The NFL is unlikely to institute a formal national anthem policy this season.

“The focus of the players’ association, the NFL and all of our clubs and our players is to focus on the efforts our players have continually brought (forth) as their issues in their communities and how can we make our communities better,” Roger Goodell said after the fall meetings concluded.

“They’re incredibly passionate about that. They have brought these issues greater awareness and they are working in their communities to try to make their communities better and they are working on the issues, on criminal justice reform. I’ve been on listen-and-learn tours with our players. Owners have been on listen-and-learn tours. Our players are obviously out there and you see a tremendous amount of work being done.”

In May, the NFL passed a rule that forbids players from sitting or taking a knee if they are on the field or sidelines during “The Star-Spangled Banner,” but allowed them to stay in the locker room if they wish.

The NFL left it to teams on how to punish players and the union challenged the rule in a grievance. The NFL subsequently halted the policy.

The NFL is concerned about the viability of the Los Angeles Chargers in the market of Los Angeles.

The franchise is expected to revise its Inglewood revenue goals from $400 million to around $150 million.

The Los Angeles market appeared to strongly prefer the Rams and Raiders over the Chargers before their respective relocations.

The Chargers left San Diego after they were unable to get a new stadium built.

The NFL identified seven teams in 2017 that had a higher incidence of preseason concussions than the others and "did a targeted intervention with those clubs." 

"In six of those seven clubs, the numbers did go down," Dr. Allen Sills said. "Those seven clubs had 23 practice concussions as a whole in 2017, down to nine in 2018."

Overall, the league said, preseason concussions were down from 91 in 2017 to 79 this year, and there were zero on kickoff plays.

A study from the USA Today found quality football and home team loyalty drove the TV audience far more than political tribalism. 

Eight of the 12 markets where the home team made the playoffs saw ratings increase year over year. In six of the eight non-playoff markets with declining ratings, the home team lost at least half of its games.

During the 2017 season, there was not much evidence of a real-time impact on football viewing with Donald Trump's comments on Sept. 22 about firing players who took a knee during the anthem along with Mike Pence protesting the 49ers kneeling during the anthem by walking out.

All TV programming is taking a ratings hit as cord-cutting consumers switch to streaming services and other digital entertainment options. Yet, NFL games still dominate the list of most-watched shows week after week. 

Ratings are generally up for Sunday games this season.

ESPN's coverage of the Kansas City Chiefs' victory over the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football in Week 4 was their highest rated game since Week 3 in 2017. The game had a 9.1 rating.

The rating for Monday night’s game matches the 9.1 rating generated by the Week 4 in 2016, which brings the NFL back to the point where its ratings slide began.

Ratings in 2018 have generally been increasing.