Leading Off

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PHOTOGRAPH BY GREG NELSON FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Lion Down on The Job A passel of Cowboys special-teamers—Kyle Wilber (51), Cameron Lawrence (53), Jeff Heath (38) and C.J. Spillman (37)—delivered some muff justice to Lions return man Jeremy Ross as he fell on the ball after bobbling a second-quarter punt on Sunday in Arlington. At that point Detroit led the NFC wild-card matchup 14--0, but Dallas rallied for a 24--20 victory. Unbeaten on the road this season, the Cowboys will face the Packers in Green Bay on Sunday (page 15).

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PHOTOGRAPH BY DONALD MIRALLE FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Headfirst Glide Oregon freshman receiver Charles Nelson (6) soared toward the end zone after taking a lateral last Thursday in the first quarter of the Rose Bowl. Florida State defensive back Nate Andrews (29) cut Nelson's flight short at the one-yard line, but two plays later the Ducks scored the first touchdown in the history of the College Football Playoff to go up 8--3. Thanks to a 27-point third quarter fueled by four Seminoles turnovers, Oregon went on to whip the defending champs 59--20 and will meet Ohio State on Monday for the national title (page 28).

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PHOTOGRAPH BY BRIAN BABINEAU NHLI/GETTY IMAGES

With a Capital D It was no day at the park for Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) against Washington defender John Carlson and goalie Braden Holtby—even if it was New Year's Day at Nationals Park, where 42,832 fans turned out in 43¬∫ weather for the seventh NHL Winter Classic. With 12.9 seconds left, right wing Troy Brouwer netted a power-play goal against his old team to give the Capitals a 3--2 win.