‘Lost his touch’ – Al Michaels splits opinion with Packers-Bears call after confirming TNF decision
NFL announcer Al Michaels faced the wrath of fans as he delivered an ‘underwhelming’ call for the playoff clash between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers on Saturday night.
In what was pegged as one of the must-watch games of Wild Card weekend, Caleb Williams and Chicago bounced back from an 18-point deficit to stun their bitter rivals at Soldier Field.
The stunning comeback made NFL history, and was also the first time since 1941 that the Bears had beaten the Packers in a playoff game.
Michaels, 81, was watching for Prime Video alongside analyst Kirk Herbstreit, and split opinion on the broadcast once more.
The veteran sportscaster has faced calls to retire this season, with a number of moments from the booth going viral in recent months.
He has been accused by some of lacking enthusiasm in the big moments, and that was once again leveled at Michaels on Saturday night.
How did NFL fans react to Al Michaels call of Packers-Bears?
As he called Christian Watson’s early touchdown for the Packers — undoubtedly a big moment in the NFL season — many argued the announcer didn’t do it justice.
“Rolling… throwing… caught,” he told the Prime viewers, as quarterback Jordan Love found his receiver.
“And, does he get into the end zone? He does. Christian Watson crosses the goal line for a touchdown.”
Fans quickly took to social media to share their thoughts on the call, with one saying: “Christian Watson catches a TD on third down and Al Michaels sounds bored out of his MIND. SMH.”
Another wrote: “Al Michaels is making this game borderline unwatchable. Just throw in the towel man.”
The broadcaster then faced more criticism for his call in a critical part of the game, when Watson fumbled the ball and teammate Romeo Doubs recovered it in the end zone — and when the Bears completed their incredible comeback.
“Al Michaels’ call on the Watson fumble into the end zone was the only evidence needed that his Amazon contract should have never been renewed,” one fan claimed.
“It’s time for Al Michaels to hang it up, man. A team scores a touchdown in the playoffs and he announces it like he’s saying good morning to a coworker in the hallway. I’ve seen people more excited to find extra fries at the bottom of the bag,” a second said.
“Al Michaels called the most important game of my life with zero emotion, with an ending like that,” a third wrote.
“That game deserved better than Al Michaels,” a fourth said, and a fifth concluded: “Al Michaels being on the call for Bears-Packers is devastating, guy has completely lost his touch.”
While the Prime broadcaster took plenty of flak on Saturday night, other viewers argued any criticism was unfair, and that his Packers-Bears call was one of his best of the season.
Fans defend latest Al Michaels call for Prime Video
“I don’t get the Al Michaels hate. He’s a pretty easy listen. I think people just like complaining,” one wrote on X, jumping to his defense.
“He always said he saves it for big games. He’s not gonna go crazy for a Week 7 game,” another pointed out.
“Best game of his season called by him today, TBH,” a third said.
“You’ll miss him when he’s gone. Who will replace him? Nobody,” a fourth claimed.
The Packers-Bears game was the one and only playoff clash that will be broadcast on Prime this season.
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However, ahead of that clash, Michaels confirmed he will be returning to the streamer’s Thursday Night Football coverage in 2026.
Al Michaels confirms TNF decision for 2026
“First of all, I feel great,” he said, after Prime Video management confirmed his return.
“Everyone at Amazon has been fantastic and I love working with this group.
“I’ve been looking at this year one year at a time and as long as I feel I’m at the top of my game, I’d like to continue.”
In the eyes of some fans, Michaels is no longer at the ‘top’ of his game. Regardless, he will continue calling games in 2026.
CBS, Fox, ESPN and NBC will broadcast the rest of the playoffs in the coming weeks, with the latter airing Super Bowl LX on February 8.
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