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In a move sure to satisfy Super Bowl advertising fans, Mars Chocolate North America announced today that its SNICKERS  Brand will continue its successful “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” campaign with a new television commercial that will air during the third quarter of Super Bowl XLV.

The spot, called “Logging,” features comedic icons Richard Lewis and Roseanne Barr.  Lewis and Barr prove that “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” and remind consumers that SNICKERS continues to satisfy hunger.  Other icons who’ve appeared in the campaign include Betty White and Abe Vigoda.

The new commercial, which was created by BBDO New York, also includes a series of print and digital advertisements featuring Barr and Lewis.  Lewis will also play a starring role in a bonus interactive experience on the SNICKERS YouTube page that will launch in concert with the television ad during the Super Bowl.

“The Super Bowl ranks as the world’s greatest marketing stage so it’s important our newest ‘You’re Not You When You’re Hungry’ SNICKERS spot has a starring role this year,” said Debra A. Sandler, Chief Consumer Officer at Mars Chocolate North America.  “We think the addition of Richard Lewis and Roseanne Barr to this iconic campaign will satisfy Super Bowl ad fans’ appetites for a laugh this year.”

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) will broadcast ‘UNCF An Evening of Stars’ Tribute to Chaka Khan presented by Target nationally on more than 40 stations in major markets on Saturday, January 29 and on Sunday, January 30 on BET Networks at 10 p.m. ET and WGN America at 3:00 a.m. CT.  Six-time Emmy Award winner Louis J. Horvitz is executive producer and director of UNCF An Evening of Stars.

With more than 40 years in music behind her, Grammy-winning soulstress Chaka Khan will be serenaded from the UNCF An Evening of Stars® stage by an all-star lineup of entertainers as she is presented with the UNCF Award of Excellence.  The award is given to an artist whose career and support of UNCF and minority education has been exemplary.

The roster of performers includes Stevie Wonder, Fantasia, Angie Stone, Melanie Fiona, Ledisi, El DeBarge, Estelle, Faith Evans, Ginuwine, Bettye LaVette, Herbie Hancock, Indira Khan and Mark Stevens. The parade of celebrities joining UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax in celebrating Khan’s career include Mo’Nique, Akon, LeVar Burton, Kim Coles, Taraji P. Henson, Quincy Jones, Tom Joyner, CNN’s Soledad O’Brien, Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker, Amber Riley, Bobb’e J. Thompson, Tracie Thoms, Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson, Lauren Velez and a special taped appearance by Mary J. Blige.

“This year’s UNCF An Evening of Stars® is exciting and filled with high-energy performances of Chaka Khan’s greatest hits such as ‘Tell Me Something Good,’ ‘What Cha Gonna Do for Me?’ and many others from her extensive song book, as we celebrate not only her contribution to the music industry but her dedication to minority education,” said Dr. Lomax. “We are grateful for the support of all of our celebrities, sponsors and supporters, who understand the importance of education and are helping UNCF ensure that every child gets a good education from pre-school through college.”

The stars on the UNCF An Evening of Stars® stage contributed not only their renditions of Khan’s greatest hits, but special appeals to help UNCF students whose graduation is threatened by the lingering recession.  Layoffs, pay cuts, and the disappearance of many private student loan programs have left students owing money for tuition, text books, and dormitory rooms–bills that must be paid before they can graduate.  From the stage and in videotaped appeals, celebrities ask the show audience and television viewers to text “UNCF” to 50555 on their cell phones to donate $10 to help students walk the last mile of their education.  To learn more, visit www.uncf.org and click on the Campaign for Emergency Student Aid icon.

Target serves as the Presenting Sponsor of UNCF An Evening of Stars®.  National corporate sponsors include AT&T and McDonald’s.  Longtime UNCF partner Wells Fargo is an official sponsor along with BET Networks and WGN America.  Other sponsors include national media partner Clear Channel, major sponsor U.S. Army and American Airlines is the official airline of UNCF An Evening of Stars.

The four-team college hockey tournament started in 1952 and continues to grow in popularity. Boston College, Boston University, Harvard and Northeastern will battle for bragging rights in the 59th edition of the Beanpot on Feb. 7 and Feb. 14.

