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The Packers are the NFL’s dark contender, plus a funny typo

Posted on by Taylor Reeves
The Packers are the NFL’s dark contender, plus a funny typo

The Pulse newsletterđź“Ł | This is The Athletic’s daily sports newsletter. Register here to get The Pulse straight to your inbox.

Good morning! I hope that our negotiations never stall.

While you were sleeping: Also pay attention to the Packers

Is it possible to be both 11-4 and underrated? I’m not sure, but the Packers have a case. After my Saints’ 34-0 loss last night (sigh), let’s just look at a few facts:

  • Green Bay has won five of six and is arguably the hottest team in the NFL. With this win, the Pack secured a spot in the playoffs.
  • They have the misfortune of playing in one of the best divisions in NFL history. Three teams – Green Bay, Detroit (13-2) and Minnesota (13-2) – have 11 or more wins. Crazy people.
  • Green Bay’s only losses this year: Lions (twice), Vikings and Eagles (12-3), also known as the NFL’s elite.

Yes, the Saints have a depleted roster and an interim coach. But this from the Packers might have been one of the five most impressive performances in the league this year. We give Green Bay the honorary title of “Team No One Wants to See in the Playoffs.” Merry Christmas.

The Packers still have games left against Minnesota and Chicago this season, with a lot to prove in terms of looks. The full playoff picture can be found here.

Things you must see: Fresno State’s new nickname

Most bowl games offer us unexpected artistic beauty. Yesterday’s “Famous Idaho Potato Bowl” brought us this, via an unfortunate but hilarious ESPN graphic typo:

Bull dongs. That’s it. Let’s continue:

Interesting facts

Embiid was ejected
Sixers center Joel Embiid was sent off in Philadelphia’s 111-106 win over San Antonio after being called for tackling, leaving the 2023 MVP in turmoil. Embiid towered over referee Jennifer Schroeder after the whistle and had to be restrained. See our report here.

Astros GM talks about Bregman
As Houston and former franchise cornerstone Alex Bregman head toward an apparent separation, Astros general manager Dana Brown said negotiations have “stalled” with the third baseman, who reportedly received a six-year, 156-year offer from the team received millions of US dollars. Our forecast for Bregman was seven years and $189 million. The 30-year-old has spent his entire nine-year career in Houston, including two World Series titles. Read Brown’s full comments here.

More news

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Happy GIFmas: We have GIFs for you again, just different

Last year, The Pulse started a GIFmas tradition where we shared our favorite moving images of the year. In 2024 we will do something different.

I asked a group of our newsletter writers to write a vacation wish for their respective sport in 2025. I then assigned that wish to another writer in the group who was supposed to secretly deliver a gift in GIF form.

We do this all week. Similar to your favorite streaming show, let’s start with two wishes answered:

Wish #1: Jacob Robinson, Scoop City

đź“ť For the Bengals to field a defense that is league average. Is that asking too much? Probably.

From Zach Harper:

It could be.

Wish No. 2: Phil Hay, Athletic FC

đź“ť My wish for the humble game of soccer (aside from continuing to call it soccer if you want): that someone throws the Ring of Power into Mount Doom, reducing FIFA’s influence over the Empire. In football, the self-interest of the world association is slandered and I see no apparent benefit from it.

From Jacob:

Who will play a Frodo-like character and throw the source of FIFA’s domination of the football world into the fire? I don’t know, but it will undoubtedly be a lonely journey, requiring courage, luck and a lack of self-interest. A Gandalf-like figure would help!

I hope your GIFmas week is off to a good start. We’ll have more tomorrow.

Watch and play

đź“ş CFB: South Florida vs. San Jose State
8 p.m. ET on ESPN
Tonight our main event is the Hawai’i Bowl, which sounds like the most fun non-playoff bowl event. Both teams have been decidedly mediocre this year, but that doesn’t matter in bowl season. I hope for entertainment.

📺 Film: “Kevin – Home Alone”
8 p.m. ET on ABC
There’s really nothing else tonight. When the bowl game goes wrong (or you need a break from sports), watch one of our best holiday movies. There are a lot of people at The Pulse.

Get tickets to games Here.

Pulse picks

There are stories that stop you in your tracks. This is a beautiful, heartbreaking, angry and inspiring story from Jacob Whitehead and Jessica Hopkins all at once Cycling prodigy Muriel Furrer – gone too soon. Take the time to do it today.

Donovan Mitchellboth an NBA superstar and a walking trader rumor told The athleteis Tony Jones in an exclusive interview how he finally found peace. It helps to have the best record in the NBA.

We’re still waiting for it saberbut it’s hard to ignore. Matthew Fairburn has great insight into the development of this team From playoff hopeful to lottery team in a month.

Jeff Rueter has a strong column on the topic Netflix Deal to broadcast the Women’s World Cupwhat he argues reeks of American football’s pernicious pay-to-play model.

Allow me to take a look outside of sports: This New York Times story about Katie, the dog, New York’s most prolific Pied Pipertickled me.

Most clicked on in the newsletter yesterday: Our nice feature about Howie LongNFL legend and great human being.

Most read on the site yesterday: Mike Sando’s “Pick Six” column, which fits in cleverly what the Vikings should do with Sam Darnold this offseason.

(Top photo: Jeff Hanisch / Getty Images)

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