The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL

Dane Brugler put out his full, seven-round mock for the 2026 NFL Draft, and it included eight offensive linemen going in the first round. That would push the record of nine set in 2024. In other words, it's a good year to need some help in the trenches. So who better than Brandon Thorn from Trench Warfare to dig into the offensive line class with Robert Mays and Dane Brugler? No one, we say. That's exactly what the three of them do on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @RobertMays Follow Dane on X: @DPBrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sonny Styles quickly became one of the darlings of this draft class way back in September after Ohio State's first few games. After him, the linebacker class is a mixed bag, as it so often is. Dane Brugler and Dave Helman dig deep into the position on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @DaveHelman_ Follow Dane on X: @DPBrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've reached the "Last Season's Playoff Teams" portion of the 2026 NFL Draft on The Athletic Football Show's On The Clock, though it might not feel like it. The first team up on this episode is the Carolina Panthers, a team that won its division at 8-9. They're followed by the Dallas Cowboys, a team that didn't make the playoffs but holds what would have been the Packers pick thanks to the Micah Parsons trade. We've also got the Cleveland Browns mixed in here, thanks to the Travis Hunter trade they made with the Jacksonville Jaguars last year. Mike Renner of CBS Sports joins Robert Mays on this episode to make picks for those three teams, as well as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears. Host: Robert Mays Guest: Michael Renner Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @RobertMays Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How big is too big, even for a dyed-in-the-wool sizeist like Derrik Klassen? How good are the Ravens at drafting, really? Which NFL jerseys must be protected at all costs, and which need to go now? That's just a smattering of the questions Robert Mays, Dave Helman and Derrik answer on this mailbag episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @RobertMays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @DaveHelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Look, we get it. We're wrong sometimes too. But there are at least seven NFL Draft prospects that you, draft analysts, or NFL teams are just plain wrong about. On this episode of The Athletic Football Show, we're correcting those wrong narratives and incorrect evaluations. Bruce Feldman joins Dave Helman and Robert Mays to set you on the right course. Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Guest: Bruce Feldman Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @RobertMays Follow Dave on X: @DaveHelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Beast is loose, and that means we get more Dane Brugler on The Athletic Football Show. It's the ultimate win-win. Dane joins Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen to break down the 2026 defensive line draft class on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @RobertMays Follow Dane on X: @DPBrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 8 gets the distinction of being Beast Day in 2026, and that's a day worthy of celebration. So how best do we celebrate on The Athletic Football Show? Why by thumbing through The Beast and discussing our favorite hidden gems in this year's draft, of course. That's exactly what Dane Brugler, Dave Helman and friend of the show Bryan Broaddus from 105.3 The Fan in Dallas do on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Guest: Bryan Broaddus Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @DaveHelman_ Follow Dane on X: @DPBrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Picks 13 through 18 will be an interesting stretch in the draft. You've got consistent contenders, such as the Rams and Ravens, as well as obvious playoff contenders, to varying degrees, in the Buccaneers, Lions and Vikings. Oh, and also the Jets. Lance Zierlein from NFL Media joins Robert Mays to make draft selections for those teams on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's On the Clock. Host: Robert Mays Guest: Lance Zierlein Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @RobertMays Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've got ourselves another loaded mailbag episode of The Athletic Football Show. Among the questions answered by Robert Mays, Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen: Which potentially great teams from previous seasons have been forgotten due to nothing more than bad luck? How do coaches break through after spending six-plus years with one team? Can we really define team identity? And more! Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @RobertMays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @DaveHelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There may not be a true ace in this year's wide receiver draft class, but that doesn't mean it's short on talent or intrigue. After all, six of Dane Brugler's top-30 players, and 17 of his top 100, are wide receivers. As always. this position delivers the goods. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman do the same diving deep into the position on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @RobertMays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @DaveHelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is one of the stranger quarterback draft classes we've seen in some time. There's a legitimate top-of-the-draft prospect, a 23-year-old with limited experience who will probably be the second player at the position off the board, and a whole lot of shoulder shrugging after that. So with that in mind, Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen ask and answer three questions about the 2026 QB class: What is Fernando Mendoza’s ceiling? Is Ty Simpson worth a first-round pick? Who among the rest of the class would you bet on being a legitimate starter during his rookie contract? Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Beast isn't out for another week or so, but we'll spoil one thing for you...you're going to see a lot of defensive backs in the top 50. Like, A LOT of defensive backs. Dave Helman and Dane Brugler dive into a loaded group of corners and safeties on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here we are for episode two of this season's On the Clock and th—whoa, wait. Jeremiyah Love is still out there? He didn't get taken by the Cardinals or Titans or Giants? Well then, this episode's guest, Jordan Reid from ESPN, is going to have quite the decision to make. He'll do that, and make five more, as well, with Robert Mays on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays With: Jordan Reid Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We opened up the TAFS mailbag, and ohhhh buddy did we find some great stuff in there? Like, when during a person's life is their fandom at its peak enjoyment level? Or, how can a team like the Cardinals stop being the Cardinals? Or, if you could Bill and Ted someone from the NFL's past and bring them to the present day, who would it be? Those are just three of the questions Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman answered on this mailbag episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This draft class is a bit unlike most draft classes. We've got off-ball linebackers, safeties and a running back expected to come off the board toward the top of the first round. We've got short-armed edge rushers and offensive tackles. We've got a potential QB2 who made 15 starts in college. How do we make sense of all these outlier cases? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman attempt to do so on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NFL Draft matters to all 32 teams, all 32 GMs, all 32 head coaches and, in some form or fashion, every single player in the league. Any individual draft, however, matters more to certain teams, GMs, coaches and players. So who has the most at stake in the 2026 NFL Draft? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig deep into that question on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You know the final courtroom scene in My Cousin Vinny when Joe Pesci says "Watch this," and then Marisa Tomei just rattles off the most obscure facts imaginable about 1955 Bel Air Chevrolets and ignition timing? OK, so Dave Helman is Joe Pesci and Dane Brugler is Marisa Tomei on this episode, and all remaining episodes this draft season, of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. The topic in question for this one? The 2026 tight end draft class. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the 2026 debut of On the Clock, The Athletic Football Show's annual draft exercise. Every week, a draft analyst will join Robert Mays to cover six or seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, considering a trio of potential decisions for each of the teams in question. By time we get to the end of it, we'll have built an entire first round mock and had some interesting discussions along the way. Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus joins Robert to make the first six picks on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays With: Trevor Sikkema Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The TAFS Mailbag rolls along this offseason. This post-free agency episode brings questions about the Tennessee Titans draft strategy, the best coaching staffs in the NFL and...spiders vs rats? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dive in on the latest episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We didn't say Robert Mays is an idiot. He said it himself! At least when it comes to the NFL Draft class at this stage of the calendar. Dane Brugler and Dave Helman help bring him up to speed on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Free agency is, for all intents and purposes, over. Sure, meaningful players like Jauan Jennings and Taylor Decker are still out there, but the vast majority of the player movement for the 2026 offseason has happened. So what questions still remain now that all 32 teams have spent most of their money? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen raise some big ones on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey, the Chiefs and Saints both need running backs, they could both be potential landing spots for Jeremiyah Love! Ope, guess again. Hey, the Rams need help in the secondary, surely they're going to use at least one of their first-round picks on a corner. Ope, guess not (and so long, say so long to one of those first-round picks, too). Activity in free agency always changes what we think about the upcoming draft, and this year was no different. Dane Brugler and Dave Helman discuss how the results of free agency affected what we think about the 2026 NFL Draft on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Broncos mostly sat out the free agency frenzy last week, but they finally made their presence felt with a huge trade for Jaylen Waddle. What does he bring to the offense? How much more dynamic is this group with Waddle in the fold? And what's next in Miami? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen break it down on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most of this year's free agent class is now spoken for, and all 32 teams in the league have made the biggest move they'll make, outside of the draft. So how much better—or worse, as the case may be—is each team now that free agency is mostly behind us? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman answer that question for the 16 NFC teams on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most of this year's free agent class is now spoken for, and all 32 teams in the league have made the biggest move they'll make, outside of the draft. So how much better—or worse, as the case may be—is each team now that free agency is mostly behind us? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen answer that question for the 16 AFC teams on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This isn't supposed to happen. Teams aren't supposed to be able to sign a 28-year-old quarterback who was a first overall pick and previously been a legitimate part of an MVP discussion for the league minimum. Yet that's exactly where we've arrived with Kyler Murray and the Minnesota Vikings. Alec Lewis, The Athletic's Vikings beat reporter, joins Robert Mays to break down the move, what Kyler brings to the Vikings, the future of J.J. McCarthy, and more on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A few big names remain on the table, but most of the free agent puzzle pieces have fallen into place. So, what were our favorite signings? What signings did we not realize we needed until they happened? What positional market surprised us the most? And which unsigned players are we more intrigued by now than at the start of the week. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman answer those questions, and plenty more, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Remember those couple days where Maxx Crosby was on the Ravens and the Raiders had two extra first-round picks to work with the in the next two drafts? Crazy, right? Anyway, that's done. Crosby's back with the Raiders—for now—and instead Trey Hendrickson is the newest edge rusher in Baltimore. So yeah, we've got quite a bit to talk about here on The Athletic Football Show on the third day of free agency week. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman also discuss Daniel Jones' deal with the Colts, a couple new defenders for the Commanders, and more. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day two of free agency got off to a bit of a slow start, and then the spigot opened up with a firehose attached. Geno Smith is a Jet again. The Patriots landed a receiver in Romeo Doubs. The Texans beefed up along the offensive line with Braden Smith. Add that to what happened on Monday evening—Devin Lloyd to the Panthers, Travis Kelce's return to the Chiefs, Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean to the Raiders, Rashid Shaheed sticking with the Seahawks—and we've got a stew going. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman break it all down on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NFL teams know a thing or two about tampering, and they proved that to us once again with the league's legal tampering window opening up on Monday. On part one of two of The Athletic Football Show's Free Agency Day One Bonanza, Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman welcome to the show a bunch of friends and break down a bunch of signings, including Odafe Oweh to the Commanders, John Franklin-Myers to the Titans, and Boye Mafe and Bryan Cook to the Bengals and Tua Tagovailoa to the Falcons Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NFL teams know a thing or two about tampering, and they proved that to us once again with the league's legal tampering window opening up on Monday. On part one of two of The Athletic Football Show's Free Agency Day One Bonanza, Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman welcome to the show a bunch of friends and break down a bunch of signings, including Jaelan Phillips to the Panthers, Tyler Linderbaum to the Raiders and Alec Pierce sticking with the Colts. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When we signed off for the weekend on Friday, we said we'd come back before Monday if the news dictated our sooner return. Welp, the news dictated just that. Maxx Crosby to the Ravens for two first-round picks. Connor McGovern back to the Bills! Taylor Decker released! Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman cover everything that went down over the weekend, and get ready for free agency, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are officially on the doorstep of the legal tampering window and thus, the beginning of the 2026 free agency signing period. So, what are our favorite player/team fits? Who do we think can put a contender over the top? Who would we be wary of signing? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dig deep on free agent superlatives on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sayings become sayings for a reason. A particular favorite for us here (or at least for the person writing this description)? History does not repeat, but it does rhyme. So, what free agency signings in the recent past might rhyme with, say, 2026 Jamel Dean or Alec Pierce or Trey Hendrickson. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman remember some guys and project ahead to next week on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Free agency might begin next week, but we already have plenty of player movement news to tackle. The Bears are surprisngly in th emarket for a tackle after Drew Dalman's sudden retirement. The Cardinals will be shopping for a new quarterback next week, and Kyler Murray will be looking for a new home. Daniel Jones (most likely) and Breece Hall are staying put. Thats' where Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman kick off this episode of The Athletic Football Show. After that, the guys dig into the contours of this free agent class, focusing on the positions where needy teams can find answers, and those at the opposite end of the spectrum. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're all free agency, all the time over the next two weeks on The Athletic Football Show. And what better way to kick that off than with your questions? Robert Mays and Dave Helman tackle questions on how new coaching and front office staffs handle free agency, the great spot in which Tyler Linderbaum finds himself, the idea of the importance of cap space as potentially outdated, and a whole lot more on this episode of TAFS. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman With: Michael Beller Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another combine is in the books, and with its closing comes another set of results that will affect the upcoming NFL Draft. Among them? Hello, Sonny Styles and Kenyon Sadiq. Dane Brugler and Dave Helman go a whole lot deeper than that on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We wrap up our week at the combine with a look at the biggest actual news that happened while the entire NFL world was in Indianapolis. Robert Mays, Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen dig into the Jermaine Johnson/T'Vondre Sweat trade, the Malik Willis market, the rest of the QB carousel, the shifting sands at wide receiver, and plenty more on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We wrap up our combine beat writer series with three teams that suffered through various levels of disappointing seasons in 2025. First, Paul Dehner Jr. joins Robert Mays to break down the offseason facing the Bengals. After that, Jeff Zrebiec hops on with Robert to discuss the Ravens' transition to new coach Jesse Minter. Finally, Zach Berman and Robert dive into how a team coming off consecutive division titles, just one season removed from a Super Bowl Championship, could possibly be in as much tumult as are the Eagles. Connect with The Athletic Football Show Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays With: Paul Dehner Jr., Jeff Zrebiec, Zach Berman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Chiefs of recent vintage haven't been among the most interesting teams of the offseason because their offseasons have been, "Alright, Pat, let's run it back." That's not the case this year. The Vikings have a massive question at quarterback. The Colts started the season 8-2, lost Daniel Jones to injury, and then didn't win another game. Those three teams comprise part 2 of our Most Interesting Teams of the Offseason series. Jesse Newell (Chiefs), Alec Lewis (Vikings) and James Boyd (Colts) join Robert Mays to run through their respective teams on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:00 Kansas City Chiefs 28:48 Minnesota Vikings 48:51 Indianapolis Colts Connect with The Athletic Football Show Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays With: Jesse Newell, Alec Lewis, James Boyd Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Combine week brings together the entirety of NFL media, including The Athletic Football Show crew and The Athletic NFL beat writers. That's all the excuse we need to sit down with our beats and to talk about the most interesting teams of the offseason. On this first episode in the three-episode series, Robert Mays welcomes Daniel Popper on the Chargers, Nicki Jhabvala on the Commanders and Mike DeFabo on the Steelers. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:00 Los Angeles Chargers 33:09 Washington Commanders 52:11 Pittsburgh Steelers Connect with The Athletic Football Show Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays With: Daniel Popper, Nicki Jhabvala and Mike DeFabo Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The annual NFL Scouting Combine is part NFL convention, part week-long networking event, part exercise in backchannel communication, and part job fair. It's also the legitimate start of that year's NFL Draft season. So what matters and what doesn't at the combine generally, and the 2026 edition specifically? Dave Helman and Dane Brugler dig in on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. Connect with The Athletic Football Show Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eight or so teams enter the 2026 NFL season with an open quarterback situation, depending on your definition of "open." Which one of those is the best? Which one is the worst? How do the rest fill in between those? Dan Pizzuta joins Derrik Klassen to discuss the Vikings, Jets and all the rest on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman With: Michael Beller Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're into the offseason, which means we're once again checking the mail. The TAFS mailbag returns with more than a few questions about what we can learn—or not—from this season's Super Bowl teams. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman tackle questions on big nickel, attacking Mike Macdonald's meta, teams that experience a one-year turnaround similar to what we just saw from the Patriots, and a whole lot more. Connect with The Athletic Football Show Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman With: Michael Beller Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The next season effectively begins the moment the previous season ends, and with that new season comes a whole new set of questions. Such as, what happens on the quarterback carousel? Which big-name players might get traded? How will certain teams in the news—hello, Bengals, Cowboys and Eagles—approach the offseason? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman highlight their biggest questions for the NFL offseason on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:47 The quarterback carousel 27:08 Trade candidates 42:17 What's gonna happen with the Eagles 50:52 Are people gonna lose their minds over Drake Maye? 56:42 Can the Cowboys make the most of their offense? 1:04:31 What's the Bengals pivot? 1:07:35 What's next for Nnamdi Madubuike 1:10:48 How will the teams with multiple first-round picks wield their influence Connect with The Athletic Football Show Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The wildest coaching carousel any of us can remember finally stopped spinning when the Raiders officially named former Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, fresh off a win in Super Bowl LX, as their new head coach. On this episode of The Athletic Football Show, Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman cover everything that has happened since our previous ride on the carousel, including Kubiak to the Raiders, Mike LaFleur to the Cardinals, the firing of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, filling out of various staffs across the league, and a whole lot more. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 7:34 Raiders hire Klint Kubiak 28:58 Cardinals hire Mike LaFleur 37:18 No black coaches hired despite 10 openings 54:25 Kwesi Adofo-Mensah fired as Vikings GM 1:05:59 Coordinator moves Connect with The Athletic Football Show Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, the Seahawks are Super Bowl LX Champions, that's cool. It's also old news. It's 2026 NFL Draft time! And what better way to kick off the beginning of draft season than with a freshly updated edition of Dane Brugler's Top 100. He and Dave Helman dive deep into the new big board on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Any short list of the best stories in the NFL this season would have to include the Seattle Seahawks' dominant defense, Sam Darnold's full redemption, and Seattle's ceaseless climb to the top of the league. So it was perhaps fitting that all three of those stories came together on Super Bowl Sunday, resulting in another Lombardi Trophy making its way to the Pacific Northwest. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman recap the Seahawks' 29-13 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX live from Levi's Stadium on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It all started back on September 4, 2025, with the Eagles squeaking out a 24-20 win over the Cowboys. It ends on Sunday, five months and 284 games later, when the Patriots and Seahawks meet in Super Bowl LX. What will it take for the Patriots to go from 4-13 a year ago to Super Bowl Champs? How do the Seahawks cap off their ascent to the top of the league witha Super Bowl title? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman break it all down on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:29 Broad overview of the matchup 8:00 The lasting influence of Super Bowl LX 13:15 When did we know the Patriots could get here? 15:47 When did we know the Seahawks could get here? 23:29 Patriots offense vs. Seahawks defense 41:36 Seahawks offense vs. Patriots defense 1:01:10 Picks Connect with The Athletic Football Show Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eleven years ago, the Patriots and Seahawks met in one of the most iconic Super Bowls of all-time. Those two teams seemed to define the league back then, with Tom Brady and the Patriots dynasty on one side, and the Legion of Boom defense on the other. The league looks quite a bit different now, and not just in the way that things set a decade apart are bound to be different. So how has the league changed in the 11 intervening years between Patriots-Seahawks Super Bowls? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman consider that question on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Super Bowl is a story in so many ways. The game is, of course, a story unto itself. It also acts as a capstone for the story of the current NFL season. And within the game, we find all these characters who help define the season. So who are those characters from the Patriots and Seahawks? How do they tell us about the 2025 season, and what do they have at stake on Sunday (beyond the obvious, of course)? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman highlight those characters on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 5:30 Milton Williams 11:00 Sam Darnold 17:33 Klint Kubiak 25:14 Zak Kuhr 28:07 Mike Vrabel 33:50 Mike Macdonald 39:44 John Schneider 45:01 Drake Maye 50:47 Jaxon Smith-Njigba 57:12 DeMarcus Lawrence 59:16 Riq Woolen 1:02:07 K'Lavon Chaisson 1:04:29 Morgan Moses and Robert Spillane Connect with The Athletic Football Show Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The last Patriots-Seahawks Super Bowl matchup was anything but a surprise. The Seahawks were reigning Super Bowl Champions, and the Patriots were coming off an AFC title game appearance. This time, however, it's one of the more surprising matchups in Super Bowl history. The Patriots won four games last year, and the Seahawks had to completely remake their offense in the offseason. So how did we get to this point? How did we end up with a Patriots-Seahawks matchup in Super Bowl LX? Chad Graff and Michael-Shawn Dugar, The Athletic's Patriots and Seahawks beat writers, respectively, join Robert Mays on this episode of The Athletic Football Show to profile the rise of the two teams and kick off Super Bowl week. Connect with The Athletic Football Show Buy our merch! http://theathletic.lnk.to/tafsmerch YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays With: Chad Graff, Michael-Shawn Dugar Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

College football's all-star game season has come to an end, with the Senior Bowl now in the rