ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown Features

October 4, 2007 -- Sunday NFL Countdown Presented by IBM with Chris Berman, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson and Emmitt Smith will preview the day’s NFL action Sunday at 11 a.m. ET. Chris Mortensen will provide headlines and league news, and Steve Young will contribute his weekly Sunday segment – “Young is Restless” – featuring his opinion on the week's hottest topics.

The pre-game show will include reports from Rachel Nichols covering the Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots, Ed Werder in Pittsburgh for the Seahawks at the Steelers, and Sal Paolantonio covering the New York Jets at New York Giants game. Other highlights:

Arizona QB Shuffle

In the past two weeks, Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt has employed a unique quarterback shuffle between Matt Leinart and Kurt Warner. The results have been impressive – a narrow comeback loss to the Ravens and a win against the 3-0 Steelers. Whisenhunt said he will not abandon his two-quarterback system for the foreseeable future. What do quarterbacks think about the arrangement? What will the long-term effects be on Leinart’s psyche? How does the QB shuffle affect teammates on the field? Nichols reports on the dual quarterback situation in the desert.

Countdown Quarterly Report: 4-0 Patriots, 4-0 Colts

The first quarter of the NFL season is over and the Patriots and Colts are both 4-0 and have clearly re-established themselves as the teams to beat yet again. Sunday NFL Countdown will examine which team has the best chance to go undefeated in 2007.

Tip Drill Report Cards

Many division leaders from last season are struggling this season at the completion of the league’s first quarter. Countdown will hand out report cards to the Saints, Chargers, Bears and Ravens – last season’s divisional leaders struggling for respect so far this year.

The Mayne Event: Sputnik Anniversary

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of ‘Sputnik,’ Kenny Mayne visits with Green Bay Packers defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila – aka “KGB” – to unravel secrets of the unmanned space missions.

Soundtracks: Jon Gruden and His Quarterbacks

Jon Gruden, the Buccaneers fiery coach, is wired for sound as he deals with the ups and downs of his quarterbacks’ on game day.

Takin' it to the House with Jason Krause

With the completion of the season’s first quarter, 10-year old Jason Krause will hand out first-quarter report cards, challenge underperforming teams and issue an apology to a quarterback in “Takin’ it to the House with Jason Krause.”

Start 'Em or Sit 'Em with Matthew Berry

ESPN.com Fantasy Football guru Matthew Berry will answer online fantasy football questions posted by fans on www.espn.go.com/sundaycountdown in “Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em” and will also preview weekly trends and sleepers for Week 5.

Berman, Ditka, Jackson, Johnson and Smith will pick the biggest games of the day and tell fans which players will make the biggest impact in NFL’s Week 5 action.

MONDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN, 7 P.M. ON ESPN

Monday Night Countdown Delivered by UPS with Berman, Jackson, Johnson, Bill Parcells and Mortensen (in Bristol) and Stuart Scott, Young and Smith (at the MNF game in Buffalo) will review the outcome of Sunday’s games and preview Monday Night Football. The pre-game show will lead into the kickoff of Monday Night Football – Dallas Cowboys at Buffalo Bills (8:30 p.m.), featuring Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski and Tony Kornheiser with sideline reporters Suzy Kolber and Michele Tafoya.

Ed Werder and Tafoya will cover the Cowboys, while Paolantonio and Kolber will report on the Bills.

Soundtracks: Terrell Owens

Terrell Owens was wired for sound during his team’s home win over the Rams last week. On Monday Night Countdown, fans will hear the in-game chatter of the mercurial Dallas Cowboys receiver.

“Dirty Sexy Money”

The stars of ABC's new prime-time show offer a unique perspective on the Cowboys at Bills Monday Night Football matchup. The spot includes a cameo by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Field Pass

Countdown offers an all-access look at pre-game preparations as the players get ready for kickoff. Analysts will also breakdown the important storylines and key players before the game.

WEEKLY MONDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN SEGMENTS

READ AND REACT – Legendary coach Parcells and wide receiver Johnson offer their widely differing looks at the game.

BOILING POINT – On the field, Parcells and Mike Ditka were two of the most intense coaches in NFL history. On Monday Night Countdown, they offer their take on which coaches and players have reached their boiling points in the NFL

TEAMS AT 20 – Every 20 minutes reporters Werder, Tafoya, Paolantonio and Kolber will update news from the teams in their preparations for the game.

In addition, Monday Night Football's Tirico, Jaworski and Kornheiser will preview the night’s match-up, with Mortensen covering breaking news from around the league and the Countdown analysts offering their “Lead Pipe Lock” predictions for the game.

Source: ESPN