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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.

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Defector

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Ray Ratto

Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts is sacked by Danielle Hunter #55 of the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Houston, Texas.

Indianapolis Colts v Houston Texans

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: Indianapolis Colts

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<p>Mike Tanier has covered the NFL for 20 years for Football Outsiders, the New York Times, The Messenger, Bleacher Report, Sports on Earth, and other ancient empires. He&#8217;s a co-author of Aaron Schatz&#8217;s FTN Football Almanac and the author of the Y/A novel for grownups <i>Long Snapper&#8217;s Blues. </i>He lives off Exit 3 of the New Jersey Turnpike with his long-suffering wife, two sons and a 70-pound American Bully named Frank the Tank. <span style="font-weight: 400">His new Substack, <a href="https://miketanier.substack.com/">Too Deep Zone</a>, has officially launched.</span></p>
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Mike Tanier

Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins speaks to the media after losing to the Green Bay Packers 30-17 at Lambeau Field on November 28, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Miami Dolphins v Green Bay Packers

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: Miami Dolphins

<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>


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Drew Magary

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones speaks to reporters during the team's training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields on July 25, 2024 in Oxnard, CA.

NFL: JUL 25 Cowboys Training Camp

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: Dallas Cowboys

Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers calls a play in a huddle with teammates during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida.

San Francisco 49ers v Miami Dolphins

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: San Francisco 49ers

Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears throws a pass while being tackled by Edgerrin Cooper #56 of the Green Bay Packers in the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field on January 05, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Chicago Bears v Green Bay Packers

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: Chicago Bears

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JULY 24: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints runs during a training camp practice at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on July 24, 2025 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images)

New Orleans Saints Training Camp

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: New Orleans Saints

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Tom Ley

Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers makes a call from the line of scrimmage during the first half of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Dallas Cowboys v Carolina Panthers

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: Carolina Panthers

Brick Johnson, Jack Johnson, Robert Kraft, Suzanne Johnson and Woody Johnson attend the New England Patriots vs. the New York Jets game at Met Life Stadium on September 19, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Celebrities Attend The New England Patriots At The New York Jets Game

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: New York Jets

Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders practices during the team's training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Health Performance Center on July 28, 2025 in Henderson, Nevada.

Las Vegas Raiders Training Camp

Why Your Team Sucks: Las Vegas Raiders

Liam Coen, new Head Coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, reacts as he is introduced to the media at the Miller Electric Center on January 27, 2025 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Jacksonville Jaguars Introduce Liam Coen as New Head Coach

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: Jacksonville Jaguars

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Samer Kalaf

New England Patriots QB Drake Maye is sacked by Los Angeles Rams DT Braden Fiske and fumbles the ball in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium.

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Why Your Team Sucks 2025: New England Patriots

Russell Wilson #3 of the New York Giants gestures to his teammates during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on July 23, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

New York Giants Training Camp

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: New York Giants

Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns looks on after Cleveland Browns mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 11, 2025 in Berea, Ohio. (

Cleveland Browns Mandatory Minicamp

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: Cleveland Browns

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan reacts against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Landover, Maryland.

Tennessee Titans v Washington Commanders

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: Tennessee Titans

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 13: Head coach Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs talk prior to a preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on August 13, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Kansas City Chiefs v Chicago Bears

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Kansas City Chiefs

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 15: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after beating the Seattle Seahawks 21-13 at Lumen Field on December 15, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

San Francisco 49ers v Seattle Seahawks

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: San Francisco 49ers

Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on from the sideline during the national anthem prior to the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at M&amp;T Bank Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.

AFC Championship – Kansas City Chiefs v Baltimore Ravens

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Baltimore Ravens

Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions looks down prior to the NFC Championship NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on January 28, 2024 in Santa Clara, California.

NFC Championship – Detroit Lions v San Francisco 49ers

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Detroit Lions

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<div>Victoria Zeller is a trans writer born and raised in Buffalo, New York, where she still proudly resides. Her debut novel, <i><a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/one-of-the-boys-victoria-zeller/21775251" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bookshop.org/p/books/one-of-the-boys-victoria-zeller/21775251&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1735306610555000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0sXpgNMmxpIwmIZOFd-Pnw">One of the Boys</a></i>, is out now. Her personal website can be found <a href="http://victoria.monster/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://victoria.monster&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1735306610555000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0PrZ7PkO1IykxAodWoMLI_">here</a>.</div>
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Victoria Zeller

Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills warms up prior to a preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Highmark Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. The Bears won 33-6.

Chicago Bears v Buffalo Bills

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Buffalo Bills

HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 24: Cal McNair of the Houston Texans walks off the field during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at NRG Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Rams v Houston Texans

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Houston Texans

Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks to pass in the first half during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2024 in Tampa, Florida.

Miami Dolphins v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 07: Green Bay Packers fan looks on during the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on January 07, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Green Bay Packers

INGLEWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talk on the field during an NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Chargers on September 19, 2021, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire)

NFL: SEP 19 Cowboys at Chargers

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Dallas Cowboys

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 17: Fans look on prior to a game between the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Chicago Bears v Cleveland Browns

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Cleveland Browns

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 15: Head coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to the NFC Wild Card Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)