Plot Synopsis

Each week during the National Football League (NFL) season, hosts of this once-a-week in-studio program review the games of the previous weekend, break down upcoming featured contests, interview players and coaches, and reveal behind-the-scenes information -- all while providing expert insight about all aspects of the game. After airing on HBO for 31 seasons, the network announced in February 2008 that the series would be sacked, but Showtime picked up the series only four months later so that the program could continue its run. In May 2012, Showtime declined the opportunity to extend Warren Sapp's contract, and INSIDE THE NFL was manned by three hosts through the 2013-2014 season (Season 37), which Showtime premiered on Wednesday, September 4, 2013 at 9pm ET/PT, with James Brown, Cris Collinsworth, and Phil Simms reviewing the final week of pre-season games and previewing Week 1 of the NFL season.

INSIDE THE NFL returned for its 38th season overall and 7th season on Showtime on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at 9pm ET/PT. In addition to airing on a new night -- Tuesdays at 9pm through February 4, 2015 -- this series welcomed former 12-year NFL veteran safety Ed Reed, current Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall, and Boomer Esiason, who joined Phil Simms as analysts, along with new host Greg Gumbel. Plus, NFL Network re-airs the show on Wednesdays (9 pm ET/6pm PT) throughout the season.

Season 39 of INSIDE THE NFL premiered on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 9pm ET/PT on Showtime, with new host Adam Schein joining Phil, Boomer and Brandon for the show's eighth season on Showtime, providing exclusive NFL highlights and expert analysis of every game.

The 40th season of INSIDE THE NFL premiered on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at 9pm ET/PT on Showtime. This season's cast features the return of three-time Sports Emmy Award winning host James Brown alongside longtime INSIDE THE NFL on SHOWTIME analyst and two-time Super Bowl champion Phil Simms, NFL MVP and four-time Pro Bowler Boomer Esiason and N.Y. Jets' wide receiver Brandon Marshall, the first active NFL player to appear as a weekly analyst on a national television series.

Season 41 of INSIDE THE NFL -- the show's 10th season on Showtime -- premiered on Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 9pm ET/PT. This season, viewers can join host James Brown for exclusive game highlights from NFL Films plus, expert analysis, in-depth features and hard-hitting commentary from NFL MVPs Phil Simms, Boomer Esiason, veteran linebacker Ray Lewis and special correspondent Brandon Marshall. In the season opener, the hosts and analysts preview the 2017 NFL season.

On Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT, Showtime premiered a new season of INSIDE THE NFL, the show's 11th season on Showtime and 42nd overall. This season, host James Brown is joined once again by analysts Phil Simms, Boomer Esiason and Ray Lewis. In the season opener, the hosts preview the 2018 season.

Season 43 of INSIDE THE NFL -- the show's 12th season on Showtime -- premiered on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 9pm ET/PT, with an episode that previews the new NFL season. James Brown returned as host and was joined by analysts Phil Simms, Ray Lewis, and Brandon Marshall. Guest analysts this season included Michael Irvin, Steve Smith Sr., and more. On September 10, the crew reviewed action from the NFL's first week of the 2019 regular season.

INSIDE THE NFL returned for its 13th season on Showtime -- and its 44th season overall -- on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 9pm ET/PT on Showtime. It's game on for an unprecedented football season like no other, with no preseason games and with limited practice sessions because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Host James Brown presents exclusive game highlights from NFL Films, and seeks expert analysis, in-depth features and hard-hitting commentary from NFL legends Phil Simms, Brandon Marshall, Michael Irvin and Ray Lewis.

Moving to Paramount+ for its new season, Season 46 of INSIDE THE NFL debuted on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 9:30pm ET/6:30pm PT. This season features the return of three-time Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl LIII MVP Julian Edelman, alongside two-time Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl XXI MVP Phil Simms, who is in his 15th year on the show, six-time Pro Bowler Brandon Marshall, two-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis and three-time Emmy Award-winner and Sports Broadcasting Hall of Famer James Brown. The season opener dives into what went wrong for the Super Bowl LVI participants, including a troublesome Los Angeles Rams defense and a turnover-prone Cincinnati Bengals offense. The crew analyzes next steps for the Dallas Cowboys following Dak Prescott's injury and examines how Russell Wilson can rebound from a season-opening loss with his new team, the Denver Broncos. The crew also honors the legacy of the late Len Dawson, Hall of Fame quarterback for Kansas City and beloved former co-host of INSIDE THE NFL from 1977-2001. Dawson passed away last month. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith, Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin, and Carolina Panthers linebacker Frankie Luvu are wired for sound.

For the 2023-2024 season, INSIDE THE NFL moved to The CW. Season 47 debuts on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at 8pm ET/PT on The CW, with Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl Champion safety Ryan Clark serving as the program's host. This season, Clark is joined by a new group of analysts, including former Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder, Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler, Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Johnson, and two-time Super Bowl champion defensive end and Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award-winner Chris Long.
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On Friday, August 30, 2024 at 9pm ET/PT, INSIDE THE NFL returned for its second season The CW -- and its 48th season overall -- with host Ryan Clark joined by analysts Bill Belichick, Chad Johnson and Chris Long. The 2024 NFL season kicks off with the INSIDE THE NFL panel of experts setting the stage for the games ahead, giving a preview of the 2024-2025 NFL season.