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In this week’s episode of Slate’s sports podcast Hang Up and Listen, Stefan Fatsis, Josh Levin, and Mike Pesca discuss the record passing numbers in the NFL and the Boston Red Sox’s alleged problems with team chemistry (and the Milwaukee Brewers’ supposedly amazing chemistry). The National Post’s Bruce Arthur also joins the show to talk about whether the NHL will ban fighting and the meaning of Sidney Crosby’s prolonged absence from the game.

Here are links to some of the articles and other items mentioned on the show:

Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson tied an NFL record with his fourth consecutive two-touchdown game.
The Washington Post’s Mark Maske on defenses and the NFL’s “new normal.”
Sports Illustrated’s Peter King presents data on the rise of passing attempts in the NFL.
The Pro Football Reference blog explains why Norm Van Brocklin still holds the NFL record with 554 passing yards in a single game.
ESPNBoston.com’s Jackie MacMullan writes that the “unlikable Red Sox flunked chemistry.”
Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News says John Lackey and Josh Beckett “formed quite a surly clique.”
On Sept. 21, NESN’s Tony Lee reported that the Red Sox were “staying loose” in the clubhouse.
The Milwaukee Brewers’ “Beast Mode” antics.
The Texas Rangers’ “claw and antlers” gimmick from 2010.
Bruce Arthur’s columns for the National Post.
Three hockey enforcers—Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien, and Wade Belak—have died since May.
Arthur on the death of Belak.
Arthur on new NHL discipline czar Brendan Shanahan.
Shanahan explains why Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith was suspended for a head shot on Chicago’s Ben Smith.
The New York Times’ Jeff Z. Klein on how Sidney Crosby’s concussion will change the NHL.

Hang Up and Listen’s weekly Waterfields:

Mike’s Waterfield: Baseball Prospectus’ Mike Fast analyzes which catchers save the most runs by framing pitches.
Stefan’s Waterfield: Did Joe Posnanski gush too much about the last night of baseball’s regular season?
Josh’s Waterfield: The infomercial for Newgy Robo-Pong, “an interactive robot used to play and practice table tennis anytime.”

Podcast production and edit by Mike Vuolo.

You can e-mail us at hangup@slate.com.