Monday Night Football: Steelers fans beware: The black-and-gold has a bye this week and doesn't play again until Oct. 19 at Cincinnati. To help fill the void, the Minnesota Vikings (1-3) play the Saints (2-2) in New Orleans. Yawn! Well, it is NFL football, and there are a couple pretty fun backs to watch in Adrian Peterson (105 yards per game) and Reggie Bush.

Did you know: From a Vikings standpoint, only nine of 173 teams that started 1-4 rallied to make the playoffs.

To watch: 8:30 p.m., ESPN.

The NL playoffs: If a deciding Game 5 is needed in either the Brewers-Phillies or Dodgers-Cubs series, it will be played today. It doesn't have the historic ring or weight of the phrase 'Game 7,' but it's still a winner take all.

Did you know: Only Sparky Anderson and Tony LaRussa have managed teams to World Series titles in both leagues. Dodgers manager Joe Torre and Cubs skipper Lou Piniella have the chance to join them.

To watch: TBA, TBS.

The AL playoffs: Ditto the previous entry, only this time for the Red Sox-Angels and White Sox-Rays. By the end of the day, we will know the four teams that will play in the league championship series that begin Thursday (National League) and Friday (American League). FYI: The World Series begins Oct. 22 in the city of the American League champion.

Did you know: Tampa Bay's payroll is just under $43.5 million -- 29th in Major League Baseball. Only Florida had a lower payroll at just more than $22 million. Carlos Pena is the highest-paid Rays player at $6 million -- No. 1 for the Rays, but No. 160 overall on the list of MLB millionaires.

To watch: TBA, TBS.

NHL: North America: The rest of the NHL catches up to the Penguins, with season openers today and tomorrow highlighted by defending champion Detroit playing Toronto. Penguins fans might want to tune in a little late. The Red Wings are scheduled to raise their Stanley Cup banner beforehand.

Did you know: Detroit has had only two picks in the top 25 of any draft since 1995.

To watch: 8 p.m., Versus.

At the theater: "The Express" -- the story of Ernie Davis, the first black player to win the Heisman in 1961 -- opens, as they say, in a theater near you.

Did you know: Davis was also the first black player taken No. 1 overall in the NFL draft when taken by Washington (1962).

To watch: Check the theater listings in Friday's PG or online at www.post-gazette.com. Also, look for the PG's movie review in the Friday magazine section.

Welcome home: A week after opening with two games in Sweden against Ottawa, the Penguins raise the curtain on their home season at Mellon Arena against Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils.

Did you know: Although fans will be quick to equate new Penguin Miroslav Satan with the red-suited guy with the pointy tail and pitchfork, the correct pronunciation of his last name is SHAH-than.

To watch: 7:30 p.m., FSN Pittsburgh.

Top 25 or bust: Week 7 of the college football season offers the most attractive day so far with four games matching Top 25 teams highlighted by the Red River Shootout pitting No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 5 Texas in Dallas (noon). Also on tap: Penn State-Wisconsin (8 p.m.) and LSU-Florida (8 p.m., KDKA).

Did you know: Texas quarterback Colt McCoy (209.71) and Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford (209.05) are 2-3 in NCAA Div. I-A QB Rating. Note: Bradford, pictured at left, and McCoy are also 2-3 in the most recent Scripps-Howard Heisman Watch.

To watch: Check Armchair Quarterback in the PG's Saturday Gameday.