The Lineup: The Sports Rankings Podcast

Zac (@ZacCrippen) and Pete (@Pete_Laclede) preview some key things to watch in tomorrow's Super Bowl matchup, including:

- Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh and the Rams' defensive line vs. the Patriots' offensive line

- Julian Edelman on crossing routes

- The Patriots' secondary and linebackers dropping back in coverage

- McVay's offensive scheming vs. Belichick's defensive masterminding 

- Romo's big day

What'd we miss? Let us know at lineup@vernacularpodcast.com or @TheLineupPod. 

Zac (@ZacCrippen) and Pete (@Pete_Laclede) review the 12 playoff teams in the NFL playoff field and review, from "worst to first," what their Super Bowl chances are. What'd we miss? Let us know at lineup@vernacularpodcast.com or @TheLineupPod. 

Zac (@ZacCrippen) and Pete (@Pete_Laclede) conduct a draft of the best sports moments of 2018 and then briefly discuss some sports things they hated in the past year. 

Mentioned in this episode: 

- Washington Capitals' Stanley Cup

- St Nick and the Eagles' Super Bowl

- Baker Mayfield transforming the Browns

- Shaquem Griffin being drafted

- Tiger's first PGA tour victory since 2013

- Shohei Ohtani as the first two-way player in decades

and much more!

What did we miss? Tell us at lineup@vernacularpodcast.com or @thelineuppod! 

Zac (@ZacCrippen) and Pete (@Pete_Laclede) debut The Lineup with a definitive watchability rankins of all the 2018 NCAA bowl games. Sound off on what we missed! thelineup@vernacularpodcast.com

Zac (@ZacCrippen) and Pete (@Pete_Laclede) run through a "Dime a Dozen" segment and give you their picks for a high payoff 12-game parlay of NFL weekend action.

Zac (@ZacCrippen) and Pete (@Pete_Laclede) discuss the glories of October baseball and talk about the Red Sox/Dodgers matchup, dissect the Saquon Barkley draft decision in retrospect, argue about whether or not the NFC East is the worst division in football, and talk about the surprises of the year. (And, Zac adds, the Browns' 2.5 win total is *not* one of those surprises.)

ICYMI: Here is the Peyton Manning video Pete mentioned. 

Zac (@ZacCrippen) and Pete (@Pete_Laclede) discuss the opening salvo of the MLB playoffs, including the Cubs' impressive collapse, the clash of the Titans in Boston and the Bronx, the phenoms on the Braves' roster, and the small-market team who is their favorite to advance to the World Series. 

Zac (@ZacCrippen) and Pete (@Pete_Laclede) run through a "Dime a Dozen" segment and give you their picks for a high payoff 12-game parlay of NFL weekend action. 

Zac (@ZacCrippen), Pete (@Pete_Laclede), and Ishan (@jimmyluandtaj) discuss the NL playoff race, Ohtani the two-way phenom who continues to bat despite a torn UCL, the Athletics' impressive ability to keep finding an edge with one of the lowest payrolls in baseball, and the close race for NL Rookie of the Year. 

Follow Taylor: @TheTYoung
Follow Ishan's *NEW* handle: @JimmyLuandTaj

Zac (@ZacCrippen) and Pete (@Pete_Laclede) break down storylines so far from weeks one and two of college football season, including Willie Taggart's performance in Tallahassee, Scott Frost's challenge in Lincoln, and the realignment of the college football landscape over the last two decades. Then they shift to the NFL and debut a new "Dime a Dozen" segment, where they gave you their picks for a high payoff 12-game parlay. 

Listen more: anchor.fm/3rdstring

Follow Taylor: @TheTYoung
Follow Ishan's *NEW* handle: @JimmyLuandTaj

Zac (@ZacCrippen) and Pete (@Pete_Laclede), true NFC East homers, break down why the Cowboys and Giants are in horrendous trouble: Did you know that 11% of the Giants' roster was added after the end of the preseason? Did you know that 50% of Dallas' offensive line is injured? The guys also identify stories to watch with the Washington Redskins and the [Super Bowl Champion] Philadelphia Eagles.

In this episode, 3rd String Benchwarmers Zac (@ZacCrippen), Ishan (@shouldakeptJB), and Taylor (@TheTYoung) host a live discussion about all things fantasy football while the 3rd String draft progresses through ten rounds. Hear the reaction to the shocking #2 overall selection, the kicker drafted in the sixth round, the good old days of Shannon Sharpe, and divergent thoughts on draft philosophies. 

Zac (@ZacCrippen) and Pete (@Pete_Laclede) preview the NFC/AFC West, breaking down storylines for each team and talking about the "X-Factor." Will the Rams reign supreme? Are the Seahawks in true rebuild? Is Denver back? Hear all of these discussions and more, and let us know what you think.  

Taylor Young (@TheTYoung) and Ishan Nath (@shouldakeptJB) discuss Manu Ginobili's retirement from the San Antonio Spurs, his legacy in the NBA, and the greatest Manu moments of all time. Ishan also prognosticates on the WNBA postseason and talks about why fantasy basketball is so great.  

Follow Takes of the Game on Twitter

Taylor Young (@TheTYoung) and Ishan Nath (@shouldakeptJB) return to the microphones this week for a primer on advanced stats for the uninitiated. Want to know all about lineup data, VORP, and more? This is the pod for you. You'll also hear Taylor's hot take on Michael Jordan (he was "good at basketball") and hear Ishan's story about a Luol Deng trade that sent him into the literal fetal position. 

