Hot Takedown

FiveThirtyEight, 538, Neil Paine, Geoff Foster, Sara Ziegler

Hot Takedown is the weekly sports podcast from FiveThirtyEight. On it, the crew uses numbers to dissect the week in sports, taking down some silly hot takes in the process. read less
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Episode Zero
Mar 13 2019
Episode Zero
The podcast where the hot sports takes of the week meet the numbers that prove them right or tear them down.
Football Is Weird, Part Infinity
Nov 9 2021
Football Is Weird, Part Infinity
In our last Hot Takedown, the team looks at NFL chaos from this week and college basketball chaos to come. Plus: a Rabbit Hole with a curse.
Analytics, But From The Gut
Nov 2 2021
Analytics, But From The Gut
Hot Takedown discusses the World Series and a new college football playoff format. Plus: a Rabbit Hole that has all of the sports.
It's Anybody's World Series
Oct 26 2021
It's Anybody's World Series
Hot Takedown discusses the World Series and the Chiefs' woes. Plus: a RATPOR Rabbit Hole.
Why Our Model (Still) Hates The Lakers
Oct 19 2021
Why Our Model (Still) Hates The Lakers
Hot Takedown discusses our NBA predictions and the MLB playoffs. Plus: a Rabbit Hole all about first (and second) wins.
Championships, Random-ships
Oct 12 2021
Championships, Random-ships
Hot Takedown discusses this last week in the NFL, MLB, WNBA and College Football and previews the NHL. Plus: A Rabbit Hole for losers.
The Dodgers Need A Reseed
Oct 5 2021
The Dodgers Need A Reseed
Hot Takedown discusses the MLB playoffs and Cincinnati's CFB playoff chances. Plus: a special guest joins us for a family-themed Rabbit Hole.
Brady vs. Belichick: Round Whatever
Sep 28 2021
Brady vs. Belichick: Round Whatever
Hot Takedown discusses Tom Brady vs. Bill Belichick and the chaos in college football.  Plus: a Rabbit Hole on what's wrong with match play.
Math Nerds (And The Ravens) Win
Sep 21 2021
Math Nerds (And The Ravens) Win
Hot Takedown discusses the Ravens' win over the Chiefs and the WNBA playoffs. Plus: a Rabbit Hole that's quite the catch(er).
Actually, Week 1 Does Matter
Sep 14 2021
Actually, Week 1 Does Matter
Hot Takedown discusses Week 1 in the NFL and the latest no-hitter in MLB. Plus: a Rabbit Hole that messes with Texas.
How We See The NFL Season
Sep 7 2021
How We See The NFL Season
Hot Takedown talks through our NFL predictions. Plus a WNBA at 25 Rabbit Hole.
Nebraska’s Frost Is Melting
Aug 31 2021
Nebraska’s Frost Is Melting
Hot Takedown surveys the college football landscape and the results at the Paralympics. Plus: an immaculate (inning) Rabbit Hole.
Turns Out 500 Is A Lot Of Home Runs
Aug 24 2021
Turns Out 500 Is A Lot Of Home Runs
Hot Takedown discusses Miguel Cabrera's 500th home run, the Little League World Series and the fall of Topps in our all-baseball extravaganza.
Our Expectations Aren’t Being Met By The Mets
Aug 17 2021
Our Expectations Aren’t Being Met By The Mets
Hot Takedown discusses the NL East and the NFL preseason. Plus an interview with author Greg Larson.
A Messi Situation
Aug 10 2021
A Messi Situation
Hot Takedown looks back at the Tokyo Games and looks ahead to Lionel Messi at PSG. Plus: a Rabbit Hole on the comeback of the eephus pitch.
Simone Biles Beams Back
Aug 3 2021
Simone Biles Beams Back
Hot Takedown looks at the MLB trade deadline and Olympic Gymnastics. Plus a record-setting track Rabbit Hole.
Big Trouble For The Big 12
Jul 27 2021
Big Trouble For The Big 12
Hot Takedown discusses the latest college football conference realignment and mental focus in the Olympics. Plus: a team name Rabbit Hole in honor of the Cleveland Guardians.
So The Olympics Are Still Happening?
Jul 20 2021
So The Olympics Are Still Happening?
Hot Takedown discusses the Tokyo Olympics and the NBA Finals. Plus: an expansion draft Rabbit Hole.
All NBA Finals Takes Are Possible
Jul 13 2021
All NBA Finals Takes Are Possible
Hot Takedown looks back at Game 3 of the NBA Finals and the MLB All-Star break. Plus: A rant about English soccer, as a treat.
The Suns vs. The Bucks vs. Injuries
Jul 6 2021
The Suns vs. The Bucks vs. Injuries
Hot Takedown previews the NBA Finals and the controversies ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
MLB Tries To Get A Grip
Jun 29 2021
MLB Tries To Get A Grip
Hot Takedown discusses MLB's crackdown on sticky stuff and the NBA conference finals.
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