Terry Bradshaw didn’t want to hear anything more from his Fox NFL Sunday colleague on live television. The Pittsburgh Steelers icon, 76, made this remark during the Fox NFL Pregame show, just before the Washington Commanders pulled off an upset victory over the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round playoff game.
Just minutes before the NFL game action, the Fox NFL Sunday panel previewed the highly anticipated Saturday night matchup. Jimmy Johnson confidently stated that Commanders rookie star Jayden Daniels “is already one of the best quarterbacks in the entire league.” Howie Long, another panelist, chimed in, emphasizing the importance of putting the young signal-caller in a favorable position during the game.
During this lively discussion, Long used the word “hyperbole” to make his point, which caught Bradshaw’s attention. “You said hyperbole, that’s a good word. I had to look it up. That’s good. I like that,” Bradshaw remarked, showing his appreciation for Long’s vocabulary.
However, the moment took a humorous turn when Bradshaw mispronounced “hyperbole” as “hypervole.” Long quickly seized the opportunity to poke fun at his colleague, stating, “That’s not even spelled phonetically proper.” In a light-hearted response, Bradshaw laughed and told Long, “Don’t bother me, Howie,” showcasing the camaraderie and playful banter that often characterizes their interactions.
The conversation then shifted back to football, with Bradshaw expressing his thoughts on the current state of the NFL. “Everybody’s looking for that number one [quarterback], Jimmy, you hit that one right on the head,” he said, aligning himself with Johnson’s earlier assertion about the significance of franchise quarterbacks in the playoffs. “Every coach in the playoff has a franchise quarterback,” he added, underscoring the critical role that elite quarterbacks play in a team’s success.
Bradshaw didn’t hold back when discussing the Commanders, praising their recent developments. “Washington hit on everything. Josh Harris is a first-year owner. He’s in there doing a great job. [He] brought in Adam Peters as their GM. … Dan Quinn comes in [and] changes the culture in Washington and of course, Daniels comes in as their quarterback,” he explained. His enthusiasm was palpable as he declared, “They are a scary team.”
As the discussion continued, Bradshaw admitted his discomfort regarding his prediction picks for the game against Detroit. “I’m a little uncomfortable about my [prediction] picks I [had] to do with them and Detroit,” he confessed, highlighting the unpredictable nature of playoff football.
The excitement didn’t end there. The NFL Divisional Round schedule was set, featuring some thrilling matchups. On Saturday, January 18, the Houston Texans will face the Kansas City Chiefs at 4:30 PM ET on ESPN/ABC, followed by the Commanders taking on the Lions at 8 PM ET on Fox. Sunday, January 19, will see the Los Angeles Rams battle the Philadelphia Eagles at 3 PM ET on NBC, and the Baltimore Ravens squaring off against the Buffalo Bills at 6:30 PM ET on CBS.
As the playoffs unfolded, Bradshaw’s insights proved to be spot on. The Commanders indeed defeated the No. 1 seeded Lions with a stunning score of 45-31. Daniels was nothing short of spectacular, completing 22 of 31 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns, all while avoiding any sacks or interceptions. Meanwhile, Washington’s defense stepped up, forcing Lions quarterback Jared Goff into a nightmare scenario with three interceptions, one of which was a pick-six, along with a fumble.
Now, the Commanders are set to face the winner of the Los Angeles Rams-Philadelphia Eagles matchup in the NFC Championship game next week. The stakes are high, and the excitement is palpable as fans eagerly await to see how this thrilling postseason unfolds.
In the world of the NFL, where every game can shift the narrative, Bradshaw’s commentary and the Commanders’ impressive performance remind us of the passion and unpredictability that make football so exhilarating. Will the Commanders continue their impressive run? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the excitement of playoff football is just getting started!
