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Good morning! You’re my MVP.
While You Were Sleeping: Wait, Drake Maye could actually win MVP
The game itself was largely uneventful. The AFC-leading Patriots — I’m still getting used to that — handled the cellar-dwelling Jets, 27-14, last night. New England (9-2) has won eight straight games and is the heavy favorite to earn the conference’s No. 1 seed, per our playoff simulator.
Two facets to that incredible reality:
Did anyone expect Mike Vrabel’s first year in charge to go this well? Let’s remember last season, a 4-13 trainwreck that saw Drake Maye emerge at quarterback while everything else, including coach Jerod Mayo, crumbled around him. It was the Pats’ third straight losing season and second straight 4-13 campaign, the first of which ushered Bill Belichick out the door. We expected a more competent team this year, but not this.
It is largely due to Maye. The second-year player has been invaluable, to the point where he’s not even putting up flashy numbers every game, but the team continues to dominate. He went 25-of-34 last night for 281 yards and a touchdown. But the 23-year-old was just in total control, a seasoned veteran leading a juggernaut to a routine win. He’s completing 71.9 percent of his passes this year and has just five interceptions to go with his 20 touchdowns. That’s MVP stuff.
Last two players to win MVPs in their second seasons? Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes. According to BetMGM, Maye (+260) barely trails Matthew Stafford (+250) in the MVP contest. It’s a two-man race for now.
Let’s move on to some other MVPs:
News to Know
Daniel Shirey / MLB Photos via Getty Images
Judge, Ohtani win historic MVPs
Aaron Judge won a close vote for AL MVP over Cal Raleigh to win the award for the third time, an incredible benchmark. As Brendan Kuty detailed, every player with three MVPs is either in the Hall of Fame, not eligible yet or connected to steroid use. Translation: Judge probably just made the Hall of Fame. Pretty cool to watch in real time, with apologies to Big Dumper.
Judge is worthy of the highest earthly praise. On another planet, however, Shohei Ohtani — winner of this year’s NL MVP, unanimously — now has this trophy room in just eight MLB seasons: four MVPs, five All-Star appearances, one Rookie of the Year award and an appearance on the Cy Young ballot in 2022. It’s difficult to describe his dominance at this point.
CFP chair steps away
College Football Playoff committee chairman Mack Rhoades is stepping down from the position and taking a leave of absence from his role as Baylor athletic director, the school said yesterday. This comes three weeks before Selection Sunday and one week after Rhoades was investigated for a sideline incident involving a football coach and player, though Baylor denies this leave is connected to the investigation. See more here.
More news
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The Good Bets: Let’s … rationalize?
At this point, I’m planning some sort of mea culpa or overarching commentary on betting at the end of the season due to our poor performance. One full parlay hit will change our tune, which is probably unhealthy.
Anyway. Picks, with odds via BetMGM:
1. Texas and Georgia OVER 49.5
I’ve strayed from the bigger games thus far, but not here. Texas’ offense has improved. Georgia’s defense is still meh. Points, please. Austin Mock agrees, by the way.
2. Arkansas at LSU OVER 57.5
Go with what you know, right? LSU’s offense will be better this week, I think, while Arkansas’ established attack averages 35.4 points a game. More points, please.
3. Alabama (-6) vs. Oklahoma
Dan Santaromita keeps it simple: “I got burned picking a bad game last week, so let’s pick the best game this week and go with Kalen DeBoer against a ranked team at home.”
4. Jaguars (+3) vs. Chargers
Hannah Vanbiber throws a Hail Mary: “Sure the Jags are slumping now, but remember when they beat the Chiefs!? (I do because the Chiefs were my pick that week …)”
5. Reader bet: Rams (-3) vs. Seahawks
This beat out the South Carolina line (+19.5 vs. Texas A&M) by two votes, which I now consider a sign from the gods to avoid due to this margin.
Pulse parlay to win all five bets (+2383):
Wager: $10
To win: $238.34
Pulse tally so far: -$1,190. I don’t even know what to say.
What to Watch
📺 NCAAF: Clemson at No. 20 Louisville
7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
The Tigers’ hopes are long gone at 4-5, but I’m fully expecting the Cardinals to be on upset alert here. Clemson has the talent to pull this off, and Louisville has flaws. This is a great Friday selection.
📺 NBA: Warriors at Spurs
9:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video
If this is anything like Wednesday’s game, we’re in for a treat. Also, watch Victor Wembanyama any chance you get.
Get tickets to games like these here.
Pulse Picks
I was struck by this list of the NBA’s key off-court moments of the 21st century, compiled by our NBA staff. Kobe Bryant, The Decision, the Process and so much more. Great read this morning.
So many NHL players play with missing teeth. These people have money. Fluto Shinzawa asks the important question: Why don’t they fix them?
Necessary midseason NFL reading: Mike Sando’s look at every team’s QB future. Can’t wait to see what Daniel Jones gets this offseason.
It has been 10 years since the Stade de France terrorist attacks. The reflections from survivors a decade later are both haunting and engrossing. Make time for this.
Do we want College Football Playoff chaos? I vote yes. Austin Mock provided scenarios.
Also chaotic in the college football space, particularly the Big Ten: a simmering disagreement over private equity. The phrase “payday loan” gets thrown around there. Gulp.
Earlier this week, Zack Meisel did some important reporting on the brewing Guardians betting scandal. While team officials have publicly shrugged, there is fury behind closed doors in Cleveland.
Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: Andrew Marchand’s report on the YouTube TV/ESPN momentum.
Most-read on the website yesterday: Patriots-Jets live blog.