2006 NFL season

American football season November 2013 March 2026 the American football season in the United States the Gaelic football season in Ireland 2006 National Football League (Ireland) 2006 Indianapolis Colts September 7 – December 31, 2006 January 6, 2007 Indianapolis Colts New England Patriots Chicago Bears New Orleans Saints XLI February 4, 2007 Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida 2007 02 10 The 2006 NFL season was the 87th regular season of the National Football League (NFL). Regular season play was held from September 7 to December 31, 2006. The season began with the reigning Super Bowl XL champion Pittsburgh Steelers defeating the Miami Dolphins in the NFL Kickoff game. The NFL title was eventually won by the Indianapolis Colts, when they defeated the Chicago Bears 29–17 in Super Bowl XLI at Dolphin Stadium at Miami Gardens, Florida on February 4, 2007. New NFL commissioner On March 20, 2006, Paul Tagliabue announced his plans to retire as NFL commissioner. During an NFL meeting in Northbrook, Illinois, on August 8, league team owners selected Roger Goodell, the NFL's then-current chief operating officer, as the new commissioner. Tagliabue continued to serve as commissioner until Goodell officially replaced him on Friday September 1. Tagliabue became NFL commissioner on October 26, 1989. During his tenure, the league added four new teams; saw four franchises move (including two franchises—the Rams and Raiders—from Los Angeles, the second-largest television market in the United States); the construction of seventeen new stadiums; began its own in-house television specialty cable network, the NFL Network; greatly increased television rights fees with its broadcasters, including the addition of the Fox network and its NFL programming; and maintained labor peace with the players' union. Draft The 2006 NFL draft was held from April 29 to 30, 2006, at New York City's Radio City Music Hall. With the first pick, the Houston Texans selected defensive end Mario Williams from North Carolina State University. New referees Bernie Kukar and Tom White retired. Jerome Boger and Gene Steratore were promoted to referee. Umpire Butch Hannah returned to his position after sitting out half of the 2005 season with various injuries. Notable retirements Jerry Azumah Ahmed Plummer Jerry Rice (as a one day contract with the 49ers) Jimmy Smith Eddie George Peter Boulware Wayne Chrebet Tony Banks Dat Nguyen Charlie Garner Paul Grasmanis Jamaar Taylor Troy Hambrick Tony Boselli Brad Lekkerkerker Dorsey Levens Todd Washington Todd Peterson Richie Anderson Victor Green Tommy Maddox Jerome Bettis Dale Carter Doug Flutie Dewayne Washington Chris Mohr Deion Sanders Brady Smith Dez White Bob Hallen Calvin Branch Kordell Stewart Major rule changes thumb|250px|The Seattle Seahawks host the Green Bay Packers in snow at Qwest Field, November 27, 2006 End zone celebrations became more restricted. Players cannot celebrate by using any type of prop, or do any act in which they are on the ground. Players may still spike, spin the ball, or (until 2014), dunk it over the goal posts. Dancing in the end zone is also permitted as long as it is not a prolonged or group celebration. The Lambeau Leap, though, is still legal.Pierson Don Expert: Simple celebration rule -- stay on your feet - NFL http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12070684/ https://web.archive.org/web/20060418054909/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12070684/ 2006-04-18 2026-04-24 MSNBC Defenders were prohibited from hitting a passer in the knee or below unless they are blocked into him. This rule was enacted in response to the previous season's injuries to Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Brian Griese. Down-by-contact calls could now be reviewed by instant replay to determine if a player fumbled the ball before he was down, and who recovered it. Previously, these plays could not be reversed once officials blew the whistle. The "horse-collar tackle" rule enacted during the previous 2005 season was expanded. Players are now prohibited from tackling a ball carrier from the rear by tugging inside his jersey. Previously, it was only illegal if the tackler's hand got inside the player's shoulder pads. To reduce injuries, defensive players cannot line up directly over the long snapper during field goal and extra point attempts. Officials' uniform makeover The 2006 season marked the debut of new officiating uniforms which are supposed to be more comfortable for officials to wear in extreme weather over the old polyester uniforms. The uniforms were designed by Reebok using a proprietary material technology to keep officials both warm