Beyond Madden: Microsoft, ESPN, and NFL turn the Xbox into a football box

SAN FRANCISCO — Microsoft’s push into your living rooms expands further into one of the most cherished Sunday rituals of American culture: Setting your fantasy football team before the kickoff of the morning slate of NFL games.

Today, the maker of the upcoming Xbox One home gaming console announced a new partnership with the NFL and a deepening of its existing deal with ESPN (which has been in place since November 2010). When Microsoft’s new system debuts in November, it’ll come with more options for watching sports — especially pro football — and how you can check statistics for your fantasy team.