The Balance

The Colts packed their passports—but did they pack another win? The Eagles need a bounce-back—but who’s healthy enough to help deliver it?Ed Kracz, Philadelphia Eagles beat writer for Eagles on SI and The Balance’s official NFL contributor, joins Tom Marquis for 30 minutes of NFL Week 4 talk! We’re heading across the pond for Colts–Commanders, digging into Philadelphia’s mounting injuries, and racing around the league to separate promising starts from panic buttons.Who’s stepping up? Who’s sliding backward? And whose injury report needs its own depth chart? From London breakfast football to prime-time showdow...

The Hoosiers survived a scare, Texas escaped Rocky Top, and Ohio State’s stars put on a show! Adam Jividen—super Browns, Buckeyes, Guardians and Cavs fan, our great prognosticator and college football partner in crime—joins Tom Marquis to unpack Week 4.We’re talking Mississippi State’s momentum, the Heisman conversation in Columbus, and the serious story surrounding Dante Moore’s injury and USC’s suspension of Desman Stephens II. Add some ranking debates, a look ahead, and a Stump Adam challenge, and we’ve got plenty to tackle!Stick around, we’re still going fast here at The Balance.

The Colts are finally in the win column! Tom Marquis and Ed Kracz unpack Indianapolis’ 19–17 escape against Houston, race through the biggest surprises of Week 3, and set the table for Monday Night Football in Chicago. The Eagles are 2–0, but Ed sees enough trouble in the run game and on defense that he’s picking the Bears. Can Philadelphia prove him wrong under the lights?

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The college football season is heating up, and the rankings are already being rewritten! Adam Jividen super TOCleveland Browns, Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Guardians and Cleveland Cavaliers superfan and fearless college football prognosticator—joins Tom Marquis to break down everything from last weekend and preview another loaded week. The Indiana Hoosiers are undefeated and sitting inside the top five. Notre Dame’s defense is dominating, Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith is rewriting the record book, and Ole Miss has crashed the national championship conversation. We’ll examine the entire top 10, spotlight the weekend’s biggest games and put Adam on the spot f...

One week can create excitement, panic and plenty of overreactions—but Week 2 begins separating the contenders from the pretenders!Philadelphia Eagles beat writer Ed Kratz of Sports Illustrated joins Tom Marquis on NFL in The Balance to break down the biggest stories around the league. Can the Colts rebound against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs under the Sunday night lights? What must the Eagles clean up before facing the Titans? Which Week 1 results were real, and which ones fooled us?We’ll cover Indianapolis, Kansas City and Philadelphia before taking a rapid-fire trip around all eight divisions and all 32 NFL team...

The NASCAR Chase is rolling into World Wide Technology Raceway, and Gateway could change everything! Steve Wilson, editor-in-chief of Speedway Digest and official NASCAR contributor for The Balance, joins host Tom Marquis to preview a pivotal weekend for both the NASCAR Cup Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. We break down Christopher Bell’s Darlington victory, Denny Hamlin’s shrinking championship lead, Gateway’s unique challenges and the drivers facing the most pressure. Plus, Corey Day’s long-term Hendrick Motorsports deal, Brandon Jones’ role as the veteran leader of Joe Gibbs Racing’s young O’Reilly Series lineup, and everything else...

Football is finally back—and Week 1 has already delivered! Philadelphia Eagles beat writer and SI.com contributor Ed Kratz joins Tom Marquis on The Balance to preview the Eagles’ divisional showdown with Washington, examine the Colts’ challenging opener against Lamar Jackson and Baltimore, and race through all 32 NFL teams. Which contenders are ready to roll? Which teams could stumble out of the gate? And what would immediately worry Ed after just one game? From Philadelphia and Indianapolis to every matchup around the league, it’s time to overreact responsibly and kick off another NFL season!

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Labor Day weekend and Darlington Raceway go together like tire marks and bent sheet metal—and the Lady in Black delivered plenty of both! Steve Wilson, editor-in-chief of Speedway Digest and our official NASCAR contributor, joins Tom Marquis for a special Labor Day edition of The Balance. Christopher Bell finally ends a frustrating 33-race winless streak by capturing one of NASCAR’s crown jewels, while Joe Gibbs Racing puts three Toyotas in the top six. We’ll break down Kyle Larson’s high-risk tire strategy, Denny Hamlin’s difficult night, William Byron’s devastating mechanical failure and the heated run-in that left Br...

