The Boston Globe

patriots 23, bills 21

Patriots scrape out win in opener

The Patriots began their 10th straight season with a win, despite an offense that was shaky at times.

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Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 35-yard field goal with seconds remaining to give the Patriots the win.

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Shane Vereen gained 15 yards on this run to the Bils’ 14 yard line on the Patriots’ final drive. Vereen had 101 yards on 14 carries.

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Tom Brady held on to the ball for a short gain in the first half.

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Kiko Alonso of the Bills recovered a fumble by Tom Brady on the Bills’ 2 yard line late in the third quarter.

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Running back Stevan Ridley was benched after a first-half fumble that the Bills returned for a touchdown.

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Julian Edelman celebrated his touchdown in the first quarter with Tom Brady.

Tom Brady was 29-for-52, with 288 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and one fumble.

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Tom Brady was 29-for-52 for 288 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and one fumble in the win.

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Tom Brady handed the ball off while under pressure from Kyle Williams.

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Bills receiver Steve Johnson caught a touchdown pass in front of Devin McCourty and Kyle Arrington in the second half.

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Bills receiver Robert Woods (10), celebrated with teammates after a first-half touchdown.

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Da’Norris Searcy returned a fumbled 74 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.

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Julian Edelman scored for the Patriots on a pass from Tom Brady in the first quarter.

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Tom Brady looked downfield in the first quarter.

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Stevan Ridley broke a tackle by Da’Norris Searcy.

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Kyle Arrington knocked the ball away from C.J. Spiller of the Bills, leading to a Patriots touchdown.

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Tom Brady and the Patriots were ready for the snap.

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Tom Brady threw a pass early in the game.

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Bill quarterback E.J. Manuel took aim.

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Bill Belichick was on the sidelines before the game’s start.

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Robert Kraft signed an autograph.

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Robert Kraft and his girlfriend, Ricki Noel, entered the stadium.

patriots analysis

Patriots’ offense is inefficient in defeating Bills

The Patriots needed a field goal with seconds remaining to win after turning the ball over three times during the game.

Yankees 4, Red Sox 3

Red Sox lose on wild pitch in ninth inning

The Red Sox tied the game in the ninth but lost it on a wild pitch with two outs in the bottom of the inning and Ichiro Suzuki on third base.

Kerry says Saudi Arabia supports strike on Syria

Secretary of State John Kerry said Saudi Arabia would support a US military strike as a way to punish the Syrian regime for using chemical weapons.

Pain, questions linger, a year after meningitis outbreak

Across the US, people are grappling with a cascade of baffling illnesses, the legacy of tainted pain injections made at a Framingham specialty pharmacy.

John Burbine, 49, is awaiting trial on charges that he videotaped himself sexually abusing 13 children in his wife’s unlicensed day-care business between 2010 and 2012. He is also charged in a Saugus case.

CHARLIE MAHONEY FOR THE GLOBE

Safeguards failed, so evil got another chance

There were many chances to stop John Burbine, who is accused of abusing 13 children — decades after he devastated a couple and their three little boys.

For Marathon victims’ family, priest a consoling presence

The Rev. Sean Connor spent much of the spring in hospitals, caring for the Richard family and for his own dying friend.

Opinion

opinion | simon waxman

Can Boston break identity politics?

There is still time for the mayoral candidates to set out individual agendas and give the voters more reasons to support them.

Globe exclusives

“I was super-excited. It was a great feeling,” Rob Ninkovich said of his first NFL opening day. “I wish I could go back in time and get it again.”

Sunday Football Notes

Opening Day memorable for NFL players

Araba Taylor used her smartphone to set up interviews for the one-year fellowship she landed at the Center for EcoTechnology, an environmental nonprofit.

Recruitment technology lags

fall movies preview

Big trouble ahead onscreen

The Tigers would love to see Drew Smyly make their rotation.

Sunday Baseball Notes

Some MLB teams may need some space

Parth Patel, Matt Kaighn, John Bennett, and Martin Story enjoyed a beer at the bar in the newly renovated Forum Bar and Restaurant.

Quick bite

Forum reopens with revelry

Groups of young sailors try their racing skills in Newport Harbor as part of their Sail Newport instruction. In the background is the Claiborne Pell Bridge spanning the East Passage of Narragansett Bay.

Aerodynamics and fun, learned aboard a sailboat

A station on measuring calories by food type.

family

Hall of human life indulges curiosity about ourselves

Lou Lim’s design for a “Play Me, I’m Yours” piano.

classical music

Tuning up Boston streets, one piano at a time

Camellia sinensis was discovered growing wild in the Azores’ rich soil and Atlantic breezes, and in the 1870s commercial production began. Gorreana Tea Plantation offers tours.

Azores cuisine is surprisingly complex

Ann Starbard milks dairy goats at Crystal Brook Farm. She considers the goats her co-workers.

On the Job

The art and work of life on the farm

“I’m being penalized because the system doesn’t work,” said Brittney Reitano of North Easton, whose unemployment benefits without explanation were reduced by $380 per week.

Deadline nears for fixing unemployment system problems

Matt Bausone (left) and Eric Folks in “columbinus,’’ a production of the Chicago-based American Theater Company to be presented by ArtsEmerson Sept. 17-29.

fall theater preview

Questions of belonging will reverberate on local stages

Fall Arts Preview

special section

2013 Fall Arts Preview

As the weather cools, the season heats up. Here’s your guide to the best in theater, dance, art, music, and more.

Boston mayoral race

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Politics

Daniel F. Conley wants a citywide vote on the Suffolk Downs casino proposal and says city councilors should be holding community meetings across the city.

Daniel Conley pushes for citywide hearings on casino

The Boston mayoral candidate also doubled-down on his calls for a citywide vote on the proposed East Boston facility.

Sports

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On Baseball

Third base coach Brian Butterfield (left) congratulated Xander Bogaerts after the 20-year-old’s first major league home run.

Young talent stepping up for the Red Sox

The Red Sox beat up the Yankees for a third straight day and showed them a glimpse of the future, which right now, the Yankees have no answer for.

Metro

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Karen Yianopoulos stood where a headstone will be placed for her uncle at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Woman gets headstone for uncle killed in World War II

Karen Yianopoulos’s persistence resulted in her late uncle, Seaman Third Class Peter Yianopoulos, receiving a headstone at Arlington National Cemetery.