NFL Releases 2013 Schedule

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images(NEW YORK) --  There will not be a shortage of big NFL games this season. The league released its 2013 regular-season schedule on Thursday night that is filled with big matchups and return visits.

Some highlights include the Baltimore Ravens becoming the first defending Super Bowl champion to open their season on the road since 2003.  They head to Denver on September 3 to take on Peyton Manning and the Broncos.

Manning will also hit the road to take on brother Eli and the New York Giants in week two, followed by a return to Indianapolis in week seven to face the Colts.

Andy Reid will make his return to Philadelphia in week three as his Chiefs take on the Eagles.

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Peyton Manning Works Out with Wes Welker

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is already preparing for 2013.  Manning and his brother Eli are at Duke University working out with Blue Devils coach David Cutcliffe, who was Peyton's offensive coordinator at Tennessee.

Manning brought Broncos wide receivers Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker.  Welker was a top free agent addition for the Broncos and Manning was happy to work with him.

"There's certain guys you just feel like you have timing with right away," Manning told ESPN's Chris Mortensen on Wednesday. "He's (Wes Welker) a guy that has a great feel for how to get open, and understands route concepts and, of course, he played in such a sophisticated offense there in New England, so he's a smart player. You can see why he's been such a productive player. He's intense. He loves to work."

As for working out with his old coach, he said, "I told Cutcliffe to coach us like we were both freshman at Tennessee or Ole Miss. It's been great work, great timing with the receivers this early in the offseason," Manning said.

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Wes Welker Ready for Denver

Hyoung Chang/Denver Post(DENVER) -- The Denver Broncos introduced wide receiver Wes Welker on Thursday.  Welker agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with Denver on Wednesday and said it was difficult leaving Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

"Yeah, that was definitely probably the hardest part, leaving Tom," Welker said Thursday. "He's a great competitor, a great player, a great friend across the board. I wish the best to him."

The Patriots offered Welker a two-year, $10 million deal, but were unable to go the extra mile to keep him.

"I'm definitely excited about the opportunity," Welker said. "I'd definitely like to thank New England for the six years there and all the trust and everything they put in me, and the opportunities I got. I'm looking forward to being a Denver Bronco and really trying to help this team win, and getting to play with Peyton [Manning] and a good group of receivers, and a good offense."

Welker has 768 career receptions for 8,580 yards and 38 touchdowns during his nine year career.

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Adrian Peterson Wins NFL MVP

Scott Halleran/Getty Images(NEW ORLEANS) -- Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson won the 2012 NFL Most Valuable Player Award Saturday night in New Orleans.

Peterson, who had major knee surgery a little over a year ago, rushed for 2,097 yards, nine yards shy of Eric Dickerson's single season record. Peterson also had 12 rushing touchdowns and 40 receptions.

Peterson received 30 1/2 votes from a panel of 50 media members to win his first MVP. The other 19/12 votes went to Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning who was looking to win his fifth MVP.

Not only did Peterson have an amazing indivdual season, but his team did well too. The Vikings finished the season with a 10-6 record after winning only three games in 2011.

Peterson becomes the first running back since Ladanian Tomlinson in 2006, to win the MVP.

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NFC Rocks AFC in Pro Bowl

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images(HONOLULU) -- Another Pro Bowl filled with plenty of offense and little intrigue - but will it be the last one?

Victor Cruz caugh 10 passes and Russell Wilson threw three touchdowns to help the NFC bury the AFC, 62-35 in the Pro Bowl on Sunday.

Commissioner Roger Goodell threatened to stop playing the game if the quality of play did not improve in this year's version. Last year many of the players were booed for lack of effort.

Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph took home MVP honors for having 122 yards receiving, and thought the players did try this year. "Guys were competing, guys wanted to win and guys want to keep the game here," Rudolph said. "That was the point before the game. We want to keep this game rolling for future Pro Bowlers."

The AFC got 205 yards passing from Colts rookie quarterback Andrew Luck, but only rushed for 15 yards in the loss. 

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Peyton Manning's Great Season Comes to an End

Dustin Bradford/Getty Images(DENVER) -- It what was one of the greatest NFL comeback stories in recent years, Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos ride ended on Saturday after their 38-35 double overtime loss to the Ravens at home.  Manning led the Broncos to the No. 1 seed in the AFC after undergoing four neck procedures during the offseason.