Join Bud Light to watch the 2011 Beanpot at eight viewing parties.

Feb. 7, 5:30-7:30pm

• McGann’s
• Sullivan’s Tap
• North Star
• The Harp

Feb. 14, 5:30-7:30pm

• Grand Canal
• Sports Grille Boston
• Hurricane O’Reilly’s
• The Greatest Bar

The Wingstop World Wing-Eating Championship will be held at Dallas on Tuesday, February 1. The winner of the 12-minute all-you-can-eat event will take home the lion’s share of a $10,000 cash purse.

The number-one-ranked eater in the world, Joey Chestnut, will compete in the event.  Chestnut, who has consumed 182 wings in 30 minutes in competition, won his fourth consecutive hot dog eating title this past July 4th in Coney Island, New York.  He now looks to open his 2011 Major League Eating season by adding to his legendary body of work.

The event will be held, appropriately, in advance of the Big Game in Dallas, which will be viewed with a platter of wings by many millions. Wingstop believes that the fiercest competition of the day can often be found at the buffet table of the nation’s innumerable Big Game parties, and will get a head start on things by cooking up more than 1,000 wings for the competitors on Tuesday evening.

Looking to beat Chestnut will be number-four-ranked Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas, a 100-pound wing-eating specialist from Alexandria, Va. Thomas will have confidence on her side in Dallas, having won four consecutive titles at the National Buffalo Wing Festival (2007-10).  Last year she topped Chestnut and a field of 12 other men in Buffalo.

Also competing will be Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti and Bob Shoudt, the number-two and number-three-ranked eaters in the world, respectively. Bertoletti, a mohawked chef from Chicago, holds world records in 29 foods including grits, ice cream and jalapenos. Shoudt, who hails from the suburbs of Philadelphia, was formerly known as “Humble Bob” before embarking on an eight-contest winning streak that resulted in a moniker change to “The Notorious B.O.B.”

The 12-minute contest will take place prior to the Dallas Stars hockey game at the AT&T Plaza outside the American Airlines Center. Giveaways and other prizes will be on-hand for the crowd in attendance. The winner will take home the first-place prize of $5,000. The remaining second through six place payouts are as follows: $2,000, $1,500, $750, $500, $250.

“Chicken wings are a staple at football watching parties across the nation,” said Jim Flynn, Wingstop CEO. “Wingstop will sell 5 million wings nationwide on Super Sunday alone, and the Wingstop Wing-Eating Championship is a fun way to kick off the week and prep for the Big Game!”

“Wings stand at the very top of the sport fan’s list of food choices,” said George Shea, chairman of Major League Eating. “So it makes all the more sense for the world’s best eater to pay homage to the mighty wing before the Big Game kicks-off. This event will also provide motivation for all those who view Big Game parties as a competitive eating opportunity themselves.”

Dramatic team turnarounds, stellar individual performances, remarkable hot streaks and its hallmark competitive balance have lit up the 2010-11 NHL regular season, which reaches the midway point on Saturday. They all set the table for a thrilling stretch run of a season in which every game matters, every point counts.

Competitive First Half Sets Stage For Wild Finish

* Presidents’ Trophy: Top seven clubs separated by five points
* Eastern Conference: One-point lead in each of the three divisions; top four point-earners separated by four points
* Western Conference: Five points separate the 10 teams occupying 4th through 13th place
* Back in the playoffs? Five teams who didn’t make the playoffs last season are currently ‘above the line’, including the Southeast Division-leading Tampa Bay Lightning and Pacific Division-leading Dallas Stars. They are joined by the Atlanta Thrashers, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues. Four other non-playoff clubs in 2009-10, the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild, are within five points of a post-season berth.

How Close Is The West? Loss Drops Kings From 4th To 11th

The Los Angeles Kings led the Nashville Predators 2-0 early in the second period of their game Thursday night at STAPLES Center. Combined with results from earlier games and the game in progress up the road in San Jose, where the Sharks trailed Buffalo, the Kings were positioned to end the evening in fourth place in the Western Conference with a regulation victory. The Predators, however, rebounded to tally five unanswered goals in a 5-2 win, dropping the Kings to 11th place in the conference standings.

Crosby, Stamkos Staging Another Classic Goals Duel

Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby and Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos, who competed in a thrilling race for the Maurice Richard Trophy as the NHL goal-scoring leader last season, seem headed for a similar finish in 2010-11. Crosby and Stamkos lead the pack with 32 and 31 goals, respectively, a pace to exceed the career-high 51 they tallied last season.

Stamkos, Duchene, Tavares Leading The Next Wave

Following in the footsteps of Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin and Patrick Kane in recent years as top prospects who become impact players early in their NHL careers, a trio of young stars aged 20 or under lead their respective teams in scoring. Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene, who turns 20 on Jan. 16, has 40 points (16 goals, 24 assists) in 41 games, Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, 20, has 56 points (31 goals, 25 assists) in 41 games and New York Islanders center John Tavares, 20, has 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) in 35 games.

Double Trouble

The list of the NHL’s top 10 scorers features three pairs of linemates — Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Henrik and Daniel Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks plus Brad Richards and Loui Eriksson of the Dallas Stars. Other top duos among the top 20 include Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings (7th and 16th) and Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks (8th and 19th, respectively).

Canucks Knocking At The Door Again

Led by the consistent Daniel and Henrik Sedin (both with 50 points and a +14 rating), a career year for Ryan Kesler (20-16–36, club-leading +15) and the goaltending of Roberto Luongo, the NHL’s Second Star for December, the Vancouver Canucks are the NHL’s top-ranked club and headed for their sixth 100-point season in the past eight years. The Canucks have been virtually unbeatable lately, posting a 16-1-2 record since Nov. 24. Eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs prior to the Western Conference Final in recent years, is this year’s team ready for a deep playoff run?

Best Flyers Team In Years?

The momentum generated from the run to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final has spilled over into the 2010-11 regular season for the Philadelphia Flyers (25-10-5), on track to post their best record since back-to-back 53-win seasons in 1984-85 and 1985-86. Defenseman Andrej Meszaros, acquired in July from Tampa Bay for a 2011 second-round draft pick, leads the NHL in plus-minus (+26). Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, 22, was the NHL’s Rookie of the Month for November and boasts a 15-6-3 record with a 2.57 goals-against average. Right wing Claude Giroux, also 22, has followed his 2010 playoff performance with valuable two-way play: he ranks second on the club in scoring (16-19–35) and shares the League lead in shorthanded goals (three).

Thrashers Surge in Southeast

The Atlanta Thrashers (22-15-6) are in the thick of the race for the Southeast Division title, thanks in part to an infusion of championship experience from four former Chicago Blackhawks (Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd, Ben Eager, Brent Sopel) and the goaltending of Ondrej Pavelec (15-8-4, 2.14 GAA), who made an inspiring comeback after collapsing to the ice minutes into his opening-night start. What Byfuglien has done is particularly remarkable. Last spring he was among the best Blackhawk forwards and was in the Conn Smythe Trophy conversation by scoring 11 post-season goals, including a League-leading five game-winners. This season — as a defenseman — he shares the NHL lead in game-winning goals with six, tops all blueliners in goals (16) and points (41) and averages close to 23 minutes in ice time per game (22:43). Few players in NHL history have achieved that level of excellence at both positions.

Rising Stars

Few predicted that the Dallas Stars (24-13-4) would be within striking distance of first place in the NHL overall standings at the halfway point, but the Pacific Division leaders are indeed in the thick of the Presidents’ Trophy race. At his current pace, center Brad Richards (18-29–47) will crack the 90-point barrier for the second consecutive season. Left wing Loui Eriksson (16-28–44) is on pace for a career-best 85-point season, plays more than 20 minutes per game and leads his team in plus-minus (+15), power-play goals (six) and game-winners (four). The Stars also have benefited from the off-season acquisition of veteran goaltenders Kari Lehtonen (17-10-4, 2.64 GAA) and Andrew Raycroft (7-3-0, 2.24 GAA).

