The NFL said Thursday that "Sunday Night Football" averaged the most prime-time viewers for the 2011-12 television season, beating out "American Idol" for the top spot.

The Fifth Down: Analyzing Timetable for Hakeem Nicks's Recovery

Tim Tebow Is Less Smooth Than Mark Sanchez in Jets Practice

Notes: Nick Eason had a message to his Cardinals teammates during the off-season: "Whatever you guys did last year made us 8-8," the veteran defensive tackle told them, "so you got to do something different this year."

Spagnuolo brings more zone defense to Saints

Panthers' Jon Beason Responds to 49ers QB Alex Smith's Comment on Cam Newton

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Is Team Set to Draft Tight End in 2013?

Atlanta Falcons: How Hawley and Holmes Could Surprise Fans and Start in 2012

After losing a third playoff game in four years to the New York Giants this past January, it was clear changes had to be made if the Atlanta Falcons hope to compete for the Super Bowl this season. Some argue the team had an uneventful offseason, but from the looks of things it was anything but. From re-signing key role players like Jason Snelling and Harry Douglas to virtually stealing Asante Samuel away from the Philadelphia Eagles to picking up Peter Konz in the NFL draft, Atlanta...

We're at the last of our look at the potential breakout players in the NFC North, arriving last—but not least—at the Minnesota Vikings.While last year was bad—we can't deny that—there is a lot to like about this team going into the 2012 season.The franchise did a great job of adding talent for reasonable prices in free agency and through the 2012 NFL draft.They're rebuilding, sure, but they seem to have put together a solid foundation to do it on.So let's take a look a...