College football is officially back—and Week 1 gave us blowouts, breakout stars, major scares and one unbelievable finish! Our great prognosticator Adam Jividen—super Browns, Guardians, Buckeyes and Cavaliers fan—joins Tom Marquis to break down Ohio State’s dominant opener, Indiana’s first victory as defending national champion, Michigan’s last-second miracle, Oregon’s close call and LSU’s demolition of Clemson. Who made an early playoff statement, and which contender already has reasons to worry? Let’s get balanced!

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IndyCar is going back to Cali for one final ride in 2026! Derek Vance from the Push to Pass Podcast, our official IndyCar contributor, joins The Balance as the series rolls into legendary WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Although Alex Palou has already secured the championship, Christian Lundgaard, Kyle Kirkwood and Pato O’Ward enter the finale separated by only four points in the battle for second. And speaking of Pato—things are getting spicy at Arrow McLaren! We break down his blunt response to Christian Lundgaard’s comments about the team’s oval development, what it reveals about their relationship and whether...

Can we get an amen? The NFL regular season is almost here! Ed Kracz, Philadelphia Eagles beat writer for SI.com and official NFL contributor to The Balance, joins Tom Marquis for a special Tuesday drop packed with late-breaking football news. Aaron Donald is coming out of retirement and returning to Los Angeles on a one-year, $20 million deal—joining Myles Garrett on what could become the most terrifying defensive front in football. Does Donald still have enough left to dominate, and did the Rams just become the team to beat in the NFC? We’ll also discuss Colts wide receiver Keen...

The NASCAR Cup Series rolls into the World Center of Racing with everything on the line! Steve Wilson, editor-in-chief of Speedway Digest, joins Tom Marquis on The Balance to preview Saturday night’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. For the first time during the 2026 Cup Series season, NASCAR will race live on NBC—and the network couldn’t have drawn a more dramatic opener. Five drivers are fighting for the final three positions in The Chase, Ross Chastain has captured the pole, and NASCAR is introducing a brand-new aerodynamic package that could completely change how the cars draft, pass a...

Dust off the helmets, fire up the fight songs, and clear the couch—college football is back! Adam Jividen—super Browns fan, super Guardians fan, super Buckeyes fan, super Cavaliers fan, and The Balance’s great prognosticator—joins Tom Marquis to break down the first big Saturday of Week Zero. We’ll preview North Carolina and TCU playing in Dublin, NC State and Virginia taking college football to Brazil, USC opening against San José State, the Hawaii–Stanford rematch, and a late-night showdown between Memphis and UNLV. Then we ask the question every college football fan is already debating: Who is ready to l...

Start your engines, America—INDYCAR is making history in the nation’s capital! Derek Vance of the Push to Pass Podcast, our official INDYCAR contributor, joins Tom Marquis on The Balance to preview the inaugural Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C.—a once-in-a-lifetime event celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. For the first time ever, INDYCAR machines will race through the heart of Washington on a challenging 1.7-mile street circuit framed by the U.S. Capitol, Washington Monument and Smithsonian. The seven-turn, counterclockwise layout features six left turns, only one right turn and absolutely no previous race data for the teams. W...

The countdown to kickoff is on! Ed Kracz, Philadelphia Eagles beat writer for Sports Illustrated, joins Tom Marquis on The Balance with the latest news straight from Eagles camp. We examine Philadelphia’s roster battles, check in on the Indianapolis Colts and their quarterback situation, and discuss what preseason performances actually matter. We’ll also salute four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb, who announced his retirement after eight NFL seasons. Chubb finishes his career with 7,349 rushing yards, 54 rushing touchdowns and an impressive 5.0 yards per carry. Reuters Then it’s our NFL preseason lightning round: all 32 teams, as time permits! Which...

Breaking news is reshaping NASCAR’s future: Connor Zilisch has signed a multiyear deal to join Hendrick Motorsports beginning in 2028, succeeding Alex Bowman after his retirement from full-time competition. Ally will remain aboard as sponsor—but what does the blockbuster move mean for rising talents such as Hendrick prospect Corey Day?Steve Wilson, Editor-in-Chief of Speedway Digest and our official NASCAR contributor, joins me to break down the Hendrick bombshell, Joey Logano’s big Richmond victory and the tightening postseason battle. With no automatic “win and you’re in” ticket available, every point matters as NASCAR races toward the Chase.

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Can you hear the marching bands yet? College football Saturdays are just weeks away, so naturally, it’s time to start talking ball. Adam Jividen—Super Browns, Super Cavs, Super Buckeyes, Super Guardians and all-around Ohio superfan—joins us as our official college football partner in crime. We’re firing up the early-season conversation, setting the table for kickoff and asking the question every fan is thinking: Is it football season yet?

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IndyCar is taking over the streets! Derek Vance from the Push to Pass Podcast joins us to break down today’s action at the inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy in Markham. Then we look ahead to something that still sounds almost unbelievable: IndyCar racing through the streets of Washington, D.C., next weekend. Two cities, two major events, and plenty of speed, strategy and championship drama to unpack.

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Training camps are humming, preseason football is underway, and the NFL storylines are piling up fast. Philadelphia Eagles beat writer Ed Kracz of SI.com joins us for a high-speed, 30-minute trip around the league. We’ll dive into the Eagles, check the temperature on the Colts, and tackle as many of the NFL’s 32 teams as the clock will allow. Buckle up—football is officially back!

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IndyCar’s championship stretch reaches Portland—and the action away from the racetrack may be just as compelling as the battle on it.Tom Marquess, host of The Balance, is joined by Push to Pass host and official IndyCar contributor Derek Vance. They dive into IndyCar’s wild funny season, including the biggest questions surrounding AJ Foyt Racing, Andretti Global and the other teams facing important driver decisions.The conversation also looks to IndyCar’s technical future following the first Indianapolis Motor Speedway tests of Dallara’s new IR-28 with Alexander Rossi and Alex Palou. Then it’s on to Portland Int...

NASCAR is back in the heartland, where Iowa Speedway’s tight corners, multiple grooves and short-track intensity promise a fast and physical weekend.Tom Marquis, host of The Balance, welcomes Speedway Digest editor-in-chief Steve Wilson for a full NASCAR breakdown. They examine the latest rule changes, developments in the NASCAR Cup Series, the newly renamed O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the Craftsman Truck Series.Kyle Larson, Joey Logano and Chris Buescher are among the drivers built for this kind of racing—but who will master Iowa’s changing lanes and survive the late-race chaos? Tom and Steve also spotlight the driv...

NFL football is officially back! Host Tom Marquis welcomes Ed Kracz, Philadelphia Eagles beat writer for Sports Illustrated, for a jam-packed look around all 32 NFL training camps as teams begin preparations for the 2026 season. Who has the most pressure? Which rookies are already turning heads? What quarterback battles deserve your attention? Which veteran stars need big camps to keep their jobs? Tom and Ed break down the biggest headlines from across the NFL while taking a closer look at the defending NFC powerhouse Philadelphia Eagles and Tom's hometown Indianapolis Colts. It's football talk, opinions, predictions, and plenty of friendly banter...

The Balance goes LIVE from the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway! Host Tom Marquess is joined by Steve Wilson, Editor-in-Chief of Speedway Digest, to celebrate one of NASCAR's crown jewel weekends—the Brickyard 400. From the rich history of kissing the bricks to the excitement surrounding the In-Season Challenge's $1 million Dash for Cash, Tom and Steve break down the biggest storylines heading into race weekend. They discuss the drivers to watch, who has the momentum, who needs a statement win, and why Indianapolis remains one of the most iconic stops in motorsports. Whether you're a lifelong NASCAR fan or tuning into the Br...

NASCAR is back under the lights at EchoPark Speedway, and there is no shortage of storylines. Tom Marquis welcomes Speedway Digest Editor-in-Chief Steve Wilson to break down everything from Saturday's O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race to tonight's Quaker State 400. The guys dive into the biggest topic in the garage—Carson Hocevar. Is he simply an aggressive young racer following in the footsteps of the sport's toughest competitors, or is he developing a reputation that could make life difficult inside the Cup garage? They discuss what fellow drivers are saying, whether NASCAR needs personalities like Hocevar, and how much patience veterans re...

