BRISTOL, Connecticut (Ticker) - Steve McNair has been everything the Baltimore Ravens have hoped so far.

The Ravens' defense is still all the rage in Baltimore. It's just that it has company now. Even though they're statistically comparable to the 2000 Super Bowl team, Ray Lewis and his fellow defenders are having to share the limelight with their revamped offense, thanks to Steve McNair. The 33-year-old quarterback jettisoned by the Tennessee Titans this summer has guided the Ravens (4-0) to...

In the latest mailbag, readers insist that Albert Haynesworth's five-game suspension wasn't punishment enough.

After dismantling the Seahawks on Sunday, the undefeated Bears are atop the rankings for the first time.

Colts punter Hunter Smith apologized Wednesday for adding fuel to a growing trash-talking rivalry between Indianapolis and Jacksonville. After Indy beat Jacksonville 21-14 on Sunday, Smith likened the Jaguars to a standup comic who uses vulgarity and lacks class. Smith said what set him off were the personal fouls called against the Jaguars.

The surprising thrashing of the Falcons on Monday night has catapulted the Saints into the rankings' top 12.

Not since the 1970s and the days of the "Orange Crush" has Denver been defined by its defense, so safety John Lynch delivered a simple message to Broncos defenders this week: If you want to be the best, beat the best. Or at least outshine the best. The unbeaten Baltimore Ravens (4-0) visit Invesco Field on Monday night sporting a rejuvenated offense and their customary dominant defense, which the...

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – With mounting pressure for the Broncos to bench him, Jake Plummer was flawless against the Pats.

Jake Plummer and Javon Walker gave the Broncos enough offense to keep the finicky Denver fans at bay -- for another week, at least. The Broncos' defense did the rest. Plummer, the quick target of Denver boo-birds after two bad performances, threw touchdown passes of 83 and 32 yards to Walker on Sunday night as the Broncos beat The New England Patriots 17-7.

Two-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady is looking forward to playing in the first China Bowl next summer in Beijing. The official announcement that New England would face the Seattle Seahawks in an exhibition game on Aug. 8 was made Sunday by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the Patriots lost to the Denver Broncos 17-7.

If there's one thing Rod Smith doesn't like talking about, it's concussions. He's had three of them in the last year, including one in the Pro Bowl in February. The latest one knocked him from the Denver Broncos' game that they won in overtime against Kansas City on Sunday. When asked this week how his recovery was going, Smith snapped: "Next question.

There are seven intriguing matchups in Week 3, including Monday's contest between the Falcons and Saints.

QB Philip Rivers got tired of biding his time, but now appreciates his slow ascension to the starting job.

With their stingy D and improved offense, the Jags have matured into a team capable of playing deep into January.

Jake Plummer got the collar but not the hook. Mike Shanahan said Monday there's no way he's turning the offense over to rookie Jay Cutler even though the coach "dialed down" his offense in Denver's 9-6 overtime win against Kansas City on Sunday after Plummer's four-turnover performance the week before.

The Denver Broncos added depth to their receiving corps Monday, signing wide receiver Quincy Morgan to a one-year deal.

A day after Cedric Cobbs nearly fumbled away the overtime kickoff against Kansas City, the Denver Broncos signed former Pittsburgh receiver/returner Quincy Morgan to a one-year deal. "I think I can come right in and return kicks," Morgan said Monday. "I know they've got great receivers here. I'll work myself in and learn each play as quick as possible and do whatever I can do." To make room, the...

The best beat guys in the business take a look at AFC teams each week for Sporting News. Here's a taste of their latest info and insight.

Rod Smith was on the sideline with a concussion, Jake Plummer was having an awful day and nothing Mike Shanahan and his offensive staff came up with seemed to work. Javon Walker bailed them all out. He led Denver to a 9-6 win over Kansas City on Sunday by grabbing a 24-yard jump ball to set up Jason Elam's 39-yard field goal 5:10 into overtime at Invesco Field.

There's a lot to consider when planning the entertainment for an NFL game: keeping the mascot in line, making sure the fake smoke doesn't choke anybody, finding the right D to go with the fence. And now, criminal records. Yes, that's right. NFL fans around the country might notice something missing this season.