Podcast · Sport

First Take

by ESPN, Stephen A. Smith, Shae Cornette · English · Sport

First Take is always a heated discussion as Stephen A. Smith and guests debate about the day's top stories.

New episodes: Several times a day
Typical length: 47 min
Latest: 14 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026 · 47 minNew

Hour 2: Who will have a bigger game Sunday night: Dak Prescott or Jordan Love?

First Take resumes as Dallas heads to Green Bay to take on the Packers. Micah Parsons will still be on the sideline for this matchup but that doesn't make it any less important. In a game where both teams are trying to turn a corner and start a run who will have the bigger game: Dak or Jordan Love? Next the Seahawks and Broncos face off on Thursday night football. In a battle between two of the best defenses in the league, who needs the win more? Then it's time to see what Mad Dog Russo is mad at this week. Kalen DeBoer yelling at his players, Sean McVay's OT play calling, Karl-Anthony Towns…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

14 Oct 2026 · 47 minNew
Hour 1: Where does Josh Allen Rank Among Mobile QBs?
First Take begins as Bills head coach, Joe Brady, warned running back, James Cook, that there may be consequences for his costly fumbles. However, Buffalo's rushing attack has been a major reason for the teams success. Has James Cook's fumbling actually become an issue? Next the crew decides if it's time to be patient or panic on some of the biggest names in the NFL. Is it time to panic for Bo Nix, Nick Sirianni and the Rams? Then Jessica Mendoza joins the show to preview the MLB's championship series. The Dodgers have kept Shohei Ohtani in the lineup for game three despite his struggles.…
14 Oct 2026 · 46 minNew
Hour 2: October Brew
First Take is here, and we’ve got plenty to say! Monday Night gave us a game for the ages, with an MVP battle that lived up to the hype. Who made the biggest statement, and what does it mean for the rest of the season? We’re breaking it all down! Meanwhile, Washington is dealing with the aftermath, and the NFC Least is living up to its name. Can anyone step up and take control of the division? And you know we can’t leave without talking about America’s Team! HOW BOUT THEM COWBOYS?! The takes are coming, the debates are heating up, and we’re covering it all! Learn more about your ad choices.…
14 Oct 2026 · 49 minNew
Hour 1: Clock it!
First Take is in the house! Monday Night Football delivered an absolute masterpiece, and the MVP showdown has everyone talking! We’re breaking down the biggest moments, the key takeaways, and what it all means moving forward! Plus, the fallout continues in Washington! Can anyone in the NFC Least get their act together, or is the chaos just getting started? And last but certainly not least… HOW BOUT THEM COWBOYS?! We’re debating all the biggest storylines and bringing the heat on today’s episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
12 Oct 2026 · 47 minNew
Hour 2: Which NFC East team has been the most Disappointing?
First Take resumes as the NFC East has once again become the NFC LEAST! With the Giants and Commanders game ending in a tie, the Eagles blunder in London, and the Cowboys embarrassment of a game against the Bucs on Thursday, no one seems to be taking control. Which team is going to break through and take this division? Next the Packers sent a message to the Bears this weekend with their 31-7 win. Can the Packers use this game to finally turn a corner against Ben Johnson? Can the Packers revive their season? Then Texas lost it's number one ranking in college football after their upset loss to…
12 Oct 2026 · 47 minNew
Hour 1: Who is more to blame for the Commanders blunder: Jayden Daniels or Dan Quinn?
First Take begins as the Washington Commanders may have made the biggest mistake of the season. With the ball in Giants territory and 50 seconds left, Jayden Daniels and the Commanders ran a play and then let the clock run all the way down to 0 before spiking it which led to a tie. Is Quinn or Daniels more to blame for the horrible miscommunication? Next to another wild coaching decision, Nick Sirianni and the Eagles kicked the ball off in play to the Jaguars with 8 seconds left in the game which led to a 50 yard kickoff return and ultimately a game-winning field goal for the Jags. What is…
9 Oct 2026 · 46 min
Hour 2: Did Dak prove his critics right?
First Take resumes with more Cowboys talk. After the game a stadium staff member called Dak and the Cowboys performance "embarrassing" as Prescott walked by. Dak was not pleased by the comments but is there any truth to them? Has Dak given more reasons for his critics to talk? Next Kendrick Perkins joins to give some of his boldest Perkdictions for the upcoming NBA season. Could Anthony Edwards win MVP? Will the Celtics be just a play-in team? Then the crew gives you a history lesson on Virginia State's football and cheerleading teams as the campus has been alive and active the whole show!…
9 Oct 2026 · 48 min
Hour 1: How Embarrassing was the Cowboys Loss to the Bucs?
