The Underdog

The Underdog returns with Chris Horwedel and Matt Crone discussing sneaker culture, Ole Miss football, the Philadelphia Eagles, the 76ers, NFL trade rumors, and golf, along with plenty of pop culture and unexpected detours.The guys open with a deep dive into Nike Dunks, Air Jordans, and the increasingly ridiculous sneaker resale market. From the upcoming Reebok Question Mid Red Toe release to the expensive Jordan Green Screen, Nardwuar Dunks and Trophy Room Jordan 5s, Chris and Matt debate which shoes are actually worth buying and whether sneaker companies have lost their creativity.The conversation shifts to Ole Miss preparing for a crucial showdown with No. 2 Georgia, with Matt weighing the Rebels' College Football Playoff chances and Trinidad Chambliss' Heisman Trophy hopes. They also discuss the first CFP rankings, Darian Mensah, CJ Carr, and how Miami's offense might respond to losing Malachi Toney.In the NFL, Philadelphia's nightmare season continues as Joe Milton prepares to take over at quarterback. Chris and Matt discuss the upcoming trade deadline, potential Eagles departures, Tanner McKee's struggles, the Ravens' quarterback emergency, and Jacksonville's opportunity against Baltimore. The conversation also touches on Howie Roseman's roster decisions and Jeffrey Lurie's long tenure as Eagles owner.On the basketball side, LeBron James has brought new excitement to the Philadelphia 76ers, with Chris and Matt discussing the team's impressive start, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, and why watching Philadelphia has become fun again.The episode also ventures into Disney Channel nostalgia, Scrubs, sneaker collecting, and an unusual grocery delivery request for a four-star rating. Finally, the guys discuss the PGA Tour, rising golfer Blades Brown and Matt's golf season, which ends with a memorable birdie and a 17.8 handicap. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Horwedel and Matt Crone break down Ole Miss football, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia 76ers and the World Series, with side trips into WNBA Finals scheduling, NFL trades and the upcoming NFL Draft. The discussion starts with Ole Miss’ loss to Texas and the Rebels’ path past Auburn, Oklahoma and Georgia as they chase a College Football Playoff spot.They also dig into football safety, including new research on CTE and former NFL players, whether Guardian Caps should become mandatory and the long-term consequences of repeated head injuries. From there, the episode moves through Young Sherlock, Slow Horses, The Traitors, golf and Seamus Power before the Milwaukee Brewers’ first World Series championship enters the conversation.The biggest focus is Philadelphia’s collapsing Eagles season, from the quarterback situation and Saquon Barkley’s usage to trade-deadline selling, Jonathan Taylor availability and the Bears’ trade for Jeffrey Simmons. They close by looking at quarterback names for the next NFL Draft and the 4-1 76ers, including LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, Jalen Brown and VJ Edgecombe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Underdog previews the entire NBA Western Conference for the 2026–27 season, breaking down all 15 teams, every major offseason move, the biggest statistical trends and the questions each roster must answer before the season begins.Chris Horwedel starts in the Northwest, where Oklahoma City remains the standard, Denver tries to improve its defense around Nikola Jokic, Minnesota adds LaMelo Ball alongside Anthony Edwards, Portland reshapes its backcourt with Ja Morant and Utah continues building around Darryn Peterson, Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr.The Pacific features major changes across the division. Golden State continues to balance championship ambition with health concerns, the Clippers rebuild around a new group of veterans, the Lakers reorganize around Luka Doncic after LeBron James’ departure, Phoenix reshapes its supporting cast and Sacramento searches for a defensive identity.In the Southwest, Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio headline a group that also includes a deep Houston roster, Cooper Flagg’s developing Mavericks, a rebuilding Memphis team led by Cameron Boozer and a New Orleans roster still centered around Zion Williamson.The episode closes with division predictions and a Western Conference pick, weighing Oklahoma City’s proven defense against San Antonio’s