The Beat Goes On In Detroit

The Detroit Red Wings (25-10-5) keep rolling. They are on track for their 20th consecutive playoff berth (the longest active streak in pro sports) and their 11th consecutive 100-point season (which would extend their NHL record). D Nicklas Lidstrom continues to amaze at age 41. Lidstrom extended his point-scoring streak to eight games with a pair of assists in the Red Wings’ win at Edmonton Tuesday. Lidstrom has registered 39 points in 40 games this season, his highest total at the 40-game mark in any of his 19 seasons in the NHL and currently second among NHL defensemen. Lidstrom’s previous high was 37 points through 40 games in both 1991-92 (his rookie year) and 2005-06. Goaltender Jimmy Howard, a finalist for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie last season, shares the League lead in victories in his sophomore campaign (20-7-3) and is 33-7-5 over his past 45 regular-season starts dating back to last season.

Crosby Powers Penguins

It’s the Crosby Show in Pittsburgh, where the Penguins captain is halfway through his best season ever. Crosby leads the NHL in goals (32) and points (65), recording at least one point in 35 of the 41 games he has played. He compiled a 25-game point streak from Nov. 5 to Dec. 28, the longest in the NHL since Quebec’s Mats Sundin had a 30-game streak in 1992-93. He averaged two points per game and better than a goal per contest during the streak (26 goals, 24 assists). There are only four players in League history who averaged more than a goal per game during a point streak of 25 games or more — Wayne Gretzky (61 goals in 51 games), Steve Yzerman (29 goals in 28 games), Brett Hull (31 goals in 25 games) and Bryan Trottier (28 goals in 25 games).

Bruins’ Thomas Rejuvenated

Winner of the Vezina Trophy in 2008-09 then slowed by injury and relegated to the bench late in 2009-10, Bruins’ 36-year-old goaltender Tim Thomas has enjoyed a spectacular bounceback season after undergoing off-season hip surgery. Thomas won his first eight decisions, which broke a club record set by Tiny Thompson in 1937-38, and won his first nine road games — becoming the first NHL goaltender to do so since Chicago’s Glenn Hall in 1965-66. Thomas is 18-4-5 and leads the NHL in goals-against average (1.80), save percentage (.945) and shutouts (T-five).

Quick Backstopping Kings

Though he set franchise records for wins (39) and games (72) last season, there were questions whether Jonathan Quick would last the season as the Kings’ #1 goaltender. As the season nears the halfway point, Quick ranks among NHL goaltending leaders in goals-against average (2nd, 2.09), shutouts (T-4th, four), wins (T-5th, 18) and save percentage (9th, .922).

Tale of Two Goaltenders

One of the NHL’s biggest off-season trades featured the Montreal Canadiens sending 2010 playoff hero Jaroslav Halak to the St. Louis Blues, paving the way for Carey Price to assume the #1 goaltender role in Montreal. The results for Price, in his new role, and Halak, with his new team, are positive as the season reaches the halfway point. Price leads all goaltenders in minutes played (2,220), is tied for first place in wins (20) and games (37), tied for fourth in shutouts (four) and ranks eighth in goals-against average (2.32). Halak has appeared in 31 games for the Blues, posting a 15-11-4 record with a 2.51 GAA and .911 save percentage.

Stamkos, St. Louis Make Magic For Lightning

The Lightning’s challenge for first place in the Southeast Division has been keyed by high-scoring linemates Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis, two supremely talented forwards who complement the other’s game perfectly. Stamkos ranks second in the League in goals (31), while St. Louis is tied for second in assists (34). The club’s bid for its first post-season berth since 2007 was bolstered by the recent trade acquisition of goaltender Dwayne Roloson, who posted a shutout in his Tampa Bay debut, a 1-0 overtime victory at Washington Tuesday.

Capitals’ Strategic Remake Unfolds

The Washington Capitals’ effort to adopt a more playoff-conducive style of play has resulted in some statistical differences over the Presidents’ Trophy-winning season of 2009-10. Their goals-against is improved over last season (currently eighth in the NHL at 2.54, compared to their #16 ranking last season, 2.77) and their goal production is down significantly (10th, 2.88 this season compared to 1st, 3.82 in 2009-10). A roller-coaster first half saw them go nine games without a regulation loss (8-0-1 from Oct. 30 through Nov. 17), then eight without a win (0-6-2 from Dec. 2 through Dec. 18) and now are 5-0-2 in their past seven games.