and dry during the winter months of the season. On the shirt, the position and number are removed from the front pocket and the lettering and numbers on the back side were black-on-white and are smaller print and the sleeve shows the uniform number. Officials also wore full-length black pants with white stripe during the winter months to stay warm, which was criticized by media. Also, a black stripe was added to each side of the white knickers. This was the first major design overhaul since 1979, when the position name was added to the shirt, but later abbreviated in 1982. Return of "The Duke" football thumb|250px|A Philadelphia fumble is recovered by Washington's Ade Jimoh, week 14 For the first time since Super Bowl IV at the conclusion of the 1969 season, the official NFL game ball was known as "The Duke" in honor of Wellington Mara, whose family owns the New York Giants. Son John is the current CEO of the team. The NFL first used "The Duke" ball in honor of owner Tim Mara (Wellington's father) made a deal with Wilson Sporting Goods to become the league's official supplier of game balls, a relationship that continued into its sixty-fifth year in 2006.http://www.giants.com/news/eisen/story.asp?story_id=14954 Michael Eisen – Story – 3.27 "The Duke" is Back – Giants.com April 1, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20061021011224/http://www.giants.com/news/eisen/story.asp?story_id=14954 October 21, 2006 dead mdy-all "The Duke" ball was discontinued after the 1970 AFL–NFL merger, and the merged league began using a different standardized ball made by Wilson. The only other time that "The Duke" ball name was used was during the two "Thanksgiving Classic" games in 2004. One side of the new 2006 "Duke" football featured the NFL shield logo in gold, the words "The Duke", and the NFL commissioner's signature. The obverse side has a small NFL logo above the needle bladder hole, the conference names between the hole, and the words "National Football League" in gold. As per the custom, specially branded balls were used for the first week of the 2006 season (the "Opening Kickoff") as well as for the Thanksgiving Day, conference championships, Super Bowl XLI and Pro Bowl games. 2006 deaths Death of Lamar Hunt Lamar Hunt died in Dallas, Texas on December 13 from complications from prostate cancer at the age of 74. He is credited with challenging the NFL with the formation of the American Football League, which led to the subsequent merger of the two leagues. Death of two Broncos At 3 a.m. on January 1, 2007, Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was shot and killed in Denver, within hours after the last regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers. Less than two months later, on February 24, 2007, Broncos running back Damien Nash collapsed and died after a charity basketball game at a high school. Both players died at the age of 24. Regular season Schedule formula Based on the NFL's scheduling formula, the intraconference and interconference matchups for 2006 were: Intraconference AFC East vs. AFC South AFC North vs. AFC West NFC East vs. NFC South NFC North vs. NFC West Interconference AFC East vs. NFC North AFC North vs. NFC South AFC South vs. NFC East AFC West vs. NFC West Highlights of the 2006 season included: NFL Kickoff Game: The season began with the Kickoff Game on September 7, 2006, featuring the Super Bowl XL champion Pittsburgh Steelers defeating the Miami Dolphins. NFL on Thanksgiving: The 2006 season introduced a new Thanksgiving primetime game, which launched the new Thursday Night Football package. Unlike the traditional afternoon doubleheader, this game does not have tie-ins with specific home teams, and would feature the Denver Broncos at the Kansas City Chiefs.2025-11-27 Why the NFL made a Thanksgiving scheduling change that broke 42 years of tradition for the Lions https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/why-nfl-made-thanksgiving-scheduling-change-that-broke-42-years-of-tradition-for-lions/ 2026-09-13 CBS Sports en2007-07-25 Chiefs run over the Broncos, 19-10 https://www.nfl.com/news/chiefs-run-over-the-broncos-19-10-09000d5d80058738 2026-09-13 NFL.com en2026-09-13 NFL Network Gets New Package Of Late-Season Primetime Games https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2006/01/30/Sports-Media/NFL-Network-Gets-New-Package-Of-Late-Season-Primetime-Games/ 2026-09-13 Sports Business Journal en Flexible scheduling added to regular season NFL on television#Flexible-scheduling This was the first season that the NFL used a "flexible-scheduling" for the last few weeks of the season, allowing the league flexibility in selecting games to air on Sunday night, in