"The only defensive player I'd pay to see play." � NBC's Bettis on Ray Lewis

MAJOR PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS AS REDSKINS AND RAVENS CLASH ON "NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL"

"The only defensive player I'd pay to see play." � NBC's Bettis on Ray Lewis

"The Washington Redskins are in peril." � NBC's Michaels

NEW YORK � Dec. 3, 2008 � "NBC Sunday Night Football," in its third season as the NFL's premier primetime package, "flexes" to Baltimore as Ray Lewis, Joe Flacco and the Ravens (8-4) host Clinton Portis and the Washington Redskins (7-5) a key game for both teams seeking playoff spots. 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).

MICHAELS ON REDSKINS: "All of a sudden the Washington Redskins are in peril right now. The will have to fight their way and scratch and claw for a Wild Card spot."

BETTIS ON RAY LEWIS: "To me, Ray Lewis is the same player he always has been, which is a dominant player. He is fun to watch and maybe the only defensive player I'd pay to see play."

BETTIS ON THE REDSKINS: "It's a clich� to say it's a must win game for the Redskins but this is really a game they have to win. I think the Redskins need to open things up. Their offense has been very conservative and too one dimensional; give Jason Campbell a chance to win the game."

MADDEN ON DECEMBER FOOTBALL: "You get yourself in position in December and December football is always tough football. It's running and stopping the run and tackling and all of those things. And when I think about all of that I think about the Baltimore Ravens. It should be a tough game on Sunday."

REDSKINS-RAVENS IN PRIMETIME: The Redskins are making their third 2008 appearance on NBC. In the opening game of the NFL season the Skins lost to the Giants 16-7 and in Week 11 they fell to the Cowboys 14-10. They are now 2-3 overall since the NFL's premier primetime package moved to NBC in 2006. This is just the Ravens second "NBC SNF" appearance all-time. Last season in Week 14 they lost to the Colts 44-20.

REDSKINS VS. RAVENS: This is only the fourth meeting in this series and the first ever in Baltimore. The Ravens have won two of the three matchups including the last time these two teams met, 17-10 in 2004.

BIG BATTLE IN BIG D NEXT WEEK ON SNF: "Sunday Night Football" goes to Dallas next week for a classic NFC East division showdown as the division leading Giants take on the Cowboys. The Giants (11-1) can clinch the NFC East division this Sunday with a win and the Cowboys (8-4) are fighting for their playoff lives.

"SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL EXTRA": Each "Sunday Night Football" game is available 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 14 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 14.

1. Shaun Hill, 49ers QB vs. Jets: "Gang Green is a lot easier to attack through the air, and Mike Martz doesn't need an invitation to pass. Look for a shootout."

2. Peyton Hillis, Broncos RB vs. Chiefs: "In the upset of the year, the most valuable '07 Arkansas tailback is not Darren McFadden or Felix Jones. Mike Shanahan has found his new Mike Anderson."

3. Kevin Smith, Lions RB vs. Vikings: "While the Williams Wall is away, opposing running backs can play."

4. Davone Bess, Dolphins WR vs. Bills: "Chad Pennington's new Wayne Chrebet is a safe bet for plenty of targets."

5. Zach Miller, Raiders TE vs. Chargers: "Miller is fifth in yards among tight ends; the Chargers give up more fantasy points to tight ends than any team."

WASHINGTON & BALTIMORE COOK UP SUNDAY NIGHT MEALS: The "Sunday Night Football" Cookbook features recipes from NFL stars including Redskins' QB Jason Campbell who contributes his chicken casserole recipe, and Ravens' TE Todd Head who offers his maple-walnut french toast recipe. The Sunday Night Football Cookbook also features recipes from prominent chefs from each NFL city including Washington's Bob Kinkead of Kinkead's and Jeffrey "JG" Gaetjan of Colvin Run Tavern restaurant as well as Baltimore's Nancy Longo of Pierpoint 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).

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.

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, Dec. 7 � Washington at Baltimore (Flex Game)
Sunday, Dec. 14 � New York Giants at Dallas (Flex Week, No Change)
Sunday, Dec. 21 � San Diego at Tampa Bay (Flex Week, Teams Subject to Change)
Sunday, Dec. 28 � Flex Week � teams TBA