defector-orange-no-empty-space

lede_post_card_default

lede_post_card_stacked

lede_post_card_featured_post

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero

lede_post_card_featured_posts_sidebar

lede_post_card_highlighted_post

lede_post_card_horizontal_a

lede_post_card_horizontal_c

lede_post_card_related_post

lede_article_featured_16x9

lede_article_featured_3x2

lede_article_featured_flexible

lede_article_content

lede_article_content_wide_width

lede_article_content_full_width

lede_byline_avatar_post_card

lede_byline_avatar_highlight

lede_profile_coral_avatar

lede_logo

lede_logo_banner

lede_logo_footer_banner

lede_logo_simple_header

lede_sponsorship_logo

lede_sponsorship_logo_river_card

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card_logo

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card

Footer Legal

Header - Categories

Header Menu

The last good website.

Topics

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-no-empty-space

Defector

Enter Our Raffle To Win A Visit And Home-Cooked Meal From Drew Magary

let-drew-cook-final

tip jar sweepstakes

<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>


drewkid-1-e1599592436888

Drew Magary

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

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Detroit Lions

<div dir="ltr">Victoria Zeller is a writer and reformed podcaster from Buffalo, New York. Her debut novel, <i>One of the Boys,</i> is forthcoming.</div>
<div class="yj6qo ajU"></div>


photo for defector

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

IMG_3819

Tom Ley

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)

Chicago Bears v Green Bay Packers

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)

NFC Wild Card Playoffs – Philadelphia Eagles v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Philadelphia Eagles

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel enters the field prior to a preseason game against the Washington Commanders at Hard Rock Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)

Washington Commanders v Miami Dolphins

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Miami Dolphins

Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws an incomplete pass as he is taken to the ground by Greg Rousseau #50 of the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter during the preseason game at Acrisure Stadium on August 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Buffalo Bills v Pittsburgh Steelers

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Pittsburgh Steelers

Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams walks off the field during a joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys at River Ridge Playing Fields on August 14, 2024 in Oxnard, California.

Los Angeles Rams & Dallas Cowboys Joint Practice

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Los Angeles Rams

IMG-0043

Sarah York

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks toward the sideline during the preseason game against the against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Cincinnati Bengals on August 10, 2024, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.

NFL: AUG 10 Preseason Buccaneers at Bengals

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Cincinnati Bengals

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Linebacker Lavonte David (54) eyes Jacksonville Jaguars Quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) and then David wraps up Lawrence for the sack during the regular season game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 24, 2023 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

NFL: DEC 24 Jaguars at Buccaneers

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Jacksonville Jaguars

iAZrsXUb_400x400

Rohan Nadkarni

Head coach Mike Macdonald of the Seattle Seahawks watches a workout during Seattle Seahawks rookie minicamp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center on May 03, 2024 in Renton, Washington.

Seattle Seahawks Rookie Minicamp

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Seattle Seahawks

Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) looks on during the NFL Preseason game between the Denver Broncos and the Indianapolis Colts on August 11, 2024, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

NFL: AUG 11 Preseason Broncos at Colts

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Indianapolis Colts

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - MAY 28: Jamaal Williams #21 of the New Orleans Saints attends the OTA Offseason Workout at the New Orleans Saints Practice facility on May 28, 2024 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

New Orleans Saints OTA Offseason Workout

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: New Orleans Saints

ratto-ray_400x400

Ray Ratto

Owner and managing general partner Mark Davis of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on before his team play against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on December 14, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Los Angeles Chargers v Las Vegas Raiders

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Las Vegas Raiders

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 12: Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton walks out of the tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on October 12, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Denver Broncos v Kansas City Chiefs

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Denver Broncos

EAGAN, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 02: Aaron Jones #33 interacts with Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings during training camp on August 02, 2024 in Eagan, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Minnesota Vikings Training Camp

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Minnesota Vikings

FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 21: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets speaks to the media during the New York Jets OTA Offseason Workout at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on May 21, 2024 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

New York Jets OTA Offseason Workout

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: New York Jets

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 01: Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams (18) stretches during warmups for a National Football League preseason game between the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans on August 1, 2024 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, OH. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

NFL: AUG 01 Hall of Fame Game – Bears vs Texans

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Chicago Bears

FLOWERY BRANCH, GEORGIA - MAY 14: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons speaks to the media during OTA offseason workouts at the Atlanta Falcons training facility on May 14, 2024 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Atlanta Falcons OTA Offseason Workout

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Atlanta Falcons

<div dir="ltr">
<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>
</div>


Mike Tanier

Will Levis #8 of the Tennessee Titans signs autographs before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Nashville, Tennessee at Nissan Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Houston, Texas. The Titans defeated the Jaguars 28-20.

Jacksonville Jaguars v Houston Texans

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Tennessee Titans

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 06: (L-R) Daniel Jones #8 and head coach Brian Daboll of the New York Giants during New York Giants OTA Offseason Workouts at NY Giants Quest Diagnostics Training Center on June 06, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

New York Giants OTA Offseason Workouts

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: New York Giants

COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers at the podium before an NFL football practice at Hoag Performance Center on June 13, 2024 in Costa Mesa, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)