From Wentz They Came
Hot Takedown unpacks Week 1 in the NFL and the Rockets' exit from the NBA playoffs. Then, a single-elimination Rabbit Hole.
Sep 15, 2020•50 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
Are We Ready For Some Football?
Hot Takedown previews the return of both the NFL and the English Premier League. Then, an interview with author Reid Forgrave.
Sep 08, 2020•53 min
The NBA Strike Was Personal
Hot Takedown discusses the initial results of the NBA strike and previews the college football season, such as it is.
Sep 01, 2020•51 min
Emergency Podcast: Sports On Strike
Hot Takedown discusses the strike for racial justice that began in the NBA.
Aug 27, 2020•21 min
"Processing" The Sixers' Loss
Hot Takedown looks at the Celtics' and the Raptors' first round sweeps, and gives out our MVP awards at MLB's month-long midseason.
Aug 25, 2020•50 min
A Tale Of Two Bubbles
Hot Takedown discusses the start of the NBA and NHL postseasons. Plus: a division sweeping Rabbit Hole.
Aug 18, 2020•51 min
The Slow Fall Of Football
Hot Takedown discusses the impending cancellation of college football and then draft our World Series picks. Plus: a wide open Rabbit Hole.
Aug 11, 2020•53 min
Will College Football Fail Its First Exam?
Hot Takedown discusses the friction between college athletes, the Power Five, and the NCAA, and celebrates the return of live sports.
Aug 04, 2020•53 min
MLB's "Plan" Didn't Pan Out
Hot Takedown discusses baseball's spike in positive coronavirus cases, the return of hockey, and an extra innings Rabbit Hole.
Jul 28, 2020•54 min
Ready Or Not, Here Comes Baseball
Hot Takedown previews the return of MLB and the semi-finals of the NWSL Challenge Cup. Plus, a trail running Rabbit Hole.
Jul 21, 2020•50 min
College Football Makes A Conference Call
Hot Takedown talks about the Big 10 and Pac-12's change to conference-only play, Manchester City's appeal to be allowed to play in the Champions League, and a team (re)naming Rabbit Hole.
Jul 14, 2020•55 min
What's In A Team Name?
Hot Takedown discusses the renewed push to change the name of Washington's NFL team, our new NBA forecast, and a batting stance Rabbit Hole.
Jul 07, 2020•53 min
New(ton) England
Hot Takedown discusses the Patriot's newest MVP QB and the latest examples of athlete activism. Plus, a Rabbit Hole about pumping iron(s)
Jun 30, 2020•48 min
Flattening The Curveball
Hot Takedown discusses MLB's restart plan and how multiple leagues are coping with COVID-19. Plus, an NBA coaching Rabbit Hole.
Jun 23, 2020•55 min
NBA Players Hit Pause
Hot Takedown discusses some NBA players' reservations with the league's restart logistics and previews the Premier League's return.
Jun 16, 2020•56 min
Was Drew Brees's Fourth Apology The Charm?
Hot Takedown assesses the NFL's rapid evolution on player protests and the NBA's plans to reopen in Disney World. Plus, a Rabbit Hole on fake players.
Jun 09, 2020•53 min
What Can Sports Do?
Hot Takedown discusses the sports world's response to the ongoing protests against police brutality towards black Americans.
Jun 02, 2020•43 min
Show Me The Money(ball)
Hot Takedown looks at the negotiations between MLB players and owners, and examines why golf has already made a successful comeback. Plus one last "Last Dance" Rabbit Hole.
May 26, 2020•50 min
Shall We Last Dance?
Hot Takedown unpacks how truthful, and useful, the Michael Jordan docu-series is and debates some potential NFL diversity hiring incentives. Plus, a cricket-themed Rabbit Hole
May 19, 2020•53 min
Live Sports? In This Economy?
Hot Takedown covers a new poll about what fans need to feel safe at live sporting events and discuss how it applies to the NBA. Then, an NCAA bribery Rabbit Hole, as a treat.
May 12, 2020•48 min
U.S. Soccer's Big Day In Court
Hot Takedown talks to The Athletic's Meg Linehan about the latest news in the USWNT's lawsuit, and surveys which American leagues might be closest to reopening.
May 05, 2020•53 min
Jordan Love Is A Battlefield
Hot Takedown covers the results of the NFL draft, Twitter drama about sports drafts, and a classic games Rabbit Hole.
Apr 28, 2020•50 min
Bringing Down The Krause
Hot Takedown discusses where the NFL draft will get interesting, what's interesting about the new Michael Jordan documentary, and a rules-lawyering Rabbit Hole.
Apr 21, 2020•53 min
Time To Get Weird, Sports Leagues
Hot Takedown talks prospects for the WNBA draft this week and prospects for the NBA generally. Then, author Brad Balukjian joins for a special baseball Rabbit Hole.
Apr 14, 2020•50 min
Going The Social Distance
This week we discuss whether the president can help U.S. sports leagues restart and wrap up our NCAA tournament, then special guest Emily Scherer tackles the Rabbit Hole.
Apr 07, 2020•49 min
Reality TV Is Our Only Hope For Hoops
Hot Takedown talks about how the NBA might end its hiatus, the NCAA extending eligibility for student athletes, and an iRacing (i)Rabbit Hole.
Mar 31, 2020•48 min
Olympic Flame-Out
It's been another big week of cancellations in sports, so the Hot Takedown team reacts to the postponement of the Olympic Games.
Mar 24, 2020•46 min
2020: A Sports-Less Odyssey
Hot Takedown looks at the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on both leagues and fans, and our Rabbit Hole remembers when sports were stopped in the past.
Mar 17, 2020•49 min
Live from Sloan: How Has RAPTOR Done So Far?
Last week, Nate Silver joined Hot Takedown on stage to discuss how RAPTOR has performed this NBA season. Plus, a Rabbit Hole on the unconventional way some players get paid.
Mar 10, 2020•51 min
"Anybody Can Make The Final Four"
Hot Takedown discusses the chaos in men's college basketball and who our model believes should be NBA Rookie of the Year. Plus, a Rabbit Hole from spring training.
Mar 03, 2020•59 min
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