An embattled NFL, reeling from off-field brutality issues, received more bad news with numerous injuries to key players in the second week of an already tumultuous campaign.

Baltimore Ravens have released running back Ray Rice hours after a shocking video surfaced showing the NFL star punching his then-fiancee.

Rashard Mendenhall kind of wanted to disappear, he told the world this past Sunday.

As the NFL heads into December, nearly every division race has an outright favourite.