"The Great 8 Is Better Than The Great One"
In Sara's absence, Neil and Geoff discuss too much hockey and debate the merits of era adjusting records. The Athletic's Meg Linehan unpacks the latest in the USWNT lawsuit.
Feb 25, 2020•55 min
Hot Takedown
Hot Takedown is the weekly sports podcast from FiveThirtyEight. On it, the crew uses numbers to dissect the week in sports, taking down some silly hot takes in the process.
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Episodes
"They Fixed The NBA All-Star Game"
Changes to the NBA All-Star Game were well received but we have a few more ideas to improve the weekend. Plus, Manchester City's scandal and a Rabbit Hole on NFL dynasties.
Feb 18, 2020•52 min
Kobe Bryant: On and Off The Court
Hot Takedown examines the full scope of Kobe Bryant's legacy and our Rabbit Hole celebrates some very bad hockey teams.
Feb 11, 2020•47 min
"The Niners Choked"
A close look at the Chiefs' Super Bowl comeback, why the Red Sox might trade Mookie Bets and a Rabbit Hole on improbable brawls.
Feb 04, 2020•55 min
"Will Jimmy Garoppolo Be The Hero?"
Our Super Bowl Special! What to expect from the 49ers and the Chiefs this Sunday, the next frontier of football analytics and a Rabbit Hole on an unconventional champion.
Jan 28, 2020•56 min
Sign Stealing: Worse Than Steroids!
The Astros sign-stealing scandal is back in the headlines and we're still not convinced it's worth the hype. Our Rabbit Hole examines the limitations of the Rooney Rule.
Jan 21, 2020•59 min
"The Ravens Always Choke"
The Titans pulled off the largest NFL playoff upset (according to Elo), social media is transforming how we cover the NBA and a Rabbit Hole on what the NHL is doing right.
Jan 14, 2020•1 hr 3 min
"No One Believed In Us, And Rightfully So"
The NFL had a genuinely wild, wild-card weekend and Joe Burrow may be the most efficient college quarterback ever. Plus, Vince Carter's unique role in the NBA.
Jan 07, 2020•1 hr
A Decade In Sports
Hot Takedown explores the past 10 years in sports by assessing statistical changes, unlikely champions and new world records.
Dec 31, 2019•44 min
STAT SCHOOL: From Box Scores to RAPTOR
Hot Takedown unpacks the evolution of statistics in the NBA.
Dec 24, 2019•57 min
Bonus Episode: The Fullback Comeback
An interview from the ESPN Daily podcast that featured FiveThirtyEight's Josh Hermsmeyer. Josh recently wrote about the resurgence of fullbacks in the NFL.
Dec 19, 2019•14 min
Cheating In Sports: What Really Matters?
Hot Takedown develops a rubric for assessing cheating scandals. Plus, a Rabbit Hole on the impact of hockey superstars.
Dec 17, 2019•1 hr 1 min
"The Russia Ban Isn't Enough"
Did WADA's ban on Russia (but not its athletes) from global competition go far enough? A non-controversial College Football Playoff and the secret of the NFC West.
Dec 10, 2019•53 min
MLB Is A Soap Opera, NFL Is Game Of Thrones
A deep dive into MLB free agency and how the Patriots shape the narrative of the NFL. Plus, a Rabbit Hole on the late Brad Gobright and the evolution of rock climbing.
Dec 03, 2019•48 min
"Baseball Needed A Villain"
Are the Astros cheating or is sign stealing just baseball as usual? Plus, chaos in the College Football Championship and a Rabbit Hole on the demise of iconic nicknames.
Nov 26, 2019•53 min
"Kaepernick won't play in the NFL again"
A quantitative approach to Colin Kaepernick's NFL hopes. Mike Goodman joins to discuss a surprising EPL table. Our Rabbit Hole assesses MLB Hall of Fame candidates.
Nov 19, 2019•54 min
Let's Blame Analytics: Load Management Edition
The role of analytics in load management and how we propose to fix the NBA regular season. Plus, recent NCAA eligibility decisions and a Rabbit Hole on rag-tag teens.
Nov 12, 2019•50 min
"Steph's Broken Hand Is A Blessing"
How Curry's injury affects the Warriors strategy and the merits of tanking across leagues. Plus, what to expect in college basketball and a Rabbit Hole on paper champions.
Nov 05, 2019•54 min
Our 2020 (Super Bowl) Draft
Our mid-season NFL check-in leads to a lively Super Bowl draft. The crew unpacks the Astros front-office scandal and our Rabbit Hole discovers another Rabbit.
Oct 29, 2019•58 min
Jalen Rose Is Mad At Us
It seems our NBA projections upset some pundits. On today's show, the crew backs them up, forecasts the World Series and argues over which rules the NFL should change.
Oct 22, 2019•51 min
"Blame It On The Juice"
The crew discusses allegations that MLB deadened the ball. Lyndsey D'Arcangelo joins to reflect on the WNBA season and a Rabbit Hole on Simone Biles and USA gymnastics.
Oct 15, 2019•50 min
We're Unleashing Our New NBA Metric
Nate Silver dives under the hood of our new NBA metric: RAPTOR. Chris Herring joins to unpack the NBA/China controversy and a Rabbit Hole on the Twins.
Oct 08, 2019•59 min
"Lopsided Is MLB's New Normal"
This week, the show reflects on a season of extremes in MLB and an eventful first month of college football. Our Rabbit Hole defends a disrespected St. Louis Blues.
Oct 01, 2019•42 min
"The NBA Missed The Point"
How the NBA's new tampering rules will affect the league. What to watch for in the final week of MLB regular season and a Rabbit Hole for Survivor fans.
Sep 24, 2019•46 min
"The Saints Will Survive. The Steelers Are Done."
The lasting impact of quarterback injuries from the NFL's second weekend. Lyndsey D'Arcangelo joins to discuss the WNBA Playoffs. Our Rabbit Hole marks the end of an era.
Sep 17, 2019•43 min
"Antonio Brown Orchestrated His Exit"
Hot Takedown reacts (but not overreacts) to Week 1 of the NFL season and break down what happens now with the Antonio Brown situation. Plus, a Rabbit Hole on Wes Helms?
Sep 10, 2019•54 min
NFL Predictions: Truth Hurts For The Minnesota Vikings
A preview of our 2019-20 NFL prediction model and Kent Blackstone from the Atlantic League joins to discuss new tech headed for MLB. A Rabbit Hole tribute to fight songs.
Sep 03, 2019•51 min
Andrew Luck: Brave or Millennial?
What Andrew Luck's early retirement and Mike Trout's ring-less dominance says about their leagues. A Rabbit Hole celebrating the 20th anniversary of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater.
Aug 27, 2019•57 min
"The Youths Have Taken Over Baseball"
A breakdown of young players dominating the MLB, a look ahead to the 2019 college football season and a Rabbit Hole on the Little League World Series.
Aug 20, 2019•55 min
"Nothing Says 'Fantasy' Like Risk Management"
Hot Takedown unravels the logic behind fantasy football and weighs potential outcomes for the 2019-20 EPL title race. Plus, a Rabbit Hole on historic baseball upsets.
Aug 13, 2019•46 min
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