CONTENTS

NFL POSTSEASON

18
DRIVEN
John Elway propelled the Broncos past the Oilers and into the AFC title game with another thrilling drive
BY RICK REILLY

22
ANOTHER NEW YEAR BLOWOUT
As the Chiefs found out in the other AFC semifinal game, the Bills remain very potent at home in January
BY PETER KING

24
THE RAREST OF ROARS
The Lions ended a 35-year playoff drought with a ferocious performance against the Cowboys in one NFC semi
BY RICK TELANDER

26
COULDN'T RUN, COULDN'T SHOOT
Also in the NFC, the Redskins—with a little help from the elements—shot down the Falcons' high-flying offense
BY PAUL ZIMMERMAN

28
THANKS, BUT NO THANKS
As lesser names scrambled for coaching posts in the NFL, Bill Parcells rejected a pair of whopping offers
BY PETER KING

34
DREAM GAME
Would you believe? The Washington Huskies defeated the Miami Hurricanes in the battle between two No. 1's
BY AUSTIN MURPHY

39
NEW DAY DAWNS IN ARKANSAS
After a two-month suspension, Razorback star Todd Day dazzled on the court but brooded away from it
BY PHIL TAYLOR

54
NOT YOUR AVERAGE ICE QUEEN
A troubled past has not stopped Oregon's Tonya Harding from becoming a figure skating champion
BY E.M. SWIFT

70
YOUNG CASSIUS CLAY
At 50, Muhammad Ali is a much-admired figure, just as he was as a playful and purposeful youth in Louisville
BY WILLIAM NACK

DEPARTMENTS

4
LETTERS

13
SCORECARD

64
COLLEGE BASKETBALL

66
PRO BASKETBALL

82
FOR THE RECORD

84
POINT AFTER

COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY NEIL LEIFER

CAKE COURTESY OF BILL SCHUTZ/CREATIVE CAKES

PHOTO

AL TIELEMANS

Down and Dirty: Wideout Jason Phillips, here being nailed by Washington's Sidney Johnson (45) and Charles Mann, was hardly the only Falcon who was muddied by the Redskins in a 24-7 playoff defeat at rain-soaked RFK Stadium (page 26).