Civil wars, family squabbles and boardroom politics often overshadow IndyCar to such a degree that stories about IndyCar are more likely to focus on front office skullduggery than on Dario Franchitti and Helio Castroneves' efforts to win a fourth Indianapolis 500 on Sunday. More»

In almost any other profession, Andy Dalton would be thought of as one of the world's best at what he does. In the NFL, he's average. That label is loaded with paradoxes, and where Dalton goes from here could depend on the Bengals around him. More»

Preakness mascot Kegasus is dead, joining the worst all-time mascot fails. Any giant buckeye or talking orange can be annoying, but the mascots on this list are absolutely misguided: they draw attention away from the event and send the wrong message. More»

Nothing breeds optimism quite like May in the NFL, where we get our first chance to be impressed by rookies and new coaches in minicamps. From Chicago to Buffalo to Dallas, hope springs eternal and anything seems possible, even if it isn't. More»

For Zack Hample, there's a science to catching baseballs. From switching jerseys during batting practice to his jury-rigged glove, the ball hawk (and his followers) bring a incredible level of devotion to a sideline "sport" often populated by little kids. More»

Had enough of Tim Tebow? Let's talk about NFL moves that have slipped through the cracks but should actually matter this season, from the Texans' field position to the Rams finding a tight end to the Bears acknowledging their O-line problems. More»

Year after year, NFL draft analysts make the same mistakes, refusing to learn from what went wrong in past years. At the forefront in 2013 is Geno Smith, who can provide many lessons in scouting and reporting that need to be addressed in the future. More»

How'd your team do in the NFL draft? Grading drafts less than a week after the fact is always arbitrary and premature, but luckily our former teacher is here to evaluate teams on different terms and hand out report cards that are recognizable to any parent. More»

A fourth-string QB was released. Stop the presses. Cancel vacation plans. Wait, what? Oh, the Jets released Tim Tebow, so full 24/7 coverage is warranted. Tebow, please bless us with one last act of charity, and let this be the last column about you. More»

Luke Joeckel or Eric Fisher? Geno Smith or E.J. Manuel? No, the biggest NFL draft debate centered around whether reporters should tip picks before they're announced. The answer should be obvious to everyone who wants the draft to be interesting. More»

Eric Fisher, an unknown towering left tackle from Central Michigan, became the first No. 1 pick from the Mid-American Conference, and most of the next 31 picks of the NFL draft were filled out by more hulking linemen on both sides of the ball. More»

The NFL draft is finally upon us, and there are endless questions to be answered over the next three days, starting with tonight's first round. Who's the best prospect? Who's the best QB? Who has the best name? Our top-five lists cover every angle. More»

We should be long past the point of caring about the Manti Te'o-Lennay Kekua saga and instead focus on Te'o's on-field credentials. Will we hear his name called in the first round on Thursday night? Let's go to the film room for a final evaluation. More»

The Darrelle Revis speculation lasted for 2,086 hours, but he's finally off to Tampa Bay, ending a ridiculous saga in which the Jets continued their highly questionable methods of doing business and communicating. More»

On-stage hugs at the NFL draft have become so long, strong and intimate that they became a source of awkward comedy. What waits in the wings for Roger Goodell and the newest NFL players this year, kisses or hand jives? The experts weigh in. More»

Old stats just don't cut it in tee ball anymore. No, we need something better, a system that can properly evaluate the dandelion picking and meandering fielding of little leaguers. Thankfully, the folks at Tee Ball Outsiders are here to help us. More»

Every NFL draft season brings about the same types of articles: busts, steals, controversies. We argue the same things every year. So let's try to find some closure and put an end to many of the most common questions and stop talking about Ryan Leaf. More»

What makes a great draft? Not necessarily just one Hall of Famer, but several great pieces of a puzzle that help to build a title contender. Nobody may ever match the 1974 Steelers, but we rank the NFL's 10 best drafts of the last decade. More»

Finding a quarterback of the future isn't exactly easy. So instead, the worst teams in the NFL have gone through an elaborate dance with mediocre QBs -- or worse -- like Carson Palmer, Kevin Kolb and Jason Campbell, changing very little. More»

On Monday, a life-sized statue of Dick Hoyt pushing his adult son, Rick, in his wheelchair will be unveiled, creating a permanent symbol Team Hoyt's impact. But as they prepare for their 31st Boston Marathon, it's clear their inspiration will last long into the future. More»

Everybody cheats when creating mock drafts, so we decided to do it openly and find the majority opinion of NFL experts. Who will the Chiefs pick at No. 1? Which QB will get drafted first? Sing along with the chorus and you cannot go wrong. More»

Does Outdoor Network show 'King of the Spring make' turkey hunting cool, and can it compete with other sports TV offerings? Sports on Earth is journeying around the upper reaches of the cable sports tier, searching for replacements to the talking heads. More»

