First Take

40 Episodes
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By: ESPN, Stephen A. Smith, Shae Cornette

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

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Hour 2: Who is Stephen A's number one team in the NFL after week 4?
Yesterday at 4:11 PM

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...


Hour 1: Who should the Cowboys target for trades?
Yesterday at 3:09 PM

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...


Hour 2: How should we assess the SEC so far this season?
Last Wednesday at 4:11 PM

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.

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Hour 1: How much trouble are the Eagles in without Lane Johnson?
Last Wednesday at 3:16 PM

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...


Hour 2: Are the Cowboys Gold or Fools Gold?
Last Tuesday at 4:12 PM

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...


Hour 1: How big of a threat are the Falcons in the NFC?
Last Tuesday at 3:20 PM

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...


Hour 2: Are the Cowboys Going to Run Away with the NFC East?
Last Monday at 4:10 PM

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...


Hour 1: Did the Cowboys make a Statement with their Win on Sunday?
Last Monday at 3:18 PM

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...


Hour 2: Have the Cowboys Proven they are Better off without Micah?
10/02/2026

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...


Hour 1: How Bad is this Loss for the Steelers?
10/02/2026

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...


Hour 2: If the Cowboys Falter, who Deserves the Most Blame?
10/01/2026

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...


Hour 1: What does the Joey Porter Jr. Trade do for the Cowboys?
10/01/2026

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?

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Hour 2: Who is The Team to Beat in The NFC North?
09/30/2026

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!!!

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Hour 1: Should Cam Schlittler Be Anointed Mayor of Boston Immediately?
09/30/2026

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?

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Hour 2: Are the Eagles Still a Serious Threat in the NFC?
09/29/2026

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?

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Hour 1: Was Last Night a Bad Game or a Bad Sign for the Eagles?
09/29/2026

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...


Hour 2: Did Cleveland's Win Change the Way You View Deshaun Watson?
09/28/2026

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...


Hour 1: Are we More Disappointed in Dallas' Offense or Defense at the end of the Game?
09/28/2026

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...


Hour 2: Are the Packers the Worst Team in the NFL?
09/25/2026

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...


Hour 1: Is the Packers Season Over?
09/25/2026

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...


Hour 2: What Would a 3-0 Start Mean for the Raiders?
09/24/2026

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...


Hour 1: Are There More Questions About the Ravens or the Cowboys?
09/24/2026

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...


Hour 2: Do the Bears Have a Chance Against the Eagles Without their Top 2 QBs?
09/23/2026

First Take resumes as the Giants aren't the only team with QB questions. The Bears will most likely be without Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent, who is now in concussion protocol, in their game against Philadelphia. Do the Bears have a chance this weekend? Next the Bengals are back and may be better than ever. The same Bengals offense we all know with a defense that is much improved makes the sky the limit for the Bengals this season. Then tune in to catch what Mad Dog is mad about this week, you won't want to miss it!

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Hour 1: Is the Giants Season Over Without Jaxson Dart?
09/23/2026

First Take begins with some GIANT questions in New York. Jaxson Dart's knee injury turned out to be a lot more serious than originally expected as he is in jeopardy of missing the rest of the season. Where do the Giants go at QB from here? Next, who had the more impressive week two bounce back, Rams or Broncos? Which team is in a better spot going forward? Then a preview of some of the biggest College Football games this weekend. Should Florida be favored over Ole Miss? Should we expect LSU to bounce back vs Texas A&M...


Hour 2: Did the Rams Put the NFC Back on Notice?
09/22/2026

First Take resumes as the Rams manhandled the Giants on Monday Night Football. They outgained New York 481 yards to 182 and had control of the game the entire night. Is this something we should expect, especially with New York playing their backup QB, or are the Rams who we thought they were before the season? Next Ole Miss plays another in another ranked matchup this weekend as they travel to Gainesville to take on the Florida Gators. Trinidad Chambliss is the front runner for the Heisman right now, but could he be an NFL starting QB? Then Stephen A gives...


