‘Energy of Eeyore on Xanax,’ ‘So Unenthusiastic’ — NFL Fans Call Out Al Michaels for ‘Sleepwalking Through’ Bijan Robinson’s Electric Plays on TNF
· Yahoo Sports
After being absent from the Week 1 broadcasts, Amazon Prime made its 2026 season debut in Week 2, calling the rest of the Thursday Night matchups, aside from Thanksgiving, for the rest of the season. However, fans have been quick to criticize announcer Al Michaels for a less-than-stellar performance in Week 3 of the season.
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Here’s what fans are saying during Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit’s Week 3 call of the Atlanta Falcons vs. Green Bay Packers matchup.
NFL Fans Grill Amazon Prime’s Al Michaels For Underwhelming Performance
After weeks of struggling with a backup signal-caller, the Falcons finally were able to start Michael Penix Jr. for the first time in 2026 against the Packers in Week 3. After two weeks of offensive struggles, the Falcons found themselves with a first-half lead and headed into the locker room up 17-7.
With Penix in the lineup, Atlanta has found more offensive consistency, driving up and down the field with their playmakers. One playmaker, running back Bijan Robinson, returned to his Week 1 form after an off game in Week 2. Robinson has busted off a few big plays, yet the broadcast has seemed indifferent to his explosive abilities.
One user criticized Michaels’ play call, posting, “Bijan with a huge run and Al Michaels with the energy of Eyeore on Xanax.”
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Robinson had just broken out for a 55-yard run for the Falcons to set up a three-yard touchdown two plays later by the running back.
Another fan responded to the original post, saying, “He was so unenthusiastic that I thought the play was dead.”
The Falcons struggled offensively through the first two weeks while starting backup quarterback Cooper Rush in place of Tua Tagovailoa and Penix. Rookie Jack Strand, who served as Rush’s backup in Week 2, also saw action in the 34-3 loss to Carolina. With Penix back in the lineup for Atlanta in Week 3, the offense has looked a bit sharper.
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One fan couldn’t help but point out the improved performance from the Falcons’ offense, explaining, “Bijan just had a top 5 run of this young season, and Al Michaels is sleepwalking through it…”
Some viewers were a bit more harsh on Michaels, with one fan posting, “He’s a legend, but we’ve been saying for years it’s time to hang it up. We have so many good announcers now there’s 0 reason we should have such boring voice for prime time games.”
Another fan couldn’t help but be confused by Michaels’ nonchalance on the play, explaining, “Bijan Robinson making Bijan Robinson plays, and Al Michaels sounds like he just saw a squirrel climb a tree for the millionth time.”
Through the first half, Robinson, who ranked 18th onPFN’s RB Impact Rankings before Week 3, has looked more like his Week 1 form with 15 carries for 111 yards and a touchdown, along with one reception for 17 yards.
With the Falcons finding their footing in Week 3, was Penix the missing piece for Atlanta all along?
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.