November 5, 2012 Table Of Contents
SI.com
THE MAIL
LEADING OFF
NFL MIDSEASON REPORT
PERENNIALLY LOADED ON OFFENSE, HOUSTON FINALLY HAS A DOMINANT DEFENSE TO MATCH, A MANIC SWAT PATROL THAT MAKES LIFE HELL ON QUARTERBACKS. THE BEST TEAM IN FOOTBALL? NO DOUBT ABOUT IT
Though their fortunes are fading as their in-state rivals rise, the Cowboys maintain a weird hold on football nation
AT AN AGE WHEN MOST PLAYERS ARE BEING PUT OUT TO PASTURE, TONY GONZALEZ IS A FORCE ON THE UNBEATEN FALCONS AND THE FACE OF THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH GENERATION
By Peter King
A bit of investment advice—double down on physical therapy—has added years (and millions) to Peyton Manning's portfolio
By Peter King
Indianapolis in the playoffs, the Broncos in unbeatable sync and MJD in a new home. An SI expert peers into the NFL's near future
By Jim Trotter
SI's new field, drawing from eight weeks of games
By Jim Trotter
This year's midseason squad includes a third receiver because today's game is wide open. And the D is 3--4, with an invasive three-technique tackle rather than a beefier nose. That's where we're headed
By Peter King
WORLD SERIES
Upon the Shoulders Of Giants (And Lilliputians)
LUCKY BOUNCES AND REDEMPTION TALES MADE SAN FRANCISCO'S SECOND TITLE IN THREE YEARS FEEL LIKE SOME COSMIC HOT STREAK. BUT THE OCTOBER MAGIC WAS BIRTHED FROM A MORE PROSAIC, EVEN NOSTALGIC, FORMULA
By Tom Verducci
When the World Series ended, the free agent derby began. Here's a sneak peak at the players most likely to shape the market
By Ben Reiter
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
A YEAR AFTER THE JERRY SANDUSKY REVELATIONS ROCKED THE UNIVERSITY AND PUT THE FOOTBALL CULTURE ON TRIAL, PEOPLE IN HAPPY VALLEY REMAIN DIVIDED ABOUT WHERE THE RESPONSIBILITY LIES—BUT NOT ABOUT THEIR SURPRISINGLY RESILIENT NITTANY LIONS
By S.L. Price
MMA
Ronda Rousey Lays The Smack Down
THE WORLD'S TOP FEMALE FIGHTER WANTS TO TEAR YOUR ARM OFF AND TELL YOU ABOUT IT—IN THE MOST POINTED WAY POSSIBLE
RORY MCILROY
NOW THAT HE HAS ASCENDED TO THE TOP OF THE GOLF WORLD—IN THE RANKINGS AND OUTSIDE THE ROPES—GLOBE-TROTTING RORY MCILROY IS QUICKLY LEARNING WHAT LIFE'S LIKE AS THE GAME'S MOST MARKETABLE PLAYER
POINT AFTER
Wit, Wisdom And a Stern Warning
By Phil Taylor
Departments
Call it a horse race, a showdown or a quadrennial clash, Election Night is the biggest sports show of them all
By Steve Rushin
The league went London calling again and the show had Old Blighty abuzz
Why will Alabama beat LSU? Because, once again, the Tide will keep the Tigers from throwing the football
Edited by Alexandra Fenwick
By Dan Patrick