Vikings aim to break decade-long streak

Even with a 10-6 record last year, the Vikings didn’t have a winning record on the road. In fact, they haven’t had that since their 1998 season. A win over Arizona will secure that for them. The players talked about changing perceptions.   Full Story

Brett Favre is leaving a mark … on the butts of teammates. Favre’s penchant for a stinging butt-slap has carried over to the Vikings and his teammates are improving in their efforts to exact revenge.   Full Story

The Patriots are one of the top scoring team in the NFL. They get there by throwing the ball. Saints defensive back Mick McKenzie knows he has a new lease on his NFL career having rejoined the Saints earlier this week. Now he's part of a group charged with slowing down that Patriots passing machine.   Full Story

The Bengals beat the Browns 23-20 in overtime last time out. But Cleveland Browns cornerback Brandon McDonald isn't so sure...   Full Story

The Patriots have been improving each week as they get more comfortable with the new faces around the roster. They'll need to continue that momentum this week as the games get tougher. Here are some stats and trends to keep an eye on.   Full Story

FOXBOROUGH -- Patriots placekicker Stepehen Gostkowski has been named AFC Player of the Week. This is the first such honor for the fourth-year product out of Memphis.   Full Story

LB Michael Boley on why the Giants may be down, but not out...who's making Saints QB Drew Brees even more dangerous...the players who are consistently harassing quarterbacks...a huge blow to the Texans offense, Edgerrin James' future, big-play running backs and more in Ed Thompson's 7 Points.   Full Story

The Arizona Cardinals failed to take care of the Carolina Panthers at home, falling 34-21. The Panthers popped the Cardinals three-game winning streak bubble with plenty of picks, plenty of rushing action and plenty of confidence despite being the underdogs.   Full Story

Who are toughest running backs to stuff for a loss? Which receivers are the NFL's top targets? Which rookie linebacker is proving he should have been a first-pick? Special teams aces, offenses struggling with three-downs-and-out situations and much more in Ed Thompson's NFL Quick Count.   Full Story

Artis Hicks showed the value of his versatility once again on Sunday, filling in for injured right tackle Phil Loadholt. Hicks and Brad Childress talked about the adjustment.   Full Story

The temptation is for the 5-0 Vikings to look ahead or look at a three-game stretch of tough opponents before their bye. Instead, the veterans insist there is always intense focus on the next opponent and not enough time to look ahead.   Full Story

Steve King takes an in-depth look at why this Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos might mean more to Brandon McDonald than other Cleveland Browns. Is redemption at hand?   Full Story

If the third preseason game is a test of a team's readiness for the season open, the Cardinals failed it miserably Aug. 28 against Green Bay. The Packers' starters dominated the Cardinals' starters in every way and departed the game at halftime with a 38-10 lead. What is most troublesome for the Cardinals is they appeared disinterested in playing.   Full Story

Cornerback Antoine Winfield is hoping for a contract extension, but he’s far from the only Viking whose contract is up after the 2009 season. We look at those other players who could be under consideration for an extension.   Full Story

Browns cornerback Brandon McDonald battled back in 2008 and is ready for competition in 2009. Steve King takes a look at the Cleveland Browns third-year defensive back as he tries to fit in under a new head coach and defensive coordinator...   Full Story

The Vikings are starting to get back some players that had offseason surgery, which is bringing the line close to full strength. See how it is shaping up and get other notes and quotes on John David Booty, Sage Rosenfels and two former Vikings.   Full Story

While most of the attention has been focused on the Arizona Cardinals’ draft selections, acquiring talented undrafted free agents is almost nearly as important. The Cardinals have done well in recent years bringing in players who weren’t drafted and this year looks to be no different. Brad Wilbricht predicts which rookie free agents can make the biggest impact in Arizona.   Full Story

Former Vikings personnel boss Fran Foley only lasted a few months on the job, but his 2006 draft produced some solid starters. His personnel touch has proved to be better than his personal touch.   Full Story

The Vikings have been looking for an offensive tackle, but the market is drying up with some of their top targets. See what the personnel decision-makers had to say about the Vikings situation at the position.   Full Story

Patriots Insider caught up with Gotskowski at the Pro Bowl. Here's what he had to say about the game and his time with rivals in Hawaii.   Full Story

Dallas Walker was the big man on campus throughout his high school career at Madison Ridgeland Academy. After an All-Star and All-State senior season, Walker elected to sign with Memphis. Following a redshirt year, Walker decided to transfer to Georgia Military and pursue another division one opportunity.   Full Story

John Madden has his All-Madden Team, and Phil Simms has his All-Iron Team. I figured, why can’t I have my own All-Bernstein team? The All-Bernstein team includes players at various positions who are vertically challenged, much like the guy that selected the team. This team spits in the face of the people that do the measuring at the combine.   Full Story

The Arizona Cardinals get a shot at redemption on Saturday night as they travel to take on the Carolina Panthers. Arizona lost its first opportunity against the Panthers in Week 8 after blowing a late third-quarter lead. Brad Wilbricht previews this weekend’s divisional-round matchup as the Cardinals look to prevail as underdogs for the second consecutive week.   Full Story

Artis Hicks spent four years in the Philadelphia area, and that experience turned a southern gentleman into an aggressive man, at least on the roads. He says that same Philly attitude rubs off on their defensive philosophy.   Full Story

They might have changed their nickname on Sunday, but DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart certainly didn't change their running style. Carolina's dynamic rushing duo combined for 234 yards on the ground and both ran their way into the record books as the Panthers defeated the New Orleans Saints 33-31 to win the NFC South division title and clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs.   Full Story