Schedule Notes

* The Tampa Bay Lightning open a 12-game homestand when they host the Atlanta Thrashers at St. Pete Times Forum on Sunday, Jan. 23. The homestand matches the longest in NHL history, set by the California Seals from Nov. 26 through Dec. 28, 1975.

* The Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, New York Islanders and Phoenix Coyotes have the most home games remaining on their schedule (24); the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals have the fewest (18).

* Three ‘Original Six’ clubs are set for several inter-conference games during the second half of the season. The Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings have played a League-low five inter-conference games to date, while the Boston Bruins have played six. The Bruins and Red Wings will contest a rare home-and-home series, meeting Feb. 11 in Boston and Feb. 13 in Detroit.

* Pacific Division rivals Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings meet in the ‘Freeway Faceoff’ four more times, including a home-and-home series to end the season Apr. 8 and 9.

* Central Division rivals Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings meet four more times, including a home-and-home series to end the season Apr. 8 and 10.

* Northeast Division rivals Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens meet four more times, beginning Saturday night at Bell Centre in Montreal.

* Atlantic Division rivals New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers meet four more times, including Sunday matinees Feb. 20, Mar. 6 and Apr. 3.

* Classic rematch: The Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals face off twice more in the 2010-11 regular season, starting with a Super Sunday matinee on Feb. 6 at Verizon Center in Washington. The clubs’ fourth and final meeting will take place at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh on Monday, Feb. 21.

* Classic reunion: First-year Tampa Bay GM Steve Yzerman will face his former club for the first time when the Lightning host the Detroit Red Wings Feb. 17. Yzerman won four Stanley Cups with the Red Wings over a legendary 27-year career in Detroit, capturing three as a player (1997, 1998 and 2002) and another as a member of the Red Wings’ management team (2008).

What’s Ahead?

Monday, Jan. 10: NHL Central Scouting releases its mid-season rankings of top prospects for the 2011 Entry Draft.

Tuesday, Jan. 11: The NHL will name 36 players selected to participate in the 2011 NHL All-Star Game presented by Discover on Jan. 29 at RBC Center in Raleigh, joining the six players previously voted to the game in fan balloting. The NHL also will unveil the 12 rookies selected to participate with the NHL All-Stars in the Honda NHL SuperSkills® on Jan. 28.

Wednesday, Jan. 19: The 2011 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game will take place at Air Canada Centre in Toronto. This year’s game marks the 16th annual showcase of the CHL’s top-40 NHL draft eligible players featuring talent from the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The two-day event also features a skills competition and three-on-three challenge on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Sunday, Jan. 23: NBC opens its Game of the Week coverage with a rematch of the 2010 Stanley Cup Final when the Chicago Blackhawks host the Philadelphia Flyers at 12:30 p.m., ET. The NHL and NBC will again collaborate on flexible scheduling for NBC’s regular-season dates, providing fans the most exciting match-up available. At least 13 days prior to the scheduled date, a game will be selected to broadcast on NBC. All NBC Game of the Week games will be broadcast on Sundays and presented in High Definition.

Friday, Jan. 28: NHL Fan Fair™, the official fan festival of the 2011 NHL All-Star Weekend, opens at the Raleigh Convention Center in downtown Raleigh and runs through Sunday, Jan. 30. Occupying more than 150,000 square feet of the Convention Center, NHL Fan Fair™ will feature interactive games and attractions, special appearances, trophy and memorabilia displays and much more.

Friday, Jan. 28: The inaugural NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft powered by Cisco will be conducted from NHL Fan Fair™ at the Raleigh Convention Center. A player draft that will determine the team rosters for the 2011 NHL All-Star Game presented by Discover as well as the Honda NHL SuperSkills®, the event will be televised live on TSN in Canada and VERSUS in the U.S. at 8 p.m., ET. NHL Network also will be on-site, providing pre- and post-draft coverage of the new All-Star format and player draft selections.

Saturday, Jan. 29: The Honda NHL SuperSkills® competition will be held at RBC Center in Raleigh. The NHL All-Stars and Rookies will participate in six events, including the Bridgestone NHL Fastest Skater™; the BlackBerry NHL Breakaway Challenge™, where NHL All-Stars put their best goal scoring moves and skills to the test; the McDonald’s NHL Accuracy Shooting™; the XM NHL Hardest Shot; the Discover NHL Elimination Shootout™; and the all-new G-Series NHL Challenge Relay, an all-around competition that will showcase the one-timer, passing, puck control, stick-handling and accuracy shooting. The event will be broadcast live by VERSUS in the U.S. and CBC and RDS in Canada at 7 p.m., ET.

