The Sportsletter - Belichick & Wild Card Picks ✍️

BY JEFF YODER

JAN. 12, 2024 |  SUBSCRIBE  |  WEB VIEW

Happy Friday 🙌

What a wild week it’s been, team. Who would’ve thought we’d crown Michigan, lock in the NFL Playoff bracket, and witness the departures of Nick Saban and Bill Belichick, all in the same week.

Editor’s Note: Seasons change fast. If you don’t love football, hang in there. Our coverage will be focused on the NFL Playoffs for the rest of the month, but the Australian Open, March Madness, Spring Training, The Masters, and the NBA/NHL Playoffs are all coming soon.

Letter Rip!

  PICK 'EM  

NFL Playoff Pick 'Em ✍️

Wild Card Weekend is here! If you're one of the 80 individuals who finished in the top-5 during the NFL regular season, you should have received an email from Jeff with details on how to play our postseason pick 'em for Wild Card Weekend. Good luck!

  NFL  

The Patriot Way Forward

Photo: Boston Globe / Getty Images

Patriots & Bill Belichick Part Ways After 24 Seasons, 6 Super Bowls & Complete NFL Glory

First, Nick Saban. Now, Bill Belichick. What a week. Belichick and the New England Patriots ‘amicably’ parted ways yesterday morning after a 4-13 record and a second straight season absent from the playoffs. The news was announced at a press conference with team owner Robert Kraft that functioned as a celebration of the past 24 years. Belichick shed his trademark cutoff hoodie for a suit and tie, and "The Patriot Way" will look a little different moving forward.

“Robert (Kraft) and I, after a series of discussions, have mutually agreed to part ways. For me, this is a day of gratitude and celebration… Players win games in the NFL, and I’ve been very fortunate to coach some of the greatest players who have ever played.” — Bill Belichick

Despite some of Belichick's dry responses about his future during the season, both he and Kraft insist the decision was mutual. Belichick leaves New England after 24 years, six Super Bowls in nine appearances, and a resume as the most decorated coach in NFL history. But is it the end for Bill? Don't count on it.

Belichick vs. Father Time

At 71 years old, Belichick is fast approaching the title for “oldest head coach in NFL history.” Romeo Crennel coached the Texans at the age of 73, and he owns that record. Bill turns 72 in April. All the signs indicate he'll coach until he physically can’t, so the story isn’t over. This wasn’t a retirement speech, but a transition in Boston. Where could he go next?

2 Teams Who Want Bill

Multiple reports suggest the Falcons and Commanders are the two teams linked to Belichick, and they have been since earlier in the season. However, many forget the Hall of Famer was born in Nashville (Titans, anyone?). The Seahawks, Chargers, Panthers and Raiders also have vacancies. We’ll find out where Belichick goes next in the weeks/months ahead.

For now, it's simply a sad day in Boston, but Belichick's story has some chapters left.

Read More

SI: Patriots Assistant Jerod Mayo Tabbed as ‘Leading Candidate’ to Replace Belichick

FOX Sports: Bill Belichick’s Legacy is Complicated, But His Greatness is Cemented

B/R: Bill Belichick Still Wants to Coach, Linked to Commanders & Falcons as Likely Landing Spots

  NFL  

Super Wild Card Picks ✍️

Photo: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images

Lines, Picks & Matchups for All 6 Games of NFL’s Super Wild Card Weekend... Including Some Epic Reunions

It’s the eve of the NFL’s Super Wild Card Weekend, and that means "win or go home" from here on out. Fourteen teams enter the postseason. The two No. 1 seeds get a bye this weekend (Ravens and 49ers) while the other dozen squads are fighting for their season. Here’s a look at all six Wild Card matchups with a little commentary as we look at the odds and make our picks.

Super Wild Card Weekend

Browns at Texans (Sat. 4:30 pm, NBC)

The Browns go on the road at NRG Stadium to face the youth-movement of the Texans as we kick off Wild Card Weekend. This could be a high-scoring affair or a defensive dogfight. Give me an experienced Joe Flacco and the Cleveland defense to edge out young C.J. Stroud.

Spread: Browns (-2.5)

SL Pick: Browns def. Texans (28-24)

Dolphins at Chiefs (Sat. 8:00 pm, Peacock)

Paywall matchup, but I’m still watching. The Dolphins are going to lament the Week 18 loss that would’ve given them home field in Round 1. It’s cold in Kansas City, and the Dolphins haven’t been able to beat good teams this year. Chiefs win a freeze-out in the reunion game with Tyreek Hill.

