Joe Buck and Troy Aikman lead Giants vs Rams coverage on ABC and ESPN as Peyton and Eli Manning offer alternate view

Match date: 22 September 2026

The New York Giants’ visit to the Los Angeles Rams on 22 September 2026 will be shown live in the US on ABC and ESPN USA, with the familiar top-tier Joe Buck and Troy Aikman pairing on the main call. The game will also be available on ESPN Unlimited, while ESPN2 carries the ManningCast with Peyton Manning and Eli Manning. For radio listeners, Westwood One brings Jamie Erdahl on presentation duties, with Kevin Harlan and Kurt Warner in the booth, plus Doug Pederson as pundit. ESPN’s NFL coverage continues to centre on Buck, Aikman, Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge, a team that has become one of the network’s signature regular-season offerings.[1][6][11]

Kick-off is set for 01:15 UK time, which will make this a late-night viewing option for fans in Britain and an early-week primetime attraction for American audiences. Although no British broadcaster such as Sky or ITV is listed for this fixture, the main television and streaming options in the United States ensure that the game is accessible across linear TV and digital platforms, with ESPN continuing to expand its Monday Night Football-style presentation through ABC, ESPN and ESPN2.[6][11]

Joe Buck and Troy Aikman remain one of the most recognisable NFL commentary duos in the sport. ESPN’s press materials describe them as the longest-running broadcasting partnership in NFL history, and their move to ESPN in 2022 established them as the flagship voices of the network’s marquee football coverage.[7][6] Buck built his reputation through years as a leading national play-by-play voice, while Aikman’s transition from Hall of Fame quarterback to elite analyst has made him one of the most trusted broadcasters in the game.[7]

On the sidelines, Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge add two experienced reporting voices. Salters is highlighted by ESPN as Monday Night Football’s longest-tenured sideline reporter, giving her a long-running connection to the network’s NFL coverage.[7] Rutledge, meanwhile, has become a prominent ESPN presenter and reporter, regularly contributing to major football broadcasts and studio coverage, and bringing a polished, modern edge to the presentation team.[6][8]

The alternate ManningCast on ESPN2 remains one of the NFL’s most distinctive broadcast formats. Peyton Manning and Eli Manning have turned the show into a relaxed, conversational companion broadcast that mixes analysis, guest appearances and entertainment, giving viewers a different way to follow the action.[6][11] Peyton’s status as one of the greatest quarterbacks of the modern era and Eli’s two Super Bowl wins with the Giants give the show instant credibility with NFL fans in both the US and the UK.

On national radio, Kevin Harlan is another heavyweight name. Known for his energetic, high-drama play-by-play style, Harlan has long been one of the most respected voices in American sport, and his pairing with former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Kurt Warner promises a strong mix of pace and tactical insight.[1][10] The inclusion of former NFL head coach Doug Pederson as pundit adds another layer of experience to Westwood One’s coverage, while Jamie Erdahl continues to grow her profile as a presenter across football broadcasting.[1][10]

This matchup also underlines the growing variety of NFL viewing options in 2026. ABC and ESPN deliver the main television broadcast, ESPN2 offers the ManningCast alternative, and Westwood One provides a national radio feed for listeners on the move.[1][6][11] With the Giants and Rams both carrying strong storylines, and with several of the NFL’s best-known broadcasters involved, this is one of the more appealing early-season cross-conference games for viewers seeking both quality football and top-class presentation.

For further information on the league and its structure, see the National Football League.

Article generated: 20 September 2026, 01:15 GMT