Athlon Sports Features
NFL: Week 11 Preview
It's a Bruce Springsteen-themed edition of the weekly NFL preview as Mike Nahrstedt takes a look at all 15 NFL games on the weekend slate.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Week 10 Power Rankings
Neither New Orleans nor Indianapolis is invincible. But neither has been bested, which is why two teams that might yet prove to be superior — Minnesota and Cincinnati — remain behind them in the NFL Power Rankings.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Week 10 Preview
It's Colts-Patriots week in the NFL, and it's as big as ever. Rob Doster looks at that game and the other 13 that occupy this weekend's docket.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Midseason awards
There’s still a long way to go in the NFL season and a lot can happen in a span of eight weeks. But if the season were to end right now, there'd be awards to hand out. Ralph Vacchiano does the honors.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Week 9 Power Rankings
If not for a two-game hiccup early in the season, the Steelers might be sitting atop these Power Rankings. Especially after their two most recent performances. See where Mike Nahrstedt ranked them and the other 31 teams in his Week 9 NFL Power Rankings.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Week 9 Preview
The Texans are two games over .500 for the first time in franchise history but they've got a tough game against undefeated Indianapolis this week. Mike Nahrstedt looks at that and the other 12 games on the slate in his Week 9 preview.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Week 8 Power Rankings
During their week off, the Buccaneers watched the Titans and Rams each pick up their first victory of the season. Any doubt who's on the bottom of this week's power rankings?
[FULL STORY]NFL: Week 7 Power Rankings
So many teams are worthy, yet only one can occupy the bottom spot in Athlon Sports’ NFL power rankings each week. Who "earned" that distinction in Week 7?
[FULL STORY]NFL: Week 7 preview
Brett Favre has the Vikings sitting pretty at 6-0 but they'll face the defending Super Bowl champs on the road this week. Mike Nahrstedt looks at that game and the other 12 on the Week 7 slate in his NFL Preview.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Week 6 power rankings
It was certainly not a banner weekend for the NFC East. The Giants lost to the Saints, the Redskins continued to look hapless and the Eagles were upset by the Raiders. Mike Nahrstedt sorts it all out in his Week 6 power rankings.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Week 6 preview
An undefeated matchup between the Giants and Saints highlights Week 6. Mike Nahrstedt runs down what to look for in that game and the other 13 on the slate in his NFL Preview.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Week 5 power rankings
The Broncos' overtime win against the Patriots Sunday kept them as one of five undefeated teams. But is Mike Nahrstedt a believer? Find out in his Week 5 NFL power rankings.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Week 5 Sunday Takeaway
A feel-good story in Cincinnati, Brett Favre's best team yet and a lack of parity highlight Rob Doster's Week 5 Sunday Takeaway column.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Week 4 power rankings
The Saints can beat you through the air, on the ground or with their defense, but what no one has showed yet is how the Saints can be beat. See where they rank in this week's NFL Power Rankings.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Week 4 preview
Another week of Sunday action is ready to kick off and Mike Nahrstedt runs down what to look for this weekend in his NFL Preview.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Week 3 power rankings
The Bengals are one miracle pass away from being 3-0. Seriously. See where they and the other 31 teams rank in the Week 3 NFL power rankings.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Week 3 preview
Another week of Sunday action is ready to kick off and Mike Nahrstedt runs down what to look for this weekend in his NFL Preview.
[FULL STORY]NFL: Week 2 power rankings
There's plenty to celebrate in New York, but do the Jets or the Giants sit atop our Week 2 power rankings?
[FULL STORY]Fantasy Updates - PlayerScope
Dwayne Bowe
The NFL has suspended Bowe for four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy. The suspension begins immediately. In case you're keeping track, that leaves the Chiefs with zero offensive impact players other than QB Matt Cassel (whose impact factor isn't particularly high to begin with)....
[FULL STORY]Kolby Smith
After spending the first six weeks on the Chiefs' PUP list, he has now been activated. The Chiefs had a bye in Week 8. With the suspension of Larry Johnson, Smith could see playing time this week along with Jamaal Charles. Since this would be his first game of the season, we are not expecting very much from Smith this week....
[FULL STORY]Jamaal Charles
With Larry Johnson sitting out a one-game suspension, Charles is scheduled to start this week against Jacksonville. If you have Charles on your team, hold on to him until the L.J. saga plays out....
[FULL STORY]Chris Chambers
Chambers has been claimed off waivers by Kansas City, but it remains to be seen how he'll be used here since Dwayne Bowe and Bobby Wade are the starters....
[FULL STORY]Matt Cassel
Keep ‘em (and us) guessing. The Chiefs are calling Matt Cassel (knee) a game-time decision for this week. He has practiced more than he did last week (didn't play), but we wouldn't be too excited about starting him. Kansas City has the Raiders this week who played pretty well against the Chargers last Monday night....
[FULL STORY]Bobby Wade
Wade has signed with Kansas City, where he'll likely provide reserve help but could offer more. Wade is a reliable possession receiver who led the Vikings in receiving over the past two seasons. While Kansas City's No. 2 WR, Mark Bradley, played well in the opener, it was no secret that his starting job was tenuous as the preseason ended....
[FULL STORY]Brodie Croyle
Not that you'd want any part of him on your fantasy roster, but Croyle will start the Chiefs' preseason finale Thursday, a possible indication that he'll be the No. 2 QB (ahead of Tyler Thigpen) and, if Matt Cassel can't go, the starter in Week 1....
[FULL STORY]Devard Darling
Darling was placed on IR with a torn ACL. He will miss the entire season....
[FULL STORY]Matt Gutierrez
Not surprising...QB Gutierrez was signed by the Chiefs. Scott Pioli knows him very well from the Patriots....
[FULL STORY]Terrance Copper
After spending last season with Baltimore, Copper has signed with Kansas City....
[FULL STORY]More Inside Athlon Sports ...
Vacchiano: Patroits are the favorites in '07
A lot of things can change between now and next February. But the events of draft weekend, and some of the events of the two months before, have Ralph Vacchiano convinced that the Pats are the early favorite to win Super Bowl XLII.
Vacchiano: Quinn's value being overlooked
No player in this year’s draft has seen his stock yo-yo more than former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn. Ralph Vacchiano says the "Golden Boy" will be a great pick up for whichever team doesn't out-think themselves.
Vacchiano: NFL must send message to teams
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Pacman Jones and Chris Henry on Tuesday for their off-the-field problems. Ralph Vacchiano applauds the decision but says the league should focus on punishing the teams as well.




