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Why are Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky, and Louis Riddick announcing Steelers vs. Ravens in Week 18?

01-06-2024
3 min read
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When football fans tune in to the always-intense rivalry between the Steelers and Ravens during Saturday's Week 18 NFL opener, they'll hear some familiar voices providing play-by-play and analysis. 

Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky, and Louis Riddick will be on the call for ESPN. It's a long time coming, as the trio has only been in the booth once since Week 4 when they were across the pond in London to call the Falcons-Jaguars for ESPN+.

The group is ESPN's secondary broadcast team, behind Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. Fowler, a familiar name with college football fans, added pro games to his resume this season. He replaced Steve Levy in the alternate broadcast trio.

MORE: Will the Ravens sit their starters against the Steelers?

Why Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky, and Louis Riddick are announcing Steelers vs. Ravens

Fowler, Orlovsky, and Riddick will be in the booth for the Steelers-Ravens game, one of two Saturday games in Week 18.

Baltimore hosts Pittsburgh at 4:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Colts vs. Texans at 8:15 p.m. ET. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN. As the primary announcers, Buck and Aikman will be on the call for the evening game.

Fowler will be in charge of play-by-play while Orlovsky and Riddick will serve as analysts. It's the fifth NFL game of the season with the trio in the booth. They called games in Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, and Week 14 of this season, Fowler's first with the team.

While the Ravens have clinched the No. 1 overall AFC seed for the playoffs, the Steelers are still on the outside looking in. Unfortunately, even a win doesn't guarantee them a postseason berth. 

MORE: Steelers' updated AFC wild-card chances after win over Seahawks

Are Joe Buck and Troy Aikman calling a game in Week 18?

Buck and Aikman will be in the booth for Texans-Colts in Week 18 as ESPN's primary broadcasting duo.

MORE: AFC South standings: Where Jaguars, Colts, Texans stand in playoff race

The AFC South rivals are on the edge of the playoff picture, and each team has to do just one thing: win. A victory for either side clinches a postseason appearance, while a loss eliminates them completely. If Jacksonville loses, the winner of Texans vs. Colts will take home the division title, too.