espn.com Ali Contest
It took union suits, hand warmers, toe warmers, peppermint schnapps, whiskey, brewskis and, of course, a heartwarming Patriots' victory. But Mike O'Malley, the star of the CBS sitcom "Yes, Dear," and Alysse Minkoff managed to keep all their fingers and toes as they braved the arctic air in Foxboro on Saturday night.
MINKOFF: THE DEEP FREEZE




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Page 2's Brian Murphy watched the NFL playoffs under extreme duress over the weekend: The air conditioner blew a fuse in the press room at Kapalua. But, hey, you gotta play with pain. So among the palm trees, the mai tais and other Hawaiian beauties, Murph managed to craft the Weekend Water Cooler.

The Daily Quickie Sportoon
The Daily Quickie will accept Miami's hire of an inexperienced Dan Marino when everybody else stops laughing about Deion Sanders' desire to coach. Plus, Kobe's shoulder and All-Star votes.
 Sure hope you were paying attention over the weekend. Otherwise, you'll flag Sportoon's NFL Playoffs Quiz. Here's Question No. 1: Can you identify this charming character from the Rams-Panthers game?

CALENDAR GIRLS AND BOYS
Having trouble keeping track of the days in the New Year? Page 2's Jeff Merron has just the thing: Calendars that feature . . . (can we say this?) Naked Athletes! Like British beauty Natalie Pike.


Man, oh man. Have we seen some terrific playoff football over the last couple of weekends, or what! If it isn't overtime, it's last-second scores. If it isn't road upsets, it's brilliant individual performances. But do these recent games measure up to the ones on our list of the greatest NFL playoff games (not counting the Super Bowl) in history??
10]  Immaculate Reception: Steelers 13, Raiders 7 (1972)
Here's the dirty little secret of the Immaculate Reception game -- it was more memorable than great. In fact, it makes this list only because of the spectacular, and still sometimes disputed, ending.
9]  Sea of Hands: Raiders 28, Dolphins 26 (1974)
With no timeouts remaining, Ken Stabler rolled left and threw to RB Clarence Davis, who made a great catch among a "sea of hands" belonging to three Dolphins defenders, for the winning TD with 24 seconds remaining.
8]  The Botched Call: 49ers 39, Giants 38 (2003)
The 49ers overcame a 38-14 deficit in the final 19 minutes. New York botched the snap on a 41-yard FG attempt as time expired, but the NFL later admitted pass interference should have been called on the 49ers, giving the Giants another opportunity.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


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


 
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.


Ready For Some Fooball?
The conference title games haven't even been played yet, but the NFL playoffs have already seen several memorable games, including three overtime contests. Following last fall's memorable MLB postseason, the WB is wondering: Have the NFL playoffs been more exciting than baseball's?

  • Archive: Gibbs: Right move? | Still room to love Pete
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    THE SPORTS GUY
    Please step away from Bill Simmons. He's perfect on his NFL playoff picks, and he doesn't want to be jinxed.

    KILLER INTINCTS
    Page 2's Ralph Wiley sees hope for the Redskins and foresees this week's playoff matchups.
    If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


    It's Packers CB Mike McKenzie, left, and Black Eyed Peas rapster Will.I.Am. This match was requested by 22 Page 2 readers. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


    Men's Hoops: Wake Forest at Texas
    8 p.m. ET, ESPN2
    Big 12-ACC showdown.
     
    Men's Hoops: Kentucky at Miss. State
    9 p.m. ET, ESPN
    No. 5 Wildcats storm Humphrey Coliseum.
     
    The Real World: San Diego
    10 p.m. ET, MTV
    New season, same tomfoolery.
     
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    If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
    • Fri., Jan. 9: Don't Jinx It!
    • Thur., Jan. 8: Britney Brain Lock
    • Wed., Jan. 7: Wait 'til NEXT Year
    • Tue., Jan. 6: Hit King Confessions

    Other featured content:
    • What the Heck Were They Thinking?
    • Best Sports Cities of 2003
    • Sex and Sports, 2003: Part I
    • Sex and Sports, 2003: Part II
    • All-Time World Series Rankings
    • 100 Greatest Home Runs of All Time
    • Ultimate Scorecard: 101 best uniform numbers
    Monday, Jan. 12, 2004
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