Manning threw an interception in Denver's second possession of overtime, after throwing across his body to the middle of the field, which landed in Ravens cornerback Corey Graham's hands.   Baltimore would run five plays before Justin Tucker won the game with a game winning field goal.

"I accomplished a lot more this year than I certainly thought I would have," said Manning.  "I think this team exceeded its expectations as well.  We really didn't know what to expect from this team."

Manning rolled off 11 straight wins in the regular season to secure the top spot in the AFC, but will have the rest of the offseason to prepare for another playoff run in 2013.

"I think the more you put in, that's why it does hurt," said a disappointed Manning.  "Everybody's hurt in that locker room because guys really have worked hard this season.  Certainly, it does sting."

Denver finished 13-3 in Manning's first season and was 7-1 at Mile High Stadium.  With the rest of the AFC West still looking to improve, there is no reason Manning won't be back in the same position come next year.

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Ravens Outlast Broncos

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images(DENVER) -- The Ravens are heading back to the AFC Championship Game.

Justin Tucker hit a 47-yard field goal in the second overtime for the Baltimore Ravens to give them a win over the top-seeded Denver Broncos and a trip to the AFC Championship game on Saturday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was intercepted near the end of the first overtime, and from there the Ravens set up the winning kick. Manning was picked off twice overall and fumbled once despite passing for 290 yards and three touchdowns.

The Ravens almost didn't get a chance to win the game. They trailed by seven with under a minute to go, but quarterback Joe Flacco was able to find receiver Jacoby Jones behind the Denver defense for a 70-yard touchdown with 31 seconds left that tied the game at 35.

"Our team is so confident and everything went against us," Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis said, "but we found a way to come here together and we're leaving together."

Denver looked to be heading to a win behind returner Trindon Holliday, who returned a punt 90 yards and a kickoff 104 yards for touchdowns before coughing up the late lead. 

The Ravens will play in their second straight championship game next weekend against the winner of Houston and New England.

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Broncos Clobber Chiefs, Lock Up Top Seed

Dustin Bradford/Getty Images(DENVER) -- Peyton Manning threw for three touchdowns and the Denver Broncos secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs by blasting the Kansas City Chiefs 38-3 on Sunday.

Manning, who came to the Broncos after undergoing multiple neck surgeries, finished 23 of 29 with 304 yards. He finished his first Denver season with over 4,000 yards passing and 37 touchdowns. 

Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas each made one-handed touchdown catches for the Broncos (13-3), who have won 11 straight games.

Coach John Fox also won his 100th career game. "It's an accomplishment, but it's something that was a lot of people's work. It wasn't one guy," Fox said.

For the Chiefs (2-14), they finished up a woeful season and secured the No. 1 pick in April's NFL draft. They managed only 119 yards of offense.

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NFL Announces Pro Bowl Rosters

David Dermer/Diamond Images/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- The NFL announced this season's Pro Bowl rosters Wednesday.

The San Francisco 49ers led the NFC with nine selections while the Houston Texans led the AFC with eight.

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who is one of five Broncos to make the roster, was selected to his 12th Pro Bowl, a record for quarterbacks.

Two rookies were selected, Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III and Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh.

Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez was selected for the 13th time. He is now one selection behind former Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Bruce Matthews for most all-time.

Eight teams don't have a Pro Bowl representative: Jacksonville, San Diego, Oakland, Tennessee, Buffalo, Carolina, Philadelphia and St. Louis.

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Colts Top Chiefs, Clinch Playoff Berth

Peter Aiken/Getty Images(KANSAS CITY, Mo.) -- Here’s looking at you kid.  Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts (10-5) clinched a playoff berth on Sunday after they held onto beat the Kansas City Chiefs (2-13), 20-13.

The rookie quarterback broke Cam Newton’s record of 4,051 yards single-season passing record for a first-year starting quarterback in the second quarter.  Luck also recorded his seventh game-winning drive of the season with his touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne late in the fourth quarter.

"Offensively we struggled and then put together a drive like we have all year," said interim head coach Bruce Arians.  "Don’t know why it comes out this way every week, but I’m so glad it does."

The Colts will get their head coach Chuck Pagano back in the office on Monday.  Pagano has been sidelined since undergoing treatment for leukemia.

Luck finished 17 for 35 with 205 yards and the touchdown pass to Wayne. 

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