Thursday Night Football kicks off again this week, an exciting development that should encourage even less contact with family members during football season.
The opening game on NFL Network's slate is Chicago at San Francisco in a matchup of teams on the fringes of the NFC playoff race that can't afford another loss.
The 49ers will have to try beat coach Mike Singletary's former team without the services of backup running back Glen Coffee, who suffered a concussion against the Titans Sunday during San Francisco's fourth consecutive loss.
Also out for San Francisco: cornerback Nate Clements (shoulder), defensive tackle Demetric Evans (shoulder), and tackle Joe Staley (knee). None of these missing players are a surprise.
The national television game will give the rest of America a chance to see the new 49ers offense.
Alex Smith was in shotgun for 55% of San Francisco's plays against Tennessee, according to Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. There's no reason to think that will change against a Chicago secondary that has given up five touchdown days to Carson Palmer and Kurt Warner in recent weeks.
No Coffee on Thursday night
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on November 9, 2009 5:03 PM ET
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"The national television game will give the rest of America a chance to see the new 49ers offense. "
Unless of course you are stuck with TIME WARNER!
Can you really call a game on the NFL network a nationally televised game?
It's a premium cable broadcast in many areas and will have a smaller audience than on the broadcast networks or ESPN's basic cable.
But as the NFL tries to squeeze out ever greater profits more games will be like this except during the upcoming strike/lockout season(s).
How am I going to stay awake?
NFL Network is great. If you don't have it, that sucks.
The best Sunday night highlights are on NFLN. Sorry, NBC. Too much filler. Plus if you watch NBC's show you have to see and hear the horrific Keith Olbercrap.
I agree with leathernuts.....
Nah I am just kidding with ya, good point leatherneck.