The Bill Simmons Podcast

Joined by Cousin Sal, a familiar face in sports commentary, the discussion dives into the Giants' surprising playoff victory and an epic Chargers collapse. They critique a lackluster broadcast and highlight key coaching blunders, while exploring quarterback dilemmas in crucial matchups. The conversation takes a humorous turn, mixing sports insights with celebrity banter, touching on themes of betting strategies, and sharing lighthearted parenting stories amidst reflections on their experiences in youth sports and a memorable anniversary celebration.

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Ariel Helwani to discuss another hopeful Buffalo Bills team in January, UFC president Dana White’s press conference following his domestic violence incident, and Vince McMahon’s chaotic return to WWE (1:58). Then Bill talks with Benjamin Solak about some NFL wild-card games including Bills-Dolphins, 49ers-Seahawks, Chargers-Jaguars, and Ravens-Bengals (51:52). Then Bill is joined by Danny Heifetz and Raheem Palmer to discuss the other two playoff games: Giants-Vikings and Cowboys-Buccaneers (1:31:30). Finally Bill makes his Million-Dollar Picks for the NFL wild-card round (2:01:03).Host: Bill SimmonsGuests: Ariel Helwani, Benjamin Solak, Raheem Palmer and Danny HeifetzProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zach Lowe, an ESPN analyst renowned for his NBA insights, joins the discussion to tackle the Eastern Conference All-Star selections. They dive into the challenges of selecting top players like Jason Tatum, considering positional eligibility and injuries. The conversation spans transformative moments in NBA history, strategies like the rise of three-point shooting, and the evolution of player dynamics. Lowe emphasizes the importance of individual stats, team roles, and the impact of player trades on All-Star potential, all wrapped in engaging banter.

Cousin Sal, a fan-favorite sports analyst known for his sharp wit, joins to dissect NFL Week 18 drama. They highlight the Lions zapping the Packers’ playoff hopes and the Texans stumbling into first pick controversy. Aging quarterbacks like Rodgers face scrutiny, while Tua’s health looms large. The duo predicts wild-card weekend matchups, balancing sharp betting insights with lighthearted banter on family ties to sports. Their blend of humor and analysis keeps it engaging as they navigate the thrilling playoff landscape.

Rob Mahoney, a talented writer for The Ringer, joins to dissect the NBA's unpredictable landscape, focusing on teams like the Nuggets and Clippers. He emphasizes the importance of player management and team chemistry as the season unfolds. NFL Network and Fox Sports reporter Peter Schrager then discusses the emotional ramifications surrounding Damar Hamlin and the intricate playoff scenarios heading into Week 18. Their insights into team dynamics and betting strategies provide a captivating blend of basketball and football commentary.

A thrilling discussion kicks off with Donovan Mitchell's incredible 71-point game. The conversation then dives into the Knicks' 'What if?' moments, questioning the impact of missed trades. Bill updates the NBA Power Poll, ranking all teams and dissecting their futures. Insights into the fragility of player safety and evolving scoring trends are also highlighted. With teams like the Lakers and Raptors facing challenges, the analysis stretches from pivotal trades to current dynamics and playoff strategies.

Cousin Sal, a regular sports commentator and betting guru, joins the discussion on the remarkable unpredictability of NFL Week 18. They dive into nail-biting matchups and the surprising resilience of teams like the Steelers and Packers, who fought hard for playoff spots. Sal shares his humorous take on the Buccaneers' latest comeback and the rollercoaster of emotions fans face. With betting insights and wild playoff scenarios, this conversation is as entertaining as it is enlightening, blending sports analysis with lighthearted anecdotes.

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Wosny Lambre and Van Lathan to settle a disagreement about whether the Nikola Jokic hype is overblown (3:57), before Bill and Wosny look at the NBA teams who may benefit from making an early trade and tanking for a chance at Victor Wembanyama in the 2023 NBA Draft (36:09). Then Bill talks with Peter Schrager of NFL Network and Fox Sports about which NFL teams still have a reason to compete heading into Week 17, some matchups including Commanders-Browns, Giants-Colts, Patriots-Dolphins, Jets-Seahawks, Panthers-Buccaneers, Vikings-Packers, Steelers-Ravens, favorite underdogs, and more (1:06:25). Finally Bill gives out the Million-Dollar Picks for NFL Week 17 (1:49:11).Host: Bill SimmonsGuests: Van Lathan, Wosny Lambre, and Peter SchragerProducer: Kyle Crichton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

J. Kyle Mann, an insightful NBA contributor for The Ringer, and Benjamin Solak, an NFL analyst for The Ringer, discuss some hot topics in sports. They dive into Luka Doncic's stunning 60-point game and Nikola Jokic's impact on the court. The duo debates the creation of the All-Time Fun NBA Starting Five, pairing legends like Magic Johnson with modern stars. Later, they tackle critical NFL questions, assessing the Chargers' playoff chances and the Eagles' potential to recover from injuries, making for a lively and engaging discussion.

Cousin Sal, a regular sports commentator, joins to dissect the recent chaos in the NFL. They delve into Tua Tagovailoa's rough outing and Tom Brady's fading glory, highlighting the dire state of top quarterbacks. With Week 17 looming, they break down playoff scenarios and upcoming matchups, including a spirited discussion about the Giants' surprising playoff hopes and Daniel Jones' potential. Their banter is peppered with witty insights on pizza and parenting, making for an entertaining blend of sports talk and humor.