NFL, College Football News

Seahawks, Cardinals Square Off On Thursday Night Football

(Glendale, AZ) -- The NFL's Thursday night spotlight shines on the NFC West this week as the Seattle Seahawks take on the Phoenix Cardinals in the desert.  The Seahawks lead the division at 5-and-1 following Sunday's 20-13 win over Tennessee. It was a bounce back for Seattle, which started 4-0 before a 34-28 loss at Indianapolis in Week Five. The Seahawks are in the midst of a stretch of five road games in seven weeks.  The Cardinals are coming off a 32-20 loss to the 49ers in San Francisco this past weekend. That snapped a two-game winning streak and dropped Arizona to 3-3. The Cardinals are 2-and-0 at home. The teams split their two meetings last season, with each winning at home.

Manning Talks About Upcoming Game In Indy

(Englewood, CO) -- Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is talking about returning to Indianapolis on Sunday to play the Colts.

Manning played 14 seasons with the Colts and he told the media in Dove Valley Wednesday the Broncos will face a strong team.  Earlier this week, Colts owner Jim Irsay said the team was hoping to be more successful in the postseason, so that's why they let Manning go, and went after Andrew Luck in the NFL draft. Manning said he "didn't have an answer" on whether Irsay's comments were true.  He didn't specifically address Irsay's comments but said he's learned "in life you need to be at peace with someone else's decisions you have no control of."

Stacy, Cunningham Miss Rams Practice

(St. Louis, MO) -- Rookie running backs Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham did not practice Wednesday. Stacy, who missed Wednesday's practice last week but still played Sunday, has been slowed with a chest injury. Cunningham was out with an ankle injury. In their absence, running backs Daryl Richardson and Isaiah Pead got plenty of reps at practice.

Bears Release Injury Report

(Lake Forest, IL) -- The Chicago Bears were without tight end Martellus Bennett, defensive end Julius Peppers and cornerback Charles Tillman at practice Wednesday. Bennett and Tillman were out with knee injuries while Peppers did not participate due to the coach's decision. The Bears play at the Redskins on Sunday.  

Cowboys Cut Jay Ratliff

(Irving, TX) -- Jay Ratliff's days as a Dallas Cowboy are over. The team has released the four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle after he failed a physical. The 32-year-old has not played at all this season after being placed on the physically unable to perform list with a sports hernia and hamstring injury. In eight seasons, the seventh round pick collected 27 sacks and 228 tackles for Dallas.

Freeman To Start For Vikings Against Giants

(Minneapolis, MN) -- The Josh Freeman era is set to begin in Minnesota. The former Buccaneers quarterback will start for the Vikings when they play the winless New York Giants on "Monday Night Football." Freeman was released by Tampa two weeks ago and then signed with Minnesota. He takes over for Matt Cassel, who started the last two games in place of the injured Christian Ponder.

Big Ten Announces Future Schedules

(Rosemont, IL) -- The Big Ten announced future football schedules for 2018 and 2019 Wednesday. Both seasons will feature a nine-game conference slate. Illinois opens up at home against Penn State on September 22nd while Northwestern begins the conference schedule September 1st at Purdue for 2018. Illinois starts conference play September 21st against Nebraska the following season while Northwestern hosts Michigan State that same day.

College Football Playoff Committee Revealed

(Dallas, TX) -- Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez were among 13 people appointed to the College Football Playoff selection committee in 2014. Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long was named the first chairman of the committee on Monday, with the other members formally announced Wednesday in Dallas.

Thursday, October 17 Schedule (Time Central)

NFL

7:25 p.m. - Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals

NCAA Football  ("USA Today" Top-25 Poll)

6:30 p.m. - #11 Miami (FL) Hurricanes at North Carolina Tar Heels