order to feature the current hottest, streaking teams. This was implemented to prevent games featuring losing teams from airing during primetime late in the season, while at the same time allowing NBC to rake in more money off the higher ratings from surprise, playoff-potential teams that more fans would enjoy watching. Under the flexible-scheduling system, all Sunday games in the affected weeks tentatively had the start times of 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT, except those played in the Pacific or Mountain time zones, which will have a tentative start time of 4:05 p.m. ET/1:05 p.m. PT (or 4:15 p.m. ET/1:15 p.m. PT if it is on the doubleheader network). On the Tuesday 12 days before the games, the league moved one game to the Sunday Night Football slot, and possibly one or more 1 p.m. slotted games to the 4:05/4:15 p.m. slots. During the last week of the season, the league could reschedule games as late as six days before the contests so that all of the television networks will be able to broadcast a game that has playoff implications. Week 10: The Chicago–New York Giants game was flexed into Sunday Night Football at 8:15 p.m. ET on NBC and the New Orleans–Pittsburgh game was flexed to 4:15 p.m. ET on Fox. Week 11: The San Diego–Denver game was flexed into SNF and the Indianapolis–Dallas game was flexed to 4:15 p.m. ET on CBS. Week 12: The Philadelphia–Indianapolis game was flexed into SNF. The Chicago–New England and New York Giants–Tennessee games were flexed to 4:15 p.m. ET on Fox. Week 13: The Seattle–Denver game was flexed into SNF. The Jacksonville–Miami game was flexed to 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS. The Dallas–New York Giants and Tampa Bay–Pittsburgh games were flexed to 4:15 p.m. ET on Fox. Week 14: The New Orleans–Dallas game was flexed into SNF and the Buffalo–New York Jets game was flexed to 4:15 p.m. ET on CBS. Week 15: The Kansas City–San Diego game was flexed into SNF and the Philadelphia–New York Giants game was flexed to 4:15 p.m. ET on Fox. Week 17: The Green Bay–Chicago game was flexed into NBC Sunday Night Football at 8:15 p.m. ET. The Buffalo–Baltimore and Miami–Indianapolis games were flexed to 4:15 p.m. ET on CBS The Atlanta–Philadelphia game was flexed to 4:15 p.m. ET on Fox. Thanksgiving changes Beginning in 2006, a primetime game on Thanksgiving night would air between two random teams other than the Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, and the teams who played them earlier in the day. It aired on NFL Network until 2012, when NBC took over. Other notable changes Beginning in 2006, the Indianapolis Colts would begin starting games at the same local time with other teams in the Eastern Time Zone, as the State of Indiana began observing Daylight Savings Time earlier in the year.Clock Changes in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA 2006 https://www.timeanddate.com/time/change/usa/indianapolis?year=2006 timeanddate.com December 10, 2025 December 30, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20251230130839/https://www.timeanddate.com/time/change/usa/indianapolis?year=2006 live Regular season standings Division Conference Playoffs 2006–07 NFL playoffs San Diego Chargers West Baltimore Ravens North Indianapolis Colts South New England Patriots East New York Jets Kansas City Chiefs Chicago Bears North New Orleans Saints South Philadelphia Eagles East Seattle Seahawks West Dallas Cowboys New York Giants 2006 Bracket Pro Bowl 2007 Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii: AFC 31, NFC 28 Milestones The following teams and players set all-time NFL records during the regular season: RecordPlayer/teamDate/opponentPrevious record holderhttp://www.nfl.com/history/randf NFL.com – NFL Record and Fact Book NFL.com December 18, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20071227144108/http://www.nfl.com/history/randf December 27, 2007 live mdy Most points scored, career Morten Andersen, Atlanta December 16 vs. Dallas Gary Anderson, 1982–2004 (2,434) Most field goals, career Morten Andersen, Atlanta December 24 vs. Carolina Gary Anderson, 1982–2004 (538) Most passes completed, career Brett Favre, Green Bay December 17 vs. Detroit Dan Marino, 1983–1999 (4,967) Most touchdowns, season LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego (31) December 10 vs. Denver Shaun Alexander, Seattle, 2005 (28) Most rushing touchdowns, season LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego (28) December 10 vs. Denver Shaun Alexander, 2005 Priest Holmes, 2003 (27) Most points scored, season LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego (186) December 17 vs. Kansas City Paul Hornung, 1960 (176) Most rushing