ESPN’s Postseason NFL Countdown Pregame for Super Bowl LII
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- Suzy Kolber and Sam Ponder Host Four-Hour Preview of Eagles vs. Patriots from Minneapolis
- Panthers TE Greg Olsen and Seahawks QB Russell Wilson Join as Guest Analysts
- Reporters Sal Paolantonio (Eagles) and Josina Anderson (Patriots) with Team Reports
ESPN will preview Super Bowl LII during a special four-hour edition of Postseason NFL Countdown on Sunday, Feb. 4, beginning at 10 a.m. ET / 9 a.m. CT, from two set locations in Minneapolis – U.S. Bank Stadium and at the IDS Center Crystal Court.
Suzy Kolber will host from the stadium with Steve Young, and guest analyst Greg Olsen, as well as NFL Insiders Louis Riddick, Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter. Co-host Sam Ponder with Matt Hasselbeck, Randy Moss, Rex Ryan, Charles Woodson and guest analyst Russell Wilson, will join the program from the IDS Crystal Court.
Reporters Sal Paolantonio (Eagles) and Josina Anderson (Patriots) will have live team updates throughout the program.
ESPN’s planned Countdown features, in order of timing by quarter-hour (all times Eastern, subject to change):
Jeffrey Lurie (10:45 a.m. ET): The Eagles owner speaks with Adam Schefter about the important people in his life who have motivated him. (Producer Tory Roy)
Donnie and Hank (11:30 a.m.): This special NFL Films presentation will spotlight cameramen Donnie Marx and Hank McElwee, NFL Films legends who will work their final Super Bowl this weekend. Known for their visual prowess and capturing some of the most-indelible pictures in NFL history, they discuss their favorite moments from past Super Bowls.
Tom vs. Time (12 p.m.): Award-winning ESPN The Magazine senior writer Wright Thompsonpens an essay about the Patriots’ five-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady – an ode to how the 40-year-old signal-caller has created a new world and reality where he doesn’t see passage of time the same way most humans do. (Producers: Wright Thompson and Erin Dunphy)
Who Let the Dogs Out? (12 p.m.): With the Patriots success over the past two decades, Brady and Gronk have become the most popular dog names in New England. Reporter Michele Steele talks to ardent Patriots fans who named their dogs after the team’s star players. (Producer Jenna Contreras)
Patriots Inspiration – Alyssa Silva (12:15 p.m.): In a special E:60 presentation, Lisa Salters profiles Alyssa Silva, a New England fan who has a condition called spinal muscular atrophy. Despite her debilitating illness, Silva’s passion for the Patriots has made an enormous impact on owner Robert Kraft and players like Tom Brady and Julian Edelman. Preview. (Producer Max Brodsky)
Behind-the-Scenes at Super Bowl LII (12:30 p.m.): Jac Collinsworth goes behind the scenes of Super Bowl LI in Minnesota with four of the NFL’s top players – Saints running back Alvin Kamara, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, Giants quarterback Eli Manning and Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen.
Don’t Mess with Bill (12:45 p.m.): Few figures in sports seem to loathe speaking to the media as much at Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Despite his curtness, Belichick’s dry sense of humor sometimes leads to entertaining back-and-forths with reporters that only add to his reputation in the media. Boston area reporters who know Belichick – including Tom Curran, Mike Felger, Mike Reiss and Dan Shaughnessy – describe what it’s like to interview the notoriously tight-lipped coach. (Producer Harry Hawkins)
Carson Wentz (1:15 p.m.): Though the Eagles starting quarterback tore his ACL in December, he has helped guide and support Nick Foles as Philadelphia has advanced to the Super Bowl. Sal Paolantonio sits with Wentz, who talks about the difficulty of going down for the season and what he has learned from this experience. (Producer Jenna Contreras)
Patriots Slot Receivers (1:30 p.m.): Instead of finding the prototypical wide receiver, Bill Belichick has spent the better part of the last two decades using small, unknown gritty receivers to frustrate defenses. Keyshawn Johnson traces the lineage of pass-catchers that includes Troy Brown, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman and now Danny Amendola. (Producer Gavin Cote)
After the Super Bowl on ESPN:
NFL PrimeTime with Chris Berman (ESPN, 10:30 p.m.)
Immediately following the game, Chris Berman, covering his 36th Super Bowl, will host the post-Super Bowl LII NFL PrimeTime on the field from U.S. Bank Stadium with analysts Randy Moss and Steve Young. The one-hour program will include highlights, interviews and analysis.
Post-Super Bowl SportsCenter from U.S. Bank Stadium (ESPN, 11:30 p.m.)
Following NFL PrimeTime, Steve Levy and Mike Greenberg will anchor SportsCenter from U.S. Bank Stadium with analysts Ryan Clark and Louis Riddick.
ESPN Shows on Super Bowl Sunday:
| Time (ET) | Show/ Commentaors / Location | Network |
| 5:30 – 6 a.m. | NFL MatchupSal Paolantonio, Louis Riddick and Greg Cosell | ESPN(ESPN2 at 8:30 a.m.) |
| 7-10 a.m. | SportsCenter* (IDS Crystal Court)Sage Steele | ESPN |
| 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Postseason NFL Countdown Presented by SnickersU.S. Bank Stadium: Suzy Kolber, guest analyst Greg Olsen, Riddick, Steve Young, Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter
IDS Crystal Court: Sam Ponder, Matt Hasselbeck, Randy Moss, Rex Ryan, Charles Woodson and guest analyst Russell Wilson |
ESPN |
| 10:30-11:30 p.m. | NFL PrimeTime Presented by Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans (U.S. Bank Stadium)Chris Berman, Moss and Young | ESPN |
| 11:30 p.m.-1 a.m. | SportsCenter (U.S. Bank Stadium)Steve Levy, Mike Greenberg, Ryan Clark and Riddick | ESPN |