X’S AND O’S Next coordinator may be on staff

Falcons assistant head coach Raheem Morris, who spent his first season on the offensive side of the ball in 2016 coaching wide receivers, is a viable candidate to replace Kyle Shanahan as the offensive coordinator.

Shanahan is in line to be hired as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers after the Super Bowl. Morris has called NFL signals as a head coach and defensive coordinator.

He has enjoyed his first season on offense.

“Look where we are, the first year was awesome,” Morris said Wednesday. “I got a great group. I have a bunch of guys who love football. They are competitive and they are tough.”

Morris was asked if he’d consider serving as the offensive coordinator if offered by coach Dan Quinn.

“The only fight that matters is the one in front of me right now, the New England Patriots,” Morris said. “We’ll figure all of that stuff out on Monday. That’s a great topic for next week.”

DANCE-OFF? Andrews assesses QBs’ other skill

One of this week’s Super Bowl events was a chance for the media to interview itself. Specifically, a shot at the Fox broadcast team that’ll provide commentary and analysis during the game: Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Jimmy Johnson ... and Erin Andrews.

We got a minute with the Renaissance woman (who once worked in Atlanta) who not only works the sidelines but also co-hosts “Dancing With the Stars.” Naturally we asked who’d win DWTS: Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan or the New England Patriots’ Tom Brady?

“I have not seen either of them dance,” she said. “Wait: isn’t there that video of Tom dancing in Brazil? Carnival, I think?”

There is. We have posted it for you at buzz.blog.ajc.com, so you can judge for yourself.

By the way, we wondered if Andrews ever scouts for “Dancing” while she’s on football duty. No need.

“I don’t have to scout. All these guys, during pregame warm-ups, when they should be worrying about warming up and getting ready, they’re asking me if I can get them on.”

MUSIC SCENE Impressive lineup to greet visitors

We know this weekend is all about what happens once that ball is snapped into Ryan’s hands.

But a supportive contingent of Falcons fans is expected to descend upon Houston days in advance of Sunday’s game, and they might be looking for something to do other than gorge on barbecue and Tex-Mex (though I highly recommend the Original Ninfa’s on Navigation for the latter).

The city has assembled an impressive lineup of concerts, with many Houston natives coming out to play (that means you, ZZ Top, Solange and, by way of Atlanta, Lecrae).

Of course, an Atlanta Falcons Super Bowl run-up would feel less spirited if there weren’t a touch of the ATL, so leave it to Ludacris and Big Boi to supply that with a performance on Friday night.

TODAY

The Chainsmokers with Sam Hunt. The Georgia hitmaker behind “Take Your Time” and “Make You Miss Me” is the special guest joining the D J duo of Drew Taggart and Alex Pall. 9 p.m. Club Nomadic, Sawyer Yards off Edwards Street. $100$275. ticketmaster.com.

Solange. It’s a hometown appearance for Beyonce’s little sister, who solidified her own musical standing with her excellent third album, “A Seat at the Table,” released last year. 9:30 p.m. Super Bowl Live, Discovery Green in downtown Houston. Free. housuperbowl.com.

FRIDAY

Super Bowl Gospel Celebration. Although Atlanta claims Lecrae now, he is a Houston native, so it’s no surprise that he’s among the headliners of this event, which heads into its 18th year. Also on the bill: Natalie Grant, CeCe Winans and Yolanda Adams. 7:30 p.m. Lakewood Church, 3700 Southwest Freeway. $25$75. ticketmaster.com.

ATL Invasion. Rise up! Ludacris and Big Boi are bringing some hip-hop from the Dirty South to cheer on the Dirty Birds. They’ll be joined by D J Don Cannon. 8 p.m. Funplex, 13700 Beechnut St. Tickets start at $40. eventbrite.com.

Bruno Mars. Mr. “24K Magic” will get a jump on his summer tour by packing a standing-room-only crowd into the 62,500-square-foot, multilevel pop-up Club Nomadic. 9 p.m. Sawyer Yards off Edwards Street. $225. ticketmaster.com.

Leon Bridges. The soulful R&B throwback, who impressed mightily at his Music Midtown appearance last fall, takes the stage at Super Bowl Live. 9:15 p.m. Discovery Green in downtown Houston. Free. housuperbowl.com.

Snoop Dogg. Prepare for a long night since the rap veteran plans to spin a D J set before playing live. 8 p.m. Proof Rooftop Lounge, 2600 Travis St. $50-$175. eventbrite.com.

SATURDAY

Gary Clark Jr. It’s just a couple of hours’ drive for the Austin native to get to Houston and unfurl his scintillating blues-rock guitar. 7:30 p.m. Super Bowl Live, Discovery Green in downtown Houston. Free. housuperbowl.com.

Travis Scott and D J Khaled. Maxim hosts this shindig featuring Houston-based hip-hop artist Scott and the Snapchat King himself, D J Khaled. Tickets include admission, food and bar beverages. 8 p.m. Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land, 18111 Lexington Blvd. Tickets start at $750. smartfinancialcentre.net.

