CONTENTS

THE IRISH ARE NO. 1 16
Notre Dame, 12-0, routed previously undefeated West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl to win the national crown
by Rick Telander

THE NFL PLAYOFFS 22

In the mists of Soldier Field the mistake-prone Eagles were beaten by the Bears—as best as anyone could see
by Paul Zimmerman

Paced by Joe Montana and his three touchdown passes, the 49ers avenged last year's playoff loss to the Vikings
by Rick Reilly

Buffalo's defense, led by Cornelius Bennett and Bruce Smith, nailed the Oilers as the Bills made the AFC title game
by Ralph Wiley

It was another day at the office for the Bengals, who often didn't bother to confer during a win over the Seahawks
by Jill Lieber

LOOK WHO'S ON TOP 92
You can forget all those old cadaver jokes; Cleveland's upstart Cavaliers have amassed the NBA's best record
by Hank Hersch

UP WHERE SHE BELONGS 98
Louise Ritter's longstanding love for the high jump was finally requited in Seoul, where she got Olympic gold
by Kenny Moore

THE SECOND TIME AROUND 110
Here are athletes who found a calling after the cheering stopped. Luck hasn't had much to do with their success
by Ron Fimrite

DEPARTMENTS

Letters 6
Scorecard 11
Wrestling 102
College Basketball 104
For The Record 129
Point After 130

Cover Photograph by John Biever

PHOTO

RONALD C. MODRA

THE FOGGY, FOGGY DID...: ...arrive—and how!—during the second quarter of the Bears-Eagles NFC playoff game in Chicago. Still, in the official view, there was enough visibility to keep playing (page 22).