NFL on FOX: Kevin Burkhardt announces the Chicago Bears vs Atlanta Falcons, live from the studio

The 18 October 2026 NFL Regular Season match-up pits the Chicago Bears against the Atlanta Falcons, with the broadcast going live at 18:00 UK time. For viewers tuning in from across the world, the show is being served through several channels, including 5Action, HD, Channel 5 Sport UK on YouTube, FOX One and Fox in the United States, alongside Compass Media for the international feed.

The main play-by-play commentary is being handled by Kevin Burkhardt, who serves as FOX Sports' lead NFL play-by-play announcer. Working alongside him is analyst Tom Brady, with the reporting duties shared between Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi. On the Compass Media side, Zach Gelb is presenting, with Chris Carrino and Brian Baldinger providing commentary.

The NFL on FOX crew

Kevin Burkhardt is the backbone of the NFL on FOX announcing team, and his role as lead play-by-play announcer means he is the one translating the action of the Bears vs Falcons matchup into the live commentary fans have come to expect. Analyst Tom Brady complements him, bringing his own style to the microphones.

The roster of personalities working together on the FOX side has drawn attention from fans in recent months. As recently as September 2026, there have been calls from NFL fans urging Tom Brady to change his announcing style, a reflection of how closely the team's performance is followed. That same period saw the crew reflecting on their work together, with Tom Brady noting he loves nothing more than going to work alongside Kevin Burkhardt and the entire NFL on FOX crew, describing them as the best team in sports alongside Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi.

The Compass Media feed

For those watching through Compass Media, Zach Gelb is the presenter anchoring the broadcast. His career traces back to his time at Temple, where he rose through the ranks of Temple's WHIP Radio, covering Temple football and basketball games and landing big-name guests for a daily talk show. He is best known as the host of the Zach Gelb Show on CBS Sports Radio, and was featured in Temple's 30 Under 30 sports industry standouts profile.

The commentary for the Compass Media feed is handled by Chris Carrino and Brian Baldinger, who bring their own expertise to the matchup. Together, the two feeds give viewers a choice of how they want to experience this week's Bears vs Falcons game, whether through the FOX channels or the Compass Media world feed.

What to expect

The Chicago Bears vs Atlanta Falcons pairing is one that has the potential to deliver plenty of drama, with both teams bringing their signature approaches to the table. The FOX crew will be on hand throughout, from the initial play-by-play through to the analyst's take and the reporters' coverage of the finer points.

Whether you are following along on 5Action, HD, Channel 5 Sport UK, FOX One or Fox in the United States, or tuning into Compass Media from elsewhere, the full commentary team will be covering every stage of the match. With Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady leading the FOX side and Zach Gelb presenting for Compass Media, viewers can expect the same high-quality broadcasting that has defined the NFL Regular Season to date.

Article generated: 16 October 2026, 18:08 GMT