Pats win season opener, 38-24

Tom Brady threw two of his three touchdown passes to Wes Welker, who returned from a serious knee injury, and led the New England Patriots to a 38-24 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

The season-opening victory came just three days after Brady was unhurt in a two-car crash then agreed to a contract making him the NFL's highest paid player.

His day was made smoother by Welker, who caught eight passes for 64 yards less than eight months after surgery for a torn knee ligament.

Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens combined for 19 receptions for 212 yards and a touchdown for the Bengals, but their impact on the game fell short of the hype that accompanied their partnership.