We’re just nine days from the Super Bowl. Single digits, everybody! Are you excited yet?

Ditka: A certain magic still lingers in the very name. Don’t miss the premiere of NFL FIlms’ “A Football Life: Mike Ditka” Thursday at 10 p.m. ET on NFL Network.

The time has come to nominate your Pro Bowl players for 2012. Cast your vote for the AFC and NFC’s best players at each position.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Munchak is visiting the NFL Network studios on Wednesday, so it feels like a natural for a Pick Six. Perhaps, the six greatest Hall of Famers turned NFL head coaches. That sounds like a great list, but who is the next guy after the clear runaway, Mike Ditka?

The Bears and Packers have the most longest, and perhaps the most storied rivalry in the NFL. The two teams have played 181 times in the past, and will be fighting it out for a chance to play for the NFL’s ultimate honor for the first time since 1941.

A look at some of the most notable numbers, ongoing streaks and best performances from around the league, starting with Tom Terrific.

Where does Derek Anderson’s postgame rant after Monday night’s loss to the 49ers rank among the NFL’s all-time best meltdowns?

Two old school football coaches have one solution to possibly eliminate helmet-to-helmet hits in the NFL … make it old school again. As in, eliminate the facemasks. Or even helmets.

“Saturday Night Live” does not have the best record for translating sketches to movies. But what about a movie about the Bears’ Super Fans?

Several former players laud the Commissioner Roger Goodell’s letter sent to NFL Alumni, stating that an uncapped year in 2010 would not decrease the pension and benefits made to retired players.

Hall of Fame tight end Mike Ditka could probably suit up and play on Sunday, even with a slight limp. At least he looks menacing enough to play. Dressed in all black, Ditka carries a presence with him wherever he goes.

If you’re Matt Ryan or any of the other celebs trying to make your way through or around radio row, there’s an art form to making it through successfully.

Hall-of-Fame tight end and former Bears and Saints coach Mike Ditka has a revolutionary idea to cut down on the violent nature of hits in the game of football, writes the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.