Neil’s Substack | Neil Paine | Substack

Do We Have Any Idea Who's Going to Win the World Series?

With no real juggernauts and (almost) every contender showing flaws, baseball this October looks to be as unpredictable as ever.

43 mins ago • Neil Paine

Daniel Jones Is the NFL’s Latest — And Maybe Greatest — Reclamation-Project QB

After he was written off in New York, Indianapolis has become the unlikely stage for Jones' reinvention — and the numbers say it could be no fluke.

Sep 23 • Neil Paine

Are the Detroit Tigers on the Verge of MLB’s Worst Collapse Ever?

After a year spent mostly on top, Detroit is somehow in danger of making the wrong kind of history. (And the Astros and Mets aren't far behind.)

Sep 22 • Neil Paine

The NBA Is Lucky the Kawhi Leonard Scandal Isn't Even Worse

Adam Silver was saved more embarrassment by the Clippers (as usual) accomplishing practically nothing.

Sep 19 • Neil Paine

The Mets Are Saving Themselves — and Being Saved From Themselves

New York's history of late-season collapses looms over 2025 — but so far, the Mets have been bailed out as much by their rivals' failures as by their…

Sep 17 • Neil Paine

The Texas Rangers Won't Go Away

Written off in August, Texas is suddenly MLB's hottest team — proving the team's ongoing boom-or-bust experiment has one more twist left this season.

Sep 12 • Neil Paine

The Giants, the Broncos, and the Pre-9/11 World That Disappeared Forever

On September 10, 2001, Monday Night Football was the last archive of a reality that would never exist again.

Sep 10 • Neil Paine

Aaron Rodgers Is Trying to Revive the "Forever QB"

But despite a Brady-esque Week 1, carrying the old-guy banner all season will take more throwback performances.

Sep 9 • Neil Paine

Davey Johnson Lived One of Baseball’s Most Interesting Lives

From All-Star gloveman on a dynasty to one-year power wonder, World Series ringmaster to nomadic managerial talent, Johnson embodied a restless spirit…

Sep 8 • Neil Paine

Q&A: How Data Golf Became the Go-To Site for Modern Golf Analytics

Co-founder Matt Courchene explains how he and his brother built one of the sport's most impressive — and influential — data-driven websites.

Sep 5 • Neil Paine

Circle Your Calendars: These Are the Most Important Games of the 2025 NFL Season

Looking at the games most likely to swing both teams' playoff and Super Bowl odds, for better or for worse.

Sep 3 • Neil Paine

Is Micah Parsons the Next Aaron Donald, Khalil Mack or Ndamukong Suh?

The Packers just gave Parsons the richest non-QB contract ever. History says those deals don't always pay off — but the exceptions can be worth it.

Aug 29 • Neil Paine

Is A'ja Wilson About to Rain on Napheesa Collier's MVP Parade? (Again?)

Or maybe the better question is: *Should* she?

Aug 29 • Neil Paine

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🎙️ Podcast: Why So Many MLB "What-Ifs" Run Through the Mets (w/ Andrew Wyrich)

The proprietor of the “Almost A Met” Substack stops by to talk about how missed deals, near-signings and media rumors have shaped baseball history.

Aug 28 • Neil Paine and Andrew Wyrich

The Curse of Rafael Devers

Boston traded its franchise player and got far better. The Giants landed an All-Star and got far worse. Have we ever seen this before?

Aug 25 • Neil Paine

📈2025 NFL Power Ratings and Projections🏈

Ratings, rankings and forecasts for every NFL team this season.

24 hrs ago • Neil Paine

Affirmed, Alydar and the Rivalry That Still Defines Horse Racing

Exactly 47 years after their final clash, Affirmed and Alydar remain inseparable in a saga of speed, controversy and two champions who made each other…

Aug 19 • Neil Paine