The Sportsletter - Weekend of Champions 🏆

BY JEFF YODER

JAN. 26, 2024 |  SUBSCRIBE  |  WEB VIEW

Happy Friday 🙌

Head's up: Today’s edition is jam-packed. More NFL teams found new coaches yesterday (two first-timers at that). We also got a glimpse of the NFL Awards finalists and NBA All-Star starters (more LeBron records). Plus, another masterclass upset in the Australian Open? The Oilers’ win streak is still alive. So is South Carolina’s perfect season. And we can't forget about the NFC/AFC Championship Games.

So many sports. So little time.

Letter Rip!

  NFL NEWS  

NFL Coach Carousel 🔄

• Falcons Hire Rams’ DC Raheem Morris as Head Coach (ESPN)
• Panthers Hire Buccaneers’ OC Dave Canales as Head Coach (SI)
• Vic Fangio Agrees to Become Eagles’ Next Defensive Coordinator (B/R)

NFL Awards Finalists 🏆

The AP released the finalists for the 2023 NFL Awards on Thursday, including MVP, DPOY, Rookie(s), Coach, Comeback POY & More. Here's a glimpse of the five MVP finalists:

• MVP Finalists: QB Lamar Jackson (BAL), QB Josh Allen (BUF), RB Christian McCaffrey (SF), QB Dak Prescott (DAL), QB Brock Purdy (SF)

  NFL  

The Championship Weekend Breakdown

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images

Strengths, Weaknesses & Superlatives: Comparing All 4 Remaining NFL Teams Entering Championship Weekend

Football's next test is here, but don’t let the numbers fool you. The Lions and Chiefs may be the No. 3 seeds and road underdogs this weekend, but there’s plenty of reason to believe in magic. San Francisco and Baltimore have host duties, and a lot of media have already crowned the 49ers and Ravens. But hey, the Lions are hungry, and the Chiefs have that guy named Mahomes. There's a lot the analytics can't foretell. Let’s put on our detective hats and analyze where each of the final four teams excel (and struggle) before Championship Weekend. We’ll also point out some key concerns for the underdogs from Detroit and Kansas City, then hand out some superlatives, just for kicks.

The NFL’s Final 4 Teams

Detroit Lions (14-5) — +700 SBLVIII Odds

Total Offense: Rank 5th (27.1 Points Per Game)

Total Defense: *Rank 23rd (23.2 Points Allowed)

Kansas City Chiefs (13-6) — +350 SBLVIII Odds

Total Offense: *Rank 15th (21.8 Points Per Game)

Total Defense: Rank 2nd (17.3 Points Allowed)

Baltimore Ravens (14-4) — +200 SBLVIII Odds

Total Offense: Rank 4th (29.2 Points Per Game)

Total Defense: Rank 1st (16.5 Points Allowed)

San Francisco 49ers (13-5) — +145 SBLVIII Odds

Total Offense: Rank 3rd (29.9 Points Per Game)

Total Defense: Rank 3rd (17.5 Points Allowed)

Key Concerns for Lions & Chiefs

*Chiefs Offense (Turnovers & TDs): The Chiefs’ offense was surprisingly mediocre this year. That obviously changes in clutch playoff moments when you have Patrick Mahomes, but Kansas City is the only remaining team without a top-5 scoring offense. They’re minus-11 in the turnover battle. The last team to win a Super Bowl without a top-10 scoring offense was the Peyton Manning-led Broncos in 2016.

*Lions Defense (Secondary Pains): Despite Dan Campbell’s defensive-minded approach, the Lions’ defense, mainly the secondary, is a weak spot among the final four teams. The three other clubs all rank top-5 in points allowed. The Lions were 23rd this season, but they rank 27th in pass defense. Don’t sweat yet, Lions fans. Each of the past two Super Bowl winners (Rams and Chiefs) didn’t boast a top-10 defense.

Final 4 Superlatives

There are big expectations for all four fan bases heading into Championship Weekend, and only one true underdog. We handed out some made-up superlatives that could define the last three games of the NFL Playoffs. Enjoy.

Best Overall Team: Ravens

Most Balanced Team: 49ers

Most Valuable Player: QB Lamar Jackson

Most Clutch Spoiler: QB Patrick Mahomes

Big-Play X-Factor: RB Christian McCaffrey

Underdog Momentum: Lions

Championship Pedigree: Chiefs

Best Defense: Ravens

Best Xs & Os Coach: Chiefs (Andy Reid)

Best Motivator: Lions (Dan Campbell)

Best Roster Management: 49ers (GM John Lynch)

America’s Bandwagon: Lions

Ready for some football? We'll know our Super Bowl LVIII teams Sunday night.

NFL Championship Weekend Schedule

AFC: Chiefs at Ravens (Sun. 3:00 pm ET, CBS)

NFC: Lions at 49ers (Sun. 6:30 pm ET, FOX)

Read More

USA Today: Ranking All 4 Potential Super Bowl Matchups

FOX Sports: Why the Lions Are More Than a Cinderella Story

ESPN: Lamar Jackson Expects ‘Heavyweight Fight’ Against Patrick Mahomes

  TENNIS  

AUS Open: Sinner, Winner!

Photo: David Gray / Getty Images

#4 Jannik Sinner Overwhelms #1 Novak Djokovic in Australian Open Shocker

The champ goes down! In another overnight stunner, the men’s Australian Open draw got its second major plot-twist. The 10-time champion of Melbourne, #1 Novak Djokovic, was overwhelmingly blitzed in four sets by #4 Jannik Sinner in last night’s semifinal. Sinner’s fiery start began with a 6-1 opening set before winning 6-2 to take a 2-0 lead and seemingly discourage the top-seeded Djokovic. Novak needed everything he had to win a tiebreaker in Set 3 and hold off a Sinner celebration, but it didn't last long. The four-set win was one of the most lopsided defeats tennis fans have ever seen from Novak, and it ends a 33-match win streak in Melbourne. Djokovic had more than a dozen self-imposed errors in the first two sets.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever looked out the window and questioned Djokovic’s desire. At some point, everybody’s human.” — Chris Fowler (ESPN)

Watch: #4 Jannik Sinner Shocks Tennis World With 4-Set Takedown of #1 Novak Djokovic (6-1, 6-2, 6-7 6-3)

On the flip side, Sinner marches into his first major final at 22 years old. The Italian upsetter looked every bit of Djoker’s physical equal — a testament to the young star's recent rise. He’ll meet the winner of this morning’s live match between #3 Daniil Medvedev and #6 Alexander Zverev.

In Action This Morning

M: #3 D. Medvedev vs. #6 A. Zverev (3:30 am ET)

Finals (This Weekend)

W: #2 A. Sabalenka vs. #12 Q. Zheng (Sat. 3:30 am ET)

M: #4 J. Sinner vs. TBD (Sun. TBD)

Read More

ATP: Sinner Surprise: Italian Dominates Djokovic to Reach 1st Grand Slam Final

Yahoo! Sports: Jannik Sinner Ends 10-Time Champion Novak Djokovic’s Unbeaten Streak in AUS Semifinals

  NBA  

The NBA All-Star Starters ⭐️

Image via NBA.com

All-Star Game Returns to East-West Format in 2024, LeBron James Sets Record With 20th Appearance

Back to the good ol’ days! The NBA’s upcoming All-Star Game format reverts back to the traditional East vs. West style. It’s been six years since the NBA used its East-West roster format, and I think fans have missed it. This year’s captains are no surprise. LeBron James captured his record-setting 20th All-Star appearance. He was previously tied with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19). Additional, LeBron and Giannis Antetokounmpo will be the captains once again. They both received the majority of the votes between fans, media and players. Here’s a look at the starters for the 73rd NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 18.

Eastern Conference Starters

Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL)

Joel Embiid (PHI)
Jayson Tatum (BOS)
Tyrese Haliburton (IND)

Damian Lillard (MIL)

Western Conference Starters

LeBron James (LAL)

Kevin Durant (PHX)
Nikola Jokic (DEN)

Luka Doncic (DAL)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC)

All-Star Announcement & Total Voting Results

*Reserves to be announced next Thursday (Feb. 1).

