This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Mike Sykes.
Good morning, Winners! Thanks so much for reading the Morning Win today! We all appreciate you taking the time.
Folks. It’s finally here. It’s Super Bowl week. Normally, I’d be pumped. I mean, I still am — don’t get me wrong. This game will be good. But by the end of it all, my brain will morph into a cloud of dust.
This is about to be the most chaotic week in sports, folks.
We’ve got the big game, obviously. It’s the 49ers vs. Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs. Again. This is a rematch from four years ago, which always plays well. We love a good narrative, don’t we?
This could be Patrick Mahomes’ third Super Bowl win in seven years, which would be remarkable and trigger GOAT debates that I’m sure we’re all just ready to have. It could also be Kyle Shanahan’s first Super Bowl win and a vindication of one of the most brilliant offensive minds in NFL history.
Did I mention the inevitable Brock Purdy storyline here? We’re definitely getting one of those. Either he’s the greatest quarterback of all time or he sucks. No in-between. Don’t forget about the fact that George Kittle and Travis Kelce are going head-to-head. Those dudes are two of the best tight ends ever.
Oh, and speaking of Travis, will Taylor Swift be at the game? Of course, she’ll be at the game. So we’re going to talk about it.
On top of that, the game is in Vegas. The betting angles are there in full force. The sportsbooks believe this game will set betting records, so we can add that to the laundry list, folks.
Oh, and by the way, this isn’t an NFL thing but did you know the NBA trade deadline is this week? The NBA trade deadline is this week. The timing is just…something else. I’ll have more on that later this week.
I love my job. I love sports. I’ll relish every single moment of this chaos. But just know, while I’m doing it, my brain will also be screaming at me internally, wondering why I’m thinking about which NFL teams should trade for Dejounte Murray. That doesn’t make any sense. Why would an NFL team trade for Dejounte Murray? … But wait, can he catch? He might be a good tight end. Wait, that doesn’t make any sense. But not much will by the time Sunday rolls around.
Just get me to Usher’s halftime show. That’s all I ask.
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Joel Embiid is officially out
And, just like that, the NBA’s MVP race is up in the air again. But, at this point, that’s probably the least of the 76ers worries.
Joel Embiid is officially out after opting to have surgery on a torn meniscus, according to an announcement from the team. There’s no timetable for his return at this point. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that Philadelphia believes the window isn’t closed for a return this season, but he’ll be out for a while.
We won’t know how long Embiid will be out until the surgery is completed. Specifically, according to The Athletic, there’s a displaced flap in Embiid’s meniscus. That’s a type o tear. The size of that tear will determine how long Embiid will be out.
Regardless, though, the 76ers are in a tight spot. Philly is in 5th place in the Eastern Conference at 30-18. Things are still tight and a few wins could bounce things back the other way. But without the reigning MVP, the path will be a tough one.
Speaking of Taylor Swift…
Before she steals the Super Bowl she stole another show. She won the Best Pop Vocal Album award at the Grammy’s and then announced that she has another album coming…in April.
Our Caroline Darney has more here.
“Taylor Swift won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album, and used her acceptance speech to totally break the internet. The win was the iconic singer’s 13th Grammy, a number that is important to Swift. After referencing that fact, the Eras Tour singer dropped a massive piece of news.
She has a brand new album coming out in April.
The Tortured Poets Department will be Swift’s 11th studio album, and will release April 19. Fans and Swifties were expecting a potential announcement of Swift’s re-recording of Reputation (Taylor’s Version), so this was a stunning surprise to say the least.”
It’s truly the year of Taylor Swift, folks.
Quick hits: Doc Rivers doesn’t want the All-Star game … Victoria Monet is winning … and more
— Doc Rivers is trying to work his way out of the All-Star game. Adrian Griffin should still get to do it. Prince Grimes has more here.
— Victoria Monet, 3-time Grammy winner. Take that, MTV. Meghan Hall has more here.
— Here’s Charles Curtis with another NFL Mock Draft that has J.J. McCarthy going to a surprising spot.
— Michelle Martinelli has a full list of Super Bowl pre-game performers, including Reba!
— Here’s Robert Zeglinski with one trade deadline move that makes sense for each NBA contender.
— Jay-Z calling out the Grammy’s for never giving Beyoncé album of the year feels so vindicating. Cory Woodruff has more.
That’s all, folks! Thanks so much for reading today. Have a fantastic week. Hopefully, your brains won’t turn to mush like mine will by the end of it all. Let’s do this again tomorrow. Until then! Peace.
-Sykes ✌️