LEADING OFF

PHOTO

Photograph by Robert Beck

LEADING OFF NFL MOMENTS 2012 Peyton's Place From Super Bowl XLVI through the last weeks of this season, it was a year of astounding performances, dramatic finishes and remarkable comebacks in the NFL. But the most welcome sight of all was that of Peyton Manning trotting onto the field in Denver on Sept. 9 for his first game in 20 months. The four-time MVP led the Broncos to a 31--19 victory and then enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career, guiding his new team to a division title.

FIFTEEN PHOTOS

Photographs by CJ Gunther/EPA/ Landov (Patriots) Ray Carlin/Icon SMI (Cowboys) Elsa/Getty Images (Giants) Ric Tapia/Icon SMI (Falcons) Justin K. Aller/Getty Images (Chargers) Damon Tarver/Cal Sport Media (49ers) Patrick McDermott/Getty Images (Redskins) Kirby Lee/Image of Sport/US PRESSWIRE (Browns) David Banks/Getty Images (Packers) Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images (Lions) Tom Pennington/Getty Images (Cowboys II) John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/MCT/Landov (Raiders) MSA/Icon SMI (Texans I) Jake Roth/US PRESSWIRE (Broncos) George Bridges/MCT/Landov (Texans II)

LEADING OFF NFL MOMENTS 2012 Joy to The World Happiness unbridled—for all of football's faults, that's why they play the game, and why countless fans revel in it every weekend. Even in Cleveland.

SIXTEEN PHOTOS

Photographs by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images (Lewis) Mark J. Rebilas/US PRESSWIRE (Stevie Johnson) Sam Riche/MCT/Landov (Luck) Wilfredo Lee/AP (Reggie Bush) Jim Rogash/Getty Images (Tom Brady) Christopher Hanewinckel/US PRESSWIRE (Antonio Garay) Jody Gomez/US PRESSWIRE (Takeo Spikes) Patrick Smith/Getty Images (Jacoby Jones) Tony Avelar/AP (Corey Williams) Andrew Weber/US PRESSWIRE (Wilson) Anthony J. Causi/Icon SMI (Tim Tebow) Scott Terna/Cal Sport Media (Brett Keisel) Jake Roth/US PRESSWIRE (D.J. Moore) Darren Hauck/Reuters (Joe Staley) Jake Roth/USA TODAY Sports (Greg Hardy) Bob Leverone/AP (Duane Brown)

LEADING OFF NFL MOMENTS 2012 Express Yourself Emotions run the gamut in America's game. From Ray Lewis's veteran intensity in last January's playoffs to the youthful exuberance of Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson, the looks speak volumes.