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FEATURES

PRO FOOTBALL

32 PEYTON MANNING

The wait is over and the verdict is in: The Broncos' new QB looks as good as ever. What, you doubted him?

BY ALAN SHIPNUCK

• RG3 UNBOUND

• A HARD LUCK START

PARALYMPICS

42 ALEX ZANARDI

Eleven years after losing his legs in a gruesome crash, the former open-wheel star is winning gold as a handcyclist

BY KELLI ANDERSON

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

46 DARON ROBERTS

He built the résumé and dreamed the dreams of a future President. So why is this Harvard Law graduate now a West Viriginia assistant?

BY ANDY STAPLES

NASCAR

52 DALE EARNHARDT JR.

As the Chase for the Cup begins, the sport's most popular—and disappointing—driver is a genuine contender

BY LARS ANDERSON

60 THE BOY THEY COULDN'T KILL

In 1999, NFL receiver Rae Carruth plotted to murder his girlfriend and their unborn son. Now that boy is 12, and thriving

BY THOMAS LAKE

DEPARTMENTS

4 SI Digital

6 Leading Off

12 The Mail

14 Scorecard

Nate Silver, America's prognosticator

20 Faces in the Crowd

22 Just My Type

D-Wade on football, fashion

BY DAN PATRICK

24 Inside...

NFL

MLB

College Football

72 Point After

A Braves great walks off

BY CHIPPER JONES

SI HAS TWO COVERS THIS WEEK TO SEE THE FULL-SCREEN VERSION OF EACH COVER, DOWNLOAD THE SI TABLET APP, FREE TO ALL SUBSCRIBERS

ON THE COVER: PHOTOGRAPHS BY AL TIELEMANS (GRIFFIN) AND ROBERT BECK (MANNING)

Please Recycle This Magazine Remove Inserts or Samples Before Recycling

PHOTO

ROBERT BECK (MANNING)

TUNNEL OF LOVE Manning's Denver arrival was more than ceremonial—just ask the Steelers' D.

PHOTO

JEFFERY A. SALTER (CARRUTH)

TWO PHOTOS