Al Michaels recently talked about how he called Prime Video’s Thursday night football games this season that were often uninteresting or downright boring. One would imagine the broadcasting legend to call an exciting game with the stakes. However, despite the Jacksonville Jaguars’ epic NFL playoff comeback against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday night, it seemed like Michaels and badass friend Tony Dungy wanted to be anywhere else.
In case you didn’t watch the game, the Jaguars looked miserable early thanks to Trevor Lawrence, who threw four interceptions. Down 27-0 in the first half, they came back for the ages in the second half (coupled with a century collapse by the Chargers) to win the game 31-30 in the closing moments.
The fourth quarter alone featured a string of exciting and tense plays. A Gus Johnson-like exclamation wouldn’t be out of place on at least three or four different occasions. However, Michaels, 78, and Dungy, 67, looked like they had woken up after a nap and were just waiting for the match to end.
For example, here’s Michaels calling a Jaguars touchdown with 5:26 left in the fourth quarter that made it a one-point game. Al has a brief moment of excitement, but it’s fleeting. It’s a call that hardly fits the moment.
The Chargers and Jaguars should have switched jerseys at halftime. pic.twitter.com/4o0OD6ssYr
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 15, 2023
Immediately afterward, a Joey Bosa penalty gave Jacksonville the ball at the one-yard line on a two-point conversion that led to an easy score. The Jaguars were all the way down from the 27 to find themselves in the field, and Michaels seemed to be reading the fine print.
And the Jags call a penalty on Joey Bosa on a two-point attempt and get it. It’s a 2-point game with 5:25 left.pic.twitter.com/mBVC8CIXBq
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 15, 2023
With 1:28 left in the game and the Jaguars driving, they found themselves on 4th and 1 at the Chargers 40-yard line. This was it, a game that could end a comeback or help the Jaguars make history. Not only does Travis Etienne get a first down, he carries the ball deep into LA territory to help set up the game-winning field goal. Michaels calls it like it’s a nice little play in the first quarter.
another reckless call by Al Michaels….dude….it’s 4th and 1 with the GAME ON THE LINE!!! https://t.co/gijOZqbnau
— Goldglover9 (GG9) ? (@goldglover9) January 15, 2023
Finally, this brings us to the game-winning field goal that cemented the historic comeback and is one of those moments that will live on in the Jaguars and the NFL playoffs for decades to come. It was a moment that supposedly prompted Michaels to pull out his iconic “Do you believe in miracles? YES.” to call Instead, he nearly missed the shot and then barely missed the field goal, assuming a penalty flag was going to nullify it, killing the entire moment.
Great Jaguars comeback or amazing Chargers choke? Yes! pic.twitter.com/QuQYArRfjd
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 15, 2023
Compare that to Frank Frenge’s Jacksonville Jaguars radio station.
Al Michaels’ game-winning call left a lot to be desired, so here’s a good one. https://t.co/6bodattsE5
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 15, 2023
It was a confusing night for Michaels and even more so for the audience. While NFL fans have long known Al to have his moments during exciting or game-deciding plays, his apparent disinterest in this storybook return left many viewers feeling cold.
“It was truly one of the worst, low-energy broadcasts of an absolutely incredible game that I can remember. There wasn’t even a noise from the crowd.” told Yahoo! Sports’ Dan Wetzel.
It was truly one of the worst, low-energy broadcasts I can remember of an absolutely incredible game. There wasn’t even a crowd noise.
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) January 15, 2023
“Al Michaels was too bored to call the match over. come on man” said USA Today’s Dan Walken.
Al Michaels was too bored to call the match over. Come on man!
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) January 15, 2023
“I’m really surprised at how dry it is [Al Michaels and Tony Dungy] now after the team comes back from a 27-0 deficit to win a playoff game. Viewers cheated, man.” said Mavs Moneyball’s Mike Tadu.
I’m really surprised how dry al Michael and Tony Dungy are right now after watching the team come back from 27-0 to win a playoff game. the viewers cheated, man.
— Mike Taddow (@MikeTaddow) January 15, 2023
“Al Michaels is a goddamn legend, but he and Tony Dungy were just awful on this call, all the way down. Not fit for an epic comeback” ESPN Syracuse’s Brent Ax said.
1. Nice to meet you, Staley. Don’t let him even get to the locker room. Perhaps join Kingsbury in Thailand. 2. Al Michaels is a goddamn legend, but he and Tony Dungey were downright awful in this ring, right up until the end. Not fit for an epic comeback.
— Brent Ax (@BrentAxeMedia) January 15, 2023
“Al Michaels called Jags winning FG like he put money on Chargers.” said Sporting News reporter Andreas Hale.
Al Michaels called the Jags game winning FG the same way he was putting money on the Chargers. https://t.co/dcJKIk60ga
— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) January 15, 2023
“Never heard more comatose calls on a huge stage, get these guys a coffee, this is just an absolutely stunning booth.” said Warren Sharp.
Never heard a more comatose call on a huge play, get these guys a coffee, this is just a totally awesome booth pic.twitter.com/cDSt4f9DzR
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 15, 2023
“Al Michaels has absolutely no idea what’s going on in 90 seconds. Dungy talks like he’s in the library during a 4-TD return. Put the recording of this broadcast in Canton as the worst ever, indeed the WORST of all time, that I have ever heard, so much so that it’s not funny.” said sports gambling expert Joey Knish.
Al Michaels has absolutely no idea what’s going on for 90 seconds. Dungy talks like he’s in the library on a 4 TD return.
Post this broadcast recording in Canton as the worst ever, really the WORST of all time I’ve ever heard, so much so that it’s not funny
— Joey Knish (@JoeyKnish22) January 15, 2023
“Can someone please inform Al Michaels that this drive will complete the third greatest comeback in NFL history? Bring coffee to the man.” said 670 The Score’s Danny Parkins.
Can someone please inform Al Michaels that this drive will complete the third greatest comeback in NFL history? Give the man coffee.
— Danny Parkins (@DannyParkins) January 15, 2023
The pairing of Michaels and Dungy clearly didn’t work. Dungy’s low-key demeanor may have drained the energy out of the booth, leaving Michaels as the energy guy in the booth, which is no longer his ideal role.
Regardless of the reason, however, it was a miserable broadcast experience in what should have been a second half full of whoops, cheers and celebrations. Instead, viewers were left wondering what match Michaels and Dungey were watching.
[The Comeback, The Comeback on Twitter]
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