Fans furious at Colts' wins sweepstakes up in air

Should either the Vikings or Rams luck out and sneak into the top spot, they also could decide to stick with their young guns, trade down with another team eager to take Luck and stockpile picks to fill the numerous holes on each roster.

Just look what the Chargers did in 2004 when the New York Giants so badly wanted Eli Manning. The Giants sent the Chargers draft picks that amounted to Philip Rivers, Shawne Merriman and Nate Kaeding to get their hands on a quarterback who would eventually lead them to a Super Bowl victory.

Up until two weeks ago, the thought of having to make that decision seemed absurd.

Then again, so did a Colts winning streak.

FORMER PLAYERS SUING NFL FOR BRAIN DAMAGE: Nearly two dozen former NFL players are suing the league over severe and permanent brain damage they say is linked to concussions suffered on the job.

The complaint filed Thursday in Miami follows a similar one in Atlanta earlier this week. It is the latest in a series of recent lawsuits against the NFL by ex-players.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of ex-Miami Dolphins teammates Patrick Surtain, Oronde Gadsden and 19 other players. It accuses the NFL of deliberately omitting or concealing years of evidence linking concussions to long-term neurological problems.

ROETHLISBERGER TO SIT: Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will not start Saturday when the Steelers face the St. Louis Rams.

Roethlisberger is dealing with a sprained left ankle and did not practice this week following a 20-3 loss to San Francisco on Monday.