Eli Rallies Giants Over Bears

Jets, Bears among teams facing personnel issues; pressure on Raiders' Kiffin to win

(NEWSER) - The NFL is in the midst of a turbulent off-season, even if you ignore the Brett Favre and Chad Johnson sagas. ESPN’s John Clayton breaks down the other top distractions as training camp nears:

• With NFL Europe gone but the 80-man roster still in place, teams will have trouble finding enough healthy bodies for training camp.
• The New York Jets must decide whether or not to move an unhappy Chris Baker.
• Jacksonville may need to keep receiver Matt Jones despite his off-field issues.

Manning leads last-minute comeback to shock the world, mar perfection for the Pats

(NEWSER) - Tom Brady had one of his trademark brilliant fourth-quarter comebacks—but three minutes later, Eli Manning did, too, and the Giants shocked the formerly perfect Patriots, 17-14. Manning hit Plaxico Burress, who had guaranteed a Giants win several days before, on a 13-yard fade with 35 seconds left, and the Patriots were unable to answer. More»

Hester (two return TDs), Gould key Bears comeback in 37-34 OT win

(NEWSER) - In what may have been a season-saver, the Bears calmly overcame a fourth-quarter 14-point deficit, winning on an overtime field goal by a gimlet-eyed Robbie Gould. All-world return specialist Devin Hester had two long second-half touchdowns; frequent Chicago goat Rex Grossman was sharp on the last two scoring drives. More»

Shoulder likely to keep Manning out of Packers game; Jacobs, Umenyiora also iffy

(NEWSER) - The Giants denied that quarterback Eli Manning would miss a month because of a sore shoulder, but acknowledged that he might not play against the Packers Sunday. The sprain occurred when Dallas linebacker Anthony Spencer sacked Manning, mashing his shoulder against the turf, during the Cowboys' 45-35 win. Running back Brandon Jacobs and defensive end Osi Umenyiora are also likely to miss games. More»

But in Super Bowl XLVI, Manning made a hero of himself

(NEWSER) - Last night's big game was intensely fought, undeniably exciting—and a little mystifying, thanks to Eli Manning's unusual brand of heroism. Analysts weigh in on the game's place in football history:

• Last night brought us "the most Eli Manning moment of Eli Manning’s career." During the game-winning touchdown, we saw "a hero shot in which the conqueror looks totally confused by his conquest," with "arms half-raised in quasi-triumph." His quiet humility was the polar opposite of Tom Brady's "aggro posture," but it remains "difficult to understand," writes Josh Levin at Slate .