ZZ Top. And speaking of Texans, how could there be a Super Bowl in Houston without the inclusion of the “Tres Hombres”? Of course, they’ll be there. 9 p.m. Super Bowl Live, Discovery Green in downtown Houston. Free. housuperbowl.com. Taylor Swift. Perhaps THE concert of the week, depending upon your musical tastes. Fans can access concert tickets through various DirecTV and AT&T promotions. 9 p.m. Club Nomadic, Sawyer Yards off Edwards Street.

Lil Wayne. Calling it the “Undisputed Super Party,” the New Orleans rapper has enlisted D J Drama and D J Green Lantern to assist, as well as not-yet-announced celebrity friends. 9 p.m. Ayva Center, 9371 Richmond Ave. Tickets start at $75. eventbrite.com.

SUNDAY

French Montana and Amber Rose. This viewing party kicks off midafternoon on game day and will also feature the sounds procured by D J Duffey. 2 p.m. Proof Rooftop Lounge, 2600 Travis St. $50. eventbrite.com.

FRIENDLY WAGER Clam chowder vs. Brunswick stew

Well, it beats assorted cheeses and crackers.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker placed a low-stakes wager on the outcome of the Super Bowl.

Baker offered Koffee Kup’s lucky cupcakes and Legal Sea Foods clam chowder for his wager. Deal countered with Brunswick stew from Fresh Air BBQ and chocolate-covered blueberries from Byne Blueberry.

The Georgia Republican put a bit more on the line last month for the pre-NFC title bet against Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

That meant an ice-cold Coca Cola (which is not “pop,” his office says in the release), chili dogs from The Varsity, peach pies from Dickey Farms, Georgia peanuts and two six-packs of Creature Comforts’ Tropicalia.

As for Wisconsin’s wager, it consisted of two six-packs of Leinenkugel’s Wisconsin Red Pale Ale, a box of chocolates from Seroogy’s Chocolates in De Pere, jars of honey from Wisconsin Natural Acres and assorted Wisconsin artisan cheeses, crackers and sausage.

MORE PICKS Pats get the nod, but with caveats

ESPN Insider Mike Sando polled his electorate and found that four of five like the Patriots to win.

The one NFL man to pick the Falcons was an offensive coordinator. Another offensive coordinator — and a defensive coordinator, a defensive assistant and a head coach — disagree.

Sample comment from a Pat-picker: “With what New England is doing, it is really hard to get behind the Patriots’ secondary. My biggest fear for the Falcons is, if they can’t run the ball and they start throwing it, can they be patient enough to understand you are probably not going to get Julio Jones over the top? ... When you throw short, it is still tough because there are eight guys dropping more times than not. With the coverages New England is playing right now, Atlanta is not going to get those favorable coverage matchups with its backs.”

And from the one who favored the Falcons: “The Falcons just have so many guys. They have (Mohamed) Sanu, too. All those guys are really good players. So, take away Julio and I’m sure they are going, ‘Fine, double him and we have all these other guys who can play.’ The defenses are probably going to be a wash. I was shocked New England was the No. 1-scoring defense. There are lots more defenses I’d rather not play. I don’t have as much respect for the secondary of New England as most people do.”

ROOF CHATTER NFL wants to open top by kickoff

Will the Super Bowl be played indoors or outdoors? Will the retractable roof of NRG Stadium be open or closed on Sunday?

That is still up in the air, although the NFL has said it would like to play the game with the roof open if the weather is favorable.

A final decision is expected to be made no sooner than Saturday, and possibly as late as game day.

“If the weather cooperates with us, which we hope it does, the roof will be open,” NFL director of events Eric Finkelstein said at a media briefing last week.

The weather has been terrific here this week.

The forecast for Sunday calls for a high of 77 with a 50 percent chance of showers that diminishes through the afternoon. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m.

COIN FLIP Bush, 92, accepts NFL’s invitation

George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, will perform the pregame coin flip, Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed Wednesday.

The former president, 92, was released from the hospital Monday after a bout with pneumonia.

Bush is a frequent spectator at Houston Astros and Texans games.

In 2002, Bush performed the Super Bowl coin flip when the Patriots faced the St. Louis Rams at the Louisiana Superdome. The Rams won the coin toss (heads). The Patriots won the game 20–17.

NO FLIGHT ZONE FAA warning: No drones at NRG

The Federal Aviation Administration is warning that drones won’t be allowed in the airspace around the Super Bowl.

The FAA said certain aircraft operations, including drones, will be prohibited within a 34.5-mile radius of NRG Stadium from 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Sunday.

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta says, “Drones are becoming much more popular, but they also pose certain safety risks.”

The FAA has produced a 20-second video reminding people to leave their drones at home that day. The agency is promoting the video on its website and social media.