Ready or not, Monday’s almost here. We’ve got what you need to prep for the week ahead — from the biggest conversation starters to the most important dates. Who says Sundays have to be scary?
“18.8 million”
— The number of Americans predicted to call in sick the day after the Super Bowl. So much for work, work, work, work, work.
Tonight, the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will duke it out for the Vince Lombardi trophy — and major bragging rights. The game will be held at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Kickoff is at 6:30 pm ET, when an estimated 192.9 million Americans are expected to tune into the game. Here’s what you need to know…
The teams…Both the Chiefs and Eagles were No. 1 seeds in their respective conferences. But to make it to their third Super Bowl in four seasons, the Chiefs had to overcome injuries (think: two-time MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes playing on a sprained ankle…and still scoring two touchdowns). And they had to pull ahead in one very close game. Meanwhile, the Eagles coasted into their first Super Bowl since 2017 (which they won) with a 31-7 win over the San Francisco 49ers. Now, regardless of who takes home the W, both teams will make history: Not only is it the first Super Bowl with two Black starting QBs, but Travis and Jason Kelce will be the first set of brothers to go head to head.
Entertainment…After a pre-game flyover piloted, for the first time, by an all-female crew, Babyface will kick things off with “America the Beautiful.” That’ll be followed by actress Sheryl Lee Ralph singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and Chris Stapleton’s rendition of the national anthem. But, let’s be honest, halftime always steals the show — especially when the headliner is Rihanna. The nine-time Grammy winner has teased a “jam-packed,” 13-minute performance that’ll have us all saying ‘please don’t stop the music.’ Oh, and don’t forget about the commercials.
Other talkers...A little sideline tea: Kansas City’s coach is Andy Reid, who spent his first 14 years as an NFL head coach with the Eagles. Also, you may see some familiar faces cheering on their favorite teams. Think: Paul Rudd and Jason Sudeikis for the Chiefs, and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden for the Eagles. Meanwhile, a record 50.4 million Americans are planning to go all in on sports betting — wagering an estimated $16 billion on everything from the final score to the color of Gatorade dumped on the winning coach. That’s got some raising red flags about the dark side of the sports betting boom.
theSkimm
After a tumultuous season, the Chiefs and Eagles rose to the top of their conferences. Now, only one team can take home the trophy — and a ton of confetti.
What's Happening
📰 In news...
The US shot two more unidentified objects out of the sky (one over Alaska, one over Canada's Yukon territory). And the FBI found another classified doc during a search of former VP Mike Pence’s home, just after he was subpoenaed by special counsel Jack Smith. Speaking of rumored GOP presidential candidates, former Gov. Nikki Haley (R-SC) is expected to officially throw her hat into the presidential ring. Meanwhile, nearly a week after the massive earthquake in Turkey and Syria, the death toll topped 28,000. And the Memphis DA is now reviewing all cases handled by the police officers involved in Tyre Nichols’s death.
🔬 In science...
Can humans and robots coexist? Could moon dust be a solution to global warming? Researchers are hoping to find out. And while the FDA reviews the first-ever pill to treat postpartum depression, a US task force is recommending frequent blood pressure monitoring throughout pregnancy (think: because of a troubling rise in hypertensive disorders). Plus, Johns Hopkins is preparing to say goodbye to its COVID tracker.
📈 In business...
While Americans might be feeling better about the economy, more than half say they’re facing more financial hardship now than last year. And layoffs continued across the tech and media sectors, with Yahoo planning to cut more than 20% of its workforce. Meanwhile, after nearly three months of strikes, the HarperCollins union reached a tentative contract agreement — but not before the Big 5 publisher fired off a round of layoffs.
Bookmark'd
Here’s a look at the reads we’ve saved, texted, and emailed to our friends…
Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…
1. The next iteration of our Skimm Tested series. We decided to put home-fave brand OXO to the test. Spoiler alert: Their handy products make chores and kitchen work way easier.
2. No-fail gifts for your best friend under $80. Whether you’re celebrating their new job or a birthday, or you simply appreciate their friendship, we've got ideas. Check out these foolproof gifts they'll absolutely adore.
3. Products that'll keep your skin hydrated during winter. Hello, hand creams, lip balms, and body butters. Smooth skin awaits.
Psst...looking for more discounts on brands Skimm'rs love? Check out all of our exclusive promo codes here.
Super Bowl Sunday is a time to kick back and push the Sunday Scaries off until...well, until your post-game hangover kicks in. To take allthe stress out of your Sunday, we’ve got easy comfort food recipes that you can whip up — whether you’re hosting, heading to a friend’s place, or just looking for winning recipes to put in your lineup.
Chips and dip. I dip, you dip, we all dip. Particularly when there’s something for everyone. That includes beet and ricotta hummus, creamy french onion, peanut chutney, spicy cheddar cheese spread, sweet potato baba ghanoush, and yes, guacamole. Not to mention that there are also plenty of vegan options if needed.
Pigs in a blanket. Not only are they cute and delicious, but there are so many twists on the classic (think, cacio e pepe and reuben-inspired). Equally noteworthy: One that’ll take less than half-an-hour to make.
Nachos. This fun and fast meal is a chip off the old block. For something sweet and spicy, try mole nachos. If you’re in the mood for seafood, fresh crab nachos are the way to go. Or, if you’re also craving pizza, why not have both?
Save the Date
Like ours, your work and personal calendars are probably hectic. So here are some events you should know about...
Before tonight’s big game, make sure to catch the 19th annual Puppy Bowl — where 122 doggone cute pups will vie for the “Lombarky Trophy.”
The first-of-its-kind rom-com awards ceremony, Meet Cuties, airs on YouTube at 8 pm ET. Check out the full list of nominees here.
Valentine’s Day. Treat your someone special to something special, with one of these last-minute gift ideas.
PS: Want more events like this on your cal? theSkimm App gives you a heads-up on when everything from holidays to sports games to awards shows are going down. Download it here.
News Quiz
Stumped by our news quiz yesterday? Here's the answer.