First Take begins as Dallas loses in one of the biggest upsets of the NFL season so far. Undrafted rookie QB, Jalon Daniels, led the 0-4 Bucs to a win in Dallas against the Cowboys. The Bucs rushed for almost 250 yards in the game as Dallas' defense once again struggled heavily. Where do the Cowboys go from here? Next the reigning NBA Champions, New York Knicks, are having some contract issues as they decide to officially table all contract extension talks with Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart. How important is it for the Knicks to retain their championship core? Then LeBron James made his…
8 Oct 2026 · 46 min
Hour 2: Who is Stephen A's number one team in the NFL after week 4?
First Take resumes as Stephen A. and Mina Kimes compare their top five NFL teams after four weeks. Do they have the same team number one? Mina goes off on Stephen A. for his Vikings take? Then some breaking news has dropped... Jayden Daniels will start for the Commanders on Sunday after missing only two games with a dislocated elbow. Could a Jayden Daniels-led Commanders team make some noise in this discombobulated NFC East? Then Kirk Cousins and the Raiders travel to Foxborough to take on the Patriots after their big win against the Bills. Who do you trust more in this matchup? Learn more…
8 Oct 2026 · 48 min
Hour 1: Who should the Cowboys target for trades?
First Take begins as Stephen A's Yankees were swept last night in the American League Division Series by the Tampa Bay Rays. This now marks 17 straight seasons without a world series title for New York, the second longest drought in franchise history. What changes do they have to make to get back to being the old Yankees? Next the Philadelphia Eagles lost another major player on their offensive line after trading away center, Cam Jurgens, yesterday to the Baltimore Ravens. Are all these Eagles changes putting too much of a load on Jalen Hurts? Then the crew previews one of the biggest…
7 Oct 2026 · 46 min
Hour 2: How should we assess the SEC so far this season?
First Take resumes as the Lane Johnson news has officially put the Eagles in Mad Dog's "teams that can no longer win the super bowl" list. Stay tuned to see what other teams make the list. Next, WWE play-by-play announcer, Joe Tessitore, joins the show to preview WWE's Money in the Bank show this Saturday in New Orleans. Then Mad Dog shares what he's mad about this week. Pittsburgh Football head coach, Milwaukee Brewers ground rules, primetime football scheduling... no one is safe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
7 Oct 2026 · 49 min
Hour 1: How much trouble are the Eagles in without Lane Johnson?
First Take begins as the Philadelphia Eagles received breaking news yesterday as Lane Johnson decided to retire. Johnson has been a staple of the Eagles offense since 2013. Where does Philly look now to help out their offensive line on the field and in the locker room? Next Dak Prescott said he does not regret sharing the team's G.O.T.I mantra this past offseason. While the Cowboys offense has certainly been good, the greatest might be a stretch. Could Dak's comments come back to bite the Cowboys at the end of the season? Then with Alabama's electric start to the college football season has…
6 Oct 2026 · 46 min
Hour 2: Are the Cowboys Gold or Fools Gold?
First Take resumes as the crew debates what running back they would take first in the NFL. Bijan Robinson has taken the NFL by storm these last couple seasons but Jahmyr Gibbs, James Cook and Derrick Henry have been the definition of consistency. Next LeBron James and Jaylen Brown made their 76ers debut this past week. However, LeBron is said to already be dealing with chronic arthritis in his foot. Is this a sign of things to come for Philly? How bad do the 76ers need LeBron for a title run? Then it's time for Stephen A's top five NFL teams this season. Who will Stephen A. pick as his best…
6 Oct 2026 · 49 min
Hour 1: How big of a threat are the Falcons in the NFC?
First Take begins as the Bijan Robinson and the Falcons demolished the Saints on Monday Night Football. Both Bijan and Brian Robinson ran all over the Saints defense as Michael Penix Jr. showed once again that he can be a true franchise QB for Atlanta. Could the Falcons make some noise in the NFC? Next the New York Yankees are one game away from losing in the American League Division Series for the second straight year. After only having one hit in game one and four errors in game two, could this series be going any worse for New York? Should Aaron Boone be managing for his job? Then the…
5 Oct 2026 · 46 min
Hour 2: Are the Cowboys Going to Run Away with the NFC East?
First Take resumes as Michael Irvin claims that the NFC East is now Dallas' to lose. With Philly having offensive problems again, could this be true? Could a Jameis led Giants team stand in their way? Next the Raiders and Chiefs delivered a great game between two undefeated teams that took a last second interception for the Chiefs to put away Kirk and the Raiders. Kenneth Walker had another huge game on the ground. How much of a difference does K9 make? What did the Raiders show even in a loss? Then the Indiana Fever may no longer be in the WNBA playoffs but that doesn't mean the storylines…
5 Oct 2026 · 48 min
Hour 1: Did the Cowboys make a Statement with their Win on Sunday?
