December 19, 2011 Table Of Contents
LEADING OFF
Inside: THE WEEK IN SPORTS
The Angels broke the bank with the Pujols and Wilson signings, but that $331 million didn't come out of nowhere
By Tom Verducci
Has the Big East lost its mind? No, but in the wake of last week's mass migration, it did lose another piece of its glorious past
Hey, the unbeaten Packers have worries too: Should they push for perfection, or rest up for the playoffs—and risk losing their edge?
By Damon Hack
By Peter King
PRO FOOTBALL
Tim Tebow has led the Broncos from 1—4 to the division lead with the craziest, most unlikely eight-week run in NFL history. It's taken clutch playmaking, a newly stout defense and, most of all, unwavering belief
By Jim Trotter
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
The bowls are upon us, and what's the most exciting matchup of the postseason? (Hint: not the BCS title game.) It's the Fiesta Bowl, in which prolific Brandon Weeden and the unstoppable offense of Oklahoma State meet the sublime skills of Andrew Luck and Stanford
BOWL PREVIEW 2011
SI's pick for the BCS championship game won't be revealed until the Jan. 9 issue, but here's how the 34 other bowl games will turn out
By Andy Staples
PRO BASKETBALL
On the to-do list for new Lakers coach Mike Brown: Succeed a legend, install a new system and manage a roster in flux. Rest assured, he'll stay on-task
By Lee Jenkins
The Lakers' failed courtship of Chris Paul cost them one of their most versatile interior threats
By Chris Mannix
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Xavier established its claim to be King of the Queen City in its long-bubbling rivalry with Cincinnati, and Tu Holloway his place in the player of the year discussion. Then everything got really ugly
The Year In Sports Media
Edited by Adam Duerson
After leaving the Steelers' sideline five years ago, Bill Cowher found a new career, and new contentment, on the set at CBS. And though he'd be first choice for any team with an opening, he says he's not going anywhere
POINT AFTER
By Phil Taylor
Departments
Once boxing's best, pound for pound, Roy Jones Jr. fights recklessly on
By Chris Mannix
Ryan Braun's positive drug test rocks baseball—but proves the game is serious about prevention
A new documentary takes an inside look at Army and Navy football—down to the wire
By Matt Gagne
Edited by Alexandra Fenwick
By Dan Patrick