Analyzing Each NFL Team's Schedule + Why Kerr Decided to Retire Then Changed His Mind
And the chances that OKC will shake off regular season-struggles to beat San Antonio
In Today’s Issue: Aaron Rodgers, Mike McCarthy, Aaron Rai, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Cameron Smith, Justin Rose, Steve Kerr, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Cade Cunningham.
WHAT TO READ
Now that the NFL has released its full schedule for next season, CBS Sports takes a look at one positive and one negative from each team’s slate. On the downside, the Colts face two of the league’s best quarterbacks to start off. The Raiders, on the other hand, match up against all three teams that also finished 3-14 this past season, making the upcoming bridge or rebuilding year a little easier for Vegas. All 32 teams are analyzed in this piece. (John Breech, CBS Sports)
After quarterback Aaron Rodgers finally re-signed with the Steelers, the question is: Why? From Rodgers’ perspective it’s a good deal. His salary in the one-year contract ballooned from the $13.65 million he earned this past season to potentially $25 million with incentives this year. But in his first campaign in Pittsburgh, he threw for the fewest yards and touchdowns in his career (with at least 16 games played), so it wouldn’t have been crazy for the Steelers to move on from the 42-year-old veteran. ESPN dives into why the franchise and new coach Mike McCarthy — Rodgers’ former boss — made the move. (Ben Solak, ESPN)
An English-born golfer won the PGA Championship for the first time since 1919, as Aaron Rai ran away with the tournament on the back nine yesterday. The 31-year-old outlasted Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Cameron Smith and Justin Rose to win his first major and earn just his second victory on the PGA Tour. Rai was three shots back heading into the final nine but ended up with a three-shot win over Rahm and American Alex Smalley after a four-under stretch from the 11th through 17th holes. (Andy Bull, The Guardian)
With how everyone around the franchise was talking, it appeared that Warriors coach Steve Kerr’s 12th season would be his last with the team. But both sides decided to give it another go after a 37-45 season, the coach’s worst since 2019-2020 and his only other sub-.500 finish. ESPN’s Wright Thompson has the full story of why Kerr came back after, as Thompson writes, “he’d decided to retire.” (Wright Thompson, ESPN)
Jannik Sinner is on an epic running, not only becoming the first Italian man to win the Italian Open in 50 years, but also matching a record set by one of the greatest men to ever play tennis, Novak Djokovic. With his win over the weekend, Sinner became only the second man to win all nine Masters 1000 tournaments, which are the events just below the four majors in competition. As the Associated Press reports, Djokovic didn’t accomplish the feat until he was 31, while Sinner is only 24. (Andrew Dampf, Associated Press)
WHAT TO WATCH
3pm — Arsenal vs. Burnley on USA: Arsenal can keep the pressure on Manchester City with a win over Premier League bottom-dweller Burnley. Arsenal is two points up and both teams have two matches to play. (Arsenal -1100, O/U: 3.5)
7:30pm — Canadiens vs. Sabres on ESPN: It’s Game 7. Buffalo dismantled Montreal in Canada in Game 6 but has lost the past two home games in this series by a combined 11-4 tally. (MTL +102, BUF -122)
8:30pm — Spurs vs. Thunder on NBC: The Western Conference Finals begin tonight, and OKC is looking to stay undefeated in the playoffs (8-0 so far). The Spurs were 4-1 vs. the Thunder during the regular season. (OKC -6.5, Total: 219.5)
WHAT TO TRACK
Kalshi gives the Thunder a 69% chance to beat the Spurs in the series and head to the NBA Finals for a chance to defend their title. The prediction market gives OKC a 55% chance to score over 112.5 in Game 1 tonight.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It sucked. Being back home, definitely wanted to get this win for the fans. Reminded me of last year, losing on the home court. It’s not a great feeling.”
— Cade Cunningham after the Pistons were blown out 125-94 in Game 7 at home by the Cavaliers, who now face the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
See you tomorrow,
Abe