The Best of the Sports Shop

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Raheem Morris being fired, Myles Garrett setting a sack record, Alabama's loss in the Rose Bowl and more.

The Atlanta Falcons fired head coach Raheem Morris yesterday, shortly after their regular-season finale. Morris’s tenure with the team lasted two seasons, during which the Falcons posted back-to-back 8‑9 records and failed to reach the playoffs. Did the Falcons make the right decison? Did Morris get a fair shot?

In the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff game between Alabama and Indiana, No. 1-seeded Indiana dominated No. 9 Alabama with a 38-3 victory, marking the Hoosiers’ first ever Rose Bowl win and sending them into the CFP semifinals. With the victory, Indiana advanced to face Oregon in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Is Alabama done for? Is the dynasty over?

Myles Garrett broke the NFL single‑season sack record yesterday. Garrett recorded his 23rd sack of the season for the Cleveland Browns by sacking Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, surpassing the previous record of 22.5 sacks, which had been shared by Michael Strahan (2001) and T.J. Watt (2021). Was it a real sack or did Burrow give him a "gimme" sack, similar to what Brett Favre did for Michael Strahan?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the NFL playoff preview, college football playoffs and more.

The NFL regular season is officially over! What playoff and wildcard matchups should we be lookig forward to? 

The College Football Semifinals are almost here in the form of the Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl on deck this Thursday and Friday. Reese said the college football playoff doesn’t have “juice”. Is he right or is he just salty about Alabama getting beatdown?

The NCAA's decision to allow NBA G League players to return to college basketball has quietly reshaped the sport. What does the crew think about the decision?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss the Steelers win over the Ravens last night. 

Last night, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 26-24 in a dramatic Week 18 matchup, clinching the AFC North division title and a playoff spot with a 10‑7 record. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 294 yards and connected with Calvin Austin III for the go‑ahead touchdown with about a minute remaining. On Baltimore’s final drive, rookie kicker Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal as time expired, sealing the win for Pittsburgh.Lamar Jackson had a strong individual performance even though the Ravens ultimately lost. Jackson threw for 238 yards and three touchdown passes, including two long scores to Zay Flowers that helped Baltimore take the lead in the fourth quarter. With the victory, the Steelers will now host the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round next week. Will Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh be back? Can the Steelers beat the Texans?

For Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., today (January 5) is their Founders’ Day. Members often refer to it simply as “J5” (short for January 5). On this day in 1911, Kappa Alpha Psi was founded at Indiana University by ten visionary men, now honored as the Founders of the fraternity. J5 is a time for members, often called Nupes, to reflect on the fraternity’s history, principles and mission of achievement in every field of human endeavor. Reese is a Nupe.

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss what J5 is and the Steelers win over the Ravens last night. 

Last night, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 26-24 in a dramatic Week 18 matchup, clinching the AFC North division title and a playoff spot with a 10‑7 record. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 294 yards and connected with Calvin Austin III for the go‑ahead touchdown with about a minute remaining. On Baltimore’s final drive, rookie kicker Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal as time expired, sealing the win for Pittsburgh.Lamar Jackson had a strong individual performance even though the Ravens ultimately lost. Jackson threw for 238 yards and three touchdown passes, including two long scores to Zay Flowers that helped Baltimore take the lead in the fourth quarter. With the victory, the Steelers will now host the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round next week.

For Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., today (January 5) is their Founders’ Day. Members often refer to it simply as “J5” (short for January 5). On this day in 1911, Kappa Alpha Psi was founded at Indiana University by ten visionary men, now honored as the Founders of the fraternity. J5 is a time for members, often called Nupes, to reflect on the fraternity’s history, principles and mission of achievement in every field of human endeavor. Reese is a Nupe.

In Week 18, the Carolina Panthers lost 16-14 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the Panthers still clinched the NFC South division title and a playoff berth thanks to the Atlanta Falcons’ win over the Saints and the resulting division tiebreakers. This division title gives the Panthers a home playoff game next Saturday, where they will host the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round at Bank of America Stadium, marking their first home postseason game in a decade. How far will the Panthers go this postseason?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Alabama's blowout loss to Indiana in the Rose Bowl yesterday.

Yesterday’s Rose Bowl College Football Playoff game between Alabama and Indiana was a historic one, but Alabama did not win. Instead, No. 1-seeded Indiana dominated No. 9 Alabama with a 38-3 victory, marking the Hoosiers’ first ever Rose Bowl win and sending them into the CFP semifinals. Alabama’s offense struggled, and in the second half they switched quarterbacks after starter Ty Simpson was shaken up. Indiana’s defense stifled Alabama, holding them to just 193 total yards and the win was one of the most lopsided postseason defeats in Alabama’s storied history. With the victory, Indiana advances to face Oregon in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Is Alabama done for? How does Reese feel? Was Ty Simpson really hurt? If Nick Saban were coaching the Tide last night instead of Kalen DeBoer, would Alabama have won the game?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Alabama's loss to Indiana last night and if Nick Saban coaching the team would have changed the outcome of the game.

