Plot Synopsis

Hosted by Sunny Anderson and Vince Wilfork, NFL TAILGATE TAKEDOWN is a one-hour culinary competition that celebrates the best tailgate chefs from around the United States. Each episode takes place on-location at an NFL stadium tailgate just before the big game. From New England lobster rolls and Philly cheesesteaks to Green Bay deep-fried cheese curds and Buffalo chicken, each city's authentic tailgate dishes are front and center in this epic battle of hometown pride. Each team competing on the gridiron is represented by a team of tailgating duos who compete in three themed cooking rounds. In the first round -- known as "The First Down" -- each team must create a platter of their best bite-sized snacks with a dip that represents their city's flavors. The winner of round one, as determined by a rotating panel of judges, gets an advantage and selects an ingredient significant to their hometown that both teams must use in round two. In round two's "Between the Uprights" battle, the duos must make their best handheld tailgate treat between the buns and the losing team is penalized as one player must complete a tailgate game before entering the final round. In the "Hail Mary" third round, each team must create a tailgate platter of a meat and two sides that would make their hometown proud. Finally, the grand-prize winner is named and presented a "Yum-bardi Trophy." A rotating panel of judges, including Kelsey Barnard Clark, Eddie Jackson, Ali Khan and Ian Rapoport, decide who emerges victorious to win the grand prize -- and in real-time, the winners are ushered straight from the tailgate to their VIP seats on the 50-yard line and receive their own "Yum-Bardi Trophy." The series also features guest appearances from NFL legends Carl Banks, Johnathan Joseph, Brandon Stokely, Thurman Thomas, Andre Tippett and mascot KC Wolf. Episodes include:

"Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants" (Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 9pm): The Dallas Cowboys head to MetLife Stadium to take on their league rivals, the New York Giants, on their home turf. Outside in the parking lot, Sunny Anderson and Vince Wilfork invite two teams of rival fans to battle it out and see who will be the Tailgate Takedown Champion! The Cowboys team aims to wow with Tex-Mex flavors while the Giants team serves up New York-style dishes to win over judges Eddie Jackson and Ian Rapoport and score tickets to the best seats at the game!

"Indianapolis Colts vs. Denver Broncos" (Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 9pm): Sunny Anderson and Vince Wilfork head to the heart of Colorado where the Denver Broncos host the Indianapolis Colts on the gridiron battlefield. The parking lot fills up as Team Broncos and Team Colts put it all on the line to see who can throw the best tailgate. They'll have to impress judges Eddie Jackson and Ali Khan to win the coveted "Yum-bardi" trophy and two tickets to the best seats in the stadium.

"Las Vegas Raiders vs. Kansas City Chiefs" (Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 9pm):The Kansas City Chiefs take on the Las Vegas Raiders at the iconic Arrowhead Stadium to continue a bitter rivalry that's been going on since 1960. Hosts Sunny Anderson and Vince Wilfork kick off a historic battle between two teams of top tailgaters with judges Eddie Jackson and Kelsey Barnard Clark on deck to decide whose tasty tailgating deserves tickets to the game.

"Chicago Bears vs. New England Patriots" (Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 9pm): While the New England Patriots prepare to battle the Chicago Bears on the cold and wet field at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, hosts Sunny Anderson and Vince Wilfork heat up the parking lot with a grilling grudge match. Team Patriots readies their lobster rolls and fried clams, while Team Bears mixes stuffed onion rings with Italian beef sandwiches in hopes of scoring a win from judges Kelsey Barnard Clark and Ian Rapoport.

"Green Bay Packers vs. Buffalo Bills" (Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 9pm): Hosts Sunny Anderson and Vince Wilfork head to Highmark Stadium as the Buffalo Bills take on the Green Bay Packers in a primetime game everyone is excited for. Meanwhile, judges Kelsey Barnard Clark and Ali Khan are ready to taste the tailgating teams' one-of-a-kind food from the cities that put Buffalo wings and Wisconsin cheddar on the map.

"Philadelphia Eagles vs. Houston Texans" (Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 9pm): While the Philadelphia Eagles challenge the Houston Texans on the field, Sunny Anderson and Vince Wilfork take it to the parking lot for a grilling grudge match. Team Eagles pits their Philly cheesesteaks and roast pork sandwiches against Team Texans' Cajun-inspired barbecue for the chance to win favor and game day tickets from judges Kelsey Barnard Clark and Ali Khan.