ROSWELL, Georgia – I wrapped up the last weekend of my winter break in exciting fashion, on the road in Chicago for last weekend’s NFC Divisional Playoff between the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears. Splitting time at the new Soldier Field between national television and radio coverage on Fox and Westwood One/CBS Radio Sports, respectively, I now feel confident that I have seen two of the three best NFL TV crews in action, both of which were working last Sunday.

With additional equipment and personnel on hand, producer Richie Zyontz and director Artie Kempner told the compelling story of the Bears’ comeback in the midst of an uncharacteristically poor defensive effort on its home field. While Carolina dominated early and often, Fox’s top production duo never counted the Bears out, following the game’s story to its unfortunate end. The game was surprisingly high scoring, with the Chicago defense giving up around three touchdowns more than its per game average at home, but the Bears were within striking distance until just before the two-minute warning when Chicago’s Rex Grossman threw a game-ending interception. It was a very exciting finish to say the least. Fox, however, had a hard act to follow.

The shining star of the weekend was the AFC Divisional Playoff in Indianapolis, where the Steelers met the Colts in a game to remember. Like Carolina, Pittsburgh took an early lead, also putting the home team on the ropes. The big difference was that Indianapolis, unlike Chicago, had long since proven itself an offensive powerhouse with the ability to combat practically any deficit. What followed was some of the best produced and best directed football I have ever seen.

Led by producer Mark Wolff and director Bob Fishman, CBS’ “B” production crew couldn’t have been any more in sync. When it mattered most, every isolated shot was there: Steelers safety Troy Polamalu during his interception, which referee Pete Morelli incorrectly overturned; Steelers running back Jerome Bettis for his critical fumble near the goal line inside the last two minutes of regulation; and Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt as he missed a game-tying field goal and the reactions that followed.

Wolff and Fishman are two of the best storytellers in all of sports television, as evidenced by their fourth-quarter coverage on Sunday. With the late-game onslaught of new storylines as well as those well-established going into the contest, the pair thoroughly covered them all, tying everything together in a phenomenal sequence of replays following the missed field goal. It’s rare that a production team outshines the on-air talent, particularly when the announcers are broadcast legend Dick Enberg and Hall of Famer Dan Dierdorf, but it happened last weekend. You can’t ask for a better way to end a season. It was truly inspiring.

Filed under: Opinion/Editorial, Sports TV, Television