Dr. Z's

This perennial powerhouse became even more formidable by making the off-season's splashiest personnel catches

SEPTEMBER

Instant access to the latest and best Patriots stories, stats and blogs from across the Web, handpicked by SI's editors.

Anything goes in the land of the Mangenius--but what's really needed is a Houdini to pull off more of that '06 magic

SEPTEMBER 9 NEW ENGLAND 16 at Baltimore 23 MIAMI 30 at Buffalo

They've brought in rookies and veterans to fortify the right spots, but it likely won't be enough in a talent-heavy division

SEPTEMBER 9 DENVER 16 at Pittsburgh 23 at New England 30 N.Y. JETS

Instant access to the latest and best Bills stories, stats and blogs from across the Web, handpicked by SI's editors.

A somewhat, ahem, looser atmosphere under Cam Cameron will extend to the field, where versatility will be the watchword

SEPTEMBER

SI.com/dolphins

They insist they've made the mental adjustments needed for a Super Bowl run, but there's still the matter of that porous D

The defense is playing at a historically high level, but postseason hopes hinge on whether the attack can keep up

SEPTEMBER

SI.com/ravens

The Cowher era is over, and a new staff is opening up the game plan. Big Ben, for one, hopes to really tick with a freer hand

SEPTEMBER

SI.com/steelers

Homecoming Warner Robins (Ga.) players welcomed Dalton Carriker after his shot to rightfield cleared the fence in the bottom of the eighth to defeat Tokyo 3-2 and win the Little League World...

On the strength of a superb draft and some savvy off-season pickups, the future is . . . later. But at least things are looking up

SEPTEMBER 9 PITTSBURGH 16 CINCINNATI 23 at Oakland 30 BALTIMORE

The reigning champs are masters at finding replacement parts--and now they'll be put to the test like never before

SEPTEMBER

Instant access to the latest and best Colts stories, stats and blogs from across the Web, handpicked by SI's editors.

Though he's without last year's leading rusher and top two receivers, Vince Young will keep this team in the playoff hunt

SEPTEMBER

Instant access to the latest and best Titans stories, stats and blogs from across the Web, handpicked by SI's editors.

In the eternal pursuit of the Colts, the defense will do its part and the run game should be solid--and it still won't be enough

SEPTEMBER

A year after passing on Vince Young and Reggie Bush, these expansionists start fresh with a new QB and No. 1 back

SEPTEMBER

Instant access to the latest and best Texans stories, stats and blogs from across the Web, handpicked by SI's editors.

Don't mess it up is the mission of new coach Norv Turner--he'll leave it to his roster of All-Pros to get these Bolts to the Bowl

SEPTEMBER

An off-season of heartache has taught these players that they've got to seize the day--and hold on to their leads

Can a blend of veteran experience and youthful promise give this club something other than a Jekyll-and-Hyde identity?

SEPTEMBER

Instant access to the latest and best Chiefs stories, stats and blogs from across the Web, handpicked by SI's editors.

Excellence may be out of the question for now, but an infusion of optimism hints at a commitment to competence, at least

SEPTEMBER

Instant access to the latest and best Raiders stories, stats and blogs from across the Web, handpicked by SI's editors.

A rejuvenated quarterback and a retooled linebacker corps have this aging team primed for a run at the Super Bowl

The sideline decibel level is way down, but can this mellowed-out bunch of Boys at last make some postseason noise?

SEPTEMBER

SI.com/cowboys

It's a make-or-break year for the coach and quarterback, and the team's alltime best runner is gone. No pressure, though

SEPTEMBER

SI.com/giants

Two new playmakers will shore up a horrid defense while a raw young quarterback continues to find his way

SEPTEMBER

Instant access to the latest and best Redskins stories, stats and blogs from across the Web, handpicked by SI's editors.

The reigning NFC champs think they've made the tweaks they needed to take that last step--but it really all falls to Rex

A beefy D and last year's big finish have the Green and Gold thinking it can challenge in the Black and Blue division

SEPTEMBER

Instant access to the latest and best Packers stories, stats and blogs from across the Web, handpicked by SI's editors.

They stop the run like no one else--now the offense, with a second-year QB and a rookie running back, must improve

SEPTEMBER

The Marinelli makeover is starting to pay off, not necessarily in Super Bowl dreams but in a winning mood in the Motor City

Laissez les bons temps rouler! A year after taking its hometown on an enchanting playoff run, this team will go even further

More, more, more is the message on the offensive side of the ball, where the ample talent is just waiting to be tapped

The quarterback carousel has taken another spin, a fitting symbol for a club that seems to be going around in circles

Can a season end before it's even begun? The best plan for these birds may be to get through this year and start fresh in '08

Front-office moves and good news on the medical front point to better things--possibly even a return to Super Bowl form

SEPTEMBER 9 TAMPA BAY 16 at Arizona 23 CINCINNATI 30 at San Francisco

This .500 club is counting on its ultraproductive back and newly anointed franchise QB to carry it out of the doldrums

SEPTEMBER

Instant access to the latest and best Rams stories, stats and blogs from across the Web, handpicked by SI's editors.

