6 Best NFL play-by-play announcers in the booth for 2020

The best NFL play-by-play announcers you want calling your team’s game.

As we look forward to the start of the 2020 NFL season in just a few weeks, we can also look forward to seeing which announcing teams will be calling our favorite teams’ games each week.

There are a lot of talented play-by-play announcers calling NFL games but, as with anything in the ranks of professional football, some are better and thus preferable to others. It’s all about the ones who call the game right, don’t aggravate you and are consistent with this.

With that in mind, these are the six best NFL play-by-play announcers in the booth for the 2020 season. But first, some Honorable Mentions: Mike Tirico (NBC), Spero Dedes (CBS).

6. Chris Meyers (NFL on FOX, Fifth Team)

While there are several big names in this top-six ranking, Chris Meyers is an underrated announcer who wears a number of hats for FOX Sports. During the NFL season, he’s on the fifth most important FOX game of the week but is one the sidelines for playoff games. It’s clear Meyers enjoys his job and does well with a clean, error-free game. It’ll be interesting to see who he’s paired with in the 2020 season as his former partner “Moose” Johnston will temporarily be on the B-Team.

5. Al Michaels (Sunday Night Football on NBC)

Al Michaels is a broadcasting legend, from calling the Olympic Games to sitting int eh Monday Night Football booth. He’s prepared every week, which can never be used against him. However, the reason he’s lower on this list is that he has a tendency to be redundant, going over the same storylines throughout a game. Still, he’s a professional and a veteran that can always be trusted calling the most important game of the week on Sunday Night Football.

4. Joe Buck (NFL on FOX, A-Team)

Good or bad, every football fan seems to have an opinion — often a strong one — about Joe Buck. For me, Buck calls a great game on Sundays and on Thursdays as well whenever he’s tasked with doing so. There’s a reason he’s entrusted with the most important game on FOX each week. He’s versatile in the sports he can call but, paired with Troy Aikman for the NFL, they make a great pair and often do a terrific job in the booth.

3. Jim Nantz (NFL on CBS, A-Team)

Much like others on this list, Jim Nantz does a ton for CBS Sports and there’s a reason he’s on the most important CBS game of the week. Nantz has more energy in the booth as of late since Tony Romo replaced Phil Simms as his color commentary partner. While Romo has his faults, Nantz is a pro’s pro and a broadcasting legend that you can count to make a good call in almost any situation.

2. Greg Gumbel (NFL on CBS, C-Team)

Yet another broadcasting legend, Greg Gumbel has been in the game for a long time, hosting the NFL Today pregame show on CBS in addition to his play-by-play duties. Gumbel pairs with former NFL quarterback Trent Green after spending years with Dan Dierdorf. Frankly, Gumbel being on the C-Team is a misstep by CBS as he should’ve never been demoted from his spot on the B-Team when he was with Dierdorf.

1. Kevin Harland (NFL on CBS, D-Team)

Speaking of needing to be higher on the CBS pecking order, Kevin Harland should not be calling the fourth-most important game of the week. His voice is iconic for the NFL and any other sport he’s in the booth for. He and Rich Gannon work incredibly well together and Harlan is always informed and enjoyable. Simply put, he’s a better play-by-play guy than the team he’s on in CBS’s hierarchy.