If you've read one year's worth of NFL draft scouting reports, you've read them all. So, using French poet Raymond Queneau as inspiration, we've created the most comprehensive scouting report ever: 100,000,000,000,000 reports, all in one place. More»

Many teams are running on fumes by the NCAA tournament. What can starters' minutes played tell us about the Sweet 16? Well, the numbers spell good news for Marquette and Wichita State, and trouble for Syracuse and Florida Gulf Coast. More»

When Matt Barkley takes the field for USC's pro day, he will not be alone. Matt Leinart, Mark Sanchez and Carson Palmer will be with him. Barkley is his own player, not Mattson Leinbarkchez. But what should we realistically expect from him? More»

The IndyCar Series kicks off on Sunday with the St. Petersburg Grand Prix, a 180-mile road race through the streets along Tampa Bay. For Will Power, it's a chance to play to his strength and erase memories of the championship that spun away in 2012. More»

The Elvis Dumervil Fax Debacle, or Dumfaxle for short, is a story of indecision, inefficiency and pernickety corporate behavior. It's also a reminder that NFL teams are businesses -- not run on adrenaline or muscle, but on paper clips and broadband. More»

After losing to Wisconsin, Indiana was banished from the Midwest Region and a shot at Indianapolis, but the Hoosiers caught a break and a clear path to D.C., where their stiffest test will come from a Miami team that is deeper and more versatile. More»

After losing to Wisconsin, Indiana was banished from the Midwest Region and a shot at Indianapolis, but the Hoosiers caught a break and a clear path to D.C., where their stiffest test will come from a Miami team that is deeper and more versatile. More»

The Big East as we know it played its final quadruple-header on Thursday in New York, presenting a daylong chance for King Football to battle the Catholic 7 in the quarterfinals. PLUS: We break down the NCAA tournament bracket. More»

Bubbleween is celebrated each year on the Monday and Tuesday before the NCAA tournament, the period when MAAC, SoCon, and other small-conference finalists trick-or-treat for automatic bids. Which ones will scare the big boys the most? More»

With all-star games and the combine behind us, NFL draft season shifts gears to pro days and their mountains of overreactions and misinformation. It can be hard to determine who actually helped themselves, but Mandatory Monday is here to help. More»

With less than two months until the NFL draft, we're faced with across-the-board uncertainty. From the Chiefs at the top to a flawed quarterback class to numerous injury concerns, every pick is destined to be picked apart -- even more than usual. More»

Between intentional fouls, timeouts, overzealous coaching and official reviews, the passage of time at the end of a college basketball game slows to a crawl, and it's only getting worse. Just how long does the final minute of a game take? More»

Free agency is upon us, meaning teams first have to find room to improve their clubs by dealing with the expensive veteran contracts on the books. While the Falcons push forward, the Cowboys double down and the Steelers go for a happy medium. More»

The supplement industry is built on deception. Athletes and consumers spend millions falling victim to outlandish claims and spiked products that provide no benefits, when we all could just stick to eating right. Do we even know what we're taking? More»

A 1909 Honus Wagner T-206 baseball card in excellent condition belongs in a museum, or Cooperstown, or in a display case at a billionaire's home. But for the next month, it will be at auction waiting to be sold to the highest bidder. Have a couple of million dollars to spare and it could be yours. More»

The NFL combine has morphed into a spectacle for fan consumption, but it's still missing something. If the league really wants it to take off, Mandatory Monday says let's go all out with the competition and hand out Oscars-style awards: The Forties. More»

Day Two of the NFL Scouting Combine served as a snow-covered day of quiet between Thursday's Rex Ryan show and Saturday's Manti Te'o extravaganza. But, as always, the NFL has a captive audience, and that audience's feet are cold. More»

If the NFL has anything like a music festival, it's the Scouting Combine, with moments of excitement and long stretches of press conference boredom. As usual, Rex Ryan headlined, but most coaches followed in the footsteps of Andy Reid. More»

These recently discovered stanzas of the Tao Te Ching appear to bear directly on this year's NFL draft -- and a certain scandal-ridden linebacker about to face some tough questions at the Scouting Combine. Is this an elaborate hoax? Time will tell. More»

It's easy to criticize Blaine Gabbert, but it's important to put his young career into context. For one, he's younger than several quarterbacks in this year's draft class. Mandatory Monday asks: Why isn't age a bigger deal in the NFL draft process? More»

Next week's NFL Scouting Combine in Indianpolis marks the official beginning of draft season, bringing several days of press conferences, weigh-ins and drills. The players' names may be different, but the characters are always the same. More»

Michael Vick can run, but that doesn't mean he's an ideal fit for Chip Kelly's up-tempo scheme. With other experienced options lacking, however, the Eagles were smart to restructure Vick's deal to keep him around as a viable stopgap in a transition year. More»

Roger Goodell picked the perfect time to reinstate Gregg Williams. Maybe you missed it in the post-Super Bowl dead period, but the bounty scandal came to a quiet end, and Mandatory Monday stops to acknowledge just how big the scandal was. More»

There will be home runs and strikeouts, ninth-inning rallies and 9-0 blowouts on Friday. It's opening day for Strat-o-Matic baseball, and a snowstorm isn't going to prevent longtime fans from making the pilgramage to headquarters in Glen Head, N.Y. More»

The Ravens beat the 49ers in a Super Bowl that proved champions and worthy runners-up defy labels and simple explanations for success. It brought an unpredictable season to an unpredictable conclusion, and it kept us glued to our seats. More»

The NFL is marketing the annual Honors awards show as a Pro Bowl replacement. Watching football players, celebrities and reporters interact on the red carpet, at least this looked more like an awards show than the Pro Bowl looks like a football game. More»

John and Jim Harbaugh are brothers, or to use the more scientific and politically correct term, 'siblings.' The Harbaughs held a press conference on Friday to educate the public on their unique biological condition, which two doctors help us explain. More»

Every finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, whose newest inductees will be announced Saturday night, is a worthy candidate this year. Here is an endorsement of three finalists: one a high-profile figure, and two lesser-known candidates. More»

Grit has replaced glamour in New Orleans. Everything about the 49ers and Ravens harkens back to a bygone era of the NFL, featuring power running and hard-hitting linebackers. Let the Lowdown be your guide to Super Bowl XLVII. More»

While Ray Lewis is busy in New Orleans denying deer-antler stories, the rest of the NFL world is filled with speculation too, from Rob Ryan thinking he had a new job in St. Louis to the uncertain futures of a pair of Green Bay Packers wide receivers. More»

Eli Manning may be a two-time Super Bowl MVP, but he was no match for this NFL columnist, who went toe to toe with the New York Giants quarterback in the XBox 360 Kinect boxing ring at the NFL Experience. Cue the 'Rocky' theme music. More»

Joe Flacco's hometown of Audubon, N.J., is proud of him, and that includes the author — who also happened to be the Ravens QB's high school math teacher. This isn't the time for impartiality. It's a time to celebrate a former student's success. More»

Super Bowl Media Day, a.k.a. pro football's three-ring circus, is a fantastic voyage into the heart of hype itself. This time around I was determined to escape with both psyche and dignity intact, and to emerge wiser for it. Was I successful? Read on. More»

As Super Bowl week kicks off, we present the 10 most absurd, wackiest and most self-consciously hype-driven events to look forward to. We love them, we loathe them, and we can ignore them about as easily as a jumbo jet parked in our driveway. More»

At Senior Bowl practices this week, NFL scouts are eyeing Ryan Nassib, E.J. Manuel and Tyler Wilson, wondering if any of them could become the next Colin Kaepernick or Russell Wilson, stepping in to lead their teams to the playoffs. More»

In modern football, coaching careers are built from the triumphs of young men, as credited to not-so-young men. We've come a long way from when coaches had family trees to when coaching positions are named after precocious 23-year-olds. More»

From Baltimore to San Francisco, from Audubon to Turlock, Sunday was a cause for celebration. Not only do Ravens and 49ers fans get to celebrate, but hometowns -- including Mandatory Monday's -- get to experience the thrill of a Super Bowl. More»

On Sunday, fates will be sealed and legacies determined. The difference between fame and infamy often comes down to something tiny: a defensive coordinator's adjustment, a young quarterback surprising. Here's your championship game guide. More»

The Chip Kelly-Eagles rom-com played out in front of a national audience thanks to plenty of 21st-century oversharing, and all the misdirection and indecisiveness of his recruitment creates even more skepticism about his NFL coaching future. More»

The Ravens offense is sparked by deep passes and the cannon arm of Joe Flacco. But the Patriots are in a better position to defend the long ball than they were in a Week 3 loss at Baltimore. This aerial battle could well decide the AFC title game. More»

Last week's episode of 'America's Next Great Head Coach, GM or Whipping Boy" featured fresh new personalities. Unfortunately, this week marked a return to formula, as NFL owners rehashed past highlights in search of the tried, tired and retired. More»

By the time the Patriots' win over the Texans rolled around Sunday evening, just about everyone was exhausted from one of the most memorable football weekends ever. Don't worry: Mandatory Monday is here to pick up the divisional pieces. More»

Saturday’s Ravens victory over the Broncos, one of the biggest upsets of the year, one of the longest, greatest, most astounding games in NFL history, felt like every other Ravens or Manning playoff game ever played, compressed like a panini. More»

