The Lead

Three weeks ago, the New England Patriots were 2-4, and many experts were saying their season was over. But now the Pats have won three straight games and are just half a game behind the Bills for first in the AFC East. So what's behind their turnaround? Matthew Fairburn, who covers the Pats for The Athletic, joins us to explain. Plus, we hear some untold stories about Bill Belichick's wry sense of humor, and how his uncanny ability to lighten the mood has carried his teams through some difficult times.More from Matthew Fairburn:https://theathletic.com/author/matthew-fairburn/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

At almost every stage of his life people have doubted Hubert Davis. In high school, he couldn't live up to the legend of his uncle, who was a star at North Carolina. Dean Smith questioned whether he could make it with the Tar Heels. Don Nelson didn't think he was good enough for the NBA. And viewers thought he was another washed up pro trying for a second act when he joined ESPN as a broadcaster. In every instance, Davis silenced his detractors. Now, he faces his toughest test yet: taking over for the legendary Roy Williams at North Carolina. Today, The Athletic's Dana O'Neil, who spent time with Davis and his father, tells us why the former star guard is the right man for the job, and what he needs to do in Chapel Hill to quiet his doubters once again.Read Dana O'Neil's story about Hubert Davis: https://theathletic.com/2846499/2021/09/28/all-hoops-no-hoopla-underestimate-north-carolinas-own-hubert-davis-at-your-own-risk/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Earlier this week, the Atlanta Braves defeated the Houston Astros to win their first World Series title since 1995. And one person who was clearly taking in the moment was their 66-year-old manager, Brian Snitker, who has been with the organization since the 1970’s. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s David O’Brien to look at how loyalty — of Snitker to his team, and to his players — played a big role in the Braves breaking their World Series drought.Follow David O’Brien’s coverage of the Braves: https://theathletic.com/author/david-obrien/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Green Bay Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers got caught up in a media firestorm on Wednesday. After it was announced that Rodgers would miss Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs due to Covid protocols, media outlets deduced that Rodgers must not, in fact, be vaccinated -- despite his earlier assertion that he is "immunized." The Athletic's Matt Schneidman, who covers the Packers, joins us to unpack the messy controversy, including what both the NFL and the Packers knew (and when they knew it), and what to expect moving forward.More from Matt Schneidman:https://theathletic.com/author/matt-schneidman/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After four straight losing seasons, the Chicago Bulls have gotten off to a 6-1 start — heading into Tuesday night, the best record in the NBA. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry to look at how the Bulls are finding a new formula for success this season, thanks to the addition of veteran DeMar DeRozan, who — along with Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic — has the Bulls suddenly looking like a dangerous team.Read Darnell Mayberry’s full story about DeMar DeRozan: https://theathletic.com/2911205/2021/10/25/hes-mastered-the-game-demar-derozan-relishing-next-chapter-and-mission-with-bulls/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An investigation into the Chicago Blackhawks, triggered by a lawsuit and allegations of sexual assault against a former video coach, have now turned the narrative around the team’s 2010 Stanley Cup victory on its head. The Athletic's Mark Lazerus, who has reported on former coach Brad Aldrich and his disturbing patterns of behavior, joins us to discuss the investigation, the player who has bravely come forward to tell his story, and all the ways the Blackhawks coaching staff and front office failed him. Plus: are there signs that hockey culture is finally changing?More from Mark Lazerus:https://theathletic.com/author/mark-lazerus/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Questions are swirling around Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs as they head into a Monday night showdown with the New York Giants. The team many thought would contend for their second Super Bowl win in three years is struggling to get back to winning ways, and it's left a lot of people pointing their fingers at the team's star quarterback. Today, The Athletic's Nate Taylor tells us what teams are doing to slow down the NFL's most high-powered offense and what Mahomes and his teammates need to do to get their season back on track.Read Nate Taylor's Kansas City Chiefs Coverage: https://theathletic.com/author/nate-taylor/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Lakers made a huge gamble this offseason when they traded for Russell Westbrook, sacrificing a lot in the process. But after a winless preseason and a bad start to the regular season, the questions are now piling up. The Athletic's Bill Oram joins us to explain why the Lakers went all in on Westbrook, the role that LeBron James and Anthony Davis played in courting the former MVP, and why Lakers history suggests that the move could be destined to backfire.More from Bill Oram:https://theathletic.com/author/bill-oram/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed Manchester United manager in December 2018 there were plenty of doubts about the former-striker's ability to lead one of the biggest clubs in world soccer. Three years later, after a drubbing at the hands of United's fiercest rival, many people in and around the club are wondering if Solskjaer's days in charge are numbered. Today, The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell takes us inside the fallout from United's terrible display against Liverpool and tells us what the Red Devils manager needs to do over the next few weeks to avoid getting the sack.Read Laurie Whitwell's Manchester United coverage: https://theathletic.com/author/laurie-whitwell/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One of the biggest stories of the NHL season so far involves a guy who hasn't even set foot on the ice -- Buffalo Sabres superstar Jack Eichel. After injuring his neck last season, Eichel and his team have now come to an apparent impasse over what kind of surgery he should have to repair a badly herniated disc. And now, that disagreement has caused the generational talent to be stripped of his captaincy and sidelined indefinitely. The Athletic's John Vogl joins us to explain how things have reached a point of no return, what both sides want, and the larger implications the standoff could have for the sport.More from John Vogl:https://theathletic.com/2845419/2021/09/23/vogl-jack-eichel-should-be-allowed-to-live-the-life-he-wants-not-the-life-the-sabres-want-for-him/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.