First Take begins as Dallas wins the battle for Texas. CeeDee Lamb and Dallas' offense are able to hold off CJ Stroud and the reeling 0-4 Houston Texans. Did the Cowboys make a statement with their win? Did their defense show anything different? Next after the Patriots beat the Bills in Buffalo; Bills corner, CJ Gardner-Johnson, called Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism who caught the game winning catch a practice squad player who will never be heard from again. Could this cause some controversy in Buffalo? How will Joe Brady respond to CJ's comments? Then Sunday saw some referees in the…
2 Oct 2026 · 46 min
Hour 2: Have the Cowboys Proven they are Better off without Micah?
First Take resumes as Joey Porter Jr. is hoping to make his Cowboys debut on Sunday. How much will Porter actually improve this defense? Has Jerry Jones been able to make up for the loss of Micah Parsons through his trades? Next the crew looks ahead to week four of the NFL. Are the Browns legit contenders after their win against the Steelers? Could the Bills and Chiefs be on upset watch? Then Victor Wembanyama recently said he will not be promoting any betting sites. What do you think of Wemby taking a stand? Is this something that more NBA players should follow? Learn more about your ad…
2 Oct 2026 · 49 min
Hour 1: How Bad is this Loss for the Steelers?
First Take begins as Stephen A. sounds off on the Steelers after last night's poor performance. A loss to the Browns with some Rodgers controversy does not make for a good Thursday Night recipe. What's going on in Pittsburgh? Next the Eagles take on the Rams in a matchup that was supposed to be between two of the NFC's elite teams. Is this still the case? Who needs the win more? Then despite injuries piling up early yet again for San Fran, they are still 3-0. Brock Purdy has played some of the best football of his career so far. Is he the MVP? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
1 Oct 2026 · 47 min
Hour 2: If the Cowboys Falter, who Deserves the Most Blame?
First Take resumes with more defense talk in Dallas. Jerry invested in this defense heavily in the offseason but it has yet to pan out. Is this yet another Jerry Jones blunder or is the coaching more to blame? Next there are some rumblings in New England that a rift might be forming between Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel. Might this be a reason for Maye's struggles so far this season? What do Drake and Vrabel have to do to point themselves back in the right direction? Then to Tampa Bay where some seats may be starting to get hot. With Tampa Bay potentially starting 0-4 and with Baker out with an…
1 Oct 2026 · 48 min
Hour 1: What does the Joey Porter Jr. Trade do for the Cowboys?
First Take begins with breaking news in the NFL world as Steelers corner, Joey Porter Jr, was traded to the Dallas Cowboys. How much can Porter realistically change this defense? Were they just one player away? Next the crew debates who you would rather have at QB right now, Joe Burrow or Trevor Lawrence. Evan Cohen, co-host of UnSportsmanLike on ESPN, says he wants Trevor... is that crazy? Then this past week Odell Beckham Jr was officially waved by the New York Giants. What would his career have looked like if not derailed by injuries? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
30 Sep 2026 · 48 min
Hour 2: Who is The Team to Beat in The NFC North?
First Take resumes with the faltering NFC North! Predicted to be the best division in football, 3/4 teams have stumbled out of the gates (some due to injury). Now, 3 weeks in, which team looks the scariest? Then, a battle of 3-0 squads! The game of the week takes place in Las Vegas where Kirk battles Mahomes. How surprised would you be if the Raiders pulled off the upset? Next, Mad Dog is MADDD!!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
30 Sep 2026 · 46 min
Hour 1: Should Cam Schlittler Be Anointed Mayor of Boston Immediately?
First Take begins with Schlittler's dominance! He owns the Red Sox statistically more than any pitcher has ever owned another professional team! Is the Red Sox season about the end at the hands of the Yanks for a second straight year? Then, which floundering early season SB favorite needs a win more: Rams or Eagles? Next, Drake Maye panic button alert! Drake Maybe (thanks Skip) has lost his MVP ways of last season. He can't complete a deep pass, refuses to run, and looks like a shell of his former self! What happened? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
29 Sep 2026 · 48 min
Hour 2: Are the Eagles Still a Serious Threat in the NFC?
First Take resumes as Chris Canty, co-host of UnSportsmanLike on ESPN, breaks down what led to the Eagles collapse last night. Does more blame fall on the Eagles offense or defense? Should we start to question the Hurts-Sirianni pairing? Next Jeff Passan joins the show as the MLB playoffs begin tonight. Aaron Judge was officially left off the Yankees roster. Was that the right move? Then its the end of week three in the NFL so you know what that means. It's time for Stephen A's top five NFL teams. Will the Chiefs stay at number one? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…
29 Sep 2026 · 46 min
Hour 1: Was Last Night a Bad Game or a Bad Sign for the Eagles?
First Take begins as the Bears' 3rd string QB, Case Keenum, threw all over Philly and their defense as he led the Bears to a 27-7 win. What statement does this make for the Bears going forward? How much credit should we give to Ben Johnson? Then, yesterday was NBA media day and we got another LeBron moment. LeBron stated that he would have gone to the Knicks during this offseason if they did not win the championship. What does Stephen A. have to say about this? Next NHL legend, P.K. Subban, joins the show to break down some of the biggest storylines on the ice heading into opening night.…
28 Sep 2026 · 48 min
Hour 2: Did Cleveland's Win Change the Way You View Deshaun Watson?
First Take resumes back in Brazil as Dallas' defensive concerns continue. Lamar and the Ravens rushed for almost 200 yards as Dallas consistently could not set or keep an edge. Did the outcome of this game mean more for Dallas or the Ravens? Next the crew breaks down the biggest storylines from college football week 4. What statement did Florida make with their blowout win over Ole Miss? Is a 1-game suspension enough for USC's Desman Stephens for his hit on Dante Moore? Then Stephen A. had a sit down with NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell. You won't want to miss some of the questions Stephen A…
28 Sep 2026 · 44 min
Hour 1: Are we More Disappointed in Dallas' Offense or Defense at the end of the Game?
First Take begins with a battle in Brazil. Ravens Cowboys came down to the wire and it took a 57 yard field goal from Baltimore to take home the win. There were some late game issues with how the Cowboys played down the stretch. Is their offense or defense more to blame for the loss? Next to the AFC North where a faceoff between the Bengals and Steelers took place. Aaron Rodgers turned back the clock to throw three touchdowns and beat the undefeated Bengals. Is the Bengals defense starting to slide once again? Then real concern in New England as Drake Maye has yet another turnover riddled…
25 Sep 2026 · 46 min
Hour 2: Are the Packers the Worst Team in the NFL?
First Take resumes with more Packers problems. Could the Packers realistically be the worst team in the NFL right now? Are there any ways to fix the current roster this year? Will the return of Josh Jacobs change anything? Next, the NBA's top 100 list fully came out and there are a few surprises. LeBron James is ranked all the way at 18 while other vets like Curry and Durant are 12 and 13 respectively. After his monster season, Victor Wembanyama is ranked as the second best player in the league. What does Wemby have to do this year to take over that number one spot? Then the crew heads over…
25 Sep 2026 · 49 min
Hour 1: Is the Packers Season Over?
First Take Begins with an old friend making his return. Skip Bayless is back and you won't want to miss is!! First we head to Green Bay where the Packers were straight up embarrassed by Michael Penix and the Falcons, suffering the worst home loss in the Matt Lafleur era. Is it already time to start thinking about next year for the Packers? Next there is a rumble in Rio brewing. The Ravens and Cowboys travel south to Brazil for their game this weekend. How can Dallas' defense stop Lamar and the Ravens rushing attack? Then the crew goes back to college for another ranked Texas matchup. Arch…
24 Sep 2026 · 47 min
Hour 2: What Would a 3-0 Start Mean for the Raiders?
First Take resumes as the NFL travels to Brazil for the Ravens and the Cowboys to face off. Both these teams sit at 1-1 with disappointing loses. Who needs the win more? Who is more likely to win their division? Next the crew previews some of the most underrated storylines heading into week three of the NFL. Deshaun Watson makes his 2026 home debut in Cleveland. What should the Browns do if he plays poorly? The Raiders are looking to go 3-0. Are they for real? What would a Jets win over the Lions mean? Then there seems to be a clear top two teams in the AFC. Who should we be higher on, the…
24 Sep 2026 · 47 min
Hour 1: Are There More Questions About the Ravens or the Cowboys?
First Take begins as Stephen A. is in Rio De Janeiro for the Cowboys Ravens matchup. With both these teams having shaky moments in games so far, who should we have more questions about? Will the Dallas rush defense crumble against Lamar Jackson? Next the crew moves to the NFC North where three of the teams sit at 1-1 after two weeks. Which of the North's .500 teams do we trust the most? Then the Rams take on the Broncos in a game that many people before the season marked as a potential Super Bowl preview. Is this still the case? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…

About First Take

First Take is always a heated discussion as Stephen A. Smith and guests debate about the day's top stories.

First Take is a English sport podcast from ESPN, Stephen A. Smith, Shae Cornette. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: ESPN, Stephen A. Smith, Shae Cornette
Language: English
Category: Sport
New episodes: Several times a day
Typical length: 47 min
Latest episode: 14 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id428989929

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