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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

David Roth

ia Eagles carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, at SoFi Stadium on November 24, 2024.

Everything Is Working For Saquon Barkley


<p>charismatic megafauna (they/them)</p>


Sabrina Imbler

A gif of a green fruit that looks like a cucumber shooting out many small wet seeds.

Science

The Secret Lives Of Squirting Cucumbers

Giri Nathan

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Crypto.com Arena on November 23, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

How Can He Slap?

Patrick Redford

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 23: Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic reacts during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Kia Center on November 23, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)

The Orlando Magic Are Just That

<p>Libby Watson is a writer, <a href="https://www.twitch.tv/libtron">streamer</a> and <a href="https://www.patreon.com/whatsallthisthen">podcaster</a>.</p>


Libby Watson

A roasted and sliced turkey breast with the Chefector badge of a cartoon chef eating a gigantic burger.

Perfectly Fine Dinner Party Club

The Case For Thanksgiving II

Ray Ratto

Tommy DeVito of the New York Giants looks pained while warming up before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on November 24, 2024.

New York Giants On New York Giants: “That’s Ass”

Lauren Theisen

Dallas Cowboys Jalen Brooks, left, celebrates Washington Commanders place kicker Austin Seibert (3) missed extra point

The Commanders Really Blew That One

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Las Vegas center A'ja Wilson (22) shoots a three-pointer during the WNBA game between the Las Vegas Aces and the Atlanta Dream on July 12th, 2024 at the Gateway Arena in College Park, GA.

Crosswords

The Crossword, Nov. 25: Party Hat (Themeless)

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<div class="p-rich_text_section">Tom Scocca is the editor of <a href="http://indignity.net">Indignity</a>, a subscription-supported newsletter of news, essays, and commentary.</div>
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Tom Scocca

The U.S. Supreme Court building with the low afternoon sun behind it and a pedestrian in the foreground.

Margin Of Error

Lapse Of Judgment

Luis Paez-Pumar

James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 1st goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.

Soccer

Tottenham Is As Dangerous As Anyone, When It Wants To Be

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<div>Abigail Segel is a contributing writer at Defector. She is also an editor for The IX Soccer and the Equalizer. Her work has been published in the Guardian and the Montreal Gazette.</div>
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Abigail Segel

Marta #10 of the Orlando Pride celebrates after the Pride defeated the Washington Spirit 1-0 to win the NWSL 2024 Championship Game at CPKC Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Orlando Runs Away With The NWSL, And The Rest Will Have To Catch Up

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19</p>


Chris Thompson

Max Verstappen celebrates his championship on the shoulders of teammates.

Racing

Max Verstappen Is Champion Once Again

Zion Williamson Is Back In The Shop

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 17: Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves interacts with Rudy Gobert #27 in the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Target Center on November 17, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Suns 120-117. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Rudy Gobert Found A New Guy To Annoy

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards walks off the court after the game. Edwards led all scorers with a career high 51 points.

Sure, Go Ahead And Try To Fix The NBA All-Star Game

View of a wrestling ring during a tag team match at White Eagle Hall

Pro Wrestling

Deadlock Pro-Wrestling Is As Fun As It Is Fragile

Ben Tippett

12 February 2024, Schleswig-Holstein, Wangels: Chess: Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge, chess tournament based on the Chess960 variant, quarter-finals, at the Weissenhaus Private Nature Luxury Resort. Ding Liren (China) in action. Photo: Marcus Brandt/dpa

Chess

The Clouds Have Gathered Over The World Chess Championship

Billy Haisley

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is playing during the UEFA Nations League 2024 League B Group B1 match between Ukraine and Georgia , at the Poznan Arena in Poznan, Poland, on October 11, 2024.

Even A Little Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Goes A Long Way

The Pittsburgh Steelers line up against the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter in the game at Huntington Bank Field on November 21, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Steelers-Browns Was A Miserable And Majestic Classic Of Bad-Weather Football

Barry Petchesky

'With a Turned Thumb', (Pollice Verso), 1872. A victorious Roman gladiator awaiting the verdict of the Emperor. After the painting by Jean-Leon Gerome. (Photo by The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images)

Overexplained Lists

Gladiators, Ranked

Rachelle Hampton

Wicked co-stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande stand on a red carpet. Grande holds Erivo's hand to her mouth.

Arts And Culture

When Will The ‘Wicked’ Press Campaign End?

Kelsey McKinney

The Harvest Moon rises over the U.S. Capitol dome in 2022.

Politics

The American Nightmare Is A Rerun

A traveler is reflected in a pane of glass with a paper snowman behind it during travel on Christmas Day at Frankfurt Airport.

Podcasts

Emergency Christmas Protocols And Underwater Hotels, With Sabrina Imbler

<p>Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


Drew Magary

Jamboroo

I Am The Passenger Now

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 18: Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States celebrates scoring during the first half against Jamaica leg two of the 2024 Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinals at Citypark on November 18, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri.