"The Steelers running situation is in dire straits - not so bad that they're calling me - but in bad shape." - Bettis

ROETHLISBERGER AND STEELERS SEEK REVENGE AGAINST JAGUARS ON "NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL"

"The Steelers running situation is in dire straits - not so bad that they're calling me - but in bad shape." - NBC's Bettis

"The Steelers still have that taste in their mouth." � NBC's Madden on the revenge factor

NEW YORK � Oct. 2, 2008 � "NBC Sunday Night Football" in its third season as the NFL's premier primetime package, heads south to Jacksonville as the Jaguars (2-2) host the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) in a rematch of last year's memorable Wild Card game in which the Jags squandered an 18-point fourth quarter lead but kicked a late field goal to survive with a 31-29 victory. Al Michaels (play-by-play), John Madden (analyst) and Andrea Kremer (sideline reporter) call the action. Coverage on NBC begins at 7 p.m. ET with "Football Night in America," with Bob Costas (host), Cris Collinsworth (co-host) Keith Olbermann (co-host), Dan Patrick (co-host), Jerome Bettis (analyst), Tiki Barber (analyst) and Peter King (reporter).

STEELERS-JAGUARS IN PRIMETIME: The Steelers are making their second appearance of 2008 on NBC "Sunday Night Football" having defeated the Cleveland Browns in Week 2 of the season. Since the NFL's premier primetime package moved to NBC in 2006 the Steelers are 3-2 overall including wins in their last two Sunday Night games. Jacksonville is making its SNF debut.

STEELERS VS. JAGUARS: This is the 20th meeting of this AFC rivalry with the Jags holding an 11-8 advantage including wins in the last three regular season meetings. Their last meeting came in the Wild Card round of last year's playoffs. The Steelers scored 18 unanswered points to take a 29-28 lead late in the fourth quarter. With time running out, Jags QB David Garrard rushed for 32 yards on 4th and 2 from the Steelers 42, setting up a chip shot game-winning field goal. Having won at Pittsburgh in Week 15, Jacksonville became the first NFL team to defeat the Steelers twice in Pittsburgh in the same season.

BETTIS ON STEELERS RUNNING GAME: "The Steelers running situation is in dire straits - not so bad that they're calling me - but in bad shape. That being said, I don't look for them to change who they are. They're still going to try and run the ball."

"It's a short week for Pittsburgh coming off a physical game. All signs point to Jacksonville."

BARBER ON PITTSBURGH-JACKSONVILLE: Both of these running games, once tops in the league, are in shambles - Willie parker is out for the Steelers, and Jacksonville has had injuries and are too predictable in their run game. This game will be decided by which quarterback is most effective in the passing game.

MADDEN ON PITTSBURGH-JACKSONVILLE: "This is another hitting game. Jacksonville came into Pittsburgh and beat the Steelers with David Garrard making a big fourth down run. The Steelers still have that taste in their mouth."

COLLINSWORTH ON JACKSONVILLE: "The Jaguars are one of my favorite teams to watch play. They have two tremendous backs and I'm a big fan of David Garrard."

TASTE OF THE NFL SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL COOKBOOK BRUNCH IN JACKSONVILLE: This Sunday, executive chef Charles Charbonneau of North Beach Bistro in Atlantic Beach, will host The Taste of the NFL Sunday Night Football Cookbook Brunch to raise money for the LSS Second Harvest of NE Florida. Tickets cost $39.95 and can be purchased by calling 904-372-4105.

Taste of the NFL is the premier food and wine event at Super Bowl, a "party with a purpose" that raises awareness and funds for hunger-relief organizations including Feeding America and its affiliates nationwide. Since 1992, Taste of the NFL has donated more than $10 million to local and national hunger-relief organizations.

PITTSBURGH & JACKSONVILLE COOK UP SUNDAY NIGHT MEALS: The "Sunday Night Football" Cookbook features recipes from NFL stars including Steelers' WR Hines Ward who contributes his recipe for Korean-style braised short ribs and WR Limas Sweed's chicken and shrimp fettuccine. The Jaguars' RB Fred Taylor offers his shrimp creole recipe. The Sunday Night Football Cookbook also features recipes from prominent chefs from each NFL city including Pittsburgh's Anthony Zello of Bigelow Grille, as well as Jacksonville's Charles Charbonneau of North Beach Bistro and The Augustine Grille and Jamey Evoniuk of b.b.'s restaurant.