two-way ceiling and continuity before selecting the team most likely to reach the NBA Finals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Underdog previews the entire NBA Eastern Conference for the 2026–27 season, breaking down all 15 teams, every major offseason move, the numbers behind each roster, and the biggest questions heading into opening night.Chris Horwedel starts in the Atlantic, where the defending champion **New York Knicks** face a radically reshaped landscape. Philadelphia adds LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, Toronto brings Kawhi Leonard back to Canada, Boston adjusts without Brown and Brooklyn continues building around a mix of veterans and young talent.The Central features a 60-win Detroit team, James Harden alongside Donovan Mitchell in Cleveland, Tyrese Haliburton’s return in Indiana and Milwaukee beginning life after Giannis Antetokounmpo. Chicago’s young frontcourt and roster overhaul also get a closer look.In the Southeast, **Giannis joins Bam Adebayo in Miami**, Atlanta moves forward without Trae Young, Charlotte begins replacing LaMelo Ball’s creation, Orlando tries to turn strong shot quality into better offense, and Washington builds around Trae Young, Anthony Davis and No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa.The episode closes by weighing the contenders, challengers, rebound candidates and development teams before making division and Eastern Conference predictions for the new season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Horwedel and Matt Crone dig into Ole Miss football and a rough stretch for Philadelphia sports, led by Lane Johnson’s retirement and breaking news that Cam Jurgens is being traded to Baltimore. They also look at the Flyers’ young-player usage, the Phillies’ playoff exit and uncertain future, and the Eagles’ increasingly depleted roster ahead of Jacksonville.The conversation tracks how those storylines connect across the NFL, NHL and MLB, with added NBA, NFL and travel talk along the way. Listeners will hear the episode move from Ole Miss to the Eagles’ roster questions, then into the Phillies’ postseason disappointment and what comes next for a battered Philadelphia sports scene.0:25 Opening — Weather, Chris’ upcoming trip and an expensive soccer-jersey purchase.2:35 Lane Johnson retires — Johnson’s Eagles legacy, elite career statistics, Hall of Fame case and what his departure means for Philadelphia’s offensive line.7:47 Eagles roster outlook — Jordan Mailata and Landon Dickerson retirement concerns, running-back depth and the increasingly thin offense.8:20 Ole Miss/Adidas — Ole Miss leaving Nike, the Vanderbilt matchup and how Florida’s loss affects the Rebels’ season.10:55 Ole Miss quarterbacks — Austin Simmons, Trinidad Chambliss, Deuce Knight and the program’s future at quarterback.14:05 Ole Miss-Vanderbilt — Injury updates and touchdown markets from oddsmakers.15:40 Flyers — Philadelphia’s expectations, playoff outlook and concerns about limited roles for young players such as Porter Martone and Matvei Michkov.18:20 Travel/clothing — Scotland weather, the London West End trip and Chris needing a new wardrobe for the trip.24:40 Jeans discussion — Matt’s preferred stretch-jean brand and Chris’ less comfortable recent purchase.28:35 Phillies — Atlanta eliminates Philadelphia, Don Mattingly’s uncertain future and Alex Cora reportedly declining interest.29:21 Breaking Eagles trade — Cam Jurgens is traded to Baltimore; Chris and Matt react to the compensation and Philadelphia’s suddenly devastated offensive-line depth.33:00 Eagles offensive line — Willie Lampkin, Micah Morris and what the possible starting five could look like against Jacksonville.34:55 Eagles-Jaguars — Philadelphia’s injury list, offensive limitations and the line from oddsmakers.35:38 Phillies roster game — Which current Phillies could still be on the roster the next time the club plays, including Wheeler, Nola, Realmuto, Bohm, Stott, Turner, Harper and Schwarber.38:28 Phillies manager debate — Whether Mattingly could return, analytics, bullpen usage and postseason pitching strategy.42:00 Eagles touchdown market — Hurts, Shipley, Dontayvion Wicks, Darius Cooper and other scoring options from oddsmakers.43:54 Buccaneers-Cowboys — Baker Mayfield’s status and Dallas’ matchup with Tampa Bay.45:18 Eagles future — Whether Landon Dickerson will ever take another snap for Philadelphia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.