With the NFL postseason in full roar, Tim unpacks Brett Maher's public nightmare, Kimball laments the inclusion of the unworthy and Mike explains why sports TV's latest all-access experiment was so unpleasing to his ears.  

Special guest and Boston College freshman Atticus Crothers joins the pod as the professor (Tim) considers the choices football players must make as we all process Damar Hamlin's harrowing on-field episode; the scout (Kimball) wonders why winning matters so much; the freshman (Atticus) shares his experiences as a fledgling hoops Sicko; and Mike ponders the franchising influence of new Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman, aka Mr. Bojangles. 

Happy holidays, everyone. Tim wonders if towering Zach Edey can take Purdue basketball to the promised land. Kimball found the World Cup more enjoyable since he didn't care who won. And on the 50th anniversary of one of the most iconic plays in NFL history, Mike recounts the story of how two Steelers fans coined the "Immaculate Reception." 

As Leo Messi closes in on Argentina's first World Cup championship since 1986 -- the year before he was born -- Professor Crothers considers how little we really know about the soccer legend. Kimball, now in his baseball offseason actor/coach mode, offers an apology after his latest lesson in the differences between coaching high school boys and girls. And Mike, taking a break from transfer portal mania, wonders who will end up signing Bobby McGee.     

With the eyes of the world on Qatar, Tim divulges his most favored nation, Kimball chides those who fail to see the drama in low-scoring matches and Mike proposes an expansion of fair-play points as a way to incentivize sportsmanship in other realms. 

This week the professor discusses the many issues with holding soccer's World Cup in Qatar; the scout believes his beloved New York Jets will use Sunday's crushing loss as fuel; and Mike wonders about the real missed opportunity for disgraced public figures with a national platform.  

Tim wonders why NFL players can't just refrain from excessive on-field celebration; Kimball fails to see the value in midgame TV interviews with those trying to compete;  and Mike questions the wisdom of sports-voting transparency in the social media age.  

Tim has concerns about the coming expansion of the College Football Playoff, Kimball breaks out the worst Bill Belichick imitation you've ever heard and Mike wishes the '72 Dolphins would finally get the respect they deserve. 

In honor of the San Diego Padres and their first NLCS appearance in nearly a quarter century, we're talking baseball and fatherhood. Professor Crothers recounts a memorable Petco Park experience with his son Atticus from 2012, while Mike Berardino goes back even further to 2008 and a breakthrough game of catch with his son Daniel in the parking lot of the Padres' spring home in Peoria, Ariz. As a Padres scout, Kimball offers up a few bold suggestions for how to make the multitiered MLB playoff system more rewarding for division winners. 

Amid All-Rise Mania, Professor Crothers ponders whether Aaron Judge just had the greatest offensive season in major league history; Kimball chides those who act like they care more about Tua Tagovailoa's safety than our NFL entertainment fix; and Mike pulls back the curtain on life as a first-time AP Top 25 voter and the conspiracy theories of rabid college football fans.