This is For The Win’s daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Have feedback? Leave your questions, comments and concerns through this brief reader survey! Now, here’s Mike Sykes.
Good morning, Winners! Welcome back to the Morning Win. Thank you so much for reading today. We appreciate you.
You hate to see anyone ever lose their job to injury, but let’s be truthful. That’s probably what’s about to happen to Daniel Jones with the Giants.
We don’t know for sure yet, but the Gianits reportedly fear the worst with the knee injury the quarterback suffered against the Raiders. The team thinks its a torn ACL, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
#Giants QB Daniel Jones is feared to have suffered a significant knee injury, potentially a torn ACL based on the initial tests, per me and @MikeGarafolo. He’ll have an MRI to learn the full picture.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 6, 2023
You hate to see it. Especially after the offseason when he signed his $160 million extension. You at least want to give him a full season at this.
But let’s be honest. This season wasn’t going well for him and the Giants. Here’s a particularly incriminating stat from our Christian D’Andrea in his worst things column.
“Since a Week 2 win over the Arizona Cardinals, the Giants have five offensive touchdowns in seven games. Two have come from DeVito, which I suppose is encouraging since he appears to be the team’s QB1 going forward. Otherwise, uh, at least you’ve got Saquon Barkley for the rest of the year?
READ MORE: The best and worst of Week 9 so far from Christian D’Andrea
Daniel Jones’ performance was awful this season. The Giants are probably going to draft a quarterback in the offseason. They might not be bad enough to get the No. 1 pick for Caleb Williams, but Drake Maye might be an option. If not, New York can look to the later rounds for help at QB.
Regardless, Jones’ job isn’t going to be as secure as it is today when he gets back. That stinks. But there’s no way the Giants should be as bad as they are with him under center. A change is coming.
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Let’s try this again, James Harden. One more time.
James Harden is making his debut with a third team in three seasons tonight when he finally plays for the Los Angeles Clippers.
The guard forced his way out of Philadelphia because … well, honestly, I don’t know anymore?
Initially, he made it seem like Daryl Morey was the problem. He called him out for being a liar and was very clearly miffed by the fact that the 76ers didn’t immediately come to him with a max contract this offseason.
But now he’s riffing off of Jay-Z bars and telling people he’s not a system player he’s a system, player. Did you get that? I so hope you got that.
“I am not a system player. I am a system.”
Full comment from James Harden: pic.twitter.com/wWfLzgndlO
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) November 2, 2023
He seemed to have an issue with the role Philadelphia cast him in. He complained about coaching (despite Doc Rivers being fired) and a lack of leeway from the staff. It’s honestly confusing.
Honestly, though, it doesn’t matter what the problem was. The bottom line is this: Harden better perform at a high level here. His reputation stinks today.
Nobody can question Harden’s talent. But nobody cares about it anymore because he just keeps quitting on teams. Instead, we joke about how unserious he is.
Now is your chance to change that, James Harden. Please, get it done.
Is CJ Stroud the best rookie quarterback … ever?
I know, I know! Just hear us out. There are plenty of options to choose from. Cam Newton. Peyton Manning. The 2012 QB class. I get it.
But, y’all. CJ Stroud is breaking record after record after record that rookies are not supposed to be breaking here. Robert Zeglinski has more in his weekly NFL awards column.
“From the jump, Stroud has shown glimpses that he’s not only a serviceable starter but also a player with the potential to be one of the faces of the league. The young man isn’t even halfway through his rookie campaign and already has 14 touchdown passes and over 2,200 yards passing. He’s a gunner, a leader who elevates his teammates with his presence. These Texans have no business being 4-4, but Stroud won’t let them fade. As evidenced by his 46-second game-winning touchdown drive, he’s someone who is never shy of a clutch moment, too.
There will likely be more to come, but Stroud’s 470-yard, five-touchdown game against Tampa Bay in a 39-37 win will be remembered as one of the finest quarterback outings all year. “
None of that is hyperbole. He’s on pace to at least challenge Justin Herbert’s rookie record for passing touchdowns (31) and Andrew Luck’s record for passing yards (4,374).
The dude is out here making insane throws like this one with 14 seconds left on the clock, setting up another touchdown with six seconds to go in the game.
This throw and catch to set up the game-winning touchdown.
CJ Stroud 🤝 Tank Dell pic.twitter.com/58yhquLlHE
— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2023
The league better watch out, man. Stroud is coming.
READ MORE: Robert Zeglinski’s weekly awards column
Quick hits: The Raiders really hated Josh McDaniels … The Dolphins aren’t real … and more
— The Raiders were puffing on cigars after beating the big win over the Giants on Sunday. I couldn’t tell if it was because of the win or if it was because the dude they all hated was gone. Robert Zeglinski has more.
— Prince Grimes doesn’t think the Miami Dolphins will win a playoff game. While that’s harsh, I’m with him. The Phins ain’t real, y’all.
— Taylor Swift couldn’t make the Chiefs’ game on Sunday but she still showed her boy Trav some love. Isn’t that cute? Charles Curtis has more.
— Christian has you covered again with the grossest QB performances of Week 9 here. There were some stinkers, man.
— Jim Irsay needs to never dance again. It looked like he needed to go to the bathroom. Meghan Hall has more.
— Here’s the NFL draft order through nine weeks so far. The Giants better hope they climb to the top.
Thank you for reading, folks! We appreciate you. Have a great Monday and a fantastic rest of your week. Let’s chat again tomorrow. Until then, peace.
-Sykes ✌️