Hour 1: Can the Giants Keep their Season on Track Without Jaxson Dart?
09/22/2026

First Take begins with some trouble in Hollywood as another young QB goes down with an injury. Jaxson Dart left the game in the first quarter with a rumored MCL sprain. How long will he be out and how will this affect the Giants moving forward? Next the crew checks in on Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels after new injury news released. How long can either of these teams survive without their QB? Then Chris Canty, host of UnSportsmanLike on ESPN, breaks down some 2-0 teams. Are the Vikings and Raiders actually good?

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Hour 2: Are We More Confident or Concerned About the Eagles?
09/21/2026

First Take Resumes as Jalen Hurts led Philly to a game winning touchdown drive... but it was against the Titans. This is two straight weeks where the Eagles have struggled to put lesser teams away. Even though their 2-0, should we start to be worried about the Eagles? Next, Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss get their revenge against Lane and LSU. How does this loss change our view of Lane Kiffin? Then Todd Monken responds to the criticism the Browns have been getting with an all-time quote you won't want to miss!

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Hour 1: Can the Bears Stay Afloat Without Caleb Williams?
09/21/2026

First Take Begins with chaos in Chi-Town. Caleb Williams was carted off the field early in the 4th quarter with a hamstring injury. If Caleb is out long-term will the Bears be able to survive? Next, the Cowboys win their first game of the season but still looked shaky. Their defense struggled to stop the Commanders' rushing attack even after Jayden Daniels left the game with an elbow injury. Did their win restore our confidence in the Cowboys or does there still need to be improvement to be taken seriously in the NFC? Then CJ Stroud struggled as the...


Hour 2: How Critical is Sunday's Game for the Cowboys?
09/18/2026

First Take Resumes as the Dallas Cowboys look to avoid going 0-2 for the first time since 2010. Dallas takes on the feisty Commanders who look to bounce back from their close week one loss to the Eagles. Do we have confidence in Dallas to pull through? Next, Joe Burrow said yesterday that he has been going through some back tightness that has limited him in practice this week. How concerned should we be going forward this season with Burrow's health? He's expected to play but could this linger on? Then more LSU talk. Earlier this week Lane Kiffin stated...


Hour 1: Are the Bills the Team to Beat in the AFC?
09/18/2026

First Take Begins with a breakdown of Thursday Night Football's matchup between the Bills and Lions. Josh Allen and the Bills offense shined for the second week in a row as they put up 41 points on a struggling Lions defense. Are the Bills the best team in the AFC? Next the crew heads to Oxford for what could be the biggest game in college football this season. Lane Kiffin makes his long awaited return to Ole Miss, what should we expect from this game? Should LSU be road favorites? Then the crew looks ahead to week two of the...


Hour 2: Whose Offense is More Concerning: Steelers or Patriots?
09/17/2026

First Take Resumes as the crew touches on two teams in week one who struggled to put points on the board and did not impress anyone. Should we be worried more about the Patriots or the Steelers offense? Next 6-time Grammy Award nominee, Kenny Chesney, joins the show to give his thoughts on Tennessee football, the Patriots, Sean Payton and more! Then the crew takes a trip down to H-Town as the Texans may need a big bounce back win this weekend. Is CJ Stroud really capable of leading this team?

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Hour 1: Is it a Mistake for Joe Burrow to Play if he isn't 100%?
09/17/2026

First Take Begins with some big QB injuries. LSU may be going into their biggest game against Ole Miss WITHOUT Sam Leavitt as Lane Kiffin mysteriously listed him as doubtful late last night. In the NFL, Joe Burrow may be dealing with some back issues that could linger. Will Leavitt play? Will we have another injured season of Burrow? Next Mina Kimes joins the show to talk about the Chicago Bears. We all know how good their offense is but should the defense be a cause for concern? Then comments were made by Titans star defensive tackle, Jeffery Simmons...


Hour 2: Can the Vikings Defense Slow Down the Bears Offense?
09/16/2026

First Take Resumes with a big NFC North matchup this weekend. The Vikings take on the Bears as Carson Wentz and Brian Flores' defense look to bring the Vikings to 2-0 while the Bears look to prove that their week one offense was not a fluke. Next the Protect College Sports Act moves even closer to a vote in the Senate. If this bill is passed what could that mean for the landscape of college sports as we know it? Then Mad Dog is back so you know what that means... Why is Mad Dog Mad makes it's long...


