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Good morning! Go ahead and take Sunday off.
Unintended Consequences: The NFL invented a new bye week
Remember all the hand-wringing from 2021 about extending the NFL regular season to 17 games? Players understandably fought against it — the season was already grueling — and owners understandably clamored for it. Another week of games means another week of big money.
So it’s funny that the owners’ precious Week 18 … is turning into a bye week for many teams:
- Two MVP favorites won’t play this weekend. Tomorrow, Baltimore is sitting Lamar Jackson against Pittsburgh after clinching the AFC’s top seed. Tyler Huntley time. And Brock Purdy won’t play Sunday, as the Niners have done the same in the NFC. Sam Darnold will start against the Rams.
- The same strategy extends below: Speaking of the Rams, they’ll be either the No. 6 or No. 7 seed, so most of L.A.’s important players are resting — outside of Puka Nacua, who is 29 yards away from the rookie receiving record. We get to see Carson Wentz in action.
- And yes, our new king Joe Flacco is also getting the weekend off. Cleveland is locked into the No. 5 seed. Jeff Driskel gets the nod there. And Patrick Mahomes will sit, as the Chiefs are already AFC West champions. Blaine Gabbert will start his first game since 2018.
There are important games, though. Both the AFC South and NFC South will be decided Sunday. Same goes for the AFC East. It’s just not the drama-filled final week most NFL owners imagined.
News to Know
Irving says he didn’t get sign removed
Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving said yesterday he did not ask for a courtside sign to be removed during Dallas’ game against Utah on Monday. The sign, brought by a local rabbi, read “I’m a Jew and I’m proud,” a reference to Irving’s antisemitism controversy last season.
Ham in trouble?
Lakers coach Darvin Ham has lost some standing inside the locker room, six separate sources told The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Jovan Buha. This comes amid the 17-18 Lakers losing nine of its last 12 games, and it’s the first step toward a coach getting fired. Maybe Ham turns it around. At least they’ll have that IST banner, right?
Braves lock up Sale
Five days after acquiring Chris Sale in a trade, the Atlanta Braves signed him to a two-year, $38 million contract with an $18 million club option in 2026. Sale, 34, has had a rough few years, struggling to stay on the mound due to various injuries. When healthy, he can still be one of the game’s best pitchers. Atlanta is clearly betting on that.
A shocking portal entry
Ole Miss star running back Quinshon Judkins is entering the transfer portal, easily the biggest surprise departure of the season. The rising junior figured to be a key part of the Rebels’ dizzying momentum heading into next season, when 12 Playoff spots are available. Now Lane Kiffin’s offense needs a new piece — and Judkins becomes the best available player in the portal. Bonus transfer content: Ohio State has its quarterback, Kansas State’s Will Howard.
More news
- The Ravens signed RB Dalvin Cook to their practice squad yesterday, two days after the Jets waived him. Baltimore’s first-round bye will mean extra time to evaluate him for playoff action.
- Blackhawks wunderkind Connor Bedard is now the youngest NHL All-Star selection in league history. Chicago might not be great, but Bedard has not disappointed.
- Congrats to the Brooklyn Nets for becoming the first team punished by the NBA for violating its player rest policy.
- Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio agreed to a buyout with the team and announced his retirement from the NBA. The 12-year vet has been away from basketball since the summer to work on his mental health.
Things You Need to See: Wemby did what now?
While planning today’s newsletter, I pondered writing about how bad the Spurs are. We didn’t expect them to be great, but the worst team in the NBA outside of Detroit? When you have Victor Wembanyama on your team? That’s low, and worthy of derision.
And yet Wembanayma spares them by doing absurd things that demand video highlights. Consider this from last night’s (competitive!) loss to the Bucks:
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA WITH THE SELF LOB 😱 pic.twitter.com/qrArAC9tvK
— Ahn Fire Digital (@AhnFireDigital) January 5, 2024
That’s a self-lob dunk. A 7-foot-4 dude with point guard handles. About 30 minutes later, he did this:
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA IS PUTTING ON A SHOW 🍿👀
🎥 @NBApic.twitter.com/M7Fj1nuzZc
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 5, 2024
There’s a steal into a behind-the-back layup move no one that size should be making. “Hey! Look, over here! We have an alien who does cool stuff! Please don’t look at our record.”
Fine, we won’t. He registered 27 points and five blocks in only 26 minutes. He deserves better.
Watch This Game
NCAAM: No. 9 Illinois at No. 1 Purdue
8:30 p.m. ET on FS1
The Boilermakers might be college basketball’s only elite team right now, but Illinois has been dominant enough to be Purdue’s primary Big Ten challenger.
NFL: Texans at Colts
Saturday at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN
The winner will clinch a playoff spot — and can also clinch the AFC South with a Jaguars loss at Tennessee on Sunday. This will be fun.
Pulse Picks
Black Monday approaches. What’s it like to get fired on the NFL’s most cataclysmic day? Kalyn Kahler and Zak Keefer got some great, honest insights from former coaches on how tough the entire process can be. Also, maybe Leslie Frazier should get another shot.
Ari Wasserman has a really interesting look at how this year’s Michigan team has changed his mind about college football. RIP, Super Teams.
We made it through golf’s offseason. Brody Miller, Brendan Quinn and Hugh Kellenberger answer pressing questions about 2024’s breakout stars and more in a great roundtable today. The season opener this weekend at Kapalua is stacked with talent.
You may have last seen the Pelicans getting blown out by the Lakers in the In-Season Tournament. Things have changed a lot for both those teams. Will Guillory has a great look at how Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are gelling — and how it’s motored New Orleans up the standings.
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(Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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