NFL storylines

BY MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer
Sunday, October 07, 2012
10/07/12 at 6:01 AM

National

They meet again: Even with a change of address this season, the schedule maker still found a way for Peyton Manning and his new team, the Denver Broncos, to face off against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. The two prominent quarterbacks of the 21st century meet for the 12th time in their careers Sunday at Foxboro, Mass. Brady holds the series edge 7-4.

Thanks for coming: For one night only Sunday, the NFL will relax its season-long suspension for Saints coach Sean Payton and allow him to attend the Saints-Chargers game at the Superdome in New Orleans for a chance to witness history. Saints QB Drew Brees will attempt to set an NFL record with a TD pass in 48 consecutive games. Brees and Payton are the key components in the rise to prominence of the Saints franchise and helping the healing of a community post-Hurricane Katrina. It's the least the NFL could do.

And then there were two: Arizona's loss at St. Louis on Thursday reduced the number of unbeaten teams to two. At 4-0 it's still way early to think about Atlanta and Houston challenging the historical season of the 1972 unbeaten Miami Dolphins. But after the first quarter of the season, both the Falcons and Texans appear to be the class of the NFC and AFC, respectively.

Local

Adrian Peterson, Vikings RB: It's pretty amazing Peterson's career was at a crossroads last Christmas Eve after sustaining a horrific knee injury. Nine months later, the former Oklahoma standout has returned to his place as one of the elite NFL running backs. He ranks 10th this season in rushing yards with 332.

Associated Images:

Brees