Bobby Flay and Emeril Lagasse represent their favorite NFL teams and NBC's "Sunday Night Football" crew have added their favorite Sunday Night recipes to the Cookbook. Faith Hill and John Madden not only provide some of their favorite recipes, but also write special introductions. The book contains full meals and a section on Super Bowl parties, just in time for the next Super Bowl on NBC. Proceeds from the cookbook, which is available wherever books are sold or at SundayNightFootballCookbook.com, go to support local food banks across the U.S. through Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest).

"SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL EXTRA": The 17-game Sunday Night Football schedule is available to fans on NBC as well as streamed live on NFL.com and NBCSports.com, marking the first time complete NFL games will be widely available in the U.S. via live online streaming.

The live NFL.com and NBCSports.com coverage comes from NBC's TV coverage of Sunday Night Football. Complementing that stream are a number of extra features to enrich the viewing experience including additional camera angles, in-game highlights, picture-in-picture technology, live statistics and other interactive elements. "Sunday Night Football Extra" also includes in-game studio updates from NBC's Football Night in America team and NFL Network.

ROTOWORLD.COM'S WEEK 5 SLEEPER PICKS: Rotoworld.com managing editor Gregg Rosenthal, who was named 2007 Fantasy Football Writer of the Year by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, picks his fantasy sleepers for Week 5.

� Brian Griese, Buccaneers QB: "The Tampa quarterback has been winning, but struggling badly with accuracy. Denver's Swiss cheese secondary should fix that. All Bucs are good plays this week."

� Jonathan Stewart, Panthers RB: "Splitting carries against the Chiefs is better than getting all the carries against almost any other team."

� Steve Smith, Giants WR: "With Plaxico Burress out, this talented second year pro will get starter snaps and can lead the Giants in receiving."

� Lance Moore, Saints WR: "New Orleans' answer to Wes Welker is here to stay. He has the trust of Drew Brees, the best quarterback in football through one month."

� Anthony Fasano, Dolphins TE: "The Chargers are the most overrated defense in football and specialize in giving up big plays to tight ends."

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: Al Michaels, the commentator called "TV's best play-by-play announcer" by the Associated Press, is joined in the "Sunday Night Football" booth by John Madden, the most honored NFL broadcaster of all time with 16 Emmy Awards, and on the sidelines by Andrea Kremer, whom the Los Angeles Times has called "the best TV interviewer in the business of covering the NFL."

"FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA": The Washington Post calls NBC's "Football Night in America" studio show the "Gold Standard" of NFL studio shows and "must-see television for NFL fans." Bob Costas, the most honored studio host of all time with 19 Emmy Awards, hosts "Football Night in America" alongside co-host Cris Collinsworth, the most honored studio analyst in history; co-host Keith Olbermann, named one of the Top Ten Most Powerful People in TV News for 2007 by Television Week; newcomer and co-host Dan Patrick, reuniting him with Olbermann who together redefined sports highlights during their time together on ESPN's SportsCenter from 1992-97; and analysts Tiki Barber, a three-time NFL Pro Bowler for the New York Giants, and Jerome Bettis, one of the most popular players in recent NFL history. Peter King, who covers the NFL for Sports Illustrated and is considered one of the country's foremost NFL reporters, serves as a reporter for the "Football Night in America" studio show.

NBC's REMAINING 2008 NFL SCHEDULE:
("NBC Sunday Night Football" kickoff, 8:15 p.m. ET preceded by "Football Night in America," 7 p.m. ET)
Sunday, Oct. 5 � Pittsburgh at Jacksonville
Sunday, Oct. 12 � New England at San Diego
Sunday, Oct. 19 � Seattle at Tampa Bay
Sunday, Oct. 26 � No game scheduled due to World Series Game 4 (FNIA airs 7-8 p.m.)
Sunday, Nov. 2 � New England at Indianapolis
Sunday, Nov. 9 � New York Giants at Philadelphia
Sunday, Nov. 16 � Dallas at Washington (Flex Week, Teams Subject to Change)
Sunday, Nov. 23 � Indianapolis at San Diego (Flex Week, Teams Subject to Change)
Sunday, Nov. 30 � Chicago at Minnesota (Flex Week, Teams Subject to Change)
Sunday, Dec. 7 � New England at Seattle (Flex Week, Teams Subject to Change)
Sunday, Dec. 14 � New York Giants at Dallas (Flex Week, Teams Subject to Change)
Sunday, Dec. 21 � San Diego at Tampa Bay (Flex Week, Teams Subject to Change)
Sunday, Dec. 28 � Flex Week � teams TBA