Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss Georgia’s win over Alabama in the college football title game. Then they break down the wild ride that was the Chargers-Raiders NFL regular-season finale. And tennis writer Ben Rothenberg helps unpack the saga of unvaccinated Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open. College football (2:44): How the Bulldogs took down the Tide.   Chargers-Raiders (23:08): The game theory behind the crazy almost-tie.   Djokovic (44:12): Why did an Australian court allow him to stay in the country? What’s next?   Afterball (1:07:03): Stefan on the Sports Word of the Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin discuss the College Football Playoff and bowl game opt-outs. ESPN’s Mechelle Voepel also joins for a conversation about Becky Hammon, who chose to leave the NBA to become the head coach of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces. Finally, they talk about the life and legacy of John Madden.   College football (3:33): What are the sport’s real issues and what problems are imaginary?   Hammon (25:15): Why didn’t she get a shot to run an NBA team? Is going to the WNBA the right move?   Madden (48:11): How should the coach and announcer be remembered?   Afterball (1:10:38): Joel on Marcus Williamson and what college football takes from Black athletes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Levin and Joel Anderson are joined by ESPN’s Kevin Arnovitz to talk about Christmas Day in the NBA. Washington Post health reporter Dan Diamond also joins to discuss the past, present, and future of COVID in sports. Finally, Josh, Joel, and Stefan Fatsis interview Mitchell S. Jackson about his award-winning story on Ahmaud Arbery and running while Black.   NBA (3:37): How did the Warriors and Suns leap to the top of the West? And how are teams dealing with all the positive tests?   COVID (25:51): What should leagues be doing, and what will they do in 2022?   Arbery (45:59): A discussion about the Pulitzer-winning story “Twelve Minutes and a Life.”   Afterball (1:06:04): Josh on the Washington Post’s coverage of Daniel Snyder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Slate’s Ben Mathis-Lilley talk about COVID running rampant through every sports league, again. Next, they discuss the end of Urban Meyer’s very brief career as an NFL coach. Finally, Joshua Neuman joins Stefan and Josh for a conversation about Kenny Washington, who broke the NFL’s color barrier a year before Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s.   COVID (3:13): How should leagues and teams respond to the next wave of the pandemic?   Urban Meyer (22:37): Why did the successful college coach flame out of the pros?   Kenny Washington (41:25): Why isn’t the pioneering Black football player an American icon?   Afterball (1:02:30): Stefan on the state of Scorigami. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Slate’s Alex Kirshner talk about the controversial ending to the Formula 1 season. Next, they examine the opening months of college sports’ name, image, and likeness era. Finally, Stefan and Josh are joined by author and chess champion Jennifer Shahade to assess Magnus Carlsen’s latest world title.   Formula 1 (2:46): Who should’ve won the duel between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen?   NIL (22:55): How college athletes are capitalizing, and how it’s changing the game.   Chess (44:28): How Carlsen won, and what’s next for him and for the game.   Afterball (1:04:10): Josh on basketball on the Marshall Islands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices