Arena Football

CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

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

Australian Football

Better Hate An Owner

Bowling

Chess

Climbing

Cricket

Curling

Cycling

Darts

Death To The NCAA

Disc Sports

Gaelic Football

Gambling

Golf

High School Sports

Horse Racing

Hurling

Infinite Replay

Jamboroo

Lacrosse

Olympics

Parasports

Pro Softball

Pro Wrestling

Racing

Rugby

Running

Skateboarding

Soccer

Sports Highlight Of The Day

Tennis

The Fights

The Great Outdoors

Volleyball

Why Your Team Sucks

Wings Week

Sports

Ray Ratto

Deon Bush #26 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with teammates after an interception against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter in the AFC Championship Game .

Kansas City’s Defense Did The Real Work

<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

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 13: &lt;&gt; during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

All Right-Thinking Americans Agree: We’re Sick Of The Chiefs

Tom Ley

Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines reacts during warm-ups prior to the 2024 CFP National Championship game against the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium on January 08, 2024 in Houston, Texas.

Jim Harbaugh Faces Most Difficult Task Yet: Making The Chargers Interesting

Lauren Theisen

Josh Reynolds jumps into the stands after a touchdown catch

The Lions Are The Only Choice Left

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 21: 1 #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after scoring a 22 yard touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 21, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Chiefs Are The NFL’s Traveling Circus

Israel Daramola

Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens wears a "Top 10" chain as he walks off of the field after an NFL Divisional Round playoff game against the Houston Texans at M&amp;T Bank Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Lamar Jackson And The Ravens Cleared A Few Things Up

Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass during the first half against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Playoffs at Levi's Stadium on January 20, 2024 in Santa Clara, California.

That’s Exactly Why Brock Purdy Drives People Insane

David Roth

Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy seeming to look side-eyed at The Distraction logo at upper left, in a photo taken before the team's Wild Card loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Podcasts

There Is Some Crying In Football, With Ray Ratto

That's what Paul Brown, new mentor of Ohio State University's buckeyes, probably is telling his charges as he outlines one of his pet plays. Brown was former grid coach at Massillon, Ohio, High School, Here his teams won national recognition. His Buckeyes play Missouri here on Sept. 27.

I Am The Coach Now

Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys looks on from the field prior to an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers at AT&amp;T Stadium on January 14, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.

Mike McCarthy Must Be Doing Something Right

<div>Nate Jackson is a former NFL tight end and author of <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/slow-getting-up-a-story-of-nfl-survival-from-the-bottom-of-the-pile-nate-jackson/6430451?gclid=Cj0KCQjwpc-oBhCGARIsAH6ote9JzWMngZDpSjF2eoL1_JlyPm2QhDfkNgOzqvaB4n9ic0qqUNQ4iCwaAsasEALw_wcB"><em>Slow Getting Up</em></a>. He lives in Denver.</div>
<div></div>


Nate Jackson

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, CO - OCTOBER 13: Former Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan poses for a portrait at his home on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. Shanahan, who won back to back Super Bowls as Denver’s head coach in the 1990s, will be inducted into the team’s ring of fame during the Broncos’ matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

In Search Of The Shanahan Offense


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


Dan McQuade

We Must Stop The Phrase “Super Wild Card Weekend” Before It Spreads

Damontae Kazee fails to tackle Josh Allen

The Steelers Let It Not-Slide Away

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 15: Darius Slay #2 of the Philadelphia Eagles is carted off the field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida.

I Told You So

A Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan holds a sign that reads, "Cry Eagles Cry!!!" during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida.

The Eagles Saved Their Biggest Humiliation For Last

Jared Goff walks off the field after the conclusion of the Rams-Lions game

Thank God

Samer Kalaf

Head coach Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys watches action during the second half of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Green Bay Packers

It’s Time To Make Fun Of The Bamboozling Disgrace That Is The Dallas Cowboys

A view of an ESPN Monday Night Football logo on a TV camera.

Journalismism

If The NFL Buys A Stake In ESPN, Expect More Ass-Kissing

Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs has a cracked helmet during Saturday's playoff game against the Dolphins.

Have You Heard? It Was Cold In Kansas City

Christian Harris drags Joe Flacco to the ground in the Browns-Texans wild card game.

The Texans Send Joe Flacco Back To His Couch

Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings looks to throw a pass against the Green Bay Packers in the second half at Lambeau Field on October 29, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Kirk Cousins Has To Go

Tua Tagovailoa makes a semi-Jim Face during warm-ups before the Dolphins' Week 18 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Pantsless On New Year’s Eve, With Rohan Nadkarni

Luis Paez-Pumar

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick announces he is leaving the team during a press conference at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on January 11, 2024.

Bill Belichick Exits As He Entered: As A Bore Who Never Won Without Tom Brady

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, left, along with running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs and teammates react after defensive tackle Chris Jones (not pictured) of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after sacking quarterback Easton Stick (not pictured) of the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, January 7, 2024.

This Postseason, Root For The Money

Bill Belichick talks with Tom Brady before a game

NFL