The stellar Jets debut of Brett Favre was one of many fresh starts on the NFL's opening weekend. But while hope was in ample supply, Tom Brady's injury cast a long shadow over the race for the Super Bowl

By Damon Hack

All Is Lost! (Or Is It?)

In a replay of sorts, the Patriots' QB goes down with an injury and an untested backup takes over. It worked out fine last time

By Peter King

Old Schooled

Touted as the next Kurt Warner, the 49ers' J.T. O'Sullivan got a lesson from the original

By Jim Trotter

Throwdown in Browns Town

In a suddenly wide-open AFC, Pittsburgh-Cleveland takes on added urgency

By Paul Zimmerman

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Middle Managers

Who wins the showdown between Ohio State and USC could hinge on which of the nation's top linebackers—James Laurinaitis or Rey Maualuga—takes control

By Austin Murphy

TENNIS

Not So Fast, Kiddo

Defying reports that his years of tennis greatness are over, Roger Federer redeemed a disappointing season by beating two of his top young rivals to win his fifth straight U.S. Open

By L. Jon Wertheim

BASEBALL

Art of the Steal

Speedsters (and even a few sluggers) have ushered in a new era of base thieving, a crime wave that could pay off big come October

By Chris Ballard

NASCAR CHASE PREVIEW 2008

WHERE DOES FAST COME FROM?

Strip away the car and the team, and what enables a driver to excel? Sprint Cup favorite KYLE BUSCH and his closest rivals offer thoughts on what it really takes to get up to speed

By Lars Anderson

Survey Says ...

Eyes on the road? Sure, but NASCAR's best drivers have clearly been sizing up their competition as well

Scouting Report

Four former champions are in the Sprint Cup hunt, but a pair of hot young guns leads the field into the postseason

By Mark Beech

It's Not All About the Cup

From ballyhooed debuts and last hurrahs to redemption and desperation, the season's last 10 races offer plenty of drama beyond the Chase

By Mark Beech