[jim4000]

How am I supposed to take a person writing about the NFL seriously when he or she puts periods in between the letters?

This is a mediocre article, at best.

[gyardley]

The spelling of 'NFL' vs. 'N.F.L.' isn't up to the individual NYT writer. Whatever his preference, his editor will make sure it complies with the New York Times Manual of Style and Usage, which in its 2015 edition still calls for 'N.F.L.'

[jim4000]

Ah, that's interesting.