Browns Legend Will Make Prime-Time Debut

Getty Joe Thomas for NFL Network

Cleveland Browns legend Joe Thomas will make his national radio debut December 29 on Thursday Night Football. Thomas will join veteran broadcaster Ian Eagle in the booth as the Tennessee Titans host the Dallas Cowboys. Thomas will provide color commentary for Westwood One’s radio broadcast.

Since retiring in 2017, the future Hall of Famer has become a prominent voice in the NFL landscape, appearing on NFL Network’s pre- and postgame Thursday Night Football shows. He has proved to be an an adept analyst whose work ethic in the booth has seemed to match his efforts during his playing days.

In addition to his hosting duties for NFL Network, Thomas is a frequent guest on a number of podcasts and national radio shows and a contributing NFL writer for several outlets, including ClevelandBrowns.com and Sports Illustrated. He also cohosts the “Thom & Hawk Football Show” podcast with former Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins.

Far From Average Joe

Thomas’ storied career spanned 11 seasons. In that time, he became one of the greatest offensive lineman to ever play in the NFL while cementing himself as a Browns icon. After being chosen with the third overall pick in the 2007 draft, Thomas would go on to be selected to the Pro Bowl 10 times. In addition to six first-team All-Pro selections, Thomas set an NFL record by playing 10,363 consecutive snaps, a streak that was broken in 2017 when his season was ended by a torn tricep injury. The career Brown will become eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year, and Thomas’ sparkling resume will likely make him a first-ballot selection.

Possible Division Winners to Face Off

Thursday’s Week 17 matchup will feature two teams who seem to be heading in opposite directions. The Dallas will head into Tennessee riding a wave of momentum following their Week 16 upset victory over their NFC East rival the Philadelphia Eagles. Facing the division leader, Dak Prescott turned in his best performance of the season. Prescott torched Pro Football Focus’ third-ranked defense  for 347 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Prescott was firing on all cylinders, completing 27 passes to eight different receivers. Newly signed wide receiver T.Y. Hilton made his debut for the Cowboys. The former Colt got quickly acquainted with his new quarterback. Hilton and Prescott connected for a 52-yard bomb, coming on Hilton’s first-ever target as a Cowboy. The veteran receiver pulled off the spectacular diving catch in double coverage midway through the third quarter. Prescott would cap off the drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb.

The Cowboys must win both of their final two regular season games to keep their division title hopes alive.

The Titans have lost their last five games and currently sit at 7-8 on the season. Tennessee comes into the game severely hampered by injuries, most notably starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill who will miss the game because of an ankle injury. Derrick Henry is also likely to sit. The Thursday night result will have no bearing on the Titans’ playoff chances because they will face off with the Jacksonville Jaguars in a Week 18 matchup that will ultimately decide the division champion in a win-or-go-home game.

Listeners can tune into their local Westwood One affiliate or listen on the Westwood One app. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, December 29.