Spread:  Chiefs (-4.5)

SL Pick: Chiefs def. Dolphins (20-14)

Steelers at Bills (Sun. 1:00 pm, CBS)

Two of the NFL’s biggest smash-mouth teams get dirty in Buffalo to open Sunday afternoon. The Steelers are so well-coached, but the Bills enter the postseason hotter than anyone with five straight wins. No T.J. Watt for the Steelers? Josh Allen slings Buffalo into Round 2.

Spread: Bills (-10)

SL Pick: Bills def. Steelers (31-14)

Packers at Cowboys (Sun. 4:30 pm, FOX)

It’s the Mike McCarthy reunion game, but the Packers have a tall task. I don’t think this is “the Cowboys’ year,” but I do think they roll into the Divisional Round with that high-flying offense and the comfort of AT&T Stadium. Sorry Jordan Love, this is Dak Prescott’s game.

Spread: Cowboys (-7.5)

SL Pick: Cowboys def. Packers (35-20)

Rams at Lions (Sun. 8:00 pm, NBC)

You couldn’t write this script any better. The Lions host their first home playoff game since 1993, and they have to beat… Matthew Stafford?! This is a story straight from Hollywood. The Rams are clicking, but I think Dan Campbell’s revitalized Lions have the juice to break this 30-year drought.

Spread: Lions (-3)

SL Pick: Lions def. Rams (30-28)

Eagles at Buccaneers (Mon. 8:15 pm, ESPN)

It’s been ugly for the Eagles as of late, but I don’t see the Bucs as a scorching offense that can take on anyone. They only put up nine points against the Panthers in their must-win NFC South-clinching game last week. Give me Philly to survive one game, but barely.

Spread: Eagles (-3)

SL Pick: Eagles def. Bucs (21-20)

Hate our picks? Want to voice your opinion? We love the feedback. Reply to our editor and let us know where we went wrong.

Read More

SI: MMQB Staff Picks for Playoffs & Super Bowl LVIII

B/R: Ranking the Super Bowl LVIII Long Shots in the 2024 NFL Playoffs

  NBA  

The Perfect Storm ⛈️

Photo: Kelsey Grant / Getty Images

Thunder Strike Blazers by 62 Points (139-77) for 5th-Largest Victory in NBA History

We're on the brink of a massive winter storm rolling through the U.S. this weekend, but one NBA team brought its own storm to the court early. The Oklahoma City Thunder completely demoralized the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday with a 62-point blowout (139-77) that was one for the record books. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31 points) and Josh Giddey (triple-double) spearheaded the onslaught. Chet Holmgren also hit this wild circus shot. The Thunder even led the Blazers by 62 after three quarters before resting starters down the stretch. OKC (57%) out-shot Portland (27%), out-rebounded them (59-42), and out-assisted them (41-16) in a surgical performance.

The Thunder win was the fifth-largest margin of victory ever in an NBA game. Ironically, the Thunder were once on the losing end of the worst blowout ever just two years ago when they lost to the Grizzlies by 73 (Dec. 2, 2021).

Thunder Rising: With the resounding win, the Thunder (26-11) are now tied with the Timberwolves (26-11) for the best record in the West. This game might've put the league on notice. There’s a storm brewing in OKC.

Watch: Thunder Erupt for Record-Breaking 62-Point Win Over Blazers (139-77)

Other NBA Highlights

Spida in Paris: The Cavaliers and Nets played in the NBA’s first-ever Paris Game on Thursday, and Donovan Mitchell dropped 45 for the French fans. Cavs got the win, 111-102.

Kyrie Carries the Mavs: Kyrie Irving tallied 44 points, 10 assists and six 3s to lead the Mavericks over the Knicks (128-124) and end New York’s five-game win streak.

Beal Catches Fire: The Lakers’ woes continued on Thursday as the Suns’ Big 3 pounded L.A. (127-109). Bradley Beal caught fire with 37 points and eight 3s (8-for-10, 3pt) for a season-high.

Bucks Bury Celtics: In a battle of the East’s top-two teams, the Bucks bounced the Celtics by 33 (135-102) behind Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 24-12-6 night. Milwaukee led by 37 at the half before Boston decided to rest the starters in the second night of a back-to-back.

  HIGHLIGHTS   🎥

🏒 NHL (Win Streak Tracker)

Panthers Escape Kings (3-2, OT) | W9

Oilers Best Red Wings (3-2, OT) | W9

Jets Rally Past Blackhawks (2-1) | W8

Kraken Crush Capitals (4-1) | W7

⚽️ Soccer

Barcelona Wins Spanish Supercopa Semis (2-0)

*Will Face Real Madrid in Final on Sunday

🏀 NCAAM

Santa Clara Stuns #23 Gonzaga (77-76)

*Fans Storm the Court After Ending 13-Year Losing Streak to Gonzaga on Late Game-Winner

  STORYLINES  

📺 ESPN’s Emmy Awards Fraud

ESPN has returned more than 30 Emmys to the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences after the academy learned of a scheme in which the network used fake names to win awards for “College GameDay” personalities. (Forbes)

🏈 Florida State’s NIL Violations

Here it comes. In one of the first NIL-related punishments ever handed down by the NCAA, Florida State football got hit with several penalties on Thursday for recruiting violations committed during the 2022-23 season. (CBS Sports)

🏀 The NBA IST Isn’t Going Away

After the one-year trial of the NBA’s In-Season Tournament, commissioner Adam Silver said the IST will “no doubt” be back next year. The league is expected to make some tweaks and improvements, but the IST was a hit. (Yahoo! Sports)

  NEWS   📰 

• NBA Plans for Draft to Become 2-Night Event (ESPN)
• Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Declares for 2024 NFL Draft (Yahoo! Sports)
• Texas QB Quinn Ewers Returning for Senior Season (ESPN)
• Oregon Head Coach Dan Lanning Removes Name From Alabama Coaching Search (CBS Sports)

• Yankees Land Pitcher Marcus Stroman to 2-Year, $37 Million Deal (B/R)

• NBA Hits Raptors Head Coach Darko Rajakovic With $25,000 Fine for Blasting Officials (AP)

• Aaron Rodgers Appears on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ 1 Day After Host Said  Rodgers Was Done (NBC)

  WEEKEND SCHEDULE   🗓️

The Weekend Must-Watch List

Get your popcorn and find a friend who has Peacock. It’s the NFL’s Super Wild Card Weekend coming in fast with games on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. A few massive showdowns in the NBA and NHL bring box office clashes, and the Australian Open is about to swing down under for our first tennis major of 2024. Enjoy!

NFL Playoffs (Super Wild Card Weekend)

Browns at Texans (Sat. 4:30 pm, NBC)

Dolphins at Chiefs (Sat. 8:00 pm, Peacock)

Steelers at Bills (Sun. 1:00 pm, CBS)

Packers at Cowboys (Sun. 4:30 pm, FOX)

Rams at Lions (Sun. 8:00 pm, NBC)

Eagles at Buccaneers (Mon. 8:15 pm, ESPN)

NBA

Kings at 76ers (Fri. 7:30 pm, ESPN)
Pelicans at Nuggets (Fri. 10:00 pm, ESPN)
Warriors at Bucks (Sat. 8:00 pm, NBATV)

Full NBA Schedule

NHL

Rangers at Capitals (Sat. 1:00 pm, ABC)

Avalanche at Maple Leafs (Sat. 7:00 pm, NHLN)

Flames at Golden Knights (Sat. 10:00 pm, NHLN)

Full NHL Schedule

Soccer

EPL: Newcastle vs. Man. City (Sat. 12:30 pm)

EPL: Man. United vs. Tottenham (Sun. 11:30 am)

ESP Supercopa: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona (Sun. 2:00 pm)

Australian Open

1st Round (Saturday-Sunday)

*Our Tournament Coverage Starts Next Week

PGA Tour

Sony Open (All Weekend)

NCAA Basketball

M: #9 Oklahoma at #3 Kansas (Sat. 2:00 pm, BIG12)

M: #6 Kentucky at Texas A&M (Sat. 2:00 pm, ESPN)

M: #2 Houston at TCU (Sat. 6:00 pm, ESPN)

W: #14 Indiana at #3 Iowa (Sat. 8:00 pm, FOX)

W: #8 Stanford at #5 Colorado (Sun. 2:00 pm, PAC12)

W: #2 UCLA at #9 USC (Sun. 5:00 pm)

*All Times ET

  THE TEAM  

Writer & Editor: Jeff Yoder

Lead Designer: Joe Stella

Assistant Writer: Marissa Kasch

Social Media: Aaron Yorke

Please consider supporting The Sportsletter, an independently operated and bootstrapped publication, and you'll receive our exclusive Sunday edition. Many thanks to everyone who already supports us!

Did Someone Forward You This Email? Subscribe Here
Feedback? Contact Our Editor: Jeff@TheSportsletter.com
Not Loving The Letter? Unsubscribe

Copyright © 2023 The Sportsletter
717 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, 94103