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! Welcome back to the Morning Win. I should welcome myself back! It’s been a while, but I’m back in this thing. I hope you missed me! I missed you. Let’s talk about my putrid Eagles.
Six weeks ago that team looked like a Super Bowl contender. It looked like Philadelphia might moonwalk through the NFC again,
Now, here we are, and the team has lost three straight games. The losses to Dallas and San Francisco were devastating. Yet, somehow, this L to the Seahawks feels a bit worse. At least, to me, anyway.
This should’ve been a layup. One of those “get right” games. You’re facing a team that lost four straight games and had a backup quarterback starting. Yes, I know Drew Lock is cool. It’s fun. But he’s still a backup.
This Eagles team is in shambles right now. And, honestly, it starts with its quarterback. Jalen Hurts has not been good. He threw another two interceptions against the Seahawks on Monday night with the game on the line. It was one of the worst games we’ve ever seen him play.
Yet, somehow, he had the nerve to rope his teammates into this one.
Hurts said he doesn’t feel everyone is “committed enough.” What does that mean? No idea. He didn’t define it. He just said the team has to “turn it around.”
Look, Hurts likes to talk in cliches. We know that. That’s what this is. But, whew buddy, he picked the wrong cliche to pull out today. You can’t coachspeak your way out of this one, big dog.
Here’s my colleague Charles Curtis with more:
“And to Hurts’ credit, after his Philadelphia Eagles fell to the Seattle Seahawks 20-17 on Monday, part of his postgame response was “It starts with me.”
But it didn’t end with him. Because Hurts also said ‘I’ve been talking about execution all year. Being on the same page, everyone being on the same page. We didn’t execute. I don’t think we were committed enough, you know. Just got to turn it around.’.”
Not committed enough? Who is he talking about? He can’t say that. Not when he’s missing reads and passing up check-downs that would keep the sticks moving.
NFL Analyst Brian Baldinger put together a quick breakdown showing his issues and, yeah, it’s not good.
This breakdown from @BaldyNFL really shows the issues with Jalen Hurts right now:
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) December 19, 2023
Look, I don’t want to be too hard on the guy. He played sick and probably shouldn’t have been out there. But he was. The results weren’t good. Those results are the only things that matter.
So, until then, pick a different cliche to give us.
The Clippers are a contender
Alright, look. I know it’s December. That means it’s way too early to start talking about who the real contenders are in the NBA at this point aside from, maybe, two or three teams.
But the Clippers, man. L.A. is looking the part.
The James Harden era started with a losing streak that seemed like it’d never end. Now the Clippers can’t stop winning. James Harden is hitting stepback three-pointers again and doing snow angels on the court. Kawhi Leonard looks like an MVP. The Clippers just look the part right now.
Over the last 10 games, the Clippers are 9-1 with the best offense in the league. The defense ranks 12th in that same span, too. This team has found a groove and it feels like the Scary Hours team we were promised in Brooklyn has finally arrived — just on the opposite coast.
Now, obviously, this can all crumble quickly. Health is always a huge question with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Plus, we know Harden’s Louis Vuitton bag turns into a Canal Street special when the playoffs get here.
But, look, man. I believe in this team. I understand if you don’t — not just yet. Just do me a favor and keep an open mind.
All I want for Christmas
Folks, I don’t know if you know this, but Christmas is in less than a week! The holidays are in full swing. The time for giving is here. So I figured we could all have a little fun.
Remember when you used to write those letters to Santa Claus in the 2nd grade about what you wanted for Christmas? Let’s get back in that bag, man. Bring a little holiday spirit to the table.
Except, this time, we’re writing letters to the Sports Santa, Saint Kick (sorry I couldn’t think of anything else sport-y enough). If you could ask for one thing for your favorite sports team, what would that be? For me, all I want for Christmas is for the NBA meme accounts to leave the Wizards alone. Let them lose in peace.
What about you? Drop a note to good ole Sports Santa here! I’ll post the most fun responses in our newsletter on Friday before the holiday weekend!
Quick hits: The window is wide open for the Bills…Another NBA mock draft…and more
— Christian D’Andrea and Robert Zeglinski are riding high on the Bills in their latest NFL Power Rankings.
— Bryan Kalbrosky’s latest NBA mock draft is here and he’s got a surprising pick up top. Well, actually, nothing with this draft class should really shock us at this point.
— Nebraska’s major recruiting steal with Dylan Riaola is sending waves through college football. Tyler Nettuno has more here.
— WHY IS THIS DOG SO BIG?!? Can this good pup actually just suit up for the Lakers? They could use the depth. Here’s Bryan with more.
— Kevin Stefanski is absolutely right about Myles Garrett’s DPOY prospects. The award should be his. Prince Grimes has more.
— The New York Liberty’s schedule release might be the best ever. Breanna Stewart probably disagrees. Meghan Hall has more.
That’s all, folks! Thanks so much for reading today. Have a fantastic Tuesday! Let’s chat again tomorrow.