There's nothing like the NFL. And there's especially nothing like the NFL when something exciting happens. The best broadcasters in the world are tasked with bringing America's new favorite pastime to life. Usually they go viral for flubbing something. But more often than not they do great work as well.
For instance, here are a few awesome moments from Week 3.
Joe Davis finally calls a touchdown
It seems like great fun to call a touchdown as an NFL play-by-play broadcaster and Joe Davis had to wait over three quarters to do so during Sunday's low-scoring Eagles-Saints affair. But when the moment came, he was ready. The FOX announcer's pitch rose perfectly with the roar of the crowd as Saquon Barkley finally broke one open and scored on a 65-yard touchdown run.
Side note: Davis is starting to enter the realm of announcers who make things feel more important through their mere presence. Probably a lasting effect of his World Series broadcasts. But this call made the play feel more significant, even if it was a Week 3 touchdown in a tremendously ugly football game.
SAQUON BARKLEY 65-YARD TOUCHDOWN.
— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024
📺: #PHIvsNO on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/830L0j9R8o
Adam Amin remembers the little things
The biggest play in the Rams' epic comeback over the 49ers on Sunday was a punt return by rookie Xavier Smith, who plopped LA's offense in field goal range with less than a minute remaining in a tie game with a 38-yard return. Adam Amin, on the call for FOX, dictated the development well for viewers. Most impressively, though, Amin did not get caught up in the adrenaline of the moment and remembered to note that the return was Smith's very first NFL touch.
A small detail that may seem like an obvious add-in to some viewers, but something many announcers could understandably get lost in the excitement of the moment. Not Amin.
Xavier Smith with a huge punt return for the Rams!
— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024
📺: #SFvsLAR on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/aVta5VToOa
Spero Dedes presides over Andy Dalton's huge day
Andy Dalton not only killed it in his first start of the 2024 season for the Carolina Panthers, he had the best day of any quarterback this season. The journeyman put up 319 yards and three touchdowns with no picks (the only QB to total over 300 yards and three touchdowns so far this year) against the Las Vegas Raiders despite the *waves hands* of it all with the Bryce Young situation. Consequentially, and against all odds, the Panthers-Raiders matchup developed into one of the biggest storylines in the NFL.
Spero Dedes did a great job on the mic as it unfolded before him and Adam Archuleta. His best call of the day came on Dalton's second touchdown pass, a true dime to the back corner of the end zone. Dedes hit the call with gusto and alliteration, a very appealing combination.
"PICTURE PERFECT DIME FROM DALTON." - Spero Dedes pic.twitter.com/AN6M95U96h
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 22, 2024
Mark Schlereth as happy as anyone watching David Montgomery float for 10 extra yards
After throwing the football way too many times in a Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson came to his senses and pounded the rock. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for 39 carries and 188 yards as the Lions took care of business against the Arizona Cardinals. And one of the best offensive lines in football got the opportunity to inflict pain early and often.
Including on an objectively hilarious 16-yard scamper by Montgomery, who was lifted into the air and pushed from behind for more than half the run. It's a play we rarely if ever see and it makes a person wonder if there's a way to do it more often.
Mark Schlereth, working alongside Chris Myers for FOX, wondered allowed if Montgomery had paid proper admission for such a ride.
David Montgomery was getting CARRIED 😂pic.twitter.com/zXpEeSMDCL
— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) September 22, 2024
This is the type of play Schlereth, an all-Everything offensive lineman in his own right, loves to see and celebrate. Pure Man 101 right there.
Tom Brady not even mad, just disappointed at state of Cowboys' offense
Tom Brady was even better in his third broadcast than his second, and miles improved from the first, suggesting everything is on the right track for FOX and its $375-million man. One of the things some critics have been clamoring to hear is some critical talk when there's obvious underperformance and Brady capitalized on the moment while watching the Dallas Cowboys once again embarrass themselves at home.
Trailing 28-6 and needing to do something that showed signs of life, the early desparation drive was derailed by yet another unforced error. Brady, already mid-sentence about what the Cowboys needed to do, could do little to hide his exasperation.
Yo, Tom Brady has had it with these #Cowboys. 😂 pic.twitter.com/LeW1hNHcI7
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) September 22, 2024
Can Brady be folksy? Perhaps not in the traditional sense, but the more he sounds like a regular person watching the game with real emotions, the better.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as 5 Great NFL Announcing Moments From Week 3.
