NFL teamAs if there were any doubts, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said he fully expects to be in the starting lineup in Sunday's season opener against the Chiefs, reports all team sports information.

Brady, the NFL's MVP last season after throwing a league-record 50 touchdown passes and leading the Patriots NFL team to a 16-0 regular-season record, sat out all four preseason games because of a foot injury. Brady played in last season's Super Bowl loss to the New York Giants despite a well-publicized ankle injury.

"If it is up to me, there is no question," Brady told reporters Monday of his expectations for being in the lineup against the Chiefs. "But those questions aren't always up to me.

"Every day (the foot) gets better. You get treatment on it, and as time goes, it heals and feels better enough to where I can go out there. I was out there last week, and I will be out there a little more this week."

Brady has started 127 consecutive games for New England NFL team, including playoffs, since taking over for an injured Drew Bledsoe in 2001 and said he could have played in any of the four exhibition games had coach Bill Belichick deemed it necessary.

"I practiced the entire preseason pretty much," Brady said.

Belichick, as is his custom, would give no indication about the status of Brady or any Patriots.

Asked Monday whether he expected Brady to start for NFL team, Belichick stonewalled, saying, "We will prepare all the players during the week. We will give you the injury report on Friday. We will give you the practice report after we practice."

Brady said missing the preseason games should not affect him on Sunday.