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Good morning! Throw it off the backboard right now.
Large Canine: Lamar Jackson’s inner strain
Tomorrow, we lastly get the massive canines. Baltimore and San Francisco, the highest seeds in every convention, loved a pleasant weekend of watching different groups sweat on TV. Now comes the flip.
For the groups that survived Wild Card weekend with a win, the playoffs have already been successful. The strain falls squarely on the highest seeds now, starting a journey wherein something in need of a Tremendous Bowl is failure.
Nobody takes that extra critically than Lamar Jackson, in keeping with a fantastic story from Jeff Zreibec right now.
In my head, this season’s story has been the about-face on Jackson in Baltimore. Simply weeks earlier than coaching camp, it seemed just like the group might commerce a younger celebrity QB due to wage calls for. Now they’re arguably the most effective group within the NFL. Nice story.
However right here’s what Lamar sees:
- The soon-to-be two-time MVP has a 1-3 postseason report. There have been chokes on the massive stage, together with a surprising loss to Tennessee after a 14-2 season in 2019.
- There was additionally the 17-3 stinker in Buffalo in 2020. Certain, situations had been dangerous and the Payments had been superior, however three factors? For this quarterback? Unacceptable, actually.
Within the story, Jackson comes off so … conscious. There’s a time in life while you’re nonetheless younger sufficient to do the bodily belongings you wish to do and you’ve got the expertise and wherewithal to know learn how to do them. Jackson feels like that proper now.
We neglect this man remains to be 27 years previous. He’s been a star within the league since he was 21.
Is a very powerful participant in these playoffs? I say sure. Let’s see how prepared he’s to proper his postseason report. It begins towards the Texans tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN (the Ravens are 9.5-point favorites). Full NFL weekend schedule right here.
Make certain to learn Jeff’s story earlier than kickoff, too.
Issues You Must See: Simply, how?
Hardly ever does an evening go by with out Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards doing one thing wild on the basketball courtroom. He did so once more final night time, however even by his requirements, this was foolish:
ANTHONY EDWARDS THREW IT OFF THE BACKBOARD TO HIMSELF 🔥
🎥 @Timberwolves pic.twitter.com/OAlmN7eekU
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 19, 2024
Sure, that’s an informal alley-oop off the backboard to himself, which got here in a 118-103 win towards the visiting Grizzlies. Edwards’ Wolves stay in first place.
Information to Know
That’s Invoice O’Brien’s music
Invoice O’Brien is the brand new offensive coordinator at Ohio State, a number of sources confirmed to The Athletic, a dramatic rent forward of a vital season in Columbus. The Buckeyes are on a three-game dropping streak to Michigan and clearly want an enormous swing. Is that this it? I’m certain sports activities radio callers will likely be furious, however O’Brien has the credentials, and he’ll have weapons to make use of. Ought to be enjoyable for the remainder of us both manner.
Palmer alleges fraud
Jim Palmer, Corridor of Fame pitcher, filed a lawsuit yesterday alleging a household pal, who stated he was a distinguished hair stylist, defrauded the Palmer household of almost $1 million. The story sounds frankly unhappy, because the defendant is accused of befriending Palmer’s autistic stepson to the purpose of changing into his guardian. Learn the total account right here.
Extra information
- Former Raptors heart Christian Koloko is coping with a career-threatening blood clot, a supply informed The Athletic. Unhappy story. See the small print right here.
- Canadian pole vaulter Shawn Barber died at simply 29 years previous. He had been in poor health for a while.
- The U.S. Division of Justice joined an antitrust lawsuit difficult the NCAA’s switch guidelines. The affect might be enormous.
Suggestions Loop: One other shocker!
I simply don’t have any sense of course on the subject of Jerry Jones’ choice to retain Mike McCarthy as head coach. I believed he was a goner after final Sunday’s playoff catastrophe. Fallacious. I then thought the general public would forcefully disagree with Dallas’ transfer in yesterday’s Pulse Ballot.
Fallacious once more, I suppose.
As you may see above, the outcomes had been extremely shut — with the Hold McCarthy crowd profitable the vote. I’m partially satisfied the Sure votes had been opposing NFC East followers attempting to tank the Cowboys.
To make myself really feel like I truly do have a way of the vibe, I talked with our Cowboys author, Jon Machota, who assured me native followers in Dallas are principally livid with the choice. Simply take a look at the outcomes of his ballot. That’s extra of what I anticipated.
Possibly it’s time to cease speaking in regards to the Cowboys for a bit.
Watch This Sport
NBA: Nuggets at Celtics
7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Everybody who says that is probably an NBA Finals preview shouldn’t be fallacious — these two have the best present odds of profitable all of it, per BetMGM. The bottom ticket worth to get in right here is $145 as of publication time. Ought to be enjoyable.
NCAAW: No. 5 UCLA at No. 3 Colorado
8 p.m. ET on Pac-12 Community
There’s a actual focus of energy throughout the Pac-12 proper now, with 4 convention groups within the prime eight of our newest girls’s faculty basketball energy rankings. Click on.
Pulse Picks
Victor Wembanyama has performed simply 35 video games within the NBA up to now. And but, to John Hollinger’s eye, his progress has been outstanding. Certain, we gawk quite a bit at his otherworldly highlights, however John notes one thing deeper than that right here. Find time for this one right now.
Ted Nguyen has a breakdown of a very powerful matchups in each NFC divisional video games. Ted is the most effective at this.
This yr will likely be Gary Sheffield’s final on the Corridor of Fame poll. He’s nonetheless defending himself — and his profession.
Dallas is a finalist to host the 2026 World Cup remaining. I believed this Q&A with Dan Hunt, who’s accountable for Dallas’ bid, was a fantastic primer on what’s at stake.
Jacob Markström has had a bounce-back season for the Flames … which is why he’s emerged as a commerce candidate. Julian McKenzie breaks down how Markström has returned to type.
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