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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

<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

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

Ray Ratto

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

Lauren Theisen

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

Tom Ley

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

Tom Brady’s Old Coach To Leave Patriots

Media Meltdowns

ESPN’s Paying How Much For This?

Split image of Rich Kotite and Nick Sirianni

Nick Sirianni’s Eagles Are So Bad They Remind Me Of Rich Kotite

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 07: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks during a press conference after a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)

The Belichick Vigil Starts Now

Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith reacts following the conclusion of the NFL game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Atlanta Falcons on December 24th, 2023 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.

Arthur Smith Left His Job Red And Mad

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


Chris Thompson

Magic Johnson and Josh Harris watch the Commanders play football.

Commanders Assemble Funky Advisory Committee To Fix Team

<p>Hamilton Nolan is a journalist based in New York City. Subscribe to his work at <a href="https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1687350200913000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0naFbUVOe-5ZgtPDtIM3gz">HamiltonNolan.com</a>.</p>


Hamilton Nolan

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 07: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs off the field during halftime against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Jaguars Junction: Week 18

Israel Daramola

Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets looks on from the sideline prior to an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on November 24, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

NFL