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Game Plan
• WATCH
The Greatest Game Ever Played
Perhaps you've heard: This is the 50th anniversary of the Colts' epic win over the Giants in the 1958 NFL title game. This Saturday, ESPN honors the occasion with a sharp two-hour documentary featuring previously unseen footage of the Game and colorized versions of familiar clips. To top it off, '58 players as well as recent Colts and Giants comment.
• SEE
The Wrestler
If the Rays can make the World Series, anything is possible, even Mickey Rourke's performance as a washed-up pro wrestler generating Oscar buzz. The film, which won top honors at the Venice International Film Festival, opens in a limited release on Dec. 17 and also stars Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood. Steroid use, poverty, family strife—what more could you want in a holiday-season film?
• WATCH
The Division II championship
It's a barren weekend on the big-time schedule, but there will be college football drama in Florence, Ala., this Saturday. Will Northwest Missouri State become the Buffalo Bills of D-II? The Bearcats, who have never won a national title, will make their fourth straight appearance in the final, against Minnesota-Duluth. Their joy or sorrow can be seen live on ESPN2 at 1 p.m.
• CHECK OUT
The shot of the year
Search "Scott Morton" on YouTube, and set aside a few minutes—you'll rewind often on one of the best college hoops finishes ever. On Dec. 2 SUNY-Geneseo trailed SUNY-Oswego 82--80, but Geneseo's Morton hit a three with 10 seconds left. Oswego retook the lead on a layup, but Morton rushed down the court and won the game with a no-look, over-the-head heave at the buzzer. It's impressive.
• ROOT
For the Lions
Since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978, four teams have started 0--13. The 2007 Dolphins, 1986 Colts and '80 Saints all managed to win one of their final three games—which means the 2008 Lions could be the first 0--16 team. Detroit isn't likely to beat the Colts on Sunday. Indy has won six in a row; Peyton Manning has 12 TD passes and just three INTs during the streak.
The Pop Culture Grid
How do sports stars fit in? | My one question to Tom Cruise would be ... | Best concert I've ever been to | Britney Spears's new album is ... | If I could change one thing about me it'd be ... | If I were President, __ would be in my cabinet |
RYAN GETZLAF Ducks C | Something about Top Gun | Tim McGraw and Faith Hill | Not in my collection | I'd have more hair | Scott Niedermayer |
MARK CLAYTON Ravens WR | About the foundation of Scientology | Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation tour | Interesting | My singing. I can't sing | Ray Lewis, Joe Flacco, and Derrick Mason |
DREW GOODEN Bulls F-C | Where are the glasses from Risky Business? | Too Short in 1989 | Has a nice cover | My hands. I wish they were bigger | Chris Rock |
JORDAN GROSS Panthers T | What's up with Scientology? | Eric Clapton and Rage Against the Machine | News to me | I'd have longer arms | Kevin James (above, right) |
INSIDE THE GRID
Playing just 35 miles from the nation's capital, Clayton has his teammates' jobs all figured out. "Flacco would be my vice president, Lewis would be my secretary of defense—obviously—and Mason, my secretary of the treasury. I wouldn't have to worry about him stealing." Gooden and Gross envision a lighter approach to running the country. As Gross says, "Laughter goes a long way toward solving things."
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HY PESKIN (UNITAS)
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COURTESY OF FOX SEARCHLIGHT (WRESTLER)
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GARY DARLING/MARYVILLE DAILY FORUM (NW MISSOURI)
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MICHAEL JOHNSON (MORTON)
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DUANE BURLESON/AP (LIONS FAN)
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FREDERICK M. BROWN/GETTY IMAGES (JAMES)
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RAYMOND BOYD/MICHAEL OCHS ARCHIVES/GETTY IMAGES (JACKSON)
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JIVE RECORDS (SPEARS)
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SEBASTIAN WILLNOW/AFP/GETTY IMAGES (CLAPTON)
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WARNER BROTHERS/PHOTOFEST (CRUISE)
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KENT SMITH (GROSS)
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GREG NELSON (GOODEN)
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GAIL BURTON/AP (CLAYTON)
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ROBERT BECK (GETZLAF)
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