ATLANTA -- Depressing as it may sound, optimism appears in short supply around the National Football League heading into Thanksgiving Weekend. Now, don't get me wrong. There is cause for some squads around the league to see glasses half full. Take the Seahawks, for... more

Who knew that Chicago would become a Rex Grossman town again? Well, your humble narrator spent all day Tuesday running around the stellar (and unseasonably warm) Second City and frequently heard the name no one dared speak just a mere month ago, certainly in terms of being the one to lead... more

Note: Rich Eisen is not filing his weekly column this week because he is on the road promoting the release of his new book, "Total Access: A Journey to the Center of the NFL Universe" (St. Martin's Press). Following is an excerpt from the book, in which Eisen chronicles the birth... more

With the so-called Game of the Century finally upon us, I've come to the line on this blog, checked out the defense and decided the following: I'm calling an audible. I will not be party to this Colts-Patriots showdown hoedown. At least not in this blog. I mean it. ... more

They've won 11 straight games dating back to last year and just became only the third team in NFL history to start a season 6-0 for three straight years. But wait. Their dominance stretches much further back than just three paltry seasons. They have won no fewer than 40 of their... more

Some Game of the Century, huh? Despite the Original 81's warning for all of us media folk to have our popcorn ready for Sunday's showdown with New England, the Other 81 and the rest of the Patriots left the Cowboys in the same state they seem to leave every opponent these... more

"Hold it up!" Atlanta Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall had just scooped up a gift fumble from Tennessee Titans running back LenDale White and began bolting for the end zone. On the NFL Total Access set, where the NFL GameDay and NFL Scoreboard crews convene to watch games... more

If the NFL had an official Ouija board (the press release announcement would read: "NFL Ouija replaces NFL Europa!") then its pointing indicator, or planchette (no relation to Suzanne Pleshette), would have been moving left, right, up and down this past weekend. In Week 4, a handful... more

There can be no doubt as to the benefits of starting an NFL season 2-0. All you need see is the depressing mathematics associated with a professional pigskin campaign that begins 0-2. As my jocular NFL.com compadre Nick Bakay might say, the numbers never lie: Since 1978, when the NFL... more

At what point in a National Football League season can you begin to gauge the larger picture? Bill Parcells always used to say "you are what you are" -- which, upon further review, is the etymological forefather of "it is what it is," the current clich?? du jour of the... more

So here we are. No doubt, yet another electrifying National Football League season is finally upon us, and, as usual, we have no earthly idea how it's going to play out. In fact, the only thing we know for sure is that, starting this season, NFL play-by-play announcers can... more

A lot has happened in the 10 months since I last posted a column on NFL.com. Like NFL.com getting a complete facelift, worthy of a doctor from 90210. Isn't she a little honey, now? Bells and whistles and links and exclusive highlights and press conferences that load and work when you... more