Follow Takes of the Game on Twitter

For more, check out Bleacher Report's Advanced NBA Stats for Dummies

Zac (@ZacCrippen) and Pete (@Pete_Laclede) preview the college football season in advance of kickoff weekend, exploring storylines, teams, and personalities to watch in each of the Power 5 conferences. Is this the year for Tom Herman's Texas squad to take a big step forward? What about Justin Fuente's Hokies? are Alabama and Georgia destined for a CFP rematch? (We hope not.) Is James Franklin underrated?

Hear all of these and more, and join the conversation on Twitter!

Zac (@ZacCrippen) and Pete (@Pete_Laclede) react to the news of Urban Meyer's three game suspension and discuss whether or not this meets the requirements of justice (hint: it doesn't). 

Join our Fantasy Football League (it's free!)

Zac (@ZacCrippen) and Pete (@Pete_Laclede) discuss preview the NFC/AFC South this year, talking about each team's storyline and X-factor. Will Sacksonville maintain its elite pass rush? Will Kamara continue his torrid pace to give Drew Brees options? Is this finally the year of the Falcons? Is J.J. Watt back for good? How early do you have to check into a Southwest flight to not get a middle seat?

Join our Fantasy Football League (it's free!)

Zac (@ZacCrippen) and Ishan (@shouldakeptJB) discuss what the Josh Hader ordeal tells us about baseball (read: is baseball too white?), examine whether or not the 2018 Red Sox are the best Red Sox team of all time, and look at the states of the NL divison and wild card races. 

For further reading: "With a Loud Ovation, Baseball Shows its Whiteness" by Michael Powell

Join our Fantasy Football League (it's free!)

Zac (@ZacCrippen) and Pete (@Pete_Laclede) provide a preview of the AFC and NFC North, predicting division winners and identifying each team's "X-factors" and storylines to watch. Hear Zac's hot take on the dark horse of the AFC North, Pete's wildly optimistic forecast for Hue Jackson and company, and the guys' thoughts on the Packers' uphill climb against the Vikings. 

Join our Fantasy Football League (it's free!)

Brett McMurphy's original report 

Jalen Hurts' comments

Terrell Owens HOF Celebration

Ray Lewis | Cristiano Ronaldo

And we're back! After taking their own All-Star break, Zac (@ZacCrippen) and Pete (@Pete_Laclede) return to the show to break down all of the MLB trade deadline action. What team emerged as the winner? Who is the deadline loser? Why didn't the Nationals trade Harper? The guys also banter about who has worse weather in the summer (Zac in Austin or Pete in Vegas), MLB teams that are too easy to hate, the perpetual dysfunction of the Dallas Cowboys, and what surprise dark horse NFL teams could go all the way to the Super Bowl. 

Show links:

Mookie Betts mic'd up / Matt Kemp mic'd up

RosterResource

In this special National Ice Cream Day/Home Run Derby edition episode, Zac and Pete draft their Home Run Derby teams and discuss their favorite ice cream flavors after Pete ate his own weight in ice cream at a Vegas ice cream festival (Zac routinely eats his own weight in ice cream, so he is also qualified to discuss these matters.)  And a draft spoiler alert: Pete is a Bryce Harper homer (typical) but Zac beats him to the punch.  

We're also building a Facebook Group! Join here. 

In this episode, Zac and Pete banter about World Cup Soccer, Kirk Cousins, and D.C. sports, and debate the snubs of the All-Star Game. You can find the full All-Star Game rosters here. 

We're also building a Facebook Group! Join here. 

Zac (@ZacCrippen), Pete (@Pete_Laclede), and Ishan (@shouldakeptJB) answer a listener question about unwritten rules in baseball, banter about Dexter Fowler's rocky tenure in St. Louis, conduct a midseason evaluation of the MLB playoff race, anoint a new anti-three true outcome king, and make completely ignorant and uninformed World Cup predictions. Send us questions and comments!

Zac (@ZacCrippen) and Pete (@Pete_Laclede) talk about the best baseball movies of all time, summer in Vegas and Austin, the designated hitter coming to the NL, Zac's terrible DH idea, pace of play changes, and round two of Pete's journey on the Lane Kiffin Hype Train. 

Don't miss out on The Popped Cast, the new pop culture podcast from Vernacular!

Zac (@ZacCrippen) and Pete (@Pete_Laclede) talk about the MLB season so far, including the resurgent Astros, the slumping Bryce Harper, and Clayton Kershaw's attempt to return from a back injury. Then Zac brings Taylor (@theTYoung) on to talk about the latest Kawhi Leonard reports and the impact on the NBA's future.

Don't miss out on The Popped Cast, the new pop culture podcast from Vernacular!

In part two of this special Father's Day episode, Zac (@ZacCrippen), Pete Laclede (@Pete_Laclede), and Josh Goldman (@GoldmanStandard) talk about the defining biography of Tiger Woods and the lessons that fathers everywhere can draw from it. Also be sure to check out Zac's longform piece on Tiger Woods, Golfing in the Dark.

Don't miss the Vernacular Podcast Network's newest show, The Popped Cast, launching later this month! Josh and Maureen Goldman host this pop culture addition to the Vernacular lexicon.

In part one of this special Father's Day episode, Zac (@ZacCrippen), Pete Laclede (@Pete_Laclede), and Josh Goldman (@GoldmanStandard) talk about the defining biography of Tiger Woods and the lessons that fathers everywhere can draw from it. Also be sure to check out Zac's longform piece on Tiger Woods, Golfing in the Dark.

Don't miss the Vernacular Podcast Network's newest show, The Popped Cast, launching later this month! Josh and Maureen Goldman host this pop culture addition to the Vernacular lexicon.