FOOTBALL RATINGS

Lots of media teleconferences this week getting ready for the NFL's biggest day (yes, this Sunday is actually bigger than the Super Bowl because it involves multiple networks and a longer time span).

It gets to a point where you get sick of the analysis and just can't wait for the games to get played. Maybe you're already at that point. If not, here's the highlights from Fox's session with the media on Wednesday:

FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES
Saints/Vikings Clash in New Orleans for the NFC Title Sunday Night on FOX

FOX NFL SUNDAY Pregame Live from Louisiana Superdome: Coverage at 6:00 PM ET

Aikman: Vikings Will Have to Battle Superdome and the Saints on Sunday

Strahan: Jets Can Win If They Execute What They Do Best

THE NFL ON FOX PRESENTS FIRST-EVER NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME FROM NEW ORLEANS: A trip to Super Bowl XLIV is on the line on Sunday, Jan. 24 (6:00 PM ET) as the Saints and the Louisiana Superdome host their first ever NFC Championship Game. Drew Brees & Co. face as tough a matchup as the NFC can offer when Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson and the Vikings come to town. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver & Chris Myers call this high-octane battle for the NFC title in the Bayou.

Coverage begins at 6:00 PM ET with America’s most-watched pregame show, FOX NFL SUNDAY. Terry Bradshaw and Curt Menefee co-host the Emmy Award-winning program and are joined by analysts Howie Long, Michael Strahan and Jimmy Johnson live at the Louisiana Superdome. The crew is joined by NFL Insider Jay Glazer who presents the latest league news and scoops and comedic prognosticator Frank Caliendo contributes his conference championship “Frank’s Picks” segment. In this week’s Championship edition, Oliver sits down with Brett Favre to reflect on his improbable season. Johnson chats with New Orleans offensive weapons Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and Marques Colston. Strahan dissects the Vikings defense and how they match up with the Saints while Long looks at the Saints defense and if they can stop the Vikings offense. NFL on FOX’s John Lynch reports from Indianapolis with interviews and reaction from the AFC Championship Game between the Colts and Jets.


Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010

GAME BROADCASTERS TIME
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints Announcer Joe Buck 6:30 PM ET
Analyst Troy Aikman
Sideline Reporter Pam Oliver
Sideline Reporter Chris Myers

AIKMAN: VIKINGS GET A TASTE OF THEIR OWN MEDICINE AND WILL HAVE TO BATTLE THE SUPERDOME NOISE EARLY – NFL on FOX lead analyst Troy Aikman says the Superdome gives the Saints a certain edge this Sunday. “Part of playing on the road is mental,” said Aikman. “The Saints definitely have an advantage. Every single play becomes magnified and it can make you feel as though things are worse than they are. If you are playing at home and you don’t convert on a third down, you think ‘well, we’ll get the ball back.’ When you’re playing on the road in a big game and you get stopped on third down, the crowd goes bananas and it just feels like it’s worse than it really is. I think it’s a huge factor that the Vikings really have to block out, especially early in game. At some point, it doesn’t matter how loud it gets, if you can’t hear, you can’t hear. People assume the defense will have an advantage because Minnesota has to use a silent count but I think it is an equally big advantage for New Orleans offensively.”

STRAHAN ON JETS/COLTS: EVERYONE IS BEATABLE IF YOU EXECUTE WELL – FOX NFL SUNDAY analyst Michael Strahan knows a little something about beating the odds and defeating a heavily favored team. Strahan looks at what has to happen for the Jets’ journey to continue to Super Bowl XLIV: “There’s no trick to winning. Once they kick the ball off, it’s football. Everybody is beatable. They’ve played Indianapolis already and they’ve seen Peyton Manning. The Jets do a great job of disguising their defense and sending blitzes. In order to throw Peyton off you have to throw him off his rhythm. It won’t be easy, but it’s possible. You aren’t going to out-smart Peyton Manning, he’s a four-time MVP and he knows every situation out there. The Jets’ defense has to do what their players are comfortable with and execute well for the best chance of winning.”

AIKMAN ON CHAN GAILEY HIRING IN BUFFALO – “From a personnel standpoint, the Buffalo Bills are built for defense. If they can continue to dominate like they were able to do defensively then Chan Gailey will put together a good running game. If you believe that running the football and playing good defense, as we see now with the New York Jets, can win you a title, then I think it was a good hire.”