BY JEFF YODER

DEC. 14, 2022  |  SUBSCRIBE  |  REFER  |  WEB VIEW

Good Morning,

Busy, busy, busy. Yesterday’s sports news feed was ticking all day long. From sad morning news in college football to a late-night mega-deal in baseball and the first World Cup finalist, we’ve got it all. It’s the mid-week breakdown.

Programming: The Sportsletter will not be sent between December 17 to January 2 with the exception of three individual editions.

Enjoy!

WORLD CUP

Is This Messi's Magic Moment?

Photo: Shaun Botterrill / Getty Images

Lionel Messi & Argentina Bury Croatia (3-0) to Reach World Cup Final

Argentina lives on! The first World Cup semifinal went down on Tuesday between Argentina and Croatia, and it was Lionel Messi’s squad who dominated with a 3-0 scoreline despite Croatia’s overwhelming possession advantage (61-39). Croatia also attempted more shots than Argentina, but the juggernauts from South America made theirs count. Julian Alvarez earned a penalty kick late in the first half that set up a PK strike for Messi (34’), and Alvarez scored again before halftime (39’). In the second half, with Croatia frantically trying to make up ground, Alvarez struck again (69’) after a brilliant pass from Messi to put the nail in the coffin and send Argentina to the finals. It’ll be the first and last shot at World Cup glory for the legendary Lionel Messi.

Scoresheet

L. Messi (ARG): 1 Goal, 1 Assist

J. Alvarez (ARG): 2 Goals

Fun Fact: Argentina have been to the World Cup final five times, placing runner-up three times (2014, 1990 & 1930) and winning it twice (1978 & 1986).

Watch: Argentina def. Croatia to Reach World Cup Final (3-0)

Today’s Schedule

France vs. Morocco (2:00 pm ET)

Additional Storylines

SI: Messi & Supporting Cast Have Argentina Within Reach of World Cup Title

EPSN: Lionel Messi: Losing 1st Game of Group Stage Helped Argentina Reach World Cup Final

CNN: Argentina Overpowers Croatia to Reach World Cup Final as Lionel Messi’s Last Dance Dream Remains Alive

CFB

RIP Mike Leach 🙏

Photo: Kirby Lee / Getty Images

Mississippi State Football Coach Mike Leach Dies at 61 After Heart Complications

More sad news rocked the college football world on the eve of bowl season. Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach died Monday night just one day after he was hospitalized with heart complications. Leach was a beloved figures by countless players and coaches across the country after spending two decades in the Division I ranks. He coached at Texas Tech from 2000-2009 and Washington State from 2012-2019 before spending the last three seasons with Mississippi State.

How Leach Impacted the Game

Leach’s tenure at Texas Tech in the early 2000s was one of the catalysts for new-age offenses. Known as the ‘Father of the Air Raid,’ Leach coached four of the nine highest single-season passing yardage totals in FBS history. His witty personality and humorous coaching style impacted thousands of players over the past two decades. He was 158-107 in 21 seasons.

"We are supported and uplifted by the outpouring of love and prayers from family, friends, Mississippi State University, the hospital staff, and football fans around the world. Thank you for sharing in the joy of our beloved husband and father's life.” — Leach Family Statement

Additional Storylines

The Ringer: Mike Leach Was So Much More Than A Soundbite

FOX News: Mississippi State to Play in Bowl Game Despite Death of Head Coach Mike Leach

CBS Sports: Mike Leach: An Offensive Innovator, A Revolutionary, A Master Wit, A Pirate & A Friend

NFL

Week 15 Power Rankings

Photo: Michael Owens / Getty Images

49ers Soar Into Top-5, Chargers Skyrocket Into Top-10, Lions & Jaguars Resurrecting Season

The chips are starting fall in the NFL Playoff picture afte the Eagles became the first team to clinch a postseason berth on Sunday. The playoff shakeup continued as the 49ers showed they’re legitimate even with QB Brock Purdy under center. The Chargers launched their way back into contention. It’s crunch time coming down the stretch. With only four weeks left, only three teams have been mathematically eliminated — Texans, Broncos and Bears. That means 28 teams are still vying for 13 playoff spots. Let the chaos begin…

NFL Power Rankings (Week 15)

1. Eagles (12-1) | —

2. Bills (10-3) | —

3. Chiefs (10-3) | ↑1

4. 49ers (9-4) | ↑3

5. Cowboys (10-3) | ↓2

6. Bengals (9-4) | —

7. Vikings (10-3) | ↓2

8. Ravens (9-4) | ↑2

9. Dolphins (8-5) | ↓1

10. Chargers (7-6) | ↑7

Teams 11-20: 11. Giants (7-5-1) | 12. Titans (7-6) | 13. Patriots (7-6) | 14. Jets (7-6) | 15. Commanders (7-5-1) | 16. Lions (6-7) | 17. Buccaneers (6-7) | 18. Seahawks (7-6) | 19. Packers (5-8) | 20. Jaguars (5-8)

