espn.com Ali Contest
Super Bowl XXXVII might end up as the second most-hyped event of January 2003. As everyone from Burbank to Beijing knows, Shaq and Yao meet tonight in the most anticipated NBA regular season game in years. Charley Rosen says Yao has the makings of a great one, while Eric Neel says his game is prettier than the Diesel's.
ROSEN SCOUTS YAO | NEEL ON YAO




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So, how is The Sports Guy doing out in L.A. as part of the team launching ABC's new talk show, "Jimmy Kimmel Live"? Well, they've got a funny host, talented writers and a solid format. Trouble is, they don't exactly have any guests yet. Our man details that situation, updates us on his love affair with reality TV and makes his predictions for Sunday's NFL playoff games.

The Daily Quickie E-Mail From Bud
The last game at the Vet. The first meeting of Shaq and Yao. Another wild Sunday in the Black Hole. The Daily Quickie has put on its face paint and is ready for what might be the best sports weekend of the year. Check out the DQ's forecast, plus some thoughts on MJ, Pete Rose and the Golden Globes.
The games start way too late, last way too long, and many of the players are juiced up on steroids. Those were the chief complaints about baseball in 2002, but the same can certainly be said of the NFL -- and Bud Selig is more than happy to say it in a recent e-mail that he "wrote" to members of the media.

JORDAN VS. JORDAN
In Gatorade's striking new commercial, "39 vs. 23," the Michael Jordan of today goes one-and-one -- trash talk and all -- with an earlier version of himself, from back when Air Jordan was just taking flight. Page 2's Eric Neel goes behind the scenes to explain all the technological magic involved and offers 10 reasons why the ad is so compelling.


With the NFL postseason in full swing, Page 2 got to thinking about all the upsets and underdogs of football playoffs past. Check out our list of the 10 greatest upsets in NFL playoff history and vote in the poll to pick the biggest shocker ever.

10]  Vikings burn 49ers in 1987 NFC divisional game
The Vikings receiver Anthony Carter caught 10 passes for 227 yards on a wet Candlestick Park field as wild-card Minnesota shocked San Francisco 36-24.
9]  Denver beats Green Bay in XXXII thriller
The Packers, with uber-MVP Brett Favre at the helm, seemed a lock for a second straight Super Bowl title. But John Elway, who QBed Denver to three Super Bowl defeats, drove the Broncos to a game-winning TD with 1:45 left, and finally got to hug the Vince.
8]  Jags beat Broncos in '96 divisional
In only their second NFL season, the Jags upset the Bills and then the top-seeded Broncos, both by scores of 30-27, both on enemy turf -- to advance to the AFC Championship Game.
7]  Seahawks stun Dolphins in '83 divisional
The 12-4 Dolphins, the '82 AFC champs, seemed a lock, especially playing in front of a home crowd at the Orange Bowl with star rookie QB Dan Marino at the controls. This mattered not to Seattle, who had snuck into the playoffs for the first time in their eight-year history, as a wild-card team.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Sunday Eagles 3½ Bucs 34
Sunday Raiders 7½ Titans 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.


HYPER SENSITIVE
Don't believe the hype! Page 2's Jason Whitlock looks at five overhyped NFL players who could be exposed this Sunday.

SILVER & GRAY
The Raiders are so old they need reading glasses and Grecian Formula. But the best team in football discovered the Fountain of Youth, writes Page 2's Jim Armstrong.

TUESDAY MORNING QB
TMQ has had enough! Just because the game is on the line, the zebras shouldn't stuff the yellow hankies in their pockets.

FROM ANOTHER PLANET
Some suggest the citizens of the Black Hole aren't from Oakland, but another planet. Page 2's Ralph Wiley knows them well.

BASKETBALL DIARY
Page 2's Charley Rosen breaks down Jordan's game as His Airness approaches his 40th birthday.

HEY, RUBE
Forget last week's reconciliation with the 49ers! The Good Doctor says good riddance to the Niners and embraces their Bay Area rivals.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's a guy who drives a car and the guy who drives Train: NASCAR star Jeff Gordon, left, and Pat Monahan, lead singer of Train. Page 2 has received 30 requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.


Bucks at 76ers
7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Philly snapped skid, but still has a loooong way to go.
 
Lakers at Rockets
9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Shaq and Yao finally go at it.
 
Tennis: Australian Open
11:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
It's third-round action, mate.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Thurs., Jan. 16: MJ vs. MJ
• Wed., Jan. 15: Bad Hair Daze
• Tues., Jan. 14: Excuse Me!
• Mon., Jan. 13: We The People ...

Other featured content:
• The Bad Sports Hair Hall of Shame
• 10 Burning Questions with Shannon Elizabeth
• Uncover Anna's tattoo mystery
• 10 Burning Questions with The Bachelorette
• Ranking sports cities for '02
Weekend Edition, Jan. 17-20, 2003
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