To paraphrase the great Jim Mora, "You wanna talk playoffs?!" Yes, we do. That's why we have our NFL expert here to answer all your questions about this weekend's epic matchups. Will Peyton Manning carve up the Ravens defense? Can the Texans solve Tom Brady? Let's do this. More»

Sunday's Divisional action features a hot rookie quarterback, an outstanding rookie class, a bruising running back and an organization with all the answers: the 2012 Seahawks or the 2008 Falcons? Meanwhile, the Texans will try to fake out the Patriots. More»

By every measure, Texans end J.J. Watt has had an all-time great season, one that will land him the Defensive Player of the Year award. As he gets ready for Sunday's game against the Patriots, we ask: Just how dominant has Watt been? More»

While the Browns and Eagles spent endless energy pursuing Oregon's Chip Kelly, the Bills quietly flew under the radar, acting quickly and efficiently in hiring an under-the-radar coach with an impressive background, Syracuse's Doug Marrone. More»

Ray Lewis danced before the final home game of his career joyously and carelessly, like it wouldn’t be the last time. And it wouldn't: Baltimore dispensed with Indianapolis to give its inspirational leader another chance to strut his stuff next weekend. More»

As Ray Lewis suits up for his final Super Bowl run, we break down the two wild card games of the first Sunday of the NFL playoffs: Lewis's Ravens taking on Chuck Pagano's new-look Colts and a showdown between two superstar rookie QBs. More»

In a whodunnit worthy of 'Dragnet,' Joe Webb and Adrian Peterson search for the killer of the Vikings' Super Bowl Dream, which died in their loss to the Packers in Saturday's NFC wild-card game; plus we look at the Texans' non-loss to the Bengals. More»

There are 36 possible Super Bowl matchups, and while some come with a ready-to-flog rivalry/rematch/revenge angle, many require a little digging, creativity and salesmanship. Here is a countdown of all 36 possibilities, ranked by 'ease of hype.' More»

Black Monday was a busy one in the NFL, as several head coaches and executives failed to make it to the New Year. Headlining the group is Norv Turner, who was fired by the Chargers after missing the playoffs for the third season in a row. More»

Alfred Morris looked like the 2012 version of Terrell Davis, while Adrian Peterson finished off one of the best seasons in NFL history. Mandatory Monday explains how two big-time rushing performances put the Redskins and Vikings in the playoffs. More»

It may be hard to remember, but Andy Reid was once a wunderkind coach capable of managing the clock down to the millisecond, his Eagles a team that flew in formation and won games by sweating the small stuff. The Reid era has come to an end. More»

The season may be almost over, but we're not holding back now. Nelson Muntz, Charles Dickens, Moe Howard and others make appearances in this week's Lowdown, but it all starts with the biggest game -- and the one with the biggest egos. More»

The final Quarters Coverage of 2012 brings you our NFL power rankings, the best and worst trends of the season, and each team's defining moment -- from a one-yard Peyton Manning pass to Mark Sanchez's collision with a teammate's backside. More»

Either the Seahawks suddenly flipped a switch and became the 1985 Bears a few weeks ago, or we are seeing something else at work. Their latest masterpiece came Sunday against the 49ers, and Mandatory Monday explains where they stand. More»

‘Twas the week before Christmas, and all around the NFL, teams are hoping to find a playoff berth in their stockings. Everyone has a reason to hope, but as Lowdown reveals, it takes more than hope and a hotshot rookie to be red hot for the holidays. More»

Like Tim Tebow’s failed Jets tenure, the events, ad campaigns, doomed start-ups and popular delusions on this countdown couldn't withstand the crippling pressures of their own expectations. Let's remember them -- before the next big thing comes. More»

Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin received enormous attention through last April's draft and into this season -- and rightfully so. But a third rookie star has emerged right beside them: Russell Wilson proves the need to look past the dazzle and listen. More»

As conference realignment tears apart the Big East as we knew it, we recognize its storied history with the top 10 games in league history, filled with controversial calls, hard fouls, coaching blunders, comebacks, upsets, dunks and buzzer beaters. More»

The 49ers didn't make a statement, but they did beat an outstanding Patriots team, in thrilling fashion. Again, they proved they're one of the best teams in the NFL, and Sunday's game would make for a great Super Bowl. Let Mandatory Monday explain. More»

There are spooky signals that some NFL playoff shakeups are still in store, and this week’s Lowdown reveals a powerful secret: Three may not be a magic number, but 0-for-3 is, and the Falcons must overcome some seriously bad juju to avoid 0-for-4. More»

Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue vacated the player suspensions in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal. While it was a passive-aggressive ruling, it still contained a clear and surprising admission: Roger Goodell did something wrong. More»

The Ravens cuts ties with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, the NFL considers Greg Schiano's kickoff replacement proposal and Chris Kluwe supports Ray Guy's Hall of Fame candidacy. We open up our NFL notebook and break it all down. More»