Teams 21-32: 21. Falcons (5-8) | 22. Browns (5-8) | 23. Raiders (5-8) | 24. Steelers (5-8) | 25. Panthers (5-8) | 26. Rams (4-9) | 27. Saints (4-9) | 28. Bears (3-10) | 29. Colts (4-8-1) | 30. Cardinals (4-9) | 31. Broncos (3-10) | 32. Texans (1-11-1)

Biggest Risers: 49ers, Chargers, Patriots, Lions

Biggest Fallers: Vikings, Giants, Seahawks, Cardinals

Editor's Note: Do you agree or disagree with any of today's Power Rankings? Reply to today's newsletter to share your thoughts.

Week 15 Schedule

Additional Storylines

NFL: Week 15 Power Rankings: The Top-10 is Getting Weird Again

ESPN: NFL Week 15 Power Rankings: 1-32 Poll, Plus FPI Rankings

CBS Sports: Week 15 Power Rankings: Upstart Cats — Lions & Jaguars Among Improbable Playoff Hopefuls

MLB

Consolation: Correa

Photo: David Berding / Getty Images

Giants Sign Shortstop Carlos Correa to 13-Year, $350 Million Contract

The Giants swung and missed on the Aaron Judge sweepstakes, but that stack of cash didn’t go unused. San Francisco signed former Astros and Twins shortstop Carlos Correa to a whopping 13-year, $350 million deal. It was most money given to an infielder in MLB history and the fourth-largest contract in total value. Correa is 28 and coming off one of his best years in Minnesota — hitting .291 with 22 homers and 64 RBIs. And while his numbers aren’t eye-popping, he’s one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball. The former No. 1 overall pick in 2012 is locked into the Bay into his 40s.

Highest MLB Contracts

1. Mike Trout (LAA): $426 Million

2. Mookie Betts (LAD): $365 Million

3. Aaron Judge (NYY): $360 Million

4. Carlos Correa (SF): $350 Million

Additional Storylines

Yahoo! Sports: Twins’ Carlos Correa Offer $65 Million Below Giants’ Winning Bid

B/R: Carlos Correa Reportedly Agrees to 13-Year, $350 Million Contract With Giants

PARNTER

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🎥 THE HIGHLIGHTS

🏒 NHL: Ovechkin Gets Hat Trick & Goal #800

Add him to the list! Alex Ovechkin was sitting at 797 goals before Tuesday’s matchup between the Capitals and Blackhawks. A hat trick ended the wait as Ovechkin led the Caps to a 7-3 win and hit the 800-goal milestone. He joins Wayne Gretzky (894) and Gordie Howe (801) as the third player in NHL history with 800 goals.

🏀 NBA: Tatum’s 44 Sparks Celtics Over Lakers

Five NBA games hit the court on Tuesday, but the Celtics-Lakers battle of iconic franchises took the cake. Boston and L.A. needed overtime before the Cs put it on ice (122-118). Anthony Davis (37) and LeBron James (33) combined for 70, but Jayson Tatum’s 44-9-6 performance got the last laugh.

THE STORYLINES

🏈 NFL Playoff Panic Meter

Seven teams that were in line to make the playoffs lost on Sunday. But we learned very different things about the Vikings and Giants compared to, say, the Titans and Dolphins. (The Ringer)

🏀 Zion & Pelicans Are The Real Deal

New Orleans is on a seven-game win streak and holds the top spot in the West nearly a third of the way through the season. (Sports Illustrated)

⚾️ The 2023 MLB Draft Prospects

Southeastern Conference teams have won the last three College World Series. Now they're poised to dominate the top of the Draft like no league ever has before. (MLB.com)

📰 THE HEADLINES

• Purdue Hires Illinois Defensive Coordinator Ryan Walters as New Football Coach (NBC Sports)
• Wide Receiver Cole Beasley Unretires to Reunite With Bills (USA Today)
• Texas Suspends Head Coach Chris Beard Without Pay Following Assault Arrest (Yahoo! Sports)
• NBA Naming MVP Award After Michael Jordan as Top Awards Reimagined (ESPN)

• NHL Fan Has Part of Finger Bitten Off in Arizona Arena Brawl (SI)

• Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson to Miss CFB Playoff With Foot Surgery (USA Today)

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