espn.com Ali Contest
As soon as we say something, it'll probably all come tumbling down. But after last weekend, Page 2's Bill Simmons is four steps closer to the dream of a perfect postseason, four steps closer to international notoriety -- the magazine covers, the talk shows, the endorsement contracts! Now for the next four steps . . .
SIMMONS: ONLY SEVEN GAMES LEFT




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If you paid attention to the hullabaloo in Our Nation's Capitol this week, you know that the Second Coming occurred over at Redskins Park. Page 2's Ralph Wiley says Joe Gibbs' return to the sidelines is even bigger than that other deity's reappearance would be. And, says Ralph, maybe rightly so.

The Daily Quickie Illegal Motion
The Daily Quickie says Sunday's win by Donovan McNabb and the Eagles will henceforth be known as the 'Fourth-and-26' game'. Plus, the Titans' "MacGyver" strategy, Peyton's body language and early championship-game picks.
If out-of-work NFL coaches want to keep drawing those unemployment checks, they're going to have to look for other jobs, right? So Illegal Motion has a few suggestions for how they might earn a little cash on the side.

NOW BATTING, HALL OF FAMER BARRY BONDS . . .
ESPN Radio's Mike Greenberg would like nothing better than to watch a Hall of Famer play. A real Hall of Famer. Any reason the dead mortal locks for the Hall can't be inducted while they're still active?


The Vikings were 6-0. The Vikings were without weaknesses. The Vikings were on their way. Of course, that was before the Vikings lost four games to teams that finished with 4-12 records. That was before their monumental collapse. But was Minnesota's implosion devastationg enough to make our list of the greatest swoons in sports history?
10]  2000: Portland Trail Blazers
For six-and-a-half minutes in the fourth quarter of the seventh game of the Western Conference finals, Portland's basket simply disappeared. The Blazers missed 13 straight shots, losing a 15-point lead and the game to the Lakers.
9]  1996: Greg Norman at the Masters
The Shark had a six-stroke lead to start the final round. An even-par 72 would win the Green Jacket. But from holes nine through 12, he was five-over par; his 6-over 78 didn't cut it. Nick Faldo won.
8]  1993: Jana Novotna at Wimbledon
From out of nowhere (well, the 8th seed, at least), Novotna rolled into the finals against Steffi Graf. In the third and deciding set, she was up 4-1 and a point away from making it 5-1. Then came a double-fault and . . .
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Sunday Patriots 3½ Colts 43
Sunday Eagles 5 Panthers 38½


 
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Older but Better
Joe Gibbs won three Super Bowls in his first tenure with the Washington Redskins. For Tom Friend, it's a reminder of the good days of the past and the good days of the future for his team -- something to share with his young son. Other members of the WB aren't so sure Gibbs was the right hire.

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    ONCE AND FUTURE KING
    The NBA West may be Goliath but the East has LeBron James.

    THE SPORTS GUY
    Turned off by the LeBron hype? Page 2's Bill Simmons says here's what you missed -- he's for real.
    If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


    It's Cav's LeBron James, left, and Arizona Wildcats hoopster Hassan Adams. This match was requested by Chris Daniel in Tucson, Ariz. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


    Men's Hoops: Notre Dame at Pitt
    7 p.m. ET, ESPN
    No.15 Panthers still perfect at 16-0.
     
    Adam Sandler stars in: Billy Madison
    8 p.m. ET, FOX
    Beware of the penguins.
     
    Men's Hoops: Syracuse at Missouri
    9 p.m. ET, ESPN
    No need for 'Melo, Orange on a roll.
     
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