attempts, season Larry Johnson, Kansas City (416) December 31 vs. Jacksonville Jamal Anderson, Atlanta, 1998 (410) Most kick returns for a touchdown, season Devin Hester, Chicago (5; 3 punts and 2 kickoffs) December 11 at St. Louis Tied by 9 players (4) Regular season statistical leaders thumb|250px|Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najeh Davenport against the Baltimore Ravens in week 12 of the 2006 season Team Points scoredSan Diego Chargers (492)Total yards gainedNew Orleans Saints (6,264)Yards rushingAtlanta Falcons (2,939)Yards passingNew Orleans Saints (4,503)Fewest points allowedBaltimore Ravens (201)Fewest total yards allowedBaltimore Ravens (4,225)Fewest rushing yards allowedMinnesota Vikings (985)Fewest passing yards allowedOakland Raiders (2,413) Individual ScoringLaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego (186 points)TouchdownsLaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego (31 TDs)Most field goals madeRobbie Gould, Chicago and Jeff Wilkins, St. Louis (32 FGs)RushingLaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego (1,815 yards)Passer ratingPeyton Manning, Indianapolis (101.0 rating)Passing touchdownsPeyton Manning, Indianapolis (31 TDs)Passing yardsDrew Brees, New Orleans (4,418 yards)Pass receptionsAndre Johnson, Houston (103 catches)Pass receiving yardsChad Johnson, Cincinnati (1,369 yards)Punt returnsAdam "Pacman" Jones, Tennessee (12.9 average yards)Kickoff returnsJustin Miller, New York Jets (28.3 average yards)InterceptionsAsante Samuel, New England and Champ Bailey, Denver (10)PuntingMat McBriar, Dallas (48.2 average yards)SacksShawne Merriman, San Diego (17) Awards Most Valuable Player LaDainian Tomlinson, running back, San Diego ChargersCoach of the YearSean Payton, New Orleans SaintsOffensive Player of the Year LaDainian Tomlinson, running back, San Diego ChargersDefensive Player of the Year Jason Taylor, defensive end, Miami DolphinsOffensive Rookie of the Year Vince Young, quarterback, Tennessee TitansDefensive Rookie of the Year DeMeco Ryans, linebacker, Houston TexansNFL Comeback Player of the Year Chad Pennington, quarterback, New York JetsWalter Payton NFL Man of the YearLaDainian Tomlinson, running back, San Diego Chargers and Drew Brees, quarterback, New Orleans SaintsSuper Bowl Most Valuable PlayerPeyton Manning, quarterback, Indianapolis Colts All-Pro Team 48% OffenseQuarterbackDrew Brees, New OrleansRunning backLaDainian Tomlinson, San DiegoLarry Johnson, Kansas CityFullbackLorenzo Neal, San DiegoWide receiverMarvin Harrison, IndianapolisChad Johnson, CincinnatiTight endAntonio Gates, San DiegoOffensive tackleWillie Anderson, CincinnatiJammal Brown, New OrleansOffensive guardAlan Faneca, PittsburghShawn Andrews, PhiladelphiaCenterOlin Kreutz, Chicago 48% DefenseDefensive endJason Taylor, MiamiJulius Peppers, CarolinaDefensive tackleJamal Williams, San DiegoKevin Williams, MinnesotaOutside linebackerShawne Merriman, San DiegoAdalius Thomas, BaltimoreInside linebackerBrian Urlacher, ChicagoZach Thomas, MiamiCornerbackChamp Bailey, DenverRashean Mathis, JacksonvilleSafetyBrian Dawkins, PhiladelphiaEd Reed, Baltimore Special teamsKickerRobbie Gould, ChicagoPunterBrian Moorman, BuffaloKick returnerDevin Hester, Chicago Team superlatives Offense Most points scored: San Diego, 492 Fewest points scored: Oakland, 168 Most total offensive yards: New Orleans, 6,264 Fewest total offensive yards: Oakland, 3,939 Most total passing yards: New Orleans, 4,503 Fewest total passing yards: Atlanta, 2,371 Most rushing yards: Atlanta, 2,939 Fewest rushing yards: Detroit, 1,129 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2006/ Pro-Football-Reference.com: 2006 NFL Standings, Team & Offensive Statistics March 29, 2018 February 8, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100208034036/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2006/ live Defense Fewest points allowed: Baltimore, 201 Most points allowed: San Francisco, 412 Fewest total yards allowed: Baltimore, 4,225 Most total yards allowed: Tennessee, 5,915 Fewest passing yards allowed: Oakland, 2,413 Most passing yards allowed: Cincinnati / Minnesota (tie), 3,818 Fewest rushing yards allowed: Minnesota, 985 Most rushing yards allowed: Indianapolis, 2,768 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2006/opp.