Sunday, Jan. 30: The League’s mid-season spectacular returns when 42 of the world’s most talented players take to the ice at RBC Center in Raleigh for the 2011 NHL All-Star Game presented by Discover. The game will be broadcast live by VERSUS in the U.S. and CBC and RDS in Canada at 4 p.m., ET.

Saturday, Feb. 12: Whitehorse, Yukon, plays host to Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada on CBC. The 11th edition of this grassroots celebration of hockey features 13 hours of coverage, including a NHL tripleheader featuring all six Canadian-based teams: Ottawa at Edmonton at 2 p.m. ET, Toronto at Montreal at 7 p.m. ET and Calgary at Vancouver at 10 p.m. ET.

Sunday, Feb. 20: The Calgary Flames host the Montreal Canadiens at McMahon Stadium in Calgary in the 2011 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic (6 p.m., ET), marking the first regular-season NHL game contested outdoors in Canada since the Edmonton Oilers hosted the Canadiens at Commonwealth Stadium on Nov. 22, 2003. CBC and RDS will carry the game in Canada and VERSUS will provide coverage in the United States. NHL Radio will have the live action across North American radio. NHL Network will provide on-site pre- and post-game reports and NHL.com will provide extensive digital coverage.

Sunday, Feb. 20: As part of Hockey Weekend Across America in 2011, NBC Sports and the NHL will salute the roots of the sport with Hockey Day in America. Launched by USA Hockey in 2008, Hockey Weekend Across America is a nationwide initiative to celebrate the game and those involved at all levels and to expose hockey to new audiences. NBC Sports will celebrate the day-long event with regional NHL coverage.

Monday, Feb. 28: An event that has created a signature day on the League calendar, the NHL trade deadline is 3 p.m., ET.

Monday, Mar. 14 to Wednesday, Mar. 16: NHL General Managers meeting, Boca Raton, Fla.

Sunday, Apr. 10: The 2010-11 NHL regular season concludes, wrapping what promises to be a photo finish for playoff berths and seedings. The 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs open on Wednesday, Apr. 13.

FOX Sports to present one of college football most prestigious bowl games this Friday Jan. 7 at 8:00 PM ET when the LSU Tigers invade Cowboys Stadium to take on the Texas A&M Aggies at the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic.

This marks the first time ever that the Cotton Bowl is being played under the prime-time lights. Legendary broadcaster Pat Summerall lends his renowned voice to the game’s pregame coverage and offers his most memorable moments in bowl game’s storied history as part of FOX Sports’ expanded pregame coverage. FOX Sports’ Chris Rose hosts pregame coverage live from field level at Cowboys Stadium and is joined by analysts John Lynch, a former All-America safety at Stanford and future NFL Hall-of-Famer, and former University of Tennessee defensive back Charles Davis.

FOX Sports’ rules analyst Mike Pereira joins veteran play-by-play announcer Kenny Albert and former Dallas Cowboys great Daryl Johnston in the booth to offer his unique perspective of the game. Best known for his expertise from his tenure as VP of officiating for the NFL, Pereira spent 14 years officiating college football.

He worked nine years in the Big West Conference (1982-91) followed by five years in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) (1992-96). During that time, Pereira officiated eight postseason Bowl Games including the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic and Aloha Bowl twice each, Citrus Bowl, Gator Bowl, Holiday Bowl and Freedom Bowl. FOX Sports has been the television home of the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic since 1999.

The Orioles have re-signed INF Cesar Izturis to a one-year contract.

Izturis, 30, batted .230 (109-473) in 150 games with the Orioles in 2010, his second season with the club. He was 2nd in fielding percentage (.985) and 5th in assists (382) and putouts (212) among AL shortstops last season.

Izturis has batted .256 with a .619 OPS in 10 major league seasons, during which he has won a Gold Glove (2004) and was a National League All-Star (2005).

