• Best technical production: CBS -- which offers terrific reverse-angle, slow-motion replays (we can never get enough of `Super Vision'); superimposes quarterback, running back and receiver stats far more than Fox does; and it even displayed miles-per-hour of Santonio Holmes' touchdown on a punt return for Pittsburgh (topping 20 mph at one point). But CBS is remiss in not using sideline reporters during postseason. Fox uses two on some games.

• Best announcing teams: 1) NBC's Al Michaels, John Madden. 2) (tie) CBS' Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Fox's Joe Buck, Troy Aikman.

• Worst performance: CBS' Greg Gumbel, delinquent in the most basic of play-by-play duties on Ravens-Titans.

Gumbel identified neither the receiver nor the defender on the third-and-9 completion that preceded Baltimore's game-winning field goal in the final minute. He never said who made the three defensive stops by Tennessee with Baltimore inside the Titans' 10-yard-line earlier in the fourth quarter, nor did he say which Titans player made a big pass breakup late in the game.

Kevin Harlan or Ian Eagle -- both below Gumbel on CBS' depth chart -- offer a far more thorough, descriptive call than Gumbel.

• Say what? 1) Asked who is to blame for the Giants' loss Sunday, NFL Network's Deion Sanders said it was the NFL's fault. Here was Sanders' out-of-left-field reasoning: If the league hadn't scheduled Philadelphia to play Arizona on Thanksgiving night, on a short week, Kevin Kolb might have started instead of Donovan McNabb that day (which was far from certain, by the way), and McNabb might never have started again, and the Eagles might not have been in this position, and yada, yada, yada. Even colleague Steve Mariucci looked at Sanders as if he were nuts.

2) ESPN's Cris Carter spoke of Philadelphia having to deal this weekend with ''Darnell Dansby.'' We presume he was referring to Arizona's Darnell Dockett and Karlos Dansby.

• Most abused statistic: quarterback ratings. Why is so much attention given to a stat that nobody can explain? After CBS posted a graphic saying Baltimore's Joe Flacco had a 108 QB rating in the first half of the Tennessee game, Dan Dierdorf said Flacco has ``only completed three passes, so don't get caught up in the rating.''

So what's the point of showing it?

• Shakiest analysis: Fox's Daryl Johnston blasted Arizona for going for a field goal on a fourth-and-1 when leading 17-7 against Carolina. ''It will be 21-20 [Carolina] pretty quick,'' Johnston said. Arizona won 33-13. Johnston suggested the Cardinals should have gone for the first down because ''nobody expects you to be here.'' But that should have no bearing on strategy.

• Best analysis: Fox's Terry Bradshaw told us, correctly, that McNabb would deal better with the wind than the Giants' Eli Manning because he has better velocity on his passes. (When he's not acting like the class clown, Bradshaw is capable of making valid points). Credit ESPN's Keyshawn Johnson for also anticipating that Manning would make mistakes.

• Most improved: Rookies Michael Strahan (Fox) and Warren Sapp (NFL Network/Showtime): Sapp already knew how to criticize, and he has begun to add more substance to his analysis. Strahan mixes candor with charisma, though he still trips over his words at times.

• Most amusing question: CBS' James Brown, to ex-Cowboys cornerback Adam Jones: ''What is it about strip clubs that you can't stay away?'' (Jones insisted that he hasn't gone recently.)

• Most amusing sideshow: McNabb drawing a 15-yard penalty by picking up a phone on the Giants' sideline and pretending to talk. (Fox caught the moment on replay). ''Sometimes I don't know what goes through that guy's head,'' Aikman said. ''That's silly and unnecessary.'' Fox's Chris Myers asked McNabb after the game: ``What were you thinking -- rollover minutes?''

• Most peculiar ''news'' graphic: ESPN posted late-breaking news about the Chargers-Steelers game, including injuries. Among the nuggets: Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Chargers running back '' Darren Sproles benefits from being short.'' Stop the presses!

• Best addition: Showtime adding in-the-loop former NFL personnel man Michael Lombardi as a regular information man on Inside the NFL. He said this week that members of the Cowboys front office, as well as offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, are trying to persuade owner Jerry Jones to release Terrell Owens, who is due a $3.1 million roster bonus in March.

• Most fawning interview: Sanders, during a conversation with McNabb, clapped (we kid not), thanked him for giving a ''good answer,'' told him he was ''so well-spoken,'' said how much he loves McNabb's mother and later declared, ''McNabb for president.'' Sanders, incidentally, began the interview by saying, ''Donovan, this is Prime.'' So Prime Time refers to himself by his nickname? What's up with that?