Game Date:  Thu Sep 17, 2015

Teams:  Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs

Network:  CBS

Voice of God announcer set up the same — dramatic retelling of what happened in each team’s previous game — really and effective opening montage.   I like the shield-shaped logo they use to transition from play to replay.   The animated graphic of the offensive line comparing this year’s to last years — quite complicated and cool.  Stadium PA announcer was distracting — unusual to hear that in the background so loud.  Mic’d Up  — Jeremy Ware and others — kind of a gimmicky novelty to hear the player’s comments, but amusing.

5/5.  Yeehaw.  I can’t believe I enjoyed a football game.  Structured like a work of drama:  the hero was in peril in the first act and rose above the antagonists.   Jamaal Charles TD — really impressive even though it put my Broncos behind.  And man — did they ever replay that one a lot.   Same with 2nd Chiefs TD — enjoyed watching Peters run it into the end zone and do that cute little kick-step.  Very cool when Sanders dove into the endzone on my Broncos’ first touchdown.  End of 2nd quarter — OMG.  Talib’s interception and two touchdowns in less than 2 minutes — I actually jumped out of my chair.  The whole rest of the game was a nail-biter with a spectacular finish.

There were 118 separate commercials during the game.   This time I’ve noted which commercials had a football theme — it’s quite common but I didn’t really notice that pattern until my second game (Ravens@Broncos)  Commercials for upcoming CBS TV shows again led the pack (29), followed by auto/truck ads (16).  Lots of audio plugs for various TV shows and upcoming NFL events, but more graphics on bottom half of the screen while those are being made.   They’re not included in the commercial roster count of 118.   A nice bunch of Fantasy Football spots, and I was struck by how relentlessly male they are in their appeal (apparently they aren’t aware of the increasing number of women involved in fantasy football).  Speaking of male focus of commercials — it’s very plain to see what demographic is being targeted in most of the commercials.  That’s not a criticism, just an observation. For my next game report I think I’ll start logging which commercials seem to target someone other than young males.  During this show, the ones that stood out included AARP, Wendy’s, US Postal Service, and UPS.

In addition to being a highly entertaining game on the field, the broadcast was loaded with extra features.  “Planning for the Future”  feature about John Elway’s role in rebuilding the Broncos.  “Football Starts Here” – wonderful montage of video images against a young African American male.   Very short feature about a local high school coach who’s retiring – nice.   National WWI Museum in KC was plugged briefly.  Superbowl Memories:  Hank Stram (sp?), the widow was brought onto the field.  Man — I’d sure like to see more of the halftime activities.   Colquitt twins are both punters, one on each of these teams.  They even had home video of the Colquitts as small boys singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.  Elway/Kubiak feature near end of 3rd quarter.  A few other times the announcers did a little shoutout to some local Kansas City businesses and personalities.

So much for me to learn

Bootleg play.