Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Prime Video Spices Up Thursday Night Football

Originally posted on Men's Journal | By Timm Hamm | Last updated Dec 29, 2023 4:10 PM ET

In the final "Thursday Night Football" broadcast of the season, Amazon Prime Video released what is presumed to be a regular feature for next season.

Before the game, sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung announced new "Defensive Alerts" to viewers.

"You will see red orbs like this pop up in real-time," said Hartung, who had one of the animated orbs under her feet at the time. "They will highlight defensive players who could pose unusual threats to rush the quarterback.

"The unusual threats don't include defensive linemen or edge rushers, who are expected to pressure the passer. Think blitzing defensive backs or a middle linebacker crowding the line of scrimmage instead."

Tonight, 'Defensive Alerts', the new AI-driven feature from @TNFPrimeVision, comes to the main #TNFonPrime feed. pic.twitter.com/a886CwvgR6
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) December 29, 2023

The feature combines "in-game player tracking, data from over 50,000 historical plays and the help of expert knowledge," Hartung said.

The new "orb feature" may have been the most interesting aspect of the game, as the Cleveland Browns jumped out to a 20-7 first-quarter lead, before knocking off the Jets 37-20 at the final gun.

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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