The NFL is continuing to have a strong season on the TV ratings front.Sunday’s games saw strong ratings on all three networks White Steve Grogan Jerseys , continuing an upward trend for the league after ratings declines in 2017 and 2016.The biggest number came on NBC on Sunday night, when Tom Brady and the Patriots took on Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, producing a 15.6 overnight rating, up a whopping 63 percent from the Week Nine Sunday night game last year, which was a game between the Raiders and Dolphins. That 15.6 overnight rating was the best ever for a Week Nine Sunday night game.Also impressive was the rating for FOX late on Sunday afternoon, with viewers tuning in for a great game between the Rams and Saints. The 15.2 overnight rating for Rams-Saints was up 7 percent from last year’s late afternoon game in Week Nine, which was the Chiefs against the Cowboys.And CBS got a 10.1 overnight rating for its early afternoon slate of games, which was up 5 percent from last year.Overall, NFL ratings have been stronger this year than last year, which is good news for the league after two years of significant declines. Although it would be hard for the NFL to ever get back to 2015 levels Drew Bledsoe Jerseys 2019 , declining TV ratings are no longer an issue facing the league.New England Patriots links 8/23/18 - Receiving corps in spin cycle TEAM TALKAndy Hart shares his players to watch tomorrow night.Paul Perillo believes the Pats are preparing for Cam Newton with an eye on Deshaun Watson.Press Conference transcripts: Bill Belichick - Tom Brady.Don Banks’ NFL Notes: Taking a spin around the NFL as preseason week 3 looms.LOCAL LINKSKevin Duffy notes Tom Brady hopes to polish his game and get things together tomorrow night against the Panthers.Nick O’Malley reiterates the importance of preseason games to knock off the rust and get into the regular-season grind.Devon Clements (PatriotsWire) 3 matchups to watch in Patriots vs. Panthers in preseason Week 3. 1. Patriots LBs vs TEs/RBs.Matt Dolloff thumbnails ten players on the bubble to watch against the Panthers.Steve Balestrieri (PatsFans) Patriots-Panthers Week 3, what to watch for: Newton presents first test against a mobile quarterback.David Latham (LastWordOnSports) Patriots wide receivers will be the focus of Preseason Week 3: Who will establish themselves as a reliable weapon?Doug Kyed is amazed at how the receiver depth has vanished. and that the hope now is on Dorsett or Decker, or that Patterson is able to finally become a starting-caliber receiver.Mike Reiss reports the decision to release Kenny Britt wasn’t a major surprise, as the receiver had not taken part in a full practice in training camp after injuring a hamstring in minicamp.Phil Perry observes that while Kenny Britt’s release isn’t a surprise, he seemed to have an edge to stay because the “rest of the Patriots receiving corps is in relatively dire straits”. Nick O’Malley considers the release of Kenny Britt a surprise roster cut, leaving an even more depleted receiver corps heading toward Week 1.Ryan Hannable looks at what the Kenny Britt release means for the receiver position.Andrew Callahan says NFL’s cutdown day looms more than a week away, and no Patriots position group will be better prepared for all its ugliness and change than the WRs.Ty Anderson thinks it’s time to bring Dez Bryant to New England.Rich Garven believes the Patriots are counting on Phillip Dorsett to fill a bigger role.Zack Cox notes the ways Julian Edelman hopes to help his teammates prior to his suspension.Andrew Callhan highlights Tom Brady on building trust with his receivers - a process that happens on and off the field.Ross Gienieczko puts the focus on the hot competition at offensive tackle.Doug Kyed sees Eric Rowe fending off competition at cornerback with his play this summer.Henry McKenna (PatriotsWire) Bill Belichick explains why “every team needs” a player like Eric Rowe.Mark Farinella talks up the pressure on 2nd-round pick CB Duke Dawson.Matt Dolloff updates his 53-man roster projection after the Kenny Britt release.Ross Gienieczko highlights Bill Belichick speaking on depth and trading out of the division.Michael Hurley gently suggests that it’s still far too early to anoint Jimmy Garoppolo as a surefire success in the NFL. D.J. Bean wants more people on the “Jacoby Brissett trade stunk” bandwagon.Kevin Duffy Patriots Notebook: Wideout Kenny Britt surprisingly released.Doug Kyed addresses his Patriots Mailbag: Should New England sign Dez Bryant?Kevin Duffy gives us the latest practice attendance update.Joy Manning (BostonSportsChick) Is the new “use of the helmet rule” going to change the NFL?NATIONAL NEWSHerbie Teope (NFL.com) Patriots cut Kenny Britt, not interested in Dez Bryant.Charles Robinson (Yahoo! Sports) It’s desperation time for Dez Bryant as he makes overtures to Patriots after leaving Browns with no deal.Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Dez Bryant may be trying to get the Patriots attention.Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Tom Brady discusses “smooth transition” to new helmet.Brent Sobleski (Bleacher Report) NFL preseason Week 3 Preview: Biggest question facing each team. Patriots: Who will answer the call at right tackle?Staff (The Ringer) Who is the NFL’s most valuable player on their current contract?Albert Breer (SI) One year ago today, Blake Bortles career was over; MMQB Mailbag.Conor Orr (SI) Morning Huddle: The rich get richer as Iloka lands in Minnesota.Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Exception for “inadvertent” contact dramatically changes helmet rule.Jenny Vrentas (SI) NFL standing behind helmet-lowering rule despite messy acclimation period.