Believe in Darnold, Burrow’s Playoff Shadow, Week 18 Madness and Guess the Lines With Cousin Sal

The Ringer's BIll Simmons is joined by Kirk Goldsberry for an all-positive NBA discussion on the exciting NBA talent pool, the contending Cavaliers, and a better than advertised Eastern Conference (01:28). Then they discuss the surging Knicks, Victor Wembanyama's development, how the Hawks are finally rounding out their roster (18:10), the trade machine Nets, Nikola Jokic, the newly fun Pistons, the "zombie" Magic, how the Lakers are turning their season around, a fun 2024 draft class, the good-vibes Clippers, and more (49:37). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Kirk Goldsberry Producers: Kyle Crichton and Chia Hao Tat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to discuss Jayden Daniels and the Commanders' overtime win against the Falcons on 'SNF,' an updated playoff picture, and Packers-Vikings (01:14). Then, they talk about whether the Bengals have a real shot at making the playoffs, another sad Jets loss, a very tight MVP race, the Giants beating the Colts and drastically changing their projected draft pick, and more (28:01). Finally they Guess the Lines for NFL Week 18 (53:14), before closing the show with Parent Corner (01:17:09). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Cousin Sal Producers: Kyle Crichton and Chia Hao Tat The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons reacts to Pat Riley's statement that Jimmy Butler will NOT be traded this NBA season, before Joe House joins to discuss this year's NBA Christmas Day games, the NBA's superstar paradox, and check in on some of their preseason win-total predictions (2:20). Then, they run through their favorite games on the NFL weekend slate (29:59) before making the Million-Dollar Picks for NFL Week 17 (57:52). Finally, Bill's daughter Zoe joins for the final 'Year-End Teen Culture Awards' before she enters her 20s (1:03:48). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Joe House and Zoe Simmons Producer: Kyle Crichton The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to discuss the Cowboys sneaking by the Buccaneers on 'SNF,' Commanders-Eagles, another Sam Darnold–led Vikings comeback, and Bengals-Browns (01:04), before discussing the Raiders dropping several spots in the draft order after beating the Jaguars, the Dolphins ending the 49ers' playoff hopes, Panthers-Cardinals, Jets-Rams, Patriots-Bills (28:51), the Saturday NFL games, Usyk-Fury, a bunch of NFL observations through 16 weeks, and a tribute to Rickey Henderson (53:19). Finally, they guess the lines for NFL Week 17 (01:05:47), and close the show with Parent Corner (01:25:26). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Cousin Sal Producers: Kyle Crichton and Chia Hao Tat The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Wosny Lambre and Joe House for an NBA Cup exit survey; they talk about what worked and what didn't, whether Las Vegas is the right place to hold this event, some proposed tweaks, and more (02:22). Then, Bill and House run through the weekend NFL slate before making their Million-Dollar Picks for NFL Week 16 (41:24). Finally, Bill talks with Peter Schrager of NFL Network and Fox Sports about a myriad of NFL topics, including a weird stretch of the NFL schedule, Patrick Mahomes’s injury, the possibly undervalued Ravens, COTY predictions, this year's "nobody believes in us" team (01:10:25), Jets dysfunction, the upcoming coaching carousel, Calais Campbell being released from the Dolphins amid a losing season, Netflix's new ‘Aaron Rodgers: Enigma’ documentary, and more (01:41:47). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons shares his thoughts on the Bucks winning the NBA Cup before recalling all the instances in NBA history when the league was considered to be "in trouble" (2:13). Then, Bill is joined by Chris Mannix of SI and NBC Sports to discuss Jimmy Butler trade buzz and possible suitors (29:14), before discussing the upcoming Usyk-Fury fight and a February 2025 boxing "super card" (49:25). Next, Bill talks with Chris Ryan about Timothée Chalamet's performance as Bob Dylan in 'A Complete Unknown', his credible sports knowledge, and extend an open BS Pod invitation (1:09:20) before discussing their new favorite show, Taylor Sheridan's 'Landman' [SPOILERS] (1:19:28). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Chris Ryan and Chris Mannix Producers: Kyle Crichton and Steve Ceruti The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to discuss a wonky day in the NFL, including the Week 15 Bad QB Draft, featuring Tua Tagovailoa, Anthony Richardson, Will Levis, Mac Jones, Jameis Winston, and many more (2:24). Then they discuss Jaguars-Jets, what we learned from Lions-Bills and Steelers-Eagles, the Buccaneers hanging 40 on the Chargers, another poor coaching display from the Patriots, more NFC West mystique, the current playoff picture, and more (22:43). Then they guess the lines for NFL Week 16 (56:31) and close the show with Parent Corner (01:13:14). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Cousin Sal Producers: Kyle Crichton and John Richter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons cracks open an NBA six-pack of topics, including possible Jimmy Butler trades, next year out-of-nowhere contenders, an NBA rules tweak, and more (2:58). Then Bill is joined by ESPN’s Seth Wickersham to discuss Bill Belichick becoming the next head football coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels, why Belichick didn’t wait around for an NFL opening, how his philosophy might translate to the college game, and more (25:02). Finally, Bill talks with Joe House about some NBA Cup odds and the NFL weekend slate (1:21:13), before making the Million Dollar Picks for NFL Week 15 (1:59:29). Host: Bill Simmons Guests: Seth Wickersham and Joe House Producers Kyle Crichton and Chia Hao Tat The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by David Jacoby and Kirk Goldsberry to discuss the first night of the NBA Cup quarterfinals, starting with the Thunder’s dominant win over the Mavs as they debate whether the Thunder are now the outright team to beat in the West (02:25). With trade season looming, Bill shares why he’s not a fan of the league's new CBA rules that restrict trades, before debating with Jacoby and Kirk whether the NBA Cup is actually working (17:18). They then go through the Bucks overcoming the stingy Magic and why, despite the loss, the Magic’s future is very bright (33:10). Lastly, they discuss what is going on with Joel Embiid, share their favorite rookies and most disappointing teams of the season so far (52:34). Bill is then joined by Kyle Brandt and Craig Horlbeck to discuss Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen, what to make of the Eagles, the Steelers' playoff potential with Russell Wilson, and more from around the NFL (01:11:19). The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available. Host: Bill Simmons Guests: David Jacoby, Kirk Goldsberry, Kyle Brandt, and Craig Horlbeck Producer: Kyle Crichton, Steve Ceruti, and Jessie Lopez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to quickly address Juan Soto signing with the Mets, before discussing the Chiefs banking a last-second field goal to beat the Chargers (1:47), the Rams overcoming the Bills in the game of the year (21:37), another vibe shift in the NFC West, a Vikings statement win, Panthers-Eagles, Dolphins-Jets, and the Most Depressing Franchise Rankings (29:24), before guessing the lines for NFL Week 15 (01:09:02), and closing the show with Parent Corner (01:22:47). Host: Bill Simmons Guest: Cousin Sal Producers: Kyle Crichton and Chia Hao Tat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices