Lineup
40 | BCS CHAMPIONSHIP
Alabama
All the elements for a long run at the top are there: a single-minded coach, lots of returning talent, a dazzling recruiting class and a rival beset by uncertainty
By Austin Murphy
NFL PLAYOFFS
46 | NFC Matchups
Kurt Warner leads a potent offense into New Orleans, but can Arizona itself stop the pass?
By Jim Trotter
• The fired-up Dallas defense will give Brett Favre and Minnesota all they can handle
By Damon Hack
50 | AFC Matchups
Colts beware: Baltimore is bringing its bruising defense and ground game to Indianapolis
By Tim Layden
• San Diego has to go through New York's Darrelle Revis, the NFL's best corner, to advance
By Lee Jenkins
54 | Drew Brees
The most prolific QB of recent seasons is also a driving force in the reconstruction of New Orleans
By Peter King
• The Chargers will rely on their kicking, coverage and return units against the upstart Jets
By Lee Jenkins
62 | COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Impact Transfers
Disappointed with their first choice of schools, transfers are thriving elsewhere and even changing the national title picture
By Kelli Anderson
Departments
4 Leading Off
12 Letters
16 Scorecard
Mark McGwire admits steroid use
21 Faces in the Crowd
22 Just My Type
Cardinals coach on outlasting Packers
by Dan Patrick
30 Inside ...
• The NBA
Wizards' makeover
• The NHL
Henrik Sedin surges
• Baseball
Paying Tim Lincecum
• College Basketball
96 teams in March?
76 The Vault
Cowboys-Eagles, 1981
80 Point After
Gilbert Arenas is not like you and me
by Phil Taylor
Having Fun Yet, Mr. Mayor?
Is running Detroit any kind of retirement gig for a 66-year-old NBA Hall of Famer? You might think it's crazy, but Dave Bing doesn't
By Michael Rosenberg
PAGE 66
ON THE COVER Photograph by Robert Beck Insets: Damian Strohmeyer (Lewis); Bob Rosato (Brees)
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PHOTO
JOE VAUGHN (BING)
FIVE PHOTOS