espn.com Ali Contest
Will David Wells, Boomer Esiason and Chris Berman lay down the law in "Boomtown"? Can Danny Sheridan solve the mystery in "Push, Nevada"? Why might "Survivor: Thailand" be plagued by controversy? And what's up with Rafael Palmeiro's new reality series? Page 2 offers an "imaginative" preview of the fall lineup.
PAGE 2'S FALL TV PREVIEW




ESPN TOOLS
 
Email story
 
Most sent
 
In Part 3 of his series on the "Birth of the Raider Nation," Page 2's Pat Toomay discovers some gentle souls lie beneath that tough silver and black exterior. Hard-hitting safety Jack Tatum is not the vicious monster everybody assumes he is, and menacing defensive end Otis Sistrunk offers an unusually generous gesture to Toomay when the veteran lineman needed it most.

Casting Call The Water Cooler
Tony Soprano is holding on line one with an offer you can't refuse. He needs you to help put together a new crew for a little job that he needs done. He's looking for qualified candidates from the sports world to join his family in the "waste management" business. If you cast your vote in Page 2's Casting Call, no one will get hurt.
Poor Anna got "Smashnova'd" in Shanghai. The Rams and Steelers were smashed into 0-2 heaps. HBO's smash hit, "The Sopranos," finally returned. Page 2's Brian Murphy popped open a few cold ones for this smashing weekend and got ... well, you know where we're going with this theme.

NFL STUDS AND DUDS
Usually, Larry Johnson's NFL Stud and Dud of the Week won't come from the same game. But then again, the Bills' thrilling 45-39 overtime victory at Minnesota was no ordinary contest. See, who emerged as a hero and who's wearing the goat horns.


Page 2 lists our choices for the 10 best NFL offenses of all time. After checking out our top 10, send us a note with your pick for the best offense in NFL history. Later this week, we'll compile our readers' list along with a poll to crown the best of them all.
10]  Green Bay Packers (1962)
When you can power sweep your way to almost 30 points a game, you've got yourself a ground game.
9]  Chicago Bears (1941)
The Bears went 10-1 in 1940, scoring 396 points, an average of 36 per game.
8]  New York Giants (1963)
Y.A. Tittle, on his way to becoming MVP, led the NFL's highest scoring offense (448 points in 14 games, despite being shut out by the Steelers in the second game of the season).
7]  San Francisco 49ers (1994)
Steve Young set an NFL record with a 112.8 QB rating, and the Niners averaged 44 points per game in the postseason.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
9 p.m., Mon. Eagles 3 Redskins 44½
1 p.m. Sun. Dolphins 6½ Jets 41
1 p.m. Sun. Patriots 8½ Chiefs 43
1 p.m. Sun. Bears 3 Saints 41½
COLLEGE FB FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
3:30 p.m. Sat. Michigan State Even Notre Dame NL
3:30 p.m. Sat. Tennessee 4 Florida NL
All Times ET | Bold indicates home team
Complete line


 
Got a comment about something you've seen on Page 2? Here's your chance to sound off to the editors and columnists. Plus, if you'd like to send an e-mail to The Sports Guy, here's your direct link to Bill Simmons.


CALIFORNIA DIARY
In the latest entry monitoring the California playoff races, Eric Neel tracks down all the intangibles from the Giants and Dodgers, from Bobby Thomson to Vin Scully.

THE SPORTS GUY
Horrified by Team USA's sixth-place finish in the World Championships, Page 2's Bill Simmons unveils his plan for fixing the Dream Team.

THE GOLDEN ARM
Page 2's Ralph Wiley remembers Johnny Unitas as more than just the best NFL quarterback ever.

GET OVER IT
Jason Whitlock empathizes with the unfortunate souls, such as Dwayne Rudd, who have been "awarded" sports' version of the scarlet letter.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's Vanderbilt football coach Bobby Johnson, left, and actor/comedian Steve Martin. Page 2 has received 29 requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.


Braves at Marlins
7 p.m. ET, TBS
Both ends of baseball's spectrum.
 
Eagles at Redskins
9 p.m. ET, ABC
Early NFC East showdown.
 
Angels at Athletics
10 p.m. ET, MLB Extra Innings
Round Two of AL West showdown.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Fri., Sept. 13: Meet the 'Sopranos'
• Thurs., Sept. 12: The Definitive QB
• Wed., Sept. 11: Sports After 9/11
• Tues., Sept. 10: Dumb & Dumbest

Other featured content:
• Sportoon: NFL crossword puzzle
• 10 Burning Questions with Drew Carey
• Page 2 Goes to the Movies
• Our Top 20 Sports Movies
• Manilow meets Kournikova
• 10 Burning Questions with Steve McNair
• Makin' It Better: Serena's new outfit
Monday, Sept. 16, 2002
.