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com: 2006 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics March 29, 2018 October 12, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221012060127/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2006/opp.htm live Head coach/front office changes Head coach Team Departing coach Interim coach Reason for leaving Incoming coach Notes Buffalo Bills Mike Mularkey Resigned Dick Jauron On January 12, 2006, Mularkey resigned as head coach of the Bills, citing a disagreement in the direction of the organization, who had recently hired new management, including ex-coach Marv Levy.Pasquarelli Len January 13, 2006 Mularkey resigns as Bills' head coach http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2289987 January 26, 2006 ESPN.com January 27, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180127084002/http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2289987 live After a strenuous interview process, Levy hired Jauron, former Detroit Lions interim head coach, as his replacement. Detroit Lions Steve Mariucci Dick Jauron Fired Rod Marinelli Mariucci was fired after a 27–7 blowout loss on national television on Thanksgiving Day. Marinelli had been the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line coach for the past six seasons and assistant head coach for the past four. Green Bay Packers Mike Sherman Mike McCarthy Sherman was fired by the Packers on January 2, 2006, after leading the Packers to a 4–12 record in 2005. The team immediately started interviewing for a replacement.January 2, 2006 Packers' Sherman loses job after first losing season https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2277901 June 28, 2021 ESPN.com en Associated Press June 28, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210628203519/https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2277901 live McCarthy was interviewed by Packers general manager Ted Thompson on January 8, 2006, and was offered the head coaching position three days later.Pasquarelli Len January 11, 2006 Packers to hire 49ers' McCarthy as coach https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2288985 January 12, 2006 ESPN.com October 14, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121014050433/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2288985 live Houston Texans Dom Capers Gary Kubiak Kubiak, the Denver Broncos offensive coordinator, was named the second head coach in Texans history on January 26, 2006. Kansas City Chiefs Dick Vermeil Retired Herm Edwards Edwards was acquired from the New York Jets for a fourth-round draft pick. Herm Edwards#Departure from New York Minnesota Vikings Mike Tice Fired Brad Childress Tice's contract was allowed to expire after the last game of the 2005 season on January 1, 2006. Childress was the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator from 2002–2005, although he never called plays for the Eagles, as that responsibility was taken by head coach Andy Reid. New Orleans Saints Jim Haslett Sean Payton Payton was the assistant head coach and passing game coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. New York Jets Herm Edwards Traded Eric Mangini Mangini, 35, became the youngest head coach in the NFL when he was hired by the New York Jets on January 17, 2006, to replace Herm Edwards. Oakland Raiders Norv Turner Fired Art Shell Shell, who had been working as the senior vice president of football operations and development for the league, had not been a head coach since the Raiders fired him after the 1994 season. St. Louis Rams Mike Martz Joe Vitt Scott Linehan On October 10, 2005, Martz took a leave of absence from the Rams to treat a persistent bacterial infection in his heart. This led to assistant head coach Joe Vitt becoming the interim coach for the rest of the season. Martz was given medical clearance to coach the Rams' last regular season game, on New Year's Day 2006; however, team management refused to let him do so, and Martz was fired the day after the season's conclusion.Martz's tenure with Rams ends in dismissal https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2277862 ESPN.com September 12, 2018 en January 2, 2006 September 14, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180914203308/http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2277862 live Front office Team 2005 office holder Reason for leaving 2006 replacement NotesBuffalo BillsTom DonahoeFiredMarv Levy On January 5, 2006, Bills owner Ralph Wilson enlisted Levy, at the age of 80, to act as general manager and vice president of football operations for the Buffalo Bills.Houston TexansCharley CasserlyResignedRick Smith Rick Smith (American football executive) Charley Casserly left the organization following the 2006 NFL draft. Smith was the director of pro personnel for the Denver Broncos.Minnesota VikingsRob BrzezinskiFront office overhaulFran FoleyRick Spielman Fran Foley had been hired as vice president of player personnel and de facto general manager on January 26, 2006. Foley was fired on May 