Read More

Clutch Points: Biggest 2024 NBA All-Star Game Starter Snubs

Yahoo! Sports: LeBron James’ Record-Setting 20th ASG Appearance Headlines Starters

  HIGHLIGHTS   🎥

🏒 NHL: Oilers’ Streak Watch Hits 15

Nearing history! The Oilers’ win streak hit 15 on Thursday night with a 3-0 victory over the Blackhawks. Connor McDavid (2 goals, 1 assist) had his stick on all three scoring plays, but Leon Draisaitl (3 assists) was the engine. Edmonton’s 15-game win streak brings them within two of the all-time NHL record held by the 1992-93 Penguins (17).

🏀 NCAAW: #1 South Carolina Escapes #9 LSU (76-70)

Still perfect! South Carolina went on the road to face Kim Mulkey, Angel Reese and the defending champs from LSU last night. It went down to the wire, but the Gamecocks got a huge 3 from Bree Hall that put South Carolina up 3 with a minute to play. Another bucket on the next position helped SC get out of Baton Rouge with a win and a still-perfect record (18-0).

⛳️ Golf: Matsuyama Dunks 1st Ace on PGA Tour

Hideki Matsuyama fell off the pace early in Round 2 of the Farmers Insurance, but a spin-it-back ace on the 8th was a nice takeaway. It was Matsuyama’s first career hole-in-one, and it kept him 1-under on the day (-7 overall). He’s mixed in a crowded field chasing Stephan Jäger (-12).

  NEWS   📰 

• Wizards Remove Head Coach Wes Unseld Jr. as Head Coach, Shift to Front Office Role (USA Today)
• Alabama Sophomore Nick Dunlap Accepts PGA Tour Spot After AmEx Title (ESPN)
• Former WWE Employee Accused Vince McMahon of Abuse & Sex Trafficking (CBS Sports)
• Spanish Soccer President Luis Rubiales Facing Trial for Kiss at Women’s World Cup (FOX Sports)

• Bills Stadium Worker Tells of Interaction & Big Tip From Taylor Swift (Yahoo! Sports)

  WEEKEND SCHEDULE   🗓️

The Weekend Must-Watch List

It's a weekend of championship recognition! We're crowning winners in the Australian Open and the NFC/AFC Championship Games. Plenty to rewind on Monday morning. We'll see you then!

🏈 NFL Playoffs (Championship Weekend)

AFC: Chiefs at Ravens (Sun. 3:00 pm, CBS)

NFC: Lions at 49ers (Sun. 6:30 pm, FOX)

🎾 Australian Open (Finals)

W: #2 A. Sabalenka vs. #12 Q. Zheng (Sat. 3:30 am ET)

M: #4 J. Sinner vs. TBD (Sun. TBD)

🏀 NBA

Suns at Pacers (Fri. 7:00 pm)

Heat at Knicks (Sat. 3:00 pm)

76ers at Nuggets (Sat. 5:30 pm)

Clippers at Celtics (Sat. 7:00 pm)

Lakers at Warriors (Sat. 8:30 pm)

Full NBA Schedule

🏒 NHL

Golden Knights at Rangers (Fri. 7:00 pm)

Kings at Avalanche (Fri. 9:00 pm)

Predators at Oilers (Sat. 4:00 pm)

Maple Leafs at Jets (Sat. 7:00 pm)

Full NHL Schedule

⚽️ Soccer

FA Cup: Tottenham vs. Man. City (Fri. 3:00 pm)

FA Cup: Fulham vs. Newcastle (Sat. 2:00 pm)

⛳️ PGA

Farmers Insurance Open (Today-Tomorrow)

🏀 NCAA Basketball

M: Kansas State at #4 Houston (12:00 pm)

M: Indiana at #10 Illinois (Sat. 3:00 pm)

M: Xavier at #1 UConn (Sun. 12:00 pm)

M: #2 Purdue at Rutgers (Sun. 1:00 pm)

W: #15 Notre Dame at #8 UConn (Sat. 8:00 pm)

W: Vanderbilt at #1 South Carolina (Sun. 3:00 pm)

*All Times ET

  THE TEAM  

Writer & Editor: Jeff Yoder

Lead Designer: Joe Stella

Assistant Writer: Marissa Kasch

Social Media: Aaron Yorke

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