CONTENTS

NFL PLAYOFFS 14

Upstart Minnesota defeated heavily favored San Francisco in the stunner among the weekend's games
by Paul Zimmerman

Washington, guided by quarterback Doug Williams, overcame a two-touchdown deficit to defeat Chicago
by Ralph Wiley

Finally baring its teeth in the second half, a snarling Cleveland defense sent Indianapolis home whimpering
by Jill Lieber

Duke, alias John Elway, directed Denver to a 34-10 bust-up of Houston in a shoot-out at Mile High Corral
by Rick Reilly

WATCH OUT, ANOTHER ROUT 36
The question isn't whether Oklahoma will win, it's how many points the shootin' Sooners will win by
by Curry Kirkpatrick

LIGHTING UP THE LATE SHIFT 38
Debi Thomas and Brian Boitano won Olympic figure skating berths at a nationals marred by bad scheduling
by E.M. Swift

THE CENTER OF THEIR HOPES 68
The Golden State Warriors are looking for former Houston Rocket Ralph Sampson to give them a very big lift
by Hank Hersch

'I HAD TO COME BACK' 73
Larry Holmes is unretiring and taking on Mike Tyson in hope of regaining a heavyweight title he considers his
by Pat Putnam

VIN, VINNY AND VINDICATION 86
Where Vin Del Negro, talented but unguided, once failed, his son, well loved, has persevered and triumphed
by Alexander Wolff

DEPARTMENTS

Letters 4
Scorecard 9
Wrestling 81
College Basketball 84
Television 99
For The Record 100
Point After 102

Cover Photograph by Andy Hayt; Inset by John Biever

PHOTO

BILL SMITH

SWEETNESS AND SADNESS: After Walter Payton shook off the grief of the Bears' defeat Sunday, he said football "doesn't owe me a thing," but our debt to him for his dulcet spirit is incalculable (page 20).