The NFL on FOX Week 16 presents doubleheader coverage on Sunday, Dec. 26. America’s Game of the Week features the Giants traveling to Green Bay to take on the Packers at PM ET.

Coming off the crushing loss to the Eagles last week, Eli Manning and the Giants look to stay the course and earn a playoff spot. Their direct competition for the NFC’s last wild card is their opponent on Sunday, the Packers, who hope to welcome Aaron Rodgers back to their lineup. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver call the action from Lambeau Field.

The games kick-off at 1:00 PM ET as Sam Bradford and the Rams host the 49ers. Currently in first place in the NFC West, St. Louis can strengthen their position with a home win. Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jaguars look to stay in the AFC South race when they face the Skins. In South Florida, the Dolphins host the Lions. Also at 4:00 PM ET, Josh Freeman and the Bucs try to stay in the NFC playoff race when they welcome the Seahawks to Tampa.

Coverage begins at 12:00 PM ET with America’s most-watched pregame show, FOX NFL SUNDAY. Terry Bradshaw and Curt Menefee co-host the Emmy Award-winning program and are joined by analysts Howie Long, Michael Strahan and Jimmy Johnson. NFL Insider Jay Glazer presents the latest league news and scoops and comedic prognosticator Frank Caliendo contributes his weekly “Frank’s Picks” segment. NFL rules analyst Mike Pereira is also on hand to go over any impactful officiating issues from the last week.

San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams, Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston & Tony Siragusa, going to 61% of USA, 1:00PM
Edward Jones Dome – St. Louis, MO

MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Austin, Birmingham, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Hartford, Houston, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Providence, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tulsa

Washington Redskins at Jacksonville Jaguars, Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan & Nischelle Turner, going to 23% of USA, 1:00PM
EverBank Field – Jacksonville, FL

MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Columbus, Dayton, Greensboro, Greenville, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Louisville, Nashville, Norfolk, Orlando, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Richmond, Washington

Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins, Dick Stockton, Charles Davis & Laura Okmin, going to 6% of USA, 1:00PM
Sun Life Stadium – Miami, FL

MARKETS INCLUDE: Detroit, Fort Myers, Miami, West Palm Beach

New York Giants at Green Bay Packers, Joe Buck, Troy Aikman & Pam Oliver, going to 90% of USA, 4:15PM
Lambeau Field – Green Bay, WI

MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Detroit, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, Tampa, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Seattle Seahawks at Tampa Bay Bucs, Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick & Chris Myers, going to 6% of USA, 4:15PM
Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, FL

MARKETS INCLUDE: Fort Myers, Portland, Seattle, St. Louis

STRAHAN: GIANTS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES – FOX NFL SUNDAY analyst Michael Strahan is not making any excuses for his former team, the New York Giants. “I’m not apologizing for that, they should be ashamed of themselves,” said Strahan. “You look at that game and wonder how it got out of hand for the Giants. They got soft and relaxed. They thought ‘we got it.’  With eight minutes to go, they’re up by 21 and give up an easy touchdown to Brent Celek and all of a sudden the blitz’s looked like ‘whoever gets there gets there’ [lackadaisical] instead of ‘I’m going to make that play and not wait for someone to make that play.’ Then when it came time to pick it up, they couldn’t. The end of the game was fitting because you don’t let a team back in when you’re up like that.” The former Super Bowl champion believes New York needs to learn how to be consistent all the way through the end of the game. “The Giants have not finished, I don’t know if they know how to finish and they need to learn how, if they expect to do anything this year. You have to have a killer instinct. You have to finish teams.”

