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Mike Santa Barbara

Mike Santa Barbara is a Wilmington, Delaware native (Yes, it's a real place) with over a decade of sports writing experience. A diehard Philadelphia sports fan, he has two dogs named after Flyers and cried real tears when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. You can follow him on Twitter at @mike__sb.

January 11, 2023  |  Milwaukee Bucks

Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo posts bizarre double-double vs. Hawks

In the Milwaukee Bucks' 114-105 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night, star power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo posted perhaps the most bizarre double-double of his nine-year NBA career. 

January 11, 2023  |  Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys' Micah Parsons responds to being left off inaugural Players' All-Pro Team

The NFLPA released the inaugural Players' All-Pro Team for the 2022 season this week. However, Dallas Cowboys' star linebacker Micah Parsons, an All-Pro during his rookie season, didn't make the cut.

January 11, 2023  |  New York Jets

Jets 'mutually' part ways with OC Mike LaFleur

The New York Jets are now in search of a new offensive coordinator after mutually parting ways with former OC Mike LaFleur. 

January 11, 2023  |  NFL

Are future neutral-site AFC/NFC title games inevitable?

With the possibility of a neutral-site AFC Championship Game still real, a discussion has begun about the future of conference title games and their venues.

January 11, 2023  |  Chicago Bears

Former NFL exec says Bears should trade Justin Fields, draft Bryce Young

Even with the start of the playoffs only days away, one of the hottest topics of conversation in the NFL surrounds the Bears and what they'll do with the No. 1 pick. One former NFL exec suggested an rather bold strategy.

January 8, 2023  |  Houston Texans

Lovie Smith is one and done in Houston

After finishing 3-13-1, head coach Lovie Smith is one and done with the Houston Texans. Texans Chair and CEO Cal McNair released a statement through the team saying he and general manager Nick Caserio informed Smith they were moving in a different direction on Sunday night.

January 8, 2023  |  Philadelphia Eagles

A.J. Brown sets Eagles' single-season receiving yards record

In his first season wearing the midnight green and black of the Eagles, Brown has already made a significant impact. 

January 8, 2023  |  Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow has swag-filled response to question about Bengals' Super Bowl window

After leading the Cincinnati Bengals to the Super Bowl last season, quarterback Joe Burrow has the team back in the postseason, ready to defend its AFC crown.

January 8, 2023  |  Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James denies frustrations over Lakers' lack of moves on social media

Last month, James shared an ominous message with reporters, saying he knew what he could "still bring to any ballclub with the right pieces." The statement only fueled speculation over James' future in Los Angeles if the Lakers fail to add. James has one year remaining on his contract and a $50.4 million player option for 2024-25, but he could quickly force his way out if he wanted.

January 8, 2023  |  College Football

Power in FCS shifting as South Dakota State wins first championship

On Sunday, the South Dakota State Jackrabbits hoisted its first FCS Championship trophy, knocking off rival the North Dakota State Bison, 45-21 in Frisco, Texas. 

January 8, 2023  |  NFL

Former RB Arian Foster rips Bills for working out agreement to pay Damar Hamlin in full

Injured Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin was possibly facing a pay cut after landing on injured reserve following a terrifying cardiac event last Monday night. However, the Bills and the league intervened, ensuring Hamlin would receive his total pay for the 2022 season. In a week filled with touching wishes and good deeds, outspoken former All-Pro running back Arian Foster found reason to criticize the gesture.

January 8, 2023  |  Michigan Wolverines

Report: Broncos plan to interview Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh sometime this week

Twenty-four hours after receiving permission to interview Sean Payton, the Denver Broncos will reportedly speak with another high-profile candidate soon. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Broncos will interview Michigan's Jim Harbaugh for the team's vacant head coaching position, perhaps as early as this week. 

January 8, 2023  |  NFL

Jaguars made unique NFL history in division-clinching comeback win over Titans

The Jaguars accomplished the impossible on Saturday, going from worst to first after defeating the Titans, 20-16, to clinch the AFC South title with a 9-8 record. 

January 7, 2023  |  NFL

Rex Ryan could see Sean Payton returning to Saints alongside Tom Brady

"I could see him going back to New Orleans and maybe bringing in a quarterback named Tom Brady with him," Ryan said. 

January 7, 2023  |  NFL

Watch: Jaguars comically fumble away attempted reverse vs. Titans

The Jaguars tried to catch the Titans off guard in the battle for the AFC South on Saturday night, but the gamble backfired. 

January 7, 2023  |  Los Angeles Rams

Sean McVay's future with Rams in 'limbo'

ESPN's Adam Schefter notes that the Rams' injury-riddled 2022 has "taken its toll" on McVay, and he needs time to determine whether or not he has the drive to continue coaching. The source added that McVay needs "time to get away to process all that has transpired over the past year."

January 7, 2023  |  NFL

Chiefs tie 70-year-old scoring record at Raiders' expense

According to ESPN Stats and Info, after scoring 31 points on Saturday, the Chiefs have scored 28 points or more in 10-straight games against the Raiders. 

January 7, 2023  |  NFL

Patrick Mahomes passes Drew Brees for most single-season offensive yards in NFL history

Mahomes set the mark before halftime of Saturday's Week 18 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. He passes the previous record holder, future Hall of Famer Drew Brees, who posted a 5,562-yard season in 2011 with the New Orleans Saints.

January 7, 2023  |  Baltimore Ravens

'Strong chance' Ravens' Lamar Jackson returns for wild-card game

Shortly after the injury, the Ravens' expectations suggested Jackson would be back sooner than the opening round of the playoffs. But as the weeks dragged on, it became clear that wouldn't be the case. 

January 6, 2023  |  Chicago Bulls

Bulls' Zach LaVine hits 11 3-pointers in 41-point performance vs. 76ers

Zach LaVine went wild Friday night, taking advantage of a Joel Embiid-less Philadelphia 76ers squad, dropping 41 points, including 11 three-pointers, in a 126-112 victory. 

January 6, 2023  |  Winnipeg Jets

A blocked shot led to a gruesome injury below the belt for Jets' Blake Wheeler

Winnipeg Jets veteran winger Blake Wheeler returned to the ice Friday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning after suffering arguably the most devastating injury a man could ever endure.

January 6, 2023  |  Los Angeles Dodgers

Despite release, Trevor Bauer says Dodgers wanted him to return

The Dodgers officially cut ties with Bauer, designating him for assignment on Friday. While the move by the Dodgers to part ways with Bauer comes as no surprise, the 31-year-old is telling a different story.

January 6, 2023

Freshman guard Skyy Clark stepping away from Illinois for 'personal reasons'

University of Illinois freshman guard Skyy Clark announced via social media Friday that he was stepping away from the school's basketball program for "personal reasons."  

January 6, 2023  |  Cincinnati Reds

Reds release 3B Mike Moustakas three seasons after signing largest FA deal in team history

On Friday, the Cincinnati Reds admitted defeat, releasing former All-Star Mike Moustakas after three uninspiring seasons with the team.

January 6, 2023  |  NBA

Four-time All-Star expected to work out for Lakers

It's unclear how much the four-time All-Star has left in the tank, but the Lakers could use some warm bodies.