espn.com Ali Contest
Why didn't Tony Dungy stop Peyton Manning from acting like an inebriated chicken? Why couldn't Mike Sherman let go of his red beanbag? And how the heck did Butch Davis and Jim Fassel let those big leads slip away? You know Tuesday Morning Quarterback has all the answers ... and even more second-guessing about the NFL playoffs. TMQ: BLITZ HAPPENS




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In the good ol' days of the NFL -- two or three years ago -- the ideal QB was the Field General, the smart but otherwise physically unimpressive specimen who handed or threw the football to the workhorses and got the heck out of the way. No more, says Page 2's Ralph Wiley. In the future NFL, the meek QB will definitely not inherit the earth.

Basketball Diary The Daily Quickie
A team needs two things to make it to the top of the NBA -- talent and maturity. When it comes to the Indiana Pacers -- and their coach who's not exactly what he seems -- Page 2's Charley Rosen says one out of two ain't bad. Rosen takes a close look at a team on the cusp of something special, but still at least a year or two away.
Sorry seems to be the hardest word, especially if you're the New York Giants today. ESPN.com's Daily Quickie muses about the flowers the NFL placed on the grave of the G-Men. Our new rapid read also offers a preview of today's Baseball Hall of Fame announcement and tries to make sense of the NFL coaching carousel.

CHANNELING DON CHEADLE
The NFL playoffs have been thrilling ... and so have the commercials for this postseason. Page 2 cartoonist Kurt Snibbe is so taken with the NFL's Don Cheadle campaign that he had the actor recap the wild-card weekend. Meanwhile, Eric Neel is focused on those women wrestling in the fountain (aren't we all?).


After watching all those thrilling playoff games over the weekend, Page 2 couldn't help but think about the 10 greatest NFL playoff performances of all-time. Check out our list of the 10 best individual efforts and vote in the poll to pick the best postseason performance ever.

10]  Jim Plunkett in the 1980 AFC Championship
Against the Chargers, Oakland's Plunkett throws just 18 passes, but 14 are completions for 261 yards and two TDs. Plunkett also scores another TD on a five-yard run as the wild-card Raiders beat the Chargers 34-27 in San Diego.
9]  Kurt Warner in the 1999 NFC divisional playoffs
A virtual unknown before the season began, Warner continues to amaze as he leads the Rams to a 49-37 victory over the Vikings and a trip to the NFC title game. Warner throws 33 times, connecting on 27 to 10 different receivers while racking up 391 passing yards.
8]  Terry Bradshaw in the 1976 AFC divisional playoffs
The Steelers QB sets a playoff record with a perfect passer rating of 158.3, as he completes 14 of 18 passes for 264 yards and three TDs and the Steelers rout the Colts 40-14.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Saturday Titans 4 Steelers 44
Saturday Eagles 7½ Falcons 39
Sunday Bucs 5 49ers 39
Sunday Raiders 5½ Jets 47
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.


THE WATER COOLER
After watching the Steelers and Niners on Sunday, Page 2's Brian Murphy declares that nothing in sports is better than a comeback.

THE HOT LIST
The year just started, but Dan Shanoff already knows it all because our trendmeister lays it all out in What's Hot and What's Not for 2003.

SEX & SPORTS '02
From Serena's catsuit to naked Romanian gymnasts, Page 2's Jeff Merron revisits the sexiest sports stories of 2002.

TOUGH LOVE
Indiana coach Mike Davis receives some tough-love advice from a friend, Page 2's Jason Whitlock.

BASKETBALL DIARY
Can the Nets make it back to the NBA Finals? Page 2's Charley Rosen wades into the swamp and breaks down the Eastern Conference champs.

THE SPORTS GUY
With the NFL regular season over, Page 2's Bill Simmons hands out his second set of awards with help from Mike and Double-Down Trent.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's "Stone Cold" and a guy who's certain to get a cold reception in New York. Page 2 has received 30 requests for the match of wrestler Steve Austin, left, and Giants kicker Matt Bryant. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.


Men's hoops: Illinois at Minnesota
7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Illini try to emerge as Big Ten favorite.
 
Men's hoops: Connecticut at Oklahoma
8 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Huskies try to keep perfect record intact.
 
Men's hoops: Florida at Mississippi State
9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Only national TV game for No. 8 Bulldogs ... until March, that is.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Mon., Jan. 6: Final Curtain
• Fri., Jan. 3: Gang Green
• Thurs., Jan. 2: Tuna Helper
• Tues., Dec. 31: Free My TV!

Other featured content:
• Ranking sports cities for '02
• The 10 worst sports marriages ever
• "Win a Date with Anna" winners
• What the Heck Are They Thinking?
Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2002
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