3rd, 2006, just three months into his tenure and mere days following the 2006 NFL draft. Rick Spielman was hired in the same role on May 30, 2006. Spielman is part of the "Triangle of Authority" with Vikings' owner Zygi Wilf and head coach Brad Childress working together to make decisions.New York JetsTerry BradwayResignedMike Tannenbaum Tannenbaum was previously the team's assistant general manager & director of pro personnel.Philadelphia EaglesAndy Reid (de facto GM)ReplacedTom Heckert Jr. Heckert was promoted from vice president of pro personnel to general manager. Despite Heckert's new title, head coach Andy Reid still serves as executive vice president of football operations and has the final say in football matters.St. Louis RamsCharley ArmeyRetiredJay Zygmunt Zygmunt also retains his position of President of Football Operations. Stadium changes Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals moved from Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe to University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, with the University of Phoenix acquiring the naming rights Miami Dolphins: Dolphins Stadium was renamed to the singular Dolphin Stadium The New Orleans Saints returned to their home at the Louisiana Superdome in Week Three. Due to damage by Hurricane Katrina, the Saints' first 2005 home game against the New York Giants was moved to Giants Stadium. The Saints then played their remaining 2005 home schedule at Baton Rouge's Tiger Stadium for four games and at San Antonio's Alamodome for three games. Tennessee Titans: The Coliseum was renamed LP Field after the manufacturing company Louisiana-Pacific (LP) acquired the naming rights Uniform changes The Minnesota Vikings added trim lines to the outside shoulders and sleeves, and the jersey sides and pants. The horn on the helmet was also modified to be slightly more defined. Purple pants were also worn at selected games. The New Orleans Saints began wearing black pants at selected games. Ticket sellouts Through week 11 of the season, all NFL games had been sold out, and for the 24th time, all blackout restrictions had been lifted.http://www.nfl.com/news/story/9810580 All games sold out for 11th consecutive week NFL.com 2006-11-17 bot: unknown https://web.archive.org/web/20061125133746/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/9810580 November 25, 2006 mdy The streak was ended by the Jacksonville at Buffalo game in Week 12.In depth: Frustration in Buffalo shows how NFL's television policies irking fan base https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/bills/2006-11-26-blackout-frustration_x.htm USA Today November 26, 2006 November 27, 2006 August 16, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070816185640/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/bills/2006-11-26-blackout-frustration_x.htm live Television thumb|CBS's The NFL Today, Super Bowl XLI This was the first season that NBC held the rights to televise Sunday Night Football, becoming the beneficiaries by negotiating the new flexible-scheduling system (it also marked NBC's return to carrying NFL games for the first time since the end of the 1997 season).http://www.nfl.com/news/story/8397476 NFL announces new prime-time TV packages NFL.com December 13, 2005 https://web.archive.org/web/20051130041612/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/8397476 November 30, 2005 dead mdy ESPN became the new home of Monday Night Football. Disney-owned corporate sibling ABC had lost millions of dollars on televising MNF during the late 1990s and 2000s despite generating high ratings, and with the NFL wanting Sunday night to be the new night for its marquee game, ABC preferred to protect its Desperate Housewives franchise rather than move the comedy-drama show to another night.'Monday Night Football' Changes the Channel https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A63538-2005Apr18?language=printer https://web.archive.org/web/20180922122957/https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A63538-2005Apr18/?language=printer dead September 22, 2018 Leonard Shapiro Mark Maske The Washington Post A1 April 19, 2005Miller, Shales James Andrew, Tom Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN http://www.uvm.edu/~rgriffin/ESPN-Miller.pdf 547 December 28, 2021 July 8, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20211228055555/http://www.uvm.edu/~rgriffin/ESPN-Miller.pdf live By September 2006, ABC began using the ESPN on ABC brand after ABC Sports was fully integrated into ESPN (ABC would not air NFL games again, whether exclusive or a simulcast from ESPN, until they began simulcasting a Wild Card playoff game in 2016, and began simulcasting