NBC’s Tirico and Collinsworth deliver Super Bowl intensity in Hall of Fame Game opener
Rookie quarterback Haynes King scores winning touchdown with two seconds remaining in a 33-30 victory that drew high-energy commentary from the NBC broadcast team.
The traditional curtain-raiser for the National Football League preseason has concluded, though the on-field results carry no weight in the official standings. During the Hall of Fame Game on 6 August 2026, the Carolina Panthers defeated the Arizona Cardinals 33-30, a match defined not by its competitive stakes but by the notable intensity of its broadcast presentation.
NBC’s lead commentary booth, comprising Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth, provided a high-energy account of the final moments of the contest. Despite the game being a preseason fixture where starters typically receive limited playing time, the duo’s delivery was described as being in midseason form, with comparisons drawn to the electricity of a Super Bowl call.
The decisive moment arrived with just two seconds remaining on the clock. Trailing 30-27 and positioned five yards from the goal line, the Panthers opted to play for a win rather than settle for a game-tying field goal, as the NFL preseason does not feature overtime rules. Collinsworth suggested a quarterback draw, and Tirico narrated the action as rookie quarterback Haynes King took the snap.
King, an undrafted rookie from Georgia Tech who had not previously appeared in an NFL game, pulled the ball and ran into the end zone. Tirico’s call of the play, describing King stepping up and running for the goal line, marked the first time King had played in the league. The victory secured a 33-30 win for Carolina.
The broadcast also marked a significant personnel change for the network’s coverage. Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made his debut as a studio analyst for Football Night in America. His performance received positive reviews, adding to a night that highlighted the readiness of the NBC team for the upcoming regular season.
While the outcome of the Hall of Fame Game does not impact team records, the broadcast set a tone for the network’s NFL coverage. The commentary team is scheduled to return to air on 9 September 2026 to broadcast the regular-season opener between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots.
