Engine problems

While driving around after wheeling this weekend and overheating, my jeep started to make a strange cracking/popping noise that seemed to come from around the intake manifold. Along with this noise was a momentary loss of power. Buddy of mine said it was the engine backfiring? Later on after being on the expressway and coming to a stop after exiting the jeep would stall as soon as the rev's would come down to idle. any ideas????? thanks, Judd 91, 4.0, 231, AW4

Check the exhaust manifold for a crack.