Big football weekend, but we have to first dash to Fenway Park...

The ALDS came into Fenway Park after two games in Oakland with the Red Sox down 0-2 in a best of five. So, as a Red Sox fan you'd think, "Ah, here they go again. Another disappointing season."

Well, granted the bats have been quiet during this series (actually since clinching), but they are starting to heat up right when they need to.

In Game 3, the Sox took the A's right into the 11th inning and Trot Nixon came in to pinch hit and slammed a homer into center field. Sox win 3-1 and close the gap in the series.

In Game 4, bottom of the eighth, the score 4-3 A's. David Ortiz hits a double into right center with Manny Ramirez and Nomar Garciaparra at the corners. Score 5-4, and this series is going back to Oakland for Game 5.

The Fight Against the Cruse lives on! Now back to the NFL.

Forget the Titans. Our New England Patriots are the tough guys of the league. The score of 38-30 wasn't quite that close, but we'll give the Titans their just due. They came into the Razor and played a very tough and physical game, but too many missed tackles, weak on the rush (yes, I did say that) and a Ty Law interception for a touchdown with four minutes left in the game pretty much sealed the fate of the Titans.

On offense, there was a Patriots - no joking - running game! Plus, it involved two running backs who dashed for 88 yards on 16 carries for Antowain "Look at me run like a crazy fool" Smith and 73 yards on 7 carries for newly rejoined Mike Cloud. Cloud was able to return to the team this week after a league enforced suspension for violating the substance abuse policy, and played for the injured Kevin Faulk. Smith counted for one touchdown while Cloud got himself two.

"As I went to bed last night, I had visions of something good happening," Cloud said. "I guess the dream was right."

Not all was pretty. For the second week in a row, Adam Vinatieri missed a field goal. Actually, he missed two. Plus, a Troy Brown return for a touchdown was called back. This all happened in the first half, denying the Patriot 13 points. Imagine the score then!

This is a big win for the Pats. It put them even in the division at 3-2, but this is one of the toughest teams they will see this year. Next week brings in the struggling Giants.

Former BC running back Mike Cloud has completed his league imposed four-game suspension, and has returned to the Patriots as an addition to the 53-man roster. As a result, fullback Fred McCrary has been released. McCrary was signed in the offseason, but has sat out the past two games due to an injury.

Cloud grew up in Rhode Island and played for Boston College. He was drafted by the Chiefs and released this offseason. He played for the inured Kevin Faulk and had 7 carries for 73 yards and two touchdowns.

Welcome back the NFL, Mister Cloud.

CHIEFS (5-0) 24, Broncos (4-1) 23 - FINAL: Well, there goes Denver's perfect season, while KC's hopes can continue. What a close one, and Priest Holmes was held to under 100 yards (17 carries for 97 yards - still respectable). But Dante Hall - four returns for touchdowns in as many games. Wow!

COWBOYS (3-1) 24, Cardinals (1-4) 7 - FINAL: Should we be impressed that the Tuna has the Loser Cowboys winning some games, or shake it off about a good coach taking mediocre players to victories over lousy teams? I'll take the later. Wait until TunaMan has to play in Foxboro and against Buffalo.

PACKERS (3-2) 35, Seahawks (3-1) 13 - FINAL: Sorry homecoming for Mike Holmgren who probably looked at this season's schedule in April and smiled at the thought of maybe beating his old team at the Frozen-Not-Yet Tundra. But, alas, the Servant becomes the Master, as Brett Favre used some more of his magic dust to drum up a win and Seattle will not run the table this season.

PATRIOTS (3-2) 38, Titans (3-2) 30 - FINAL: What a pleasure to write this one. The Patriots put pressure on Steven McNair when they needed and got a stunning running game going! Antowain "I figured out how to rush this week" Smith rushed for 88 yards on 16 carries with one touchdown. Mike Cloud returned to the Patriots and replaced Fred McCrary on the roster and had an absolutely stunning day with 7 carries on 73 yards with 2 touchdowns. Cloud was in the game for an injured Kevin "Who?" Faulk. Then to put it all away, Ty Law INT'd for a TD. Game over.

Dolphins (3-1) 23, GIANTS (2-2) 10 - FINAL: The Giants are struggling, but lets pick on the oh-so wonderful, can't lose Fishmen for a moment. Ricky Williams, 22 carries for 39 yards, Chris Chambers had 3 receptions for 19 yards and Jay Fielder was 14-26 for 167 yard. None of these guys had a touchdown. Huh.

BILLS (3-2) 22, Bengals (1-4) 16 - FINAL/OT: I'm now very leery of the Bills. How do they let the Bengals come this close at Orchard Park and have to take it into overtime? I don't know, these guys were supposed to be better than this. And Cinci hasn't improved that much!

BEARS (1-3) 24, Raiders (2-3) 21 - FINAL: Oh yeah! Chicago gets their first win of the season and at the newly renovated Soldiers Field. The best part is that it was this close against the Raiders who now have a losing record. Cool. I guess the team stopped listening to Brian Urlacher's Paris Hilton stories long enough to study some film.

PANTHERS (4-0) 19, Saints (1-4) 13 - FINAL: Yeah! Carolina is undefeated! I love that fact cause it drives so many fan nuts. Stephen Davis proving to be the top free agent pick up of the season. And the Saints are certainly the Aints. I hope Jim Faslett has updated his resume. Maybe he should start interviewing now. I hear Home Depot is hiring.

Vikings (5-0) 39, FALCONS (1-4) 26 - FINAL: The Vikes! Undefeated, no controversies (so far), just some good solid football! Even it is against the Falcons, who might now have enough left in the tank when Mike Vick finally does return.

JAGUARS (1-4) 27, Chargers (0-5) 21 - FINAL: Ick Martyball has lost all of its air and can't find a pump. And the Jags finally got Jack Del Rio a win as a head coach. And he did it with first round pick Byron Leftwich at quarterback. This is a good indication that the Mark Brunnell days are over. Maybe Marty Shottenheimer should have drafted a new quarterback.

EAGLES (2-2) 27, Redskins (3-2) 25 - FINAL: And the Eagle get their first win in their new home! I love seeing the Spurriers lose and lose close is even better. Oh, and hey, Rush: That Donovan McNabb is some quarterback, isn't he? Foolish, racist, pigheaded, fatass, big mouth, jack ass.

49ERS (2-3) 24, Lions (1-4) 17 - FINAL: No happy home coming for Steve Mariucci. This one will belong to the Yorks and T.O. and all the others.

Browns (2-3) 33, STEELERS (2-3) 13 - FINAL: I read a statistic last week that said Tommy Maddox has throw 17 INTs in the last 11 games. Good God, what was Cowher thinking about when he named him the starter?

Open date: Baltimore, Houston, N.Y. Jets, St. Louis

Just a few to keep your eye on.

Carolina (4-0) at Indianapolis (4-0), 1 PM. If Indy can get a win Monday night, this'll be a battle of the undefeateds.

Houston (2-2) at Tennessee (3-2), 1 PM. New Houston Meets Old Houston for an AFC South matchup.

Buffalo (3-2) at N.Y. Jets (0-3), 4:15 PM. AFC East game, and the Jets still haven't won yet.

Philadelphia (2-2) at Dallas (3-1), 1 PM. NFC East game.

San Francisco (2-3) at Seattle (3-1), 8:30 PM. NFC West game.

Open date: Cincinnati, Detroit, Minnesota, San Diego

1. Boston Sports Teams - one great weekend of wins.

2. Bravo to the Red Sox for two wins to even the series.

3. Nice job to the Patriots: they got a game play to beat the Titan Defense, handled Steve McNair and found a fantastic running game.

4. I like seeing Carolina handle everyone. It is funny to see the Panther scary.

5. Congrats to Chicago for three things: first win of the season, first win at the renovated Soldiers Field and for beating the Raiders.

6. Homecoming weekend was a fun concept - except most of the returnees (Emmitt Smith, Mike Holmgren and Steve Mariucci) all lost.

7. I'm not a hug fan of the Dawg Pound Cleveland Browns, but it was sweet watching them handle the Steelers in Pittsburgh. It is good to see a Maddox-led Steeler team get blown out.

8. How 'bout Dante Hall of Kansas City? Four returns for a touchdown in four games has set an NFL record.

9. I think an Diego is all over. 0-5 is a really bad start.

10. I got the Sox winning tomorrow night 7-3. Next stop: Skanks.

ejh