Judge Orders Parenting Class for Urlacher

Jets, Bears among teams facing personnel issues; pressure on Raiders' Kiffin to win

(NEWSER) - The NFL is in the midst of a turbulent off-season, even if you ignore the Brett Favre and Chad Johnson sagas. ESPN’s John Clayton breaks down the other top distractions as training camp nears:

• With NFL Europe gone but the 80-man roster still in place, teams will have trouble finding enough healthy bodies for training camp.
• The New York Jets must decide whether or not to move an unhappy Chris Baker.
• Jacksonville may need to keep receiver Matt Jones despite his off-field issues.

Minnesota secures 20-13 win and potential playoff spot

(NEWSER) - The Vikings came back from 10 behind last night to lock up a 20-13 triumph over the Bears and tally their fifth consecutive victory. This improbable streak for Minnesota, nearly marred by quarterback Tavaris Jackson's four turnovers, places them in contention for the NFC wild-card slot. Adrian Peterson's resurgence in the second half made the difference, reports the Star Tribune. More»

Struggling QB overcomes three turnovers to improve playoff chances

(NEWSER) - Eli Manning pulled his team out of a hole he helped dig, leading the Giants on two long fourth-quarter drives to dig out of a 9-point deficit, then watching his defense close out a 21-16 victory over Chicago. Manning had three turnovers despite a more conservative offense that saw more rushing attempts and short passes, reports the Times. Derrick Ward had 154 yards rushing for Big Blue. More»

Sports analysts agog after Denver Broncos' latest victory

(NEWSER) - After a stunning performance in yesterday's last-minute 13-10 victory against the Chicago Bears, sports commentators are wondering if Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow really is capable of miracles.

• Declaring Tebow his "personal quarterback and savior," Jeff Neuman at RealClearSports catalogs five miracles made in last night's game. "Zero points on his team's first 11 possessions—and then three scores on their last three, aided by a coach's weird strategy, thin air, a fumble, and a total brain cramp by a veteran running back. Truly, Tim Tebow works in mysterious ways."
• Writing for the Montreal Gazette , Ed Willes also drops the M-word, wondering if "we've ever seen a run like this in the last 50 years of sports: an athlete who's at once both divisive and irresistibly charismatic; an athlete who's in the miracle business every week; an athlete who transcends everything around him."

Challenger disaster prevented initial celebration

(NEWSER) - Two and a half decades later, the legendary 1985 Chicago Bears team is finally getting its White House ceremony. The original one was canceled because of the Challenger disaster; now, President Obama is inviting the team back on Oct 7. Though two of the team’s central players, Walter Payton and Dave Duerson, have since died, most of the team is likely to show up, Bleacher Report notes—with the possible exception of those now coaching. More»