Hour 1: Which Team Needs to Win More: Lions or Bills?
09/16/2026

First Take Begins with some disruption in Dallas. Jerry Jones said he's optimistic that they can fix the defense and play better. This is now multiple years of a dreadful defense in Dallas however, so do we really believe him? Next, it's the game of the year in college football. Lane Kiffin brings his LSU squad back to his old stomping grounds as LSU takes on Ole Miss in Kiffin's first game back in Oxford after coaching them for the past six seasons. Then Stephen A. loses it over Mets fans cheering for Pete Alonso's 300th career home run...


Hour 2: How do the Cowboys Fix their Defense?
09/15/2026

First Take Resumes with Dallas' dreadful defense. The Cowboys spent the offseason revamping their entire defensive unit which was worst in the NFL last season. However the Giants were still able to run all over them and Jaxson Dart shined. Do we still expect this defense to be top half of the league? If Dallas' defense still struggles with all new personnel, is it time for some coaching changes? Next Stephen A. gives his top five NFL teams after week one. Are the Chiefs back? The Rams are already outside the top five? Then Joe Burrow and the Bengals...


Hour 1: Are Chiefs Back as the Team to Beat in the AFC?
09/15/2026

First Take Begins as we finally get some more Mahomes magic as the Chiefs down the Broncos on Monday Night Football. Chris Canty, host of UnSportsmanLike on ESPN, joins to talk about how Kenneth Walker and the Chiefs defense shines as Bo Nix and Sean Payton take a rough week one loss. How concerned should we be with Denver? Next the Rams take on the Giants in week two of Monday Night Football. Could the Giants build on their week one performance and take down a reeling Rams team who is dealing with major injuries already? Then Stephen A...


Hour 2: Does SNF Say More About the Giants or Cowboys?
09/14/2026

First Take Resumes with more disfunction in Dallas. The Giants defense kept the Cowboys offense in check for the whole game. What does this say about a Cowboys offense we were expecting to be one of the best in the league? Next Paul Finebaum joins to cover the miracle comeback that Arch Manning and Texas was able to put together against Ohio State this past Saturday. Did Arch Manning have his Heisman moment? Then the Cardinals pull off a stunner and beat the Chargers. How much criticism does Justin Herbert deserve for the loss?

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Hour 1: Did Lamar or Josh Allen make a Bigger Statement with their new Head Coach?
09/14/2026

First Take Begins with Josh Allen's takeover in Houston. Both Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson make big statements with their new head coaches with big week one wins. Should we be concerned with the Texans defense or can we just write it up to Josh Allen? Next Michael Irvin joins the show to go head to head against Stephen A. about the Cowboys lackluster performance on Sunday Night Football. Michael Irvin isn't concerned... but should we be? Then the crew breaks down the Bears beatdown of Carolina. Caleb Williams and the Bears almost score 60. Could this be the best...


Hour 2: Why Were The Rams So Sluggish?
09/11/2026

First Take resumes with the sluggish Rams! Perhaps arriving in Australia mere hours before their dual against the 49ers was the wrong move? Then, the Giants face the Cowboys in a Sunday night matchup sure to excite! OBJ, Malik Nabers and Skattebo return with plans to silence the Cowboys hype machine! Next, Desmond Howard defends Bryce Underwood's lackluster week one performance!


Going Away Gift: Start Quentin Johnston this week! He will have 19.19 points!

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Hour 1: Did We Overhype The Rams?
09/11/2026

First Take Begins with Australia's newest team. After staying in Melbourne for a week the 49ers cruise to a win over the Rams who were clearly missing that L.A weather. Then Chris "Mad Dog" Russo joins to remember the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and everyone who tragically lost their lives that fateful day. Next, with AJ Brown confirmed to be out at least four weeks how will the Patriots survive? Who needs to step up on offense to fill his role?

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