Marching In

Saints' Win Draws Big Overnight Rating

The NFL is back, and based on the first game, maybe better than ever. NBC scores a massive 17.7 overnight rating for the Saints' 14-9 victory over Brett Favre and the Vikings, the best regular-season overnight rating in 13 years. The game also earns honors as NBC's best NFL primetime overnight ever. The lasting image from Thursday's game could be players from both teams showing solidarity in support of the NFLPA amid the ongoing labor dispute. Drew Brees says the unexpected symbolic gesture shows "we're all one voice." However, former NFLer Mike Golic says it is a "bad move to do anything publicly" to upset the fan base. With the CBA due to expire in March, former NFL team execs Andrew Brandt and Lou Imbriano give an insider's perspective on how teams are operating ahead of a potential lockout in '11 and offer their 12-month forecasts. Other news heading into the first Sunday of the season: Sam Bradford's arrival in St. Louis helps boost ticket sales for the Rams and John Lynch chats about calling games for Fox.