The Lead

After convincing wins yesterday, the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs have advanced to Super Bowl 54. The Athletic’s Sheil Kapadia joins us to break down the two Championship games, to discuss what went right for the winners, and to talk about what to expect on February 2nd in Miami. Oh, and we also discuss Rob Lowe's hat.Follow Sheil Kapadia's NFL coverage:https://theathletic.com/author/sheil-kapadia/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Titans came into the playoffs as a long-shot Wild Card team. But after knocking off the Patriots and Ravens, Derrick Henry and Tennessee are the talk of the postseason. And in a league where passing is king, they’re winning with an old-school brand of smashmouth football. The Athletic's Joe Rexrode joins us to talk about how the Titans have pulled off this unlikely playoff run and just how far they could go.Read Joe Rexrode's coverage of the Titans:https://theathletic.com/author/joe-rexrode/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Liverpool have been absolutely unstoppable this season. They now have a fourteen point lead over second-place Manchester City and are on pace to win their first league title in thirty years (among other historic accomplishments). Much of Liverpool’s success has been attributed to head coach Jurgen Klopp. The Athletic’s James Pearce joins us to talk about how Klopp has transformed the team through a rare combination of passion, tactics, and hugs.Follow James Pearce's coverage of Liverpool:https://theathletic.com/author/james-pearce/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Major League Baseball levied unprecedented penalties against the Houston Astro for electronically stealing signs in 2017, through the team's World Series run and into the 2018 season. Citing reporting from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich, Commissioner Rob Manfred announced in a statement that Astros Manager AJ Hinch and General Manager Jeff Lunhow would be suspended for the entire 2020 season. The team will also forfeit first round draft picks this and next year and pay a $5 million fine. Shortly after the announcement was made, Astros owner Jim Crane fired Hinch and Lunhow. The Red Sox also parted ways with manager Alex Cora, who was implicated in the report. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal joins us to break down the penalties and what they mean for the league at large.Read Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich's latest reporting on the sign-stealing saga:https://theathletic.com/1532175/2020/01/13/rosenthal-people-at-every-level-of-the-sport-bear-responsibility-for-baseballs-current-sign-stealing-mess/?source=theleadpodcasthttps://theathletic.com/1531133/2020/01/13/hinch-luhnow-fired-as-mlb-report-reveals-details-of-astros-sign-stealing/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Now that LSU has been crowned college football champions, it's time to look forward to the NFL draft. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow is the consensus pick at #1 to the Bengals, but after that, anything can happen. As we enter the college football offseason, the combine and then the draft, there will be plenty of prognostication and projections. So who is landing where? The Athletic's Dane Brugler joins us to talk about his latest mock draft, where he projects where the top five players will land, and how Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa could throw everything into complete chaos.You can read Dane Brugler's mock draft projections here: https://theathletic.com/1530818/2020/01/14/2020-nfl-mock-draft-2-0-patriots-and-five-other-teams-land-a-quarterback-in-two-round-projection/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After losing to the Titans on Saturday, Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens are out of the playoffs. That has sparked a debate around the team, its young star quarterback, and his ability to show up in big games. The Athletic’s Sheil Kapadia joins us to break down the Ravens' loss to the Titans and to help us wade through the many opinions swirling around Jackson.Read Sheil Kapadia's story about Lamar Jackson's playoff performance:https://theathletic.com/1527621/2020/01/12/wading-through-the-takes-to-make-sense-of-lamar-jacksons-performance/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Clemson is about to play in its fourth CFP National Championship game in five years. But, historically, the Tigers have not been a top program. And in many ways, the deck is stacked against them. The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel joins us to talk about how Clemson has overcome the odds to become a dynasty-in-the-making -- and why they’re about to get even stronger.Read Stewart Mandel's story about Clemson:https://theathletic.com/1520803/2020/01/09/mandel-figuring-out-the-mystery-of-little-ol-clemson/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Last week, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin made a controversial hiring decision: he brought in D.J. Durkin, who was fired by Maryland in 2018 after an offensive lineman died following a preseason workout. An internal investigation then revealed disturbing behaviors within the Maryland football program. The Athletic’s Nicole Auerbach joins us to discuss that investigation, why Kiffin and Ole Miss are overlooking its findings, and whether or not Durkin deserves a second chance.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An exclusive report from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich reveals that the Boston Red Sox used video replay rooms to steal pitchers signs during the 2018 season, the year the team last won the World Series. Three people who were with the organization in 2018 told The Athletic that players would visit the replay room during games, learn signs and communicate them to batters at the plate through some intricate foot signals from runners on base. Since the story was published Major League Baseball announced it is launching an investigation into the Red Sox conduct.You can read Rosenthal and Drellich's story here: https://theathletic.com/1510673/2020/01/07/mlbs-sign-stealing-controversy-broadens-sources-say-the-red-sox-used-video-replay-room-illegally-in-2018/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Lakers have the best record in the Western Conference and the second best record in the NBA. But LeBron just turned 35 years old, spent most of last season injured, and hasn't been rested much this season. The Athletic's Andy and Brian Kamenetzky join us to discuss the Lakers' impressive start, how they've been managing their aging superstar, and what might happen if he went down. Listen to Andy and Brian Kamenetzky's podcast, "The Magic Hour":https://theathletic.com/podcast/120-the-forum-club/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.