Football is back, and so is The Balance! Host Tom Marquis welcomes back Ed Kracz, Philadelphia Eagles beat writer, to kick off another NFL season. From preseason battles and quarterback competitions to offseason winners, rookie impact players, and the biggest questions facing every team, we've got you covered. Which rookie classes are ready to shine? Who's flying under the radar, and who could disappoint? Grab your coffee and join us for 30 minutes of NFL talk as the countdown to Week 1 officially begins.

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Tom Marquis welcomes Derek Vance from the Push to Pass Podcast for a fast-paced 30-minute IndyCar conversation following one of the biggest weekends of the season at Mid-Ohio.Arrow McLaren finally breaks through with a historic 1-2 finish as Pato O'Ward grabs his first victory of 2026, but the racing may not even be the biggest story. Scott Dixon's shocking departure from Chip Ganassi Racing has officially launched IndyCar's Silly Season, and the dominoes are already beginning to fall.Who benefits the most? What does this mean for Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing, Arrow McLaren and the rest of the paddock...

The group stage is over. Thirty-two remain. The pressure has officially arrived. Tom Marquis and Adam Jividen break down everything happening at the 2026 FIFA World Cup—from the United States winning its group, the knockout bracket taking shape, Cinderella stories, powerhouse disappointments, Lionel Messi's final World Cup run, the expanded 48-team format, and whether America can finally make a deep run on home soil. The World Cup has shifted from surviving...to winning or going home. Can Mauricio Pochettino lead the USMNT to its greatest tournament ever?

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Derik Vance from Push to Pass joins The Balance for a loaded Thursday Evening Drop as he officially helps steer our IndyCar coverage through the rest of the season. Tom Marquis and Derek break down one of the busiest weeks in the paddock: Christian Lundgaard’s stunning Road America comeback win and whether he’s becoming the new performance face of Arrow McLaren, Felix Rosenqvist’s decision to leave Meyer Shank Racing after winning the Indianapolis 500, Marcus Armstrong’s heartbreak and growing breakout status, and what Mid-Ohio testing could mean for the championship race.The guys also dig into Graham Rahal’s...

This week on The Balance, host Tom Marquis welcomes back Tony Donohue of The Tony D Podcast to break down everything happening in IndyCar as the championship battle enters a critical stretch.The guys dive into:🏁 Josef Newgarden's huge victory at Gateway🏁 Alex Palou's march toward another championship🏁 David Malukas continuing to prove he belongs among IndyCar's elite🏁 Kyle Kirkwood's breakout season🏁 The state of Team Penske🏁 Arrow McLaren's championship hopes🏁 Road America and the summer schedule ahead🏁 The biggest storylines for the second half of the seasonNo pun intended, but we're bringing you up to speed on everything IndyCar.Stick around—it's about...

The NASCAR season is heating up, and every lap matters as the playoff picture starts to take shape.This week on The Balance, host Tom Marquis is joined by Steve Wilson, Editor-in-Chief of Speedway Digest and The Balance's official NASCAR contributor.The guys break down:🏁 Denny Hamlin's championship pursuit🏁 Tyler Reddick's consistency and playoff chances🏁 The biggest surprises and disappointments of 2026🏁 Who's locked into the playoffs and who's in trouble🏁 The hottest drivers in NASCAR right now🏁 Manufacturer battles between Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota🏁 What storylines fans should watch as the summer stretch beginsPlus Steve makes his playoff predictions and gives us his dark hor...

The world is coming to the United States! This week on The Balance, host Tom Marquis welcomes back our partner in crime, Adam Jividen—the Great Prognosticator, super Browns fan, super Guardians fan, super Cavs fan, super Buckeyes fan, and one of the biggest soccer fans you'll ever meet. With the World Cup approaching, Adam breaks down everything you need to know: ⚽ How the World Cup works
⚽ Why this tournament is different
⚽ Team USA's chances
⚽ The countries to watch
⚽ The superstars that could become household names
⚽ Why hosting the World Cup could change sports in America foreve...

Today we remember  Ned Jarrett, the legendary two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, Hall of Fame driver, and iconic broadcaster, passed away peacefully of natural causes at his home in Newton, North Carolina, on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at the age of 93. 

The NASCAR Cup Series heads to the lightning-fast Michigan International Speedway while the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series looks to continue one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory. Host Tom Marquis is joined by Steve Wilson, Editor-in-Chief of Speedway Digest and The Balance's official NASCAR contributor, to break down last week's action from Nashville, analyze the latest points ba...

The NASCAR Cup Series rolls into Music City, and there's no shortage of storylines. Host Tom Marquis  is joined by Steve Wilson, Editor-in-Chief of SpeedwayDigest.com and The Balance's official NASCAR contributor, to break down everything happening at Nashville Superspeedway. The guys recap an emotional Coca-Cola 600 weekend that saw Daniel Suarez score a huge victory amid one of the most emotional race weekends NASCAR has experienced in years. They also reflect on the incredible tributes paid to Kyle Busch throughout Memorial Day weekend and discuss the impact his legacy continues to have on the sport. Then it's full speed ahead i...

The greatest spectacle in racing delivered everything we could ask for—drama, emotion, heartbreak, and history. Host Tom Marquis  is joined by Tony Donahue of the Tony D Podcast and Unverified as they break down an unforgettable Indianapolis 500. Felix Rosenqvist finally captures IndyCar's biggest prize, cementing his place in Indianapolis 500 history. Meanwhile, David Malukas comes painfully close to his first Indy 500 victory, only to watch the dream slip away in the closing stages. What went right for Rosenqvist? What lessons can Malukas take away? And what does this result mean for the championship battle moving forward? Then the guys shift gea...

The NBA Playoffs are absolutely cooking and we finally jump onto the hardwood! Host Tom Marquis  teams up with Adam Jividen — super Browns fan, super Cavs fan, super Guardians fan, super Buckeyes fan... basically a super fan of life and our partner in crime on The Balance. Today we break down the biggest stories in the NBA Playoffs, who the hottest teams are, who is under pressure, and whether these young stars are creating the next NBA dynasty. We also dive into playoff history and hit Adam with a special NBA edition of Stump Adam. Will the Cavaliers fight back? Can...

The 2026 Sonsio Grand Prix at IMS delivered one of the wildest races we’ve seen in years. Join Tom Marquis and Tony Donahue as they break down the terrifying Lap 1 crash, Christian Lundgaard’s emotional breakthrough victory for Arrow McLaren, Ganassi’s shocking tire strategy collapse, and dangerous pit lane chaos that nearly injured crew members. With the Month of May officially underway, momentum and pressure are building fast at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. You don’t want to miss this one. Stick around… it’s about to get GOOD.

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We’re back on the gridiron and it’s time to tell the truth. 🏈 Join Tom Marquis, Adam Jividen, and Ed Kratz as they dive into Part 2 of our NFL Draft series. This time, we’re holding EVERY team accountable. We’re comparing our mock draft predictions to what actually happened in the NFL Draft, grading each team, and breaking down who made championship moves—and who might regret their decisions. No fluff. No excuses. Just real analysis as we gear up for the 2026 NFL season.

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The engines are roaring and the stakes are rising! 🏁
Join host Tom Marquis and Steve Wilson from Speedway Digest as they break down all the action from last week’s NASCAR showdown and dive into everything that went down in Texas. From the NASCAR Xfinity Series O’Reilly Auto Parts race recap to a full preview of what’s ahead, this segment covers it all—drivers heating up, teams finding speed, and the chaos that only NASCAR can deliver. We’re talking momentum shifts, playoff implications, and who’s built for the long haul. Buckle up—this one’s fast, fun, and full...

As the engines start to echo louder across Indiana, The Balance host Tom Marquis is joined by Tony Donahue of the Tony D Podcast and Unverified to break down the IndyCar season so far and set the stage for the greatest spectacle in racing—the Indianapolis 500. From early-season standouts and championship contenders to storylines heating up across the paddock, Tom and Tony dive into everything you need to know heading into the Month of May. Who’s fast? Who’s surprising? And who’s about to make history at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway? Strap in—because it’s about to get loud in...

Strap in and hold on tight—because it’s Talladega week, baby. Host Tom Marquis teams up with SpeedwayDigest.com Editor-in-Chief Steve Wilson to break down all the action from the AG-PRO 300 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and get you ready for one of the wildest races in motorsports at Talladega Superspeedway. From last-lap chaos to drafting alliances, the guys dive into what went right, what went wrong, and who’s riding momentum into Sunday’s Cup showdown. Talladega always delivers the unexpected—and this weekend will be no different. Big wrecks? Check. Last-lap passes? Absolutely. Underdogs stealing the spotlight? You alread...