Who are the announcers and referees for the Colts vs. Bears?
The Chicago Bears will travel to Indiana to take on the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium this weekend, and it's a major game for both teams... but the Colts especially. Having lost two games in a row, with their Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers particularly humiliating, the Colts are in desperate need of a win if they want a prayer of showing the league that they can be legitimate playoff contenders.
Unfortunately, it could be a tough game for the Colts; their struggling defense is missing its best defender in DeForest Buckner, who suffered a high ankle sprain during the Packers game. However, Josh Downs' return to the field could give a boost to quarterback Anthony Richardson and the Colts offense, and the Bears have a number of injured players to contend with as well.
The Bears offense has also been performing below par in this first two weeks, with both quarterback Caleb Williams and running back D'Andre Swift averaging just three yards per carry; he's only received 48 rushing yards in the season so far. It could be an opportunity for the Colts run defense to step up their game - or for Williams and Swift to turn out a better performance.
Currently, the Colts are favored to beat the Bears.
Game Info:
- Game day: Sunday, September 22, 2024
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
- Stadium: Lucas Oil Stadium
Announcers for Colts vs. Bears:
- Andrew Catalon: Lead Play-by-Play Announcer
- Tiki Barber: Analyst
- Jason McCourty: Analyst
- AJ Ross: Sideline Reporter
The lead play-by-play announcer provides live narration of the action, and describing the action on the field live. Play-by-play announcers have strong knowledge of the game, and need to be able to explain the plays in a way that people with different levels of football knowledge can understand.
Analysts complement the play-by-play announcer, and typically are former coaches or players. They provide more in-depth information on what is happening, what the coaches or players might be thinking or feeling, and stories and anecdotes from their NFL experience.
The sideline reporter conducts interviews with coaches and players, give injury reports, and other updates.
Referees for Colts vs. Bears:
Adrian Hill (Head Referee)
- Roy Ellison: Umpire
- David Oliver: Down Judge
- Greg Bradley: Line Judge
- Tra Boger: Field Judge
- Clay Reynard: Side Judge
- Greg Steed: Back Judge
The head referee oversees the six referees on the field during the game, as well as all play calling. The umpire, down judge, line judge, field judge, side judge, and back judge are positioned throughout the field and make calls, but final say on what the play call will be is made by the head referee.
Hill has been an NFL referee since 2010, and was promoted to head referee in 2019.