ESPN Daily

The NBA tips off tonight, in time to ensure Christmas basketball in 2020! Headed into the season, LeBron’s Lakers still sit atop the West, and maybe the entire league. Mavericks star Luka Doncic appears to be the early frontrunner for MVP, but does he have what it takes to earn that status? And with Giannis Antetokounmpo signed and Kevin Durant returning from injury, can Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo repeat last year’s surprising playoff run? Zach Lowe brings us the latest on the James Harden situation, and more. Then, Josh Hermsmeyer breaks down the best and worst of movie football coaches. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This Sunday in the NFL solidified the post-season fates of teams like the Seahawks and Bills. The games also showcased high-scoring offenses across the league like the Chiefs, Saints, Ravens, and Cowboys. Bill Barnwell joins the show to assess how and why scoring has increased, and how these high powered offenses will fare in each conference come playoffs. Then, the Muppets take Monday Night Football! Pablo talks with ESPN’s Rico Labbe, who directed and produced the Muppets for a special guest appearance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In one of the strangest college football seasons ever, the most recent college football playoff rankings have stirred up new controversy. And the stakes are now raised: not just for each of the teams in Saturday’s conference title games, but also for the playoff committee itself. SEC Network’s Spencer Hall sorts through what may or may not be influencing these powerbrokers, and looks at how strong each of the title contenders really are. Then Sean Gibson, great-grandson of legendary baseball player Josh Gibson, discusses MLB designating Negro Leagues as major leagues, his great-grandfather’s career, and the impact on baseball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The latest 30 for 30 documentary “The Infinite Race” explores the story of the Tarahumara. The indigenous runners in Mexico are famous for running incredible distances on mountain trails, often barefoot or in sandals. Director Bernardo Ruiz takes us behind the making of the film, which grapples with the impact of modern, Western ultrarunners taking interest in the Tarahumara, and the pressures on their villages from drug cartels and violence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bucs pass rusher Shaq Barrett’s road to the NFL was anything but a given. Joining the Broncos after many childhood and college challenges, Barrett struggled to distinguish himself through his first seasons in the NFL. But a special summit for pass rushers set him on a path to greatness. Now he’s a key factor in Tampa Bay’s stout defense. ESPN’s Sam Borden shares what motivates Barrett, and how he’s upped his game with the Bucs. Then, Dave Fleming brings his “Tao of Poo” to Lamar Jackson’s situation vs. the Browns on Monday night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s been nearly a year and half since superstars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant both signed with the Brooklyn Nets, a move that promised to reset the balance of power in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. But with Durant recovering from a ruptured achilles tendon, it wasn’t until this Sunday that basketball fans finally got to see these two on the same court. Durant and Irving both looked sharp in their preseason debut, but there are still plenty of question marks about how these two stars will co-exist. Add to that first-time head coach Steve Nash, and rumors swirling around James Harden’s interest in joining the Nets, and it's clear––this season in Brooklyn will be anything but boring. Malika Andrews brings us the latest from inside Barclays Center. Then, Cleveland native Jeff Passan joins the show to discuss how his hometown is reacting to their baseball team changing its name. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sunday’s NFL action had it all: the Bills won their second primetime game in six days, handing the Steelers their second loss of the season. And we saw a number of upsets, like Jalen Hurts and the Eagles beating the Saints, and surprise performances, like Mitch Trubisky and the Bears. Elsewhere, the Dolphins revealed some weaknesses in Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, and the Raiders were blown out by the Colts. Bill Barnwell joins the show to explain what it all means for the playoff picture as the regular season nears a close. Then, more on Florida basketball player Keyontae Johnson, who collapsed during a game on Saturday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Archie Manning is a beloved football icon, known as the father of NFL QBs Peyton and Eli Manning, and for his own success at Ole Miss and with the Saints. Archie grew up in tiny Drew, Mississippi and was vaulted to college football stardom in 1969 just a few weeks after suffering a dire family tragedy. Wright Thompson spent time with Archie and his wife Olivia during close-to-home pandemic life, and shares his reporting on the formation of a football patriarch.You can read Wright Thompson's story on Archie Manning here (subscription required). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In an NFL season full of unlikely things, the Washington Football Team notched a real head-scratching outcome when they handed the Pittsburgh Steelers their first loss of the season, 23-17. The victory came as a surprise, since Washington’s record is just 5-7. But it seems that hope is starting to brew for Washington fans, and even the NFC East as a whole. ESPN’s John Keim has covered the NFL in Washington since the 1990s. He breaks down how far the team might go, the amazing return of QB Alex Smith after a near-fatal injury, and how head coach Ron Rivera has run the team while battling cancer. Then, author Tim Wigmore of “The Best: How Elite Athletes Are Made” talks about younger siblings’ athletic advantage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andy Hoffman and his family found the national spotlight back in 2013 when his 7-year-old son, Jack, who was battling a brain tumor, scored a 69-yard touchdown in a Nebraska Red and White intrasquad football game. Since then, Andy has made it his mission to help his son and children like him to beat this disease, by raising funds for pediatric brain cancer research through his Team Jack foundation. Seven year later, Jack, now 15, is healthy enough to pursue his dreams of playing high school football. But over the summer, his father Andy was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Now, Andy Hoffman is still fighting: to raise awareness for pediatric brain cancer, to savor the time he has left, and to cheer for his son on the football field. As part of ESPN’s V Week, Chris Connelly joins the show to bring us this story, as told by E:60.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices