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The Athletic Show

Vibe Check: NFL Playoff Previews & the Death of SEC Dominance

Season 1, Ep. 9

Zena, Robert and Jason are kicking off the New Year by digging into the seismic shifts rocking the football world. Madeline Hill and Charlotte Wilder from The Sports Gossip Show join the show for a special "Vibes-Only" NFL Playoff Preview. We’re ranking every playoff team from "Immaculate" to "Horrific" and spilling the tea on the off-field drama you might have missed—from front-office feuds to Jordon Hudson’s latest correspondences. Plus, after Indiana’s historic 38-3 dismantling of Alabama in the Rose Bowl and Miami’s upset over Ohio State, The Athletic’s Chris Vannini joins the set to answer the question: Is the SEC’s era of untouchable dominance officially over? We also turn our attention to the disaster in the desert. After a 3-14 season, Pete Carroll is officially one-and-done with the Las Vegas Raiders. We examine the enigma of owner Mark Davis: Why can he build a dynasty with the WNBA’s Aces but can’t find his footing in the NFL and is Tom Brady the only person who can save the Silver and Black.


Hosts & Guests

Zena Keita @itszenakeita

Robert Mays @robertmays

Jason Goff @Jason1Goff

Chris Vannini @ChrisVannini

Chalotte Wilder @TheWilderThings

Madeline Hill @mad_hill


Editor: Matt Shilts

Executive Producer: Maggie Burbank

Producer: Stephen Lorenzo

A Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.

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