EDITOR’S NOTE
My, how the mighty in football have fallen. The Chiefs really couldn’t be having a worse season — just ask sad Travis. This embarrassingly loud field goal doink from their latest matchup also captured the mood. They’re not alone: The Eagles aren’t exactly flying high either, though I’m still sending love to QB Jalen Hurts, who I know will make the right kind of history soon. At least my Packers pulled out a win over the Bears. Sorry, Simone Biles — but hey, your road trip to Green Bay was fun, right? To wrap this NFL roundup, you have to watch this Bengals player’s hilarious hot-mic moment on the sideline — as a Wisconsin girl, I share the same thoughts. Now, let’s get to the rest of the sports headlines…
— Maria Corpus / Editor / Madison, WI
Let's Discuss
Milan's Olympic Sprint to the Finish
What's going on: The Olympic flame is officially on the move, winding its way through Italy before the Milan Cortina Winter Games kick off on February 4. On paper, the Games have everything you’d want: 16 sports across multiple picturesque regions. But in reality, organizers are currently midslalom and racing to beat the clock. Construction on the main hockey arena still isn’t finished. And the rink? According to The Athletic, it’s smaller than NHL regulation, which initially raised concerns NHL players could miss the games. Oh puck. With around two-thirds of the roughly 1.5 million tickets sold, organizers still have seats — and buzz — to sell. Thankfully, Ralph Lauren hit his deadline and delivered Team USA ceremony fits worthy of the podium.
Our take: The Milan Games will be a far cry from the last pandemic-era Winter Olympics, with fans back in full force. And there are plenty of US athletes to cheer on (from the couch), starting with snowboarder Chloe Kim, who’s already made Olympic history. Skier Mikaela Shiffrin’s chasing more records. And Lindsey Vonn? She’s aiming for a comeback at 41. The sidelines are stacked too, with hype men like Flavor Flav and Jon Hamm — plus Stanley Tucci promises to bring some culinary flair. If Italy musters even half the energy it did in Turin 2006, we’re in for a show. Now, here’s hoping we all get the hockey action we deserve.
Related: The Olympic Mascots Are as Cute as Can Be — But What Are They? (Olympics)
Pick Six
More sports talkers you don't want to miss.
📸 Only Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner could make a movie about table tennis look this glam. At least it’s not the windbreaker...
🤔 Can a 44-year-old former quarterback and grandfather save an NFL team on the brink of collapse? We might be about to find out.
👏 Venus Williams’s latest serve isn’t about tennis — but we’ll take it. Anna Wintour, meet your match.
👀 The best-dressed of 2025 just dropped...and we spot several of our favorite athletes.
🏀 UConn just gave Sue Bird the ultimate honor — and we haven’t recovered from the emotional ceremony.
🏈 Selena Gomez’s first Chiefs game with Taylor Swift didn’t go as planned. Her reaction says it all.
Timeout...
Caroline Hendershot, cohost of Well Played and NY Jets reporter, answers viewers’ questions.
WTF is going on with the College Football Playoff?
On Sunday, the College Football Playoff bracket dropped — and it caused quite the commotion. The current system guarantees spots for five conference champs, forcing a committee to select the rest of the other seven schools that’ll compete in the playoffs. Many expected Notre Dame (10-2) to make it. Instead, Miami — which consistently ranked lower than Notre Dame in the AP polls throughout the season — got the bid. Why? Miami beat the Fighting Irish in Week 1. Call it a petty move, but Notre Dame is now opting out of playing a bowl game. The drama has put a spotlight on the CFP format and fueled calls to overhaul the rules.
Related: This Team Just Shocked the Entire College Football Universe (WSJ)
Put Us in, Coach
On this week’s episode of our sports and culture podcast Well Played, cohosts Blake and Caroline discuss:
The ballroom breakup rumor dominating the discourse. And yes, she says that DM was fake.
Which team is serving peak Regina George energy, minus the Burn Book.
Why fans dubbed this face-off the “pookie bowl.”
Plus, Amanda Anisimova stops by to chat about going pro at 15, and the unexpected movie that gets her in the holiday spirit.
Just Trust Us
Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…
Meet the chic windbreaker that our shopping and sports editors can’t stop talking about.
Personal trainers are expensive. Thankfully, this app helps you track your daily habits, meal intakes, and exercises to help you reach your goals — at under $50 a year.
We don’t have to remind you that the holidays are around the corner. But we do have an obligation to share our gift recommendations for that friend who has everything.
Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).
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