'09 Saints battling legend of '07 Patriots

...say no other human being has been on the defensive end of as many passes by Tom Brady and Drew Brees. In some ways, I guess you could say I've been cursed because...

10 Spot: 'Perfect' reasons to worry

The 1972 Miami Dolphins had better hope Week 12 delivers knockout blows to the undefeated-season hopes of the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts, writes Adam Schefter.

A goal-line stand can be self-defeating

Recent decisions by the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars add more fuel to the clock-management debate, writes Seth Wickersham.

Patriots under pressure to maintain

The Saints have the burden of protecting a perfect record, but the Patriots will be feeling the most pressure on Monday night, writes John Clayton.

Week 13 power rankings: AFC East

...the Patriots on opening night, but Leodis McKelvin's infamous fumble in the closing minutes gave Tom Brady a golden opportunity

The Big Rotowski: Best, worst skeds

Christopher Harris updates his ongoing fantasy football rankings with an eye to the best and worst schedules for the fantasy football playoffs (Weeks 14-17)

Saints strive for perfection, ready for Pats

TAMPA, Fla. -- They strolled into the locker room with a few references to their 10-0 record, but the New Orleans Saints are the first to tell you the...

Bodden has three of Sanchez's four INTs as Patriots answer critics

Leigh Bodden had three of the four interceptions thrown by Mark Sanchez and the New England Patriots defense allowed just one touchdown and 226 yards in a 31-14 win over the Jets.

The one and onlys

From the November 30, 2009 issue of ESPN The Magazine: an investigation of the most irreaplaceable players in the NFL -- among them Leon Hall, Ryan Clady, DeMarcus Ware and Andre Johnson.

Story | Conversation | November 18, 2009

Fourth-and-2 vs. fourth-and-twice

Former Dallas coach Switzer on gamble by Belichick: 'We'd have kicked the SOB.'

The Big Rotowski: RB rankings shuffled

Christopher Harris updates his fantasy football rankings for the season, with a number of backup running backs moving up thanks to injuries to starters.

Even when it costs Pats, in Bill they trust

...punt unit off the field. He sent his offense back to the field. Surely, Belichick ordered Tom Brady to induce the Colts to jump offside with a hard count and some wild hand gesticulations...

Rapid Reaction: Colts 35, Patriots 34

...them for about 58 minutes, holding a 34-21 lead in the fourth quarter. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was better than Manning, who threw two bad interceptions. Brady completed 29 of 42 attempts for...

Belichick's 4th-down gamble fails; Manning leads Colts back from 17 points down

Bill Belichick's stunning gamble failed, and Peyton Manning took advantage by throwing a 1-yard touchdown pass with 13 seconds left that rallied the unbeaten Indianapolis Colts over the New England Patriots 35-34 Sunday night.

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 15: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts greets Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots after the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 15...