A playoff berth may remain out of reach for the moment, but it's also tantalizing for a team that's improving steadily

SEPTEMBER 10 ARIZONA (M) 16 at St. Louis 23 at Pittsburgh 30 SEATTLE

Instant access to the latest and best 49ers stories, stats and blogs from across the Web, handpicked by SI's editors.

The hot pick of last season will benefit from reduced expectations--and an infusion of "Steeler mentality"

SEPTEMBER

ONE DAY five years ago bubbly, gorgeous soccer goalie Korinne Shroyer came home from eighth grade, found her father's revolver in his closet and fired a bullet into her skull.

Grim Reaper

Redemption isn't possible, it's inevitable

HALF A season into Ryan Braun's big league career, the laid-back 23-year-old third baseman already has an NL Player of the Month award (for July). As for his Rookie of the Year credentials, try a...

WHO'S Hot

Who was your favorite ballplayer when you were a kid?

WHO'S Hot

Who was your favorite ballplayer when you were a kid?

SUL ROSS STATE linebacker Mike Flynt is on a mission to reclaim his position in the Lobos' starting lineup. It won't be easy. At 5'9", 195 pounds and with a 5-flat 40 time, Flynt isn't an...

Born To parents Bridget Moynahan and Tom Brady, a boy named John. Brady's first son was born on Aug. 22 in Santa Monica, Calif. The New England quarterback, who split with Moynahan late last year,...

1 Saves this season by the Rangers' Wes Littleton; he pitched the final three innings of Texas's 30--3 win over the Orioles on Aug. 22, the most lopsided save in big league history.

An Oklahoma City deacon was charged with assault after allegedly ripping another bar patron's scrotum because he was wearing a Texas shirt.

OZZIE GUILLEN

Who will be the NFL's next highlight hero?

MARINERS DH

Thousands of at bats, but just a single grand slam

A linebacker talks about the town he loves

Orioles First Baseman Kevin Millar

A new documentary shows both sides of the Man in Black

The CBS analyst takes over Don Imus's slot on WFAN-New York on Sept. 4

What to watch and watch for

D.J. Mitchell RURAL HALL, N.C. > Baseball Mitchell, a junior righthanded pitcher at Clemson, led the Cape Cod League in strikeouts (58) and was fourth in ERA (1.47) while pitching 49 innings for...

Olympic Sports Tyson Gay claims the title of Olympic favorite in the 100 • Sprinter Lauryn Williams just misses gold • Jason Kidd takes charge of Team USA • Meet the boxers who won the U.S....

Dash Flash By surging past Asafa Powell in their showdown at the worlds, Tyson Gay became the Olympic favorite in the 100

Lauryn Williams was a surprise Olympic silver medalist in the 100 meters in 2004 and a surprise world champion in 2005 after finishing third at that year's nationals. She arrived in Osaka having...

Half Full Tiger was a no-show, but the first FedEx Cup playoff event provided a stirring and popular comeback story

Having covered the U.S. Women's Amateur and the men's Amateur over the last three weeks, I've had a front-row seat to all that's right about golf: playing hard for nothing more than an invitation...

Title Match? Paired with new crew chief Pat Tryson, Kurt Busch is back in winning form and looking like a Cup contender

1 Carl Edwards (right) won his second Cup race of the season last Saturday night at Bristol. Currently fifth in the standings, Edwards is locked into the Chase, and he is peaking at the right...

Father-Son Game The Duncan brothers have been an unexpected big hit, but their old man has quietly pulled off a bigger surprise

How does St. Louis hang around .500 despite having been outscored by 68 runs at week's end? A major reason is the reliability of the bullpen, particularly after a starter has a strong outing. When...

How do you assign value to players and then rank the best from 1 to 500? That was the big idea of SI's Peter King, who nearly came to regret it. Who else would lose sleep over No. 324?

Andre Johnson over Marvin Harrison? Marc Bulger ahead of Donovan McNabb? A tackle in the top 10? SI's 1-to-500 ranking of the NFL's best is filled with surprises

Quarterback, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Linebacker, BALTIMORE RAVENS

Returner-Receiver, CHICAGO BEARS

Long Snapper, DENVER BRONCOS

There are always games within the games in the NFL, and often they're one-on-one matchups. But only rarely are we treated to a full-fledged confrontation between a premier offensive player and a...

Gamesmanship rules at a poker star's fantasy auction

I THINK . . . By Peter King

For the latest news on injuries that affect the fantasy world, follow Will Carroll's updates at SI.com/fantasy.

Bluff City

IS AHMAN GREEN THIS YEAR'S EDGERRIN JAMES?

ON FANTASY DRAFT DAY, most elite quarterbacks take a backseat to even average running backs. Peyton Manning will usually last until late in the first round or early in the second, and other top...

THE CASE FOR . . . MATT LEINART

An ex-college star's soul-baring memoir sets the standard for this season's football lit

KIDDING AROUND Cheers, tears and tiny little gears—the gathering in Williamsport, Pa., of the world's top prepubescent ballplayers had it all. One of the biggest moments of the tournament: an...