Can we please just let the Cowboys stink in peace?

USA Today

12-05-2025

Can we please just let the Cowboys stink in peace?
Good morning, Winners! This is For The Win's daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Did a friend recommend or forward this to you? If so, subscribe here. Here's Mike Sykes.
We'd all be better off as a society if we stopped drinking the Cowboys Kool-Aid.
Despite being one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL last season, the Dallas Cowboys have once again been rewarded with an opportunity to play in the spotlight because, well, they're the Cowboys.
Dallas will open its regular season on the road against the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday, September 4. The NFL itself announced the matchup ahead of its full schedule release announcement.
Look. I'm not saying that there's no value in the Cowboys. I'm not foolish enough to think that. I understand why Dallas continues to get primetime slot after primetime slot despite having been one of the NFL's weakest teams. They're the Cowboys. People love them. America's team. Whatever. I get it.
But, off the top of my head, I could easily think of at least three more compelling matchups than this one here.
Eagles vs. Commanders could've given us Jayden Daniels seeking revenge on the team that spoiled his rookie season. (Prince Grimes would've hated this so much)
could've given us Jayden Daniels seeking revenge on the team that spoiled his rookie season. (Prince Grimes would've hated this so much) Eagles vs. Lions could've given us a look at the matchup we thought we'd get in the playoffs last year.
could've given us a look at the matchup we thought we'd get in the playoffs last year. Eagles vs. Bills could've given us a decent look at the Super Bowl we could've had with the league's reigning MVP going up against its best team.
Would any of those matchups be the ratings winner that Eagles vs. Cowboys would undoubtedly be? Probably not. But guys. This is the NFL's season-opening matchup we're talking about. You could put the Savannah Bananas in that spot against the Eagles and people would watch it. Football is America's pastime now — eyes will be on this game no matter what.
But nah. Instead of having a bit of fun with the matchup, we're going right back to old faithful. I don't get it, man. It's uncreative. It's not very interesting. I guess there's an old rivalry there, but who really cares about it these days?
It almost feels like we're just trying to restore Emmitt Smith's and every other Cowboys fan's confidence in their team by telling them the Cowboys still matter. Sorry to say this, but they don't. The Cowboys don't matter until they do again. And it's been years at this point. That might be a little mean, but it's true.
But whatever. It is what it is. Y'all will be seated for this game regardless.
So, with that said, Go Birds. Beat Dallas.
He Gone
Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly considering what a future outside of Milwaukee might look like, according to the latest from ESPN.
From Shams Charania:
"The two-time NBA MVP has not made any firm decisions on his Bucks future after the franchise's third consecutive postseason exit in the first round, but for the first time in his career, Antetokounmpo is open-minded about exploring whether his best long-term fit is remaining in Milwaukee or playing elsewhere, league sources told ESPN."
Now, all of a sudden, the rumors folks have been kicking around for the last few weeks are validated in a way that should terrify every Bucks fan out there. This is very real. Antetokounmpo leaving Milwaukee doesn't just seem like a possibility — it seems likely. I can only think of a few times when we've heard reports like this surrounding a star player and the dude didn't end up on another team.
You can't really blame Giannis. The Bucks have been a first-round out for the last three seasons and, after the Damian Lillard trade, their asset cupboard is bare. There's no real way to improve. Lillard will miss next season with a torn Achilles. The team is old and aging. I hate to say it, but this run is over.
We'll see how this plays out, but I have a feeling we all know what's coming next.
The goal that shouldn't have been?
The Jets and their fans have a bone to pick with the NHL this morning. Winnipeg lost a crucial Game 3 at Dallas thanks to a game-changing goal early in the third period that broke a 2-2 tie.
Here's the problem: The goal sure seems like it shouldn't have counted.
Stars defenseman Alexander Petrovic seemed to kick the puck toward the goal and into the net, which isn't allowed. Considering the clear kick, this seemed like a review that should be pretty quick. But nope! It took eight minutes to look at this one. Officials determined the puck deflected off of Connor Hellebuyck's stick after the kick into the net, so it was technically an own-goal, according to officials.
Officials seem to believe that Hellebuyck tried to make a play on the puck after the kick, which is why the goal still counts. The Jets are arguing that the puck simply deflected off of Hellebuyck's stick and he wasn't trying to make a play, which would mean the goal actually wouldn't count.
It's all a lot and it's pretty confusing. I'm glad it's not my job to determine these things. The Jets are disputing the call with the NHL, according to the latest from ESPN. Will anything come from it? I have my doubts. But, hey. Let's see how this goes.
Quick hits: NFL schedule leaks ... Happy Cooper Flagg day ... and more
— Here's a live blog of the NFL schedule leaks that we have so far. More to come. Stay locked in.
— Here are the odds at who has the best shot at the No. 1 overall pick tonight in the NBA draft lottery. Please, Basketball Gods. Choose the Wizards.
— Charles Barkley is ripping the NBA for poorly scheduling the Nuggets-Thunder series. I think he's right. Robert Zeglinksi has more.
— Poor, poor Boston U. Facing Oklahoma to start the NCAA softball tournament is terrible luck. Here's Meg Hall with more.
— Charles Curtis has an injury update for Donovan Mitchell. The Cavs seem cooked.
— Jose Alvarado's sweet message to his mom for Mother's Day is the best. Mary Clarke has more here.
-Sykes ✌️