The Redskins won four straight, the Cowboys won four of five and the Giants took a stroll before showering touchdowns on the Saints on Sunday. Mandatory Monday explains how the East suddenly looks like a down-to-the-wire race in the tough NFC. More»

For John Howell, Trent Steelman and the rest of the Midshipmen and Black Knights, the Army-Navy game -- won by Navy on Saturday -- is not just a matchup of two high-level FBS opponents. It's also a privilege, an honor and an accomplishment. More»

The coaches take center stage as the NFL enters its final month, as Tom Coughlin’s Giants are in danger of coughing up the NFC East, and Marvin Lewis’ has extended his coaching tenure but will shorten some others. Week 14 NFL Lowdown is here. More»

College basketball fans are sick of seeing great conferences like the Big East torn apart in the name of big-time football. It’s time to create a league that gives college basketball back to college basketball fans: Let’s call it the Hoops USA Conference. More»

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the semifinalists for 2013 last week. The selection committee is knowledgeable and passionate -- and invariably fouls up. Here are the five men on the list who are most deserving of enshrinement. More»

The Texans, Ravens, Patriots and Broncos were in position to clinch playoff berths on Sunday because they are very good, but also because their division challengers are very bad. It's a codependency, and Mandatory Monday explains it all. More»

Very few people really knew Jovan Belcher. Even fewer can begin to understand or explain why, in the middle of a forgettable Chiefs season, this NFL defender killed his girlfriend and himself. Just who was this unheralded Kansas City linebacker? More»

It’s still autumn, but now is the winter of the NFL’s discontent, and the ravages of cold and age are everywhere. Leave it to Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning to teach the whippersnappers a thing or two. Week 13 of the NFL Lowdown is here. More»

In the NFL, as player after player gets suspended for it, Adderall is being written off as a convenient excuse or an irrelevant work of fiction. But perhaps football players are being suspended for abusing the drug because they really ARE abusing it. More»

Welcome back to Quarters Coverage, a monthly NFL abstract of power rankings, awards and essential information, where three standout running backs ran rampant over the the league in November and the 49ers lead heading down the stretch. More»

The November Swoon is a myth. Eli Manning’s tired arm is an urban legend. Reports of the Giants’ death, as always, were greatly exaggerated. Just ask Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, who were beaten a dozen different ways on Sunday night. More»

Colin Kaepernick replaced Alex Smith as San Francisco's starter under center, giving the 49ers an official, certified quarterback controversy. But even after a big win at New Orleans, we have to ask: Are the Niners really that much different? More»

The Texans-Lions game, which turned on a ridiculous call that allowed a Justin Forsett touchdown, left fans with a bad taste in their mouths on Thanksgiving. We deserve better than the mindless application of rules that fly in the face of fairness. More»

Thanksgiving night may have represented the low-water mark for the Jets as a team, but it was their high-water mark for self-parody. In one tragicomedic 52-second span of a 30-point loss to the Patriots, they simply upstaged any effort to ridicule them. More»

It took a dozen weeks, but QB situations around the NFL have finally collapsed into their natural states of doubt, remorse, recrimination and often-hilarious ineptitude. From the Steelers to the Jaguars to Cardinals to the 49ers, Lowdown covers it all. More»

Tired of empty Turkey Day calories? Get lean before Thanksgiving with three healthy Playbook Page snacks: Rob Gronkowski’s past, a breakdown of Robert Griffin’s passing depth, and why the Lions can have too much of a good thing in the red zone. More»

Tropes are sometimes necessary when writing about the NFL, but some have gotten far too stale. In the name of making the NFL Internet a better place for everyone, we recommend mandatory retirement for the following five clichéd storylines. More»

There’s a fine line between gritty and ugly. The Ravens and Steelers crossed it on Sunday night. Their rivalry has always been gritty. But Sunday’s 13-10 win by Baltimore wasn’t just beaten with an ugly stick; the whole ugly tree fell on its roof. More»

Overtime is the NFL’s shipwreck island. Six teams beached themselves on overtime’s unwelcoming shores in Week 11, and each resembled famous castaways. Mandatory Monday explains how Houston, Tampa Bay and Dallas stayed alive. More»

This is the time when smart brackets are built. All 18-win Big Ten teams look alike in March, unless you were looking closely in November. And the 2K Sports Classic packs plenty of intrigue and star power, not to mention excellent basketball. More»

Have you ever wished you could go back in time? Some NFL teams do, and none quite like the Ravens and Steelers. But no Ray Lewis, Troy Polamalu or Big Ben? No problem! The Week 11 Lowdown sells out no good rivalry before its time. More»

Chip Kelly’s excellence as a college coach is unquestioned. His qualifications to be an excellent NFL head coach are mostly wishful thinking. He should stay at Oregon, a lesson that he (and we) should have learned from the Steve Spurrier fiasco. More»

