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.
Gooooood morning, family! Welcome back to the Morning Win! Thank you for taking some time with us this morning. We appreciate you. Happy Friday.
Let’s talk about the football this weekend. There’s a lot to look forward to! If your team is still playing, congratulations! Mine is not. So, you know, I don’t necessarily have a rooting interest anymore.
But, I’ve gotta say, man. It is hard not to pull for the Detroit Lions at this point. Lions fans, I hope you believe in your team like I believe in your team. This squad has a real shot at making it to the Super Bowl. The path is there.
I know that sounds crazy considering the history here. The last time Detroit went to the NFC Championship was the same time they last won a playoff game which was *checks calendar* 31 years ago. That’s … older than me.
That’s why every Lions fan I know is still skeptical of what this team can do. Even after the playoff win, it’s still “but we’re still the Lions.” And, look. I get it. If anybody knows a thing or two about rational skepticism of an inept franchise, it’s me. The Washington Wizards are the bane of my existence.
But, folks, things change! I told you all in Week 1 that it was time to start believing in Dan Campbell the way his team believes in him. Detroit has already exorcised the playoff demon that was hanging over its head. There’s a good chance this team could beat the Buccaneers at home, too. And if that happens? Whew, boy. All bets are off.
I’m not saying the Lions are a lock here. Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. But there’s no reason to look at this team like they’re the same old Lions anymore. This isn’t that. That’s a good thing.
The Lions being more than just a feel-good story is great for the NFL. This is a league that has always prided itself on parity — anybody can win it all…with a few exceptions. For the longest time, the Lions were one of those exceptions.
It felt cruel, you know? The Football Gods would never smile down upon Detroit. It was almost like the Lions were perpetually made to stink.
Well, no more. This team is a legitimate contender. The NFL is better for it. Get on board the bandwagon now before it’s too late.
Seriously? Bill O’Brien?
The New England Patriots had one of the worst offenses in the NFL this year by any measurement. Points per game. Yards per game. Whatever. The Patriots were terrible.
Bill O’Brien, the team’s much-maligned offensive coordinator, was the architect of it all. So, naturally, you’d think that O’Brien would probably not be able to find a job anywhere else if it’s not just remaining in New England under Jerod Mayo.
NOPE. Apparently not. Ohio State was unmoved by his terrible season. Ryan Day thought, “Yeah, this is the guy who I need to take our offense to the next level.”
Our Cory Woodruff makes the point that O’Brien has had success on the college level. But still, he’s skeptical that he’s the guy for the Buckeyes.
“ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported on Thursday night that Ohio State football has hired former Penn State coach and New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien to be its next offensive coordinator.
As the Buckeyes figure out a plan to try and meaningfully contend for a national title with Ryan Day at the helm, hiring a veteran coach like O’Brien is the kind of major move that signals a seriousness to make those results better sooner than later.
Well, if you think O’Brien is the right guy for the job, that is.”
I’m with Cory, man. This is a weird hire. Especially considering there are easily a handful of other offensive coordinators Ohio State could’ve chosen here.
Best of luck to them, though. Maybe this will work out. For Ryan Day’s sake, it had better.
Anthony Edwards can glide
I don’t know if Anthony Edwards is doing the NBA dunk contest this year, but Anthony Edwards should definitely do the NBA’s dunk contest this year.
Y’all. Look at this dunk and tell me this is not a 10.
ANTHONY EDWARDS 🤯
(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/HQF8xDIGUF
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 19, 2024
This dude is ridiculous. To be able to go get it off of the backboard from as far away as Edwards was is pretty ridiculous. That’s explosion, folks. Bryan Kalbrosky has more on the dunk here.
Edwards scored 26 of his 28 points in the second half to help the Timberwolves put away the Memphis Grizzlies in what turned out to be a pretty exciting game. This dude is quickly becoming one of the best shows in basketball. For the first time in a long time, the Timberwolves are must-see TV.
Thank you, Ant-Man.
Photo Friday
This one goes out to all the dedicated Bills fans out there. You probably couldn’t pay me $20 to willingly shovel my own driveway. Here y’all are shoveling snow out of a whole stadium. All just to sit in a sea of snow. Good for y’all, man.
Couldn’t be me.
Quick hits: The Alabama exodus … RG3 vs. Jay Gruden … and more
— Charles Curtis has a list of every Alabama player in the transfer portal since Nick Saban told us he was out. This list is long.
— It’s 2024. Robert Griffin and Jay Gruden were on the same team 10 years ago. Somehow, there’s still beef. Sheesh.
— Cory Woodruff has more on Travis Kelce’s method to staying warm during cold games. It’s very complex. You should definitely read this to figure out how he does it.
— DeShon Elliott is praying for the Chiefs’ downfall. That’s hilariously petty. Andrew Joseph has more.
— Bronny James is still on a lot of NBA team’s draft boards despite USC’s struggles so far this year. Bryan Kalbrosky has more.
— How are the Hawks this bad against the spread!?!? Ben Fawkes has more on that here.
Thanks so much for reading, y’all. Have a fantastic weekend! If it’s snowing where you are, please make a snowman for me! Let’s chat again on Monday. Until next time, folks. Peace.
-Sykes ✌️