phil Simms                Lance Barrow/Mike Arnold

* * * * *

CBS Sports Contacts: 

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

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