Chris Berman, Mike Ditka, Cris Carter, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson and NFL Insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter will preview the day’s NFL matchups Sunday at 11 a.m. Highlights:

* Chris Berman Explores the Michael Vick-Andy Reid Relationship — Eagles quarterback Michael Vick and head coach Andy Reid are bound by two motivations: the pursuit of a Super Bowl trophy and a belief in personal rehabilitation.  Vick arrived in Philadelphia after serving time in prison for operating a dog fighting operation.  Reid’s two eldest sons, incarcerated in 2007 on drug charges, are trying to re-assimilate into society. Countdown host Berman travelled to Philadelphia this week for a sit-down interview with Vick and Reid about their relationship.
* Maurice Jones-Drew: What’s in a name? — In college, Jaguars running back was just known as Maurice Drew.  After the death of his grandfather Maurice Jones, the younger Maurice wanted to pay homage to the man who helped raised him. E60’s Lisa Salters reports on the story behind the name change.
* Joe Flacco: A Tall Quarterback — At 6 ft, 6 inches, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is the NFL’s tallest starting quarterback. Because of his height, Flacco works on his throwing mechanics and this summer he trained with the University of Southern California pitching coach to improve his accuracy and arm strength. Rachel Nichols reports.

Next, NFL Matchup which needs a better timeslot.

NFL Matchup’s X’s and O’s: Eagles at Giants; Bears at Vikings; Saints at Ravens

Host Sal Paolantonio and analysts Merril Hoge and Ron Jaworski will preview the X’s and O’s in three key games this weekend on Sunday’s NFL Matchup  at 3 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. (5:30 a.m. on ESPN2).  Highlights:

* Eagles at Giants — In the last three games, Giants’ running back Ahmad Bradshaw has tallied up 45 carries for 249 yards, 5.5 yards per carry, earning Hoge’s ‘Seal of Approval’ and a Matchup analysis of his 48-yard touchdown run versus the Vikings on Monday night.
* Bears at Vikings — The last time these two teams met, Chicago seemed to have the upper hand, thanks to the Bears converting 11 of 19 third downs.  Jaworski goes “Inside the Matchup” to reveal the schemes that led to the success of Chicago’s offense.
* Saints at Ravens – Despite being the defending Super Bowl chamions, the Saints have been seemingly under the radar this season, but still hold a 10-3 record.  Jaworski opens his “Playbook” to show the vertical components of the New Orleans offense.

TNT presents doubleheader featuring the Boston Celtics and the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, December 16.

NBA TV and TNT’s Kevin McHale to serve as game analyst for Celtics @ Hawks (8 p.m. ET); Spurs @ Nuggets to follow (10:30 p.m. ET)

TNT NBA Thursday continues on December 16 with a doubleheader beginning at 8 p.m. (ET). The first game will feature Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics visiting Josh Smith and the Atlanta Hawks. NBA TV and TNT analyst and former Celtic Kevin McHale will join play-by-play announcer Marv Albert and analyst Steve Kerr courtside with Cheryl Miller reporting. In the second game of the night, Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets will host Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs at 10:30 p.m. (ET). Kevin Harlan (play-by-play) and Reggie Miller (analyst) will be courtside with Craig Sager reporting. Following the second game, Inside the NBA with Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst) will recap the night’s action.

TNT’s NBA coverage is averaging a 1.7 U.S. HH rating (+42%, 1.2 U.S. rating) through 16 regular season games, as well as 2,679,000 total viewers (+43%, 1,877,000 total viewers) and 1,974,000 households (+39%, 1,421,000 households) over last year’s corresponding coverage.

Exclusive content, analysis from TNT announcers and replays of Inside the NBA are available on TNT OverTime on NBA.com. The broadband channel gives fans the inside scoop on players, coaches and storylines taking place around the league seven days a week.  Check out the NBA on TNT pages on Twitter (http://twitter.com/NBAonTNT) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/nbaontnt) to see the latest NBA on TNT schedule, news updates and special features from TNT announcers.

NBA ON TNT NBA SCHEDULE:

Thu., December 16

8 p.m.                    TNT NBA Tip-Off
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)

8:15 p.m.               Atlanta Hawks @ Boston Celtics
Announcers: Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst), Kevin McHale (analyst) and Cheryl Miller (reporter)

10:30 p.m.             San Antonio Spurs @ Denver Nuggets
Announcers: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)

Post-game            Inside the NBA
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)

TNT NBA THURSDAY UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Thu., December 23

8 p.m.                    TNT NBA Tip-Off
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)

8:15 p.m.               San Antonio Spurs @ Orlando Magic
Announcers: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Reggie Miller (analyst) and David Aldridge (reporter)

10:30 p.m.             Miami Heat @ Phoenix Suns
Announcers: Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)

Post-game            Inside the NBA
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)