Yesterday’s Rose Bowl College Football Playoff game between Alabama and Indiana was a historic one, but Alabama did not win. Instead, No. 1-seeded Indiana dominated No. 9 Alabama with a 38-3 victory, marking the Hoosiers’ first ever Rose Bowl win and sending them into the CFP semifinals. Alabama’s offense struggled, and in the second half they switched quarterbacks after starter Ty Simpson was shaken up. Indiana’s defense stifled Alabama, holding them to just 193 total yards and the win was one of the most lopsided postseason defeats in Alabama’s storied history. With the victory, Indiana advances to face Oregon in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Is Alabama done for? How does Reese feel? Was Ty Simpson really hurt? If Nick Saban were coaching the Tide last night instead of Kalen DeBoer, would Alabama have won the game?

Reese, Pam and Alex speak with Ian Parks to discuss his NFL picks for this weekend and discuss Alabama's loss to Indiana yesterday.

Ian Parks from Always Bet On Black w/ Ian Parks joins the Sports Shop to share his picks in the NFL. Who will win this weekend: Seattle Seahawks or San Francisco 49ers? Green Bay Packers or Minnesota Vikings? Baltimore Ravens or Pittsburgh Steelers?

The (7-9) Atlanta Falcons will host the (6-10) New Orleans Saints this weekend. If the Falcons win, the Carolina Panthers are in the playoffs, even if the Panthers lose to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tomorrow. But if the Panthers and Falcons lose, the Bucs are in. Will the Panthers win the NFC South? Will Falcons star runningback Bijan Robinson score a touchdown? The (12-4) San Francisco 49ers will host the (13-3) Seattle Seahwks tomorrow night in a highly anticipated divsional matchup. 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings has scored a touchdown in 6 straight games. Will Jennings score tomorrow?

Yesterday’s Rose Bowl College Football Playoff game between Alabama and Indiana was a historic one, but Alabama did not win. Instead, No. 1-seeded Indiana dominated No. 9 Alabama with a 38-3 victory, marking the Hoosiers’ first ever Rose Bowl win and sending them into the CFP semifinals. Alabama’s offense struggled, and in the second half they switched quarterbacks after starter Ty Simpson was shaken up. Indiana’s defense stifled Alabama, holding them to just 193 total yards and the win was one of the most lopsided postseason defeats in Alabama’s storied history. With the victory, Indiana advances to face Oregon in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Is Alabama done for? How does Reese feel? Was Ty Simpson really hurt? Why did Alabama lose? Can they turn it around?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss Alabama's loss to Indiana and UNC's star forward Caleb Wilson.

Yesterday’s Rose Bowl College Football Playoff game between Alabama and Indiana was a historic one, but Alabama did not win. Instead, No. 1-seeded Indiana dominated No. 9 Alabama with a 38-3 victory, marking the Hoosiers’ first ever Rose Bowl win and sending them into the CFP semifinals. Alabama’s offense struggled, and in the second half they switched quarterbacks after starter Ty Simpson was shaken up. Indiana’s defense stifled Alabama, holding them to just 193 total yards and the win was one of the most lopsided postseason defeats in Alabama’s storied history. With the victory, Indiana advances to face Oregon in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Is Alabama done for? How does Reese feel? Was Ty Simpson really hurt?

Caleb Wilson has been hooping at UNC this season. Wilson plays for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels and one of the most highly regarded young forwards in the country. Since arriving in Chapel Hill, he has quickly made an impact with his scoring, rebounding and defensive presence, becoming an important piece of the Tar Heels’ frontcourt as a freshman. His combination of size, athleticism, and skill has already drawn national attention and early discussion about his long-term NBA potential. Will Wilson be a better player than AJ Dybantsa and Cam Boozer?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss what happened over our break and Alabama's loss to Indiana.

Yesterday’s Rose Bowl College Football Playoff game between Alabama and Indiana was a historic one, but Alabama did not win. Instead, No. 1-seeded Indiana dominated No. 9 Alabama with a 38-3 victory, marking the Hoosiers’ first ever Rose Bowl win and sending them into the CFP semifinals. Alabama’s offense struggled, and in the second half they switched quarterbacks after starter Ty Simpson was shaken up. Indiana’s defense stifled Alabama, holding them to just 193 total yards and the win was one of the most lopsided postseason defeats in Alabama’s storied history. With the victory, Indiana advances to face Oregon in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Is Alabama done for? How does Reese feel? What is Alabama's reputation now?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex speak with James from Raleigh to discuss NC State, the Christmas season and more.

James from Raleigh is in the studio for our final show of 2025! What messages does James have for us?