The Bill Simmons Podcast

Joe House, a sports media personality and Washington basketball insider, joins to dissect the surprising Trae Young trade to the Wizards, analyzing its impact on both teams and discussing the strategic need for rebuilding in Washington. Billy Gil, a sports journalist, shifts the focus to the NFL wild-card round, breaking down potential surprises and key matchups while introducing an entertaining manifesto for betting. The conversation is filled with insights, predictions, and a few intriguing narratives, making for a thought-provoking listen.

Kirk Goldsberry, a basketball analyst known for his shot-chart expertise, dives into the NBA power rankings, highlighting the Spurs' surprising rise and dissecting team strategies from the Kings to the Mavericks. Joining the discussion, Chris Ryan and Craig Horlbeck, NFL aficionados from The Ringer, share insights on the playoff picture, debate the Eagles' struggles, and analyze the Steelers' playoff prospects with Aaron Rodgers making waves. The trio also tackles the unpredictability of this NFL season, celebrating the plethora of Super Bowl contenders.

Cousin Sal, a comedian and regular on the show, joins to dive into NFL chaos right after a thrilling Ravens-Steelers clash. They dissect the Eagles' puzzling playoff strategies and debate MVP candidates, focusing on stats from Drake Maye and Matthew Stafford. Sal shares a hilarious tale from his son's birthday at Bass Pro Shop, while the duo discusses odds for upcoming playoff matchups. They wrap up by guessing game lines and trading betting anecdotes, proving that sports and comedy make the perfect team.

Peter Schrager, an NFL insider, joins sports journalist Joe House to dive into the NFL MVP race, discussing how narratives shape voting over pure stats. They also debate the impact of playoff seeding on awards. Sean Fennessey, a film critic, makes a splash as they rank the 21 best sports movies of the 21st century. Expect lively discussions on noteworthy omissions and defining films like Moneyball and Creed, blending sports analysis with cinematic insights.

In this engaging discussion, Rob Mahoney, a seasoned sports writer known for his deep NBA insights, joins to analyze Nikola Jokic's injury and its implications for the Nuggets' playoff push. They explore the Clippers' resurgence with Kawhi Leonard back in form, and address the Cavaliers' improving trajectory. Diving into the NBA mailbag, Mahoney and Simmons debate the idea of splitting the Most Improved player award into breakthrough categories while also sharing thoughts on trade regrets and the future of young stars like LaMelo Ball. Expect laughs and hot takes!

Cousin Sal, a comedian and sports betting enthusiast, joins to discuss the latest NFL drama. They dive into the wild outcomes from the 49ers-Bears game and Brock Purdy's impressive performance. The duo also analyzes bizarre playoff scenarios and the implications of tanking in late-season games. Sal shares insights on the league's unpredictability and fantasy MVPs, while they speculate on upcoming matchups and potential seeds. The conversation wraps up with some lighthearted family holiday stories and a look at this week’s betting lines.

Tim Legler, a former NBA player and savvy analyst, shares insights on surprising team performances, spotlighting the Celtics' similarities to last year's Pacers. He evaluates standout players and discusses the pressures of the trade deadline. Joe House, a sports writer and betting expert, joins to offer his Ringer 107 NFL holiday picks, emphasizing matchups like Panthers vs. Seahawks. The duo dives into festive betting strategies and speculates on players’ impacts in the ongoing seasons.

Cousin Sal, a comedian and sports betting enthusiast, joins Bill Simmons to dive into the thrilling Week 16 NFL action. They rave about Drake Maye's clutch performance and the Patriots' surprising comeback against the Ravens. The duo debates the AFC landscape, championing Trevor Lawrence's explosive play as the Jaguars thrive. They also dissect the Bears' miraculous late-game heroics and share laughs over their fantasy league mishaps. Plus, they react to the recent Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul fight, blending sports insights with entertaining anecdotes.

Peter Schrager, a seasoned sports media analyst from ESPN and The Ringer, dives into the thrilling Seahawks-Rams OT game, unpacking its wild moments and pivotal decisions. He explores the implications of the Rams' stunning loss and the Seahawks' road resilience. The discussion moves to the NBA, with Peter spotlighting the Clippers' woes and previewing the must-watch Christmas schedule, including potential highlights like Spurs-Thunder. Schrager also evaluates the playoff landscape and champions the idea of Seattle and Vancouver as fresh sites for the NBA Finals.

Zach Lowe, a veteran NBA writer for The Ringer, discusses the Knicks' thrilling victory in the NBA Cup, alongside intriguing conversations about young rising teams like the Spurs and Thunder. They analyze potential trades and roster dilemmas for NBA teams. On the football side, Todd McShay, a college football analyst, presents his quarterback pyramid while evaluating NFL QBs, including the impressive performances of Justin Herbert and CJ Stroud. He also dives into the upcoming college football playoffs and debates the need for playoff expansion.