From the field of Mercedes-Benz Stadium to the stages of Trilith Studios, the Atlanta Falcons are facing challenges.
They've struggled between the goal posts, losing four of their last five games. The Falcons are 3-6 on the year, with uncertainty surrounding the rest of the season with the trade of safety Jessie Bates III and starting center Ryan Neuzil.
But four Falcons players are facing a different kind of challenge this season — playing against each other on a game show.
Brandon Dorlus and Zach Harrison are playing against Jalon Walker and Kyle Pitts on the Nov. 12 episode of "Flip Side," a game show hosted by television star Jaleel White. Here's what to know about their appearance.
Atlanta Falcons take game show stage
"They made me feel very small," White told USA TODAY in an
interview after filming with the four Falcons players. "Jalon Walker man, I couldn't imagine that guy chasing me on a grass field. But they were just incredibly charismatic and educated guys, too. In our form, they were gentle giants that just didn't want to say anything that upset their mothers or their wives."
White said it didn't take long for the players to loosen up in front of the camera, and soon their college rivalries were playing out on the game show stage.
Dorlus and Harrison represented the Big 10 Conference, attending Oregon and Ohio State, respectively, while Jalon Walker and Kyle Pitts held on for the SEC, coming from Georgia and Florida.
"They were very competitive," White said. "They had a lot of inside jokes with each other about the education that is provided by the SEC versus the Big 10."
Their appearance comes as White and the "Flip Side" team are welcoming celebrity guests to try their hand at knowing what Americans think. White said it adds a new element to the game show, now in it's third season, that checks if celebrities are really in tune with the rest of America.
The former child star and longtime television personality, who is no stranger to the Hollywood elite, said he is looking forward to bringing more celebrities to film at Trilith Studios, just south of Atlanta. His dream episode would feature the Williams sisters and Kelce brothers in the "ultimate sports celebrity episode."
"I didn't realize how well the show is designed for celebrity participation, and any time you bring somebody that has their own celebrity that they're bringing, it adds a different energy to the show, a heightened energy to the entire crew, to the entire stage and that's what translates when the show is finally edited and airs, so I have no doubt that the Atlanta Falcons episode is going to be fantastic," White said.
What is 'Flip Side' with Jaleel White?
"Flip Side" is a comedy game show where two teams, each with two players, compete to guess how two different groups of people may think about the same issue. They are competing for $10,000 and go through multiple rounds as the stakes get higher.
The show is similar to other survey shows like "Family Feud," but with a new twist.
"We stand out in our interaction. Because we're poll-based, we get a chance to make this about common sense, pop culture, social awareness. Big component of our game is you know how socially aware are you? That's another thing I always tell people: don't just answer from your own mindset. Please try and put yourself in the mind of what America would choose," White said.
In the first round, the teams take turns answer survey questions with the "flip side." For example, a team could be asked "what is the worst thing you could find on your fishing line" as answered by fishermen. Then the options are an old boot, a clump of seaweed or Jaws. The contestants have to answer how they think a fisherman would answer.
This continues in the second round as the stakes get higher, but in the third round, the game switches to rapid-fire questions. Teams have to pick between two answers, either this or that, and answer as many questions in 30 seconds as possible.
"I just say go fast in the third round and trust your gut," White said.
When, how can I watch the episode?
There will be two opportunities to watch the Falcons on "Flip Side."
First, the show will air on local networks on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. in the Atlanta broadcast area on WPCH-TV.
The show will run again on the Game Show Network on Friday, Nov. 13 at 5 p.m.
Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Atlanta Falcons take on new challenge on game show stage. How to watch
