Faulty Knee Forces Faulk Out

Patriots top Bills, Saints crush Panthers, 49ers thump Rams

(NEWSER) - The New England Patriots overcame a 21-point deficit today with 49 unanswered points to rock the Buffalo Bills 49-21, the AP reports. The win earned the Pats home-field advantage and the AFC's top seed. Tom Brady threw for 338 yards and finished with the second-most passing yards in NFL history, 5,235—behind only Drew Brees, who threw for 5,486 this year with the New Orleans Saints. More»

Three ex-athletes want league to monitor all ex-players

(NEWSER) - Three retired football players are suing the NFL because they say they got banged up so much in their playing days it left them with brain injuries. They want the league to set up a program to monitor the problem among all former players, reports Bloomberg . The three former athletes—Harry Jacobs, Jerome Barkum, and Tommy Mason—each suffer from brain injuries caused by frequent tackles during their careers, according to the federal lawsuit. They're also seeking unspecified personal-injury compensation. More»

But he may practice in December

(NEWSER) - Peyton Manning may recover from surgery quickly enough to practice with the Colts by December, but the team doesn’t expect him to actually take the field until next season, owner Jim Irsay told a breakfast for Super Bowl donors this morning, according to the Indy Star . But the AP reports that he seemingly backtracked moments later—perhaps in the interest of keeping fans' attention this season—tweeting: "I didn't say Peyton out 4season FOR SURE,keeping him on ActiveRoster n taking it month by month/Outside chance of return n December possible." More»

5-year, $90-million deal give Colts salary-cap flexibility

(NEWSER) - "OFFICIAL ----WE HAVE A DEAL!!!!!!!!!" tweeted Indianapolis Colts' owner Jim Irsay in caps last night, as the Colts signed Peyton Manning to a $90 million, five-year contract, reports the Indianapolis Star . The deal likely ensures the 35-year-old quarterback will stay a Colt for the rest of his career. Although the contract ties New England's Tom Brady for the biggest in the NFL, the Colts had actually been offering Manning $100 million—but Manning offered to take less if it would help the team sign some veteran talent. "It's a credit 2 Peyton; he put Colt fans, teammates, Ind. n winning ahead of all else," tweeted Irsay later. More»

Record-setting win leaves everyone gushing

(NEWSER) - Michael Vick eviscerated the Washington Redskins last night, throwing for 333 yards and four touchdowns, and running for another 80 yards and two more touchdowns, an unprecedented, record-breaking accomplishment. “He’s got my MVP vote,” Washington linebacker London Fletcher told the Washington Post after the game. Is the ex-con really that good? Here’s what people are saying:

• “It was one of the best single performances in league history,” gushes Matt Mosley of ESPN . “When Vick is on his game, I’m not sure there’s a team in the NFC capable of beating the Eagles.”