Sunday was a glorious day for NFL player health and welfare: Seven players suffered cranial trauma and had to undergo neurological testing. The positive is that a seven-concussion day is not a sign of an injury epidemic, but of a diagnosis epidemic. More»

Sunday was the day that the last undefeated team lost and the defending champions got clobbered, a day for doubters and skeptics. But somewhere between optimism and pessimism lies realism, and Mandatory Monday is here to find answers. More»

Next Veterans Day, we should honor America’s military personnel by not trying to play basketball on aircraft carriers. We can acknowledge the sacrifices and achievements by recognizing that the deck of a naval craft is not a playground for sweaty civilians. More»

Waiting is the hardest part as the NFL enters Week 10. But while Bud Adams redecorated Titans headquarters, Rex Ryan dipped into the suggestion box and Tom Coughlin acted goofy at a press conference, the Lowdown arrives right now. More»

The 2013 NFL Draft is several months away, but it might already be time for Chiefs fans to start debating which college quarterback they like best. We talk Smith vs. Barkley, 'crunch-time' QB performances and more in this week's NFL Mailbag. More»

The Colts' Andrew Luck drew rave reviews for his rookie-record 433 passing yards on Sunday, but the 23-year-old's breakout day was weeks in the making, and his rapid maturation has moved him to the head of the class of first-year NFL signal-callers. More»

Election Day, like the midpoint of the NFL season, is a time for citizens to decide once and for all whom they most disbelieve in. As Mandatory Monday explains, Week 9 offered a test of faith for unbeaten Atlanta, as well as many other constituencies. More»

From hurricanes to Halloween to a presidential election, it can be hard to stay focused on football. But don’t let the post-trick-or-treat sugar rush keep you from focusing: The Week 9 NFL Lowdown and the Falcons are your keys to a balanced diet. More»

The football field has become a battlefield for issues ranging from separation of church and state to the appropriateness of specific religious messages. Football and faith seem such odd bedfellows -- but this has been happening for about 150 years. More»

Welcome back to Quarters Coverage, our monthly NFL abstract of power rankings, awards and essential information. Consider this a mid-year report card, just like in school but without the comments about good behavior. That doesn't exist in the NFL. More»

The Giants took Herm Edwards' rant to heart on Sunday: They played to win the game, using their simple D to fend off Dallas in the final minutes. But as Mandatory Monday explains, others in Week 8 found plenty of reasons to play besides winning. More»

The Falcons are the undefeated team that just isn’t undefeated enough for our tastes. They beat the Eagles easily and are 7-0, but they have become the favorites to be upset every week, the team that is 'due' to lose next week or in January, or both. More»

This week we travel to London with the Patriots, enjoy VIP access at a night club with Young Jeezy and visit the medicine cabinet to 'enhance' our Week 8 preview. Get ready, because the NFL's Magical Mystery Tour has begun. This is the Lowdown. More»

Like the game, the Pro Bowl joke has outlived its usefulness, yet it marches on. So as Roger Goodell threatens to cancel it if the standard of play does not improve, here’s a promise to fans: When the Pro Bowl stops, we will stop making fun of it. More»

Jerry Richardson gets grouchy, Chan Gailey gets slouchy and humans like Matt Cassel don’t need to be hit very hard to suffer a potentially serious ouchy. It’s time to open up the Twitter mailbag and see who gets some love and who gets some hate. More»

Ben Roethlisberger and coordinator Todd Haley may always have a love-hate relationship, but instead of focusing on their bromance, let's ask a simpler question about the Steelers' offense: Is it really a 'dink-and-dunk?' Let's hit the playbook to find out. More»

Sunday's Jets-Patriots game was a gem -- the kind of game that leaves us with questions to ponder for an entire week. For example, how much fun was it to watch a signature Tom Brady late-game performance? Mandatory Monday has the answers. More»

You can't have it both ways in the NFL. You can't root for the Pats and the Jets, and Jonathan Vilma is either suspended or he isn't. The Giants think they can have it all, and so does Ike Taylor. But they'll learn. The Week 7 Lowdown will teach 'em. More»

This Notre Dame team is not an oldies act. With a dominating defense that hasn't allowed a TD since the summertime, this team is good. In fact, it's great -- maybe the school's best in 20 years. Brace yourself, because the Irish are relevant again. More»

Who is Colin Kaepernick? Why is he taking so many snaps away from Alex Smith? Are the 49ers using a wildcat offense? Isn’t that strategy dead? Questions like these need answers. That's why we're here. Let's dig into Jim Harbaugh's playbook. More»

There are few things scarier than seeing a starting QB lying on the turf or the star linebacker surrounded by worried trainers. But there was a lot of that in Week 6, and with guys like Ray Lewis sidelined, the playoff race may have taken a big hit, too. More»

In case you missed out on the last six weeks, Seattle is now home to the NFL's best secondary, a satellite-launching QB, a noisy 12th man and a come-from-behind plan that works on even the Patriots. But don't worry: Mandatory Monday will fill you in. More»

Aaron and Andrew Harrison will be at Big Blue Madness on Friday. Lexington is buzzing. College Park is grumbling. The ESPN cameras on both campuses will be rolling. Welcome to Midnight Madness. And Twinsanity. More»

Anonymous remarks, snarky putdowns, wild parties and cooties: This week’s game previews bring the junior-high drama. Everyone not named Brandon Weeden is acting immature, and we've got the latest dish in our Diary of a Wimpy NFL Lowdown. More»

You, too, have lost track of who did what, and when in this Saints bounty scandal? Who roughed up Kurt Warner? Who allegedly demanded money after sacking Brett Favre? No one remembers and no one has the time or energy to re-examine it. That’s the beauty of bureaucracy at work. That's Roger Goodell's NFL. More»

It's sometimes hard to tell behind all those pouty expressions of his, but there is a way to know if Good Cam Newton or Bad Cam Newton will show up to play each week. We'll explain as we open up the Twitter mail and dig into the game tape. More»

One of the best teams in the NFL won again on Monday night to remain undefeated, but all anyone wants to talk about is the Jets, and how they were 'not terrible.' And being the attention-starved children that they are, the Jets couldn't be more thrilled. More»

Drew Brees broke Johnny Unitas’ record for consecutive games with a TD pass, and despite the circumstances (Saints finally win!), both QBs should be lauded. As for the rest of Week 5? Eh, that's another story. Let us explain in Mandatory Monday. More»

Elite QBs take center stage this week, as the Brady-Manning rivalry resumes in Foxboro, Drew Brees looks to break Johnny Unitas' record in New Orleans, and Internet star Jay Cutler charms his way around Florida. Get ready for Week 5 with the Lowdown. More»

The NFL's greatest quarterback rivalry in history was born on a windy afternoon in September of 2001 in Foxboro. The storyline was not Johnny Unitas vs. Bart Starr, or even David vs. Goliath. It was Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady. And no one cared. More»

Welcome to Quarters Coverage, our monthly NFL digest of power rankings, awards and essential information. It's a lot like the prospectus your investment firm sends out every three months ... only more interesting and actually worth your time. More»

The term 'execution' has become more cliché than insight. But in about three minutes of fourth-quarter football on Sunday -- with the Redskins' come-from-behind win and the Giants' loss -- the fate of the NFC East may have been decided on just that. More»

Mandatory Monday gets physical this week, as Bengals fans make their presence felt, the Packers celebrate TDs with noogies and Santonio Holmes hurts his toe. But no one's body language is quite as complex as Cam Newton's. Let's have a closer examination. More»

Greg Schiano remains more apoplectic than apologetic, Cam Newton will take the blame for the Panthers' struggles and the Giants may be sorry to see their backups go. If fans need apologies for the last few weeks, we got 'em in the NFL Lowdown. More»

Andy Reid saying, 'We’ll evaluate as we go,' means that the Michael Vick Epoch is ending the same way it started: with a battered, confused starter, an indecisive coach, a promising season in jeopardy and an angry mob demanding a fresh sacrifice. More»

There is a way to get rid of the powerless feeling that's been gnawing at your innards for weeks/months/since midnight on Monday. There is a way you can stop the Replacement Refs Apocalypse. But first, let's revisit the sheer absurdity of it all. More»

When Drew Brees surpasses Johnny Unitas’ consecutive touchdown record in two weeks, his feat will be met with a little celebration, a lot of confusion, some ambivalence, a bit of indifference and a fair amount of derision. That's not how it should be. More»

There have been more than a few unexpected developments in the NFL so far, none bigger than the unbeaten Arizona Cardinals. Mandatory Monday looks at the biggest shockers of the year, and how the season will play out from here for each. More»

The Ravens could become the NFL's Coldplay, Peyton Manning is no longer king of the world and Russell Wilson proves success is in the jeans, though not necessarily his jeans. Welcome to the Lowdown, your complete guide to Week 3 in the NFL. More»

Just about every coach will tell you that running and stopping the run are the keys to winning. But don't believe a word of that. Instead of listening to what NFL coaches say, look at what they do. Here is how coaches and teams really try to win games. More»

Tackling is football's most fundamental -- but often most overlooked -- skill. The Giants and Panthers both should have learned that lesson last year, but a breakdown of the stats shows otherwise. We'll find out tonight if they've gotten the message. More»

The Niners’ defense gets a lot of love, history sets bad precedents for Chris Johnson, and the Jets’ offense remains a failure with a hundred fathers. Time to open up the Tweet mail and dig deep into the game tape to answer all your NFL questions. More»

Philly defenders understood only a fraction of their playbook last year. Not anymore. As shown by wins over the Browns and Ravens, these Eagles are more comfortable and confident in the system. So what changed? Have a look at the playbook ... More»

The Vikings lay claim to The Most Exciting Terrible Team, the Pats were stunned at home and the Giants, oh the Giants. What a game. It was a Sunday of wild endings and awkward moments in the NFL, but please, let us explain in Mandatory Monday. More»

There's a Handshake Problem in San Fran, another great QB awaiting the Saints in Carolina, calls for Plaxico Burress in New York (we know!) and a clueless tweeter in Kansas City. Week 2 have you lost already? Fear not, The Lowdown's here. More»

The bounty scandal is starting to resemble the rise of the Roman Empire. There's the almighty Goodell, the powerless arbiter, the players summoned to meet with 'the emperor' -- totally Roman. So, will unchecked power lead to the empire's fall? More»

The Bears' old offensive coordinator wasn't a believer in pass protection, and it left Jay Cutler on the sideline for half of last year. But Mike Tice has taken over and changes are obvious. Question is, can they handle Green Bay? Let's hit the playbook. More»

Robert Griffin III had one of the greatest debuts of any rookie quarterback in history on Sunday. But, as good as he was, he can't take full credit. His success was largely the result of the Redskins' brilliant game plan. Shall we peek at the playbook? More»

Week 1 is a time to throw away any bit of logic you may have had. It's all wild overreaction now. So, since we're aware of the absurdity that will ensue, let's have a rational look at Sunday's surprises (RG3 for MVP!), in our first NFL Mandatory Monday. More»

Looking ahead to the first weekend of the NFL season? Already making your picks? Well you're in luck, because we are too. Let us give you The Lowdown, the only weekly game-by-game preview guaranteed to lead you down a rabbit hole. More»

The Giants do NOT have a Super Bowl hangover. But then again, the NFL's corporate, disciplined champs aren't party people, and Wednesday night's loss to the Cowboys won't phase them. Not when the shareholders meeting is slated for February. More»

The NFL's opener is eight months of wishful anticipation made suddenly real. This year's Wednesday start is a bit different, but Sunday will soon arrive, and football will once again be our passion, our lifestyle, our consensus. That is the promise of Opening Day. More»

A slew of injuries right before the opener? That's nothing new for the Giants. They've proved in years past that entering the season on shaky ground can often lead to Super Bowl wins. But this year, in a tougher NFC East, a repeat may be out of reach. More»

It’s time to gaze into the crystal ball and make some predictions about the 2012 NFL season, from Super Bowl winner and MVP, to first coach to be fired. See, when your crystal ball is as warped as ours, there's no such thing as a predictable pick. More»

With the Saints depleted from the Bounty scandal, the Panthers still rebuilding and the Buccaneers unable to do much of anything without controversy, the balance of power will shift in the increasingly competitive NFC South. Welcome, Falcons. More»

The comical, blundering, inept officiating of the NFL’s replacement referees over the last four weeks has overshadowed the comical, blundering, inept play we’ve come to expect from preseason football. Someone, anyone, please rescue us. More»

Remember the old Black-and-Blue division? Well, 'tis no longer. Defense may not be dead in the NFC North, but it is not all well these days. This division is all about high-performance offenses, which are great … until they're just not enough. More»

The NFC West has been the Sun Belt Conference of the NFL for nearly a decade. The 49ers' 13-3 record had a lot to do with their weak divisional opponents. But even they weren't fooled, and made upgrades to ensure the division is theirs to lose this year. More»

AFC West teams mastered mediocrity last season, all finishing just below .500. But this year, with Peyton in Denver, restored health in Kansas City and a reorganization in Oakland, things are looking up. One team will crack the .500 barrier, but which? More»

After a torturous decade of building and rebuilding, the Texans are suddenly the undisputed powerhouses of the AFC South. But age and salary-cap constraints could bring a swift end to their reign, as the rest of the division is clamoring to take their place. More»

The Ravens and Steelers are getting long in the tooth on defense, but neither has slipped far enough to allow the lowly Bengals or Browns to challenge for the top spot in what is still a black-and-blue division. More»

Hardcore fantasy players have gone high-tech, subscribing to services that collate the results of 25,000 drafts and provide constant updates of Michael Vick's MRI results. But you don't need all that. Let our One-Cup Fantasy Guide fill you in. More»

Tim Tebow has arrived, a rookie quarterback has taken over in Miami and Buffalo owns one of the most feared pass rushes in the league. But one team continues to rule the division. Who? Take a wild guess. More»

Every NFL team has its own philosophy and style, but the ones with a real shot at winning the Super Bowl this season fall into four categories. More»