select MNF games in 2020).Miller, Shales James Andrew, Tom Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN http://www.uvm.edu/~rgriffin/ESPN-Miller.pdf 562 December 28, 2021 July 8, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20211228055555/http://www.uvm.edu/~rgriffin/ESPN-Miller.pdf live Meanwhile, CBS and Fox renewed their television contracts to the AFC and the NFC packages, respectively.http://www.nfl.com/news/story/7868621 NFL to remain on broadcast TV NFL.com December 13, 2005 https://web.archive.org/web/20051204051301/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/7868621 December 4, 2005 dead mdy ESPN's new deal was for eight seasons through 2013, while the new agreements with NBC, CBS, and Fox were initially for six seasons through 2011. Initially, NBC was able to hire color commentator John Madden, MNF lead producer Fred Gaudelli, and MNF director Drew Esocoff from ABC. However, play-by-play announcer Al Michaels remained under contract with ABC/ESPN, and plans were originally for him to be teamed with Joe Theismann, who would be coming over from ESPN Sunday Night Football.https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2117146 Michaels, Theismann, Kolber, Tafoya to crew MNF ESPN July 26, 2005 live https://web.archive.org/web/20070115114655/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2117146 January 15, 2007 In February 2006, the two networks' parent companies, The Walt Disney Company and NBC Universal, agreed to a multi-asset trade that, among others, allowed Michaels to sign with NBC, while Disney took ownership of the intellectual property of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (a cartoon character developed by Walt Disney himself in the 1920s) from NBC Universal.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11235692/ NBC acquires Michaels for cartoon bunny, golf Associated Press February 13, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20060222035442/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11235692/ February 22, 2006 dead ESPN then opted to go with Mike Tirico on play-by-play, and Theismann and Tony Kornheiser as analysts.February 10, 2006 ESPN names new MNF team; Breen to call NBA games https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2323121 live https://web.archive.org/web/20111107013016/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2323121 November 7, 2011 2025-08-06 ESPN.com Associated Press For its new pregame show Football Night in America, NBC gained the exclusive rights from ESPN's NFL Primetime to show extensive highlights of Sunday afternoon games prior to Sunday Night Football. ESPN responded by moving its show to Mondays. Bob Costas became the host of Football Night in America, while Cris Collinsworth, Jerome Bettis, and Sterling Sharpe became its studio analysts. The league-owned NFL Network was given an eight-game package, consisting of five Thursday Night Football games and three Saturday game that began airing from Thanksgiving to the end of the regular season. The NFL Network hired HBO Sports' Bryant Gumbel as play-by-play announcer, NBC's Collinsworth as the color commentator for the Thursday telecasts, and Dick Vermeil replacing Collinsworth for Saturday telecasts. James Brown moved from Fox to CBS, replacing Greg Gumbel as host of The NFL Today. Gumbel then replaced Dick Enberg as CBS's #2 play-by-play announcer, and Enberg was demoted to #3. Fox announced that Joe Buck would replace Brown as lead host on Fox NFL Sunday. Because Buck was already serving as Fox's lead play-by-play announcer, the pregame show was primarily broadcast from the site where Buck was calling the game, and Curt Menefee hosted the halftime and postgame segments. Menefee substituted for Buck as the full-time host when Buck was calling the Major League Baseball playoffs, and the World Series. Beginning this season and continuing until 2013; CBS would not use sideline reporters for regular season coverage after Armen Keteyian joined CBS News as an investigative correspondent and Bonnie Bernstein returned to ESPN as well as letting go of several others. External links Football Outsiders 2006 DVOA Rankings https://web.archive.org/web/20200622062326/https://www.footballoutsiders.com/dvoa-ratings/2007/final-2006-dvoa-ratings June 22, 2020 References 30em 2006 NFL Schedule (Last accessed April 6, 2006) NFL curtails end-zone celebrations from NFL.com, March 29, 2006 (Last accessed March 29, 2006) Process of game-time decisions will eliminate TV duds, create chaos by Michael Hiestand, USA Today, April 5, 2006 (Last accessed November 6, 2006) 2007 NFL Record and Fact Book (978-1-933821-85-6) Category:NFL seasons National Football League