Top Plays

Fresh from an episode of The Heater, the guys recap the week’s best college and pro football games, talk Furnace Fest, Tyler’s National luck, and an absolute stunner in Boulder.

Side A: The Aaron Rodgers era lasted 4 plays for Jets fans. Our instant reaction to it, fantasy week 1, and the games from the college and pro weekend. Side B (35:25): Since the episode didn’t get recorded last week, we have two weeks of music to bring to the table (With Honor, Noah Gunderson, Olivia Rodrigo, Slowdive, Romy) Ward shares a personal Jimmy Buffet story. Tyler relives The Postal Service/Death Cab For Cutie show.

Side A: Fantasy season is here, and Tyler, fresh from a fantasy draft, brings some tips for the upcoming season whether you’re a rookie or a vet. Still riding high on his Jags pick last year, Tyler gives his way too early playoff predictions. Side B (1:16:21): MxPx dropped an album, and Furnace Fest dropped a schedule. The Pir give you first impressions of each.

Side A catches listeners up with Ward’s goal of hip-hop discovery in 2023. What’s hitting with him; what’s missed the mark? Then he tells about his experience at the Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit concert. Side B (1:08:56) lightly touches on actual sports this week. Mainly an abbreviated fantasy plan for the upcoming draft.

Side A: We share stories about mishaps in the vinyl world, but every so often, we need to shoutout an incredible experience. Tyler shares that tale, and his wallet begs him to stop buying anymore vinyl this week. New tunes for ya. Side B (1:14ish): a brief convo about Women’s World Cup, Pirates trade deadline moves, and the wiff start to the preseason.

Flipping it up this week and bringing music on side A. Two Fridays have brought new music to our ears, and it’s time to bring the updates to yours. A wild AOTY contender has entered the area for Ward. Also, ghost stories of two varieties. Side B (1:16:29) is all business with Saquon, Jaylon, and Mbappé contracts news.

For side A this week, Ward and Tyler discuss the MLB all-star game and home run derby. While the USA’a CONCACAF run comes to an end. They step out of bound to discuss the Hollywood writers’ strike and what it means for SAG-AFTRA to join them (36:00). Side B dives into the Furnace Fest pre-shows and new music from the week.

Side A checks in with the latest free agency news and a men’s national team recap while side B (32:04) tackles which album have captivated our ears this year.

Starting side A discussing… baseball? No longer just a mention in passing on this podcast! Falling Pirates and Ella De La Cruz has himself a night! The duo also discuss the NBA draft, and Tyler makes a bold prediction about the Spurs. Side B (58:05) touches some new releases before it’s story time about the boygenius concert.

Usually sports and music are our go to’s, but occasionally, we like to discuss other ‘play’ subjects. This week we go out of bounds for a spoiler-free reaction to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and a few video game announcements including Final Fantasy VII Remake (TWO DISCS) and Spider-Man 2. Side A (24:43) brings everyone up to date on the Finals and the impending doom facing the Heat as well as Cutch’s 2k hits milestone. On side B (55:48), Ward receives a vinyl preorder BEFORE the release date and gives his first impressions of the new Jason Isbell album, a potential AOTY nominee. A new song and EP drop (called it) from Anberlin and some Teenage Wrist love.