Pre-Super Bowl Winners? CBS, Irvin

Three hours before kickoff of the Super Bowl, some TV winners were already evident.

CBS Sports, which should pull a record number for the game, was in the best spot. Even a week before the game, network officials expected record-setting viewership -- if only because of the strong storlyines and the great numbers NFL games drew during the season.

After so many fans watched during the season, and with two likeable teams and leaders (QBs Drew Brees adnd Peyton Manning) infolved, it would only make sense people would watch pro football's final meaningful chapter this sesaon.

Then, with people throughout the Northeast digging out of a record snowstorm and likely to stay home, the chances for record viewership grew even more. Good news for CBS Sports.

Along with that faceless network, an unparalled personality was the other winner. After being the subject of a civil rape lawsuit late in the week, Hall of Fame WR and NFL Network analyst Michal Irvin seemed to survive a potentially dififcult situation. The accusations came from 2007, and Irvin quickly filed a countersuit.

While the talk radio station where Irvin hosted a show in Dallas let him go, the NFL Network kept Irvin on the air. He seemed contrite (or at least quiet by his usual standards) Saturday working the show when Hall of Fame newcomers were announced.

Then, when fellow NFL Network analyst Warren Sapp was arrested for a domestic battery charge in South Florida, Irvin's offense someone seemed a little less offensive -- and certainly less timely. The NFL Network pulled Sapp from its pre-game show Sunday, presenting an opportunity for Joey Porter, the outspoken Miami Dolphins LB, who earned a Super Bowl victory with the Steelers four years earlier.

Porter, although not polised, did well on short notice. Good for him.

Better still was the whole situation for Irvin. By Sunday, he seemed more confortable and loud on air (more of his usual self) than he had been just a day or so earlier. He also might survive after being in a difficult position just a few days ago.