BITTERSWEET IN ALL ASPECTS

Well, today is the first Sunday in September, which means the NFL officially kicked off today. The Pats were in action at The Razor vs. the lowly Chiefs, who boast nothing at all save for RB Larry Johnson. In the end, the Chiefs played a solid game but fell just short 17-10. This was the Pats 20th straight regular season win. Moreover, the win streak is an all time NFL record with games vs. the Jets and Dolphins looming.
But the win came at a price. 2007 NFL MVP Tom Brady left with an apparent leg injury and back-up Matt Cassell had to step in. Cassell did enough, thanks in part to big days for RB's Morris and Maroney(over 100 yards combined) and the hands of Randy Moss(6 grabs for 100+ yards) and the team did the job. The defense was stellar, holding down Johnson and limiting the big plays. Mayo, Thomas, Vrabel and Hobbs stood out.
Thomas knocked Chiefs QB Croyle out of the game in the 2nd half but Huard stepped in and led his team to a rally that was shunned at the goal line in the waning seconds.
A win is a win, though the team played poorly at times and the status of Brady for next week is up in the air. Though I'm not a doctor, missing the next 2 games before the bye seems likely. But we just won't know for a bit, especially knowing the Pats organization of closed lips, which in this case is vital. We wish Tom Terrific a quick recovery. The Pats will battle the Jets and Brett Favre next weekend in NY. Go Pats!
The Red Sox started the month in great fashion. They gained a whopping 4 games to trim a 5.5 lead to 1.5 for the Rays. The Rays lost 2 of 3 to the Yanks and all 3 to the Jays. The Red Sox did their part by sweeping the Orioles by a combined score of 26-10. Pedroia continue to torment the AL as he leads the league in hitting and is seeing the ball so well. An MVP candidate no doubt! The team traveled to Texas to face off with the Rangers, a team the Sox have had their way with in the 2008 campaign. The Sox took 2 of 3, losing only the middle game as Wake got roughed up. But Beckett's return in the opener and a solid Byrd outing in the rubber game was more than enough to head home to Boston in great spirits.
The team faces off with Tampa for 3 this week and then heads to Tampa next week. The Jays will be the opponent the next 2 weekends. The season ends at home vs. the Indians and Yanks.
Here are the current AL East and Wildcard standings. Go Red Sox!

AL EAST

1. Tampa 85-56 -
2. Boston 84-58 1.5
3. Toronto 76-66 9.5
4. New York 76-67 10
5. Baltimore 63-78 22

AL WILDCARD

1. Boston -
2. Minnesota 6.5