The Bill Simmons Podcast

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons calls on Cousin Sal to discuss the Pats-Falcons Super Bowl matchup (5:00), the disappointing NFL playoffs (13:00), whether Tom Brady is the best QB ever (18:00), Tony Romo's trade value (20:20), the Pats' continuity (25:00), Matt Ryan's MVP candidacy (28:00), the Super Bowl LI line (30:00), and Kansas-Kentucky this weekend (33:00). Then, Wesley Morris of The New York Times joins to discuss his Oscar nominations (40:25), the Best Picture buzz surrounding 'Deadpool' (53:50), Tom Ford's directorial taste (58:00), the category fallacies (1:01:00), O.J.'s best movie bid (1:05:00), subplots of the Oscars (1:14:00), and whether weird movies are on the way (1:17:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by ‘Late Night’ host Seth Meyers and ‘Good Place’ creator Michael Schur to discuss this weekend's AFC championship game between the Patriots and Steelers (3:00), the baseball Hall of Fame and MVP award debates (33:48), and working with Lorne Michaels on 'SNL' (42:20). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Mike Lombardi to discuss Antonio Brown's locker-room video (6:00), Will Fuller's inopportune drops (10:00), the Chiefs' defensive miscues (13:00), Le'Veon Bell vs. Bill Belichick (16:00), Falcons-Packers (21:00), Steelers-Pats (28:00), and Jimmy Garoppolo's trade value (30:00). Then, comedian Sarah Tiana joins to discuss her Falcons fandom (36:00), Arthur Blank's mustache (41:00), problems with 'The Bachelor' (44:00), and betting on 'Roast Battle' (52:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Cousin Sal to discuss the Cowboys' devastating loss (5:00), the other Round 2 games (10:00), Denzel's Oscars odds (24:00), Packers-Falcons (29:00), Steelers-Pats (33:00), and Superfly Jimmy Snuka's passing (36:00). Then, director Peter Berg talks about 'Patriots Day' (46:00), Garry Shandling (65:00), and whether 'Friday Night Lights' will ever return (76:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on FS1's Mike Lombardi to discuss the NFL playoff divisional-round matchups (6:00) and designate a corresponding character from 'The Wire' for each remaining team. Then, comedian Jeff Ross joins to discuss 'Roast Battle' (33:00), his relationship with Ralphie May (38:00), Jamie Foxx's roast-hosting skills (46:00), the best roast joke of his career (58:00), Pete Davidson’s 9/11 jokes (66:00), beefing with Robert De Niro (71:00), seeing Trump on the golf course (76:00), and brainstorming his next comedy special (84:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Cousin Sal to discuss the not-so-wild NFL wild-card weekend (6:00), Aaron Rodgers's ridiculous Hail Mary streak (8:00), Matt Moore's concussion protocol (15:00), Big Ben's bad throws (21:00), the divisional-round lines (27:00), Pats-Texans (32:00), Steelers-Chiefs (37:00), and Alabama-Clemson national title picks (44:00). Then Fox's Joe Buck joins to give his thoughts on calling Packers-Giants (52:00), fandom in the TV booth (58:00), the Yankees–Red Sox rivalry (1:06:00), Jerry Jones's impressive work with the Cowboys (1:15:00), and the best possible Super Bowl matchup (1:20:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by FS1's Mike Lombardi to discuss Brock Osweiler vs. Connor Cook (5:00), Atlanta's occasionally great offense (14:00), Eli Manning's mistakes (18:00), cold-weather cough-ups (21:00), Dolphins-Steelers (25:00), and Matt Moore's starting QB potential (30:00). Then, The Ringer's Mallory Rubin joins to offer up her thoughts on why announcers call Roethlisberger by his first name (37:00), Terrell Davis in the Hall of Fame (43:00), QB cluster theories in the draft (49:00), and Alabama vs. Clemson (53:00). Finally, House hops on the line to explain why Washington sports teams continue to suffer (1:01:00) and to discuss Kyle Korver to the Cavs (1:04:00), Eric Gordon's All-Star-caliber play with Houston (1:08:00), the increased talent level in the NBA (1:10:00), and ending the NFL stink streak of 2016 (1:15:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer’s Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal to discuss Week 17 (1:22), the NFL MVP odds (9:43), who should be coach of the year (15:35), and the new coaching vacancies (17:22).They also cover this weekend's playoff matchups: Texans-Raiders (26:45), Lions-Seahawks (34:09), Dolphins-Steelers (40:15), and Giants-Packers (49:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ringer's Bill Simmons and Joe House discuss George Karl's controversial new NBA book (and the anecdotes that surprised Bill the most when he read it) (2:35). Then they rattle off their NBA power rankings for December (33:50), measure Cleveland against Golden State (1:10:50), and pick Week 17's big Lions-Packers game (1:10:18). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer’s Bill Simmons brings on Cousin Sal to discuss Cowboys-Lions and Dez Byant’s catch of the year (2:00), Derek Carr’s broken leg and the AFC West (8:00), who should be the MVP (24:00), the firing of the Ryan brothers (35:00), Cowboys-Eagles (45:00), the Raiders’ chances with Matt McGloin (55:00), and their Super Bowl predictions (59:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Joe House to discuss the best bets for NFL Week 16, Matt Barkley's friskiness (17:00), the best NBA Christmas Day games (24:00), LeBron's extended playing time (28:00), potential Nuggets trade options (32:00), Blake Griffin's injury history (36:00), NBA unicorns throughout history (47:00), Shaq and Wilt Chamberlain (1:02:00), Kareem's sky hook (1:05:00), George Gervin's finger roll (1:08:00), and the best college basketball class in decades (1:12:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Cousin Sal to discuss Pats-Giants trilogy potential (5:00), Broncos offense vs. Broncos defense (10:00), Macho Man Tommy Savage (17:00), the Pats' favorable schedule (23:00), the cold-weather home team theory (35:00), Titans-Jags (40:00), the derailed Vikings defense (45:00), Chip Kelly's work habits (51:00), and football on Christmas Day (55:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons leans on FS1's Mike Lombardi to discuss another rout of the Rams (6:00), Bengals-Steelers (10:00), Tom Brady's offensive balance (17:00), the Chiefs' need for turnovers (23:00), and Cowboys-Bucs (26:00). Then, Joe House joins to honor the late, great NBA reporter Craig Sager (33:00), offer up the best NFL picks for Week 15 (42:00), and discuss Chris Berman's betting record (45:00). Finally, The Ringer's Mallory Rubin hops on to give the definitive food delivery app breakdown (1:02:00) and explain why 'Star Wars' continues to be such a cultural phenomenon (1:06:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane to discuss his three-year incarceration and 2016 release (5:00), his humble beginnings in Alabama (8:00), what is unique about Atlanta's music scene (15:00), Atlanta's club culture (20:00), his goal of owning the "East Atlanta Hawks" (27:00), collaborating with Malcolm Gladwell (34:00), and Thanksgiving with Falcons receiver Julio Jones (39:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bill Simmons and Cousin Sal discuss Dallas’s lackluster performance (1:20) and wonder if Tony Romo would have done better (5:04). They also review the remaining weeks of the schedule and the emerging playoff picture (8:30), debate penalty revisions (26:35), and talk Odell Beckham Jr. (28:05), Deflategate Part 2 (32:09), fantasy football (40:15), and this year's Oscars, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel (53:55). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Mike Lombardi to gush over their favorite scenes from 'Goodfellas' (6:00) and designate a character for each NFL contender (10:00). Then, Joe House joins (29:00) to discuss watching Kristaps Porzingis in person (33:00), the Boogie trade bandwagon (39:00), the Warriors' unselfish playing style (43:00), the failing Wizards (46:00), and the best bets for Week 14 (50:45). Finally, Bill's dad calls in to discuss the Chris Sale trade (1:00:00) and the panic meter for Pats-Ravens (1:10:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Bravo's Andy Cohen to discuss the rise of reality TV (6:00), 'Desperate Housewives' vs. 'Real Housewives' (10:00), the casting process of 'Real Housewives' (15:00), the potential of 'Real Housewives: All-Stars' (20:00), the tag "America's gay best friend" (27:00), Bill's reality show pitch: 'Malibu Little League' (32:00), idolizing Howard Stern's radio model (37:00), the craziest matchups on 'Watch What Happens: Live' (43:00), the Brangelina split (47:00), and escapism after the election (50:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Cousin Sal directly after ‘Sunday Night Football’ to discuss Cam Newton's dress code violation (5:00), Khalil Mack's monstrous season (10:00), Mike Nugent's PAT misses (14:00), Andy Reid out-coaching his opponents (17:00), firing Rob Ryan (24:00), Raiders-Chiefs (27:00), Carson Wentz's downfall (33:00), Jeff Fisher's extension (39:00), Broncos-Titans (44:00), Dolphins-Cardinals (48:00), potential Week 14 upsets (54:00), the history of Seahawks-Packers (58:00), Cowboys-Giants (1:01:00), and the post-Gronk Pats (1:04:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on FS1's Mike Lombardi to somberly discuss Gronk's season-ending injury and where the Patriots go from here (6:00). Joe House hops on the line to talk Tiger's return (20:00) and give out the best three bets for Week 13 (27:00). Then Ringer NFL writers Robert Mays and Danny Kelly join to discuss NFL futures and the best-case scenario for playoff matchups (41:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons brings on Ringer NBA writer Kevin O'Connor to properly rank all 30 teams in the league, discuss the Mavs' tanking strategy (6:00), the Brandon Knight issue with the Suns (12:00), if the Timberwolves should tank (16:00), the struggling Magic (20:00), Justise Winslow vs. Stanley Johnson (25:00), Luke Walton's baby Lakers (29:00), teams to watch at the trade deadline (37:00), Boston and Boogie (44:00), the not-so-great Pacers (52:00), the Hawks with Dwight Howard and Dennis Schroder (1:02:00), pseudo contenders like the Celtics (1:05:00), Rockets and Raptors, and Warriors vs. Cavs: The Trilogy (1:12:00). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices