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Defector

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers looks on against the Minnesota Wild in the third period at Xcel Energy Center on December 12, 2024 in St Paul, Minnesota. The Oilers defeated the Wild 7-1.

Crosswords

The Crossword, Jan. 13: You Don’t Mean That

Tom Ley

DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 02: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Denver Nuggets passes the ball to Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets in the first half at Ball Arena on November 2, 2024, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. 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.

Russell Westbrook Is Enjoying The Nikola Jokic School For Wayward Careers

Dave McKenna

The Doink Heard ’Round The Beltway

Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts after being sacked in the second half during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Houston, Texas.

The Texans Told Justin Herbert To Take A Seat

Consultant Mike Vrabel of the Cleveland Browns smiles on the field prior to an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field on November 21, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mike Vrabel Finds His Landing Spot

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 11: Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens stiff arms Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football wild card playoff game at M&amp;T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Ravens Ran ‘Em Over

Patrick Redford

TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 3: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic leaves the court following the NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on January 3, 2025 in Toronto, Canada.

Injury Luck Is All About Timing

Kathryn Xu

A little girl completes a jigsaw puzzle delivered to her by Santa Claus, 24th December 1938.

Life Lessons

It’s Puzzling Time

charismatic megafauna (they/them)

Sabrina Imbler

a silvery fish called a delta smelt in a litle cup

Politics

This Week In Maligned Little Fish

Ray Ratto

during the NFL week 10 match between the Jackson Jaguars and the Dallas Cowboys at Wembley Stadium on November 9, 2014 in London, England.

Why Does The NFL Hate London So Much?

Jen Ramos Eisen is a Central California- and Las Vegas-based baseball labor and economics reporter.

Jen Ramos Eisen

of Team Japan pitches during the 2023 World Baseball Classic Semifinal game against Team Mexico in 2023.

All Of MLB Is Chasing Roki Sasaki

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 09: Notre Dame Fighting Irish players celebrate following the Penn State Nittany Lions versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on January 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

College Football

Notre Dame Derangement Syndrome Is Real

David Roth

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin walks out of the tunnel before a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 15, 2024 in Philadelphia

Podcasts

Los Angeles Is A Football Town, With Diana Moskovitz

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Evan Mobley Is The Real Thing

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 Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after beating the Denver Broncos 30-24 in overtime at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Jamboroo

We Must Free Joe Burrow

Barry Petchesky

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 31: Tyler Bertuzzi #59 of the Chicago Blackhawks and Ryan Suter #22 of the St. Louis Blues look to the puck during the third period of the Discover NHL Winter Classic between the St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field on December 31, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

The NHL Has Given Up On New Year’s Day

Giri Nathan

An illustration of a tennis player holding a skull-shaped ball

Tennis

Has The Tennis Ball Gotten Worse?

UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) huddles up with her team during a women's basketball game against the Indiana Hoosiers on January 4, 2025, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana.

College Basketball

The Growing Pains Are Over For UCLA

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 7: Flames from the Palisades Fire burn a home on January 7, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)

Climate

The Future Of Fire Cannot Look Like Its Present

Bradley Beal And The Suns Are Stuck Heavin’ In Hell

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is seen on the bench during the second half of his NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat in San Francisco, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. The Heat defeated the Wariors 114-98.

There’s No Magic To Be Found In Golden State

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

Washington Crossing the Delaware but it's Joe Paterno

Becoming A Penn State Fan Again Means Remembering How To Hate Notre Dame

Head coach Antonio Pierce of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on against the Los Angeles Chargers during a home game in Week 17 of the 2024 season.

Antonio Pierce Got What Every Raiders Coach Gets

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 22: A general view of the DraftKings logo in the outfield during the Major League baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals on June 22, 2021 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphis, PA.

Gambling

DraftKings Determined To See How Much It Can Squeeze Out Of Problem Bettors

San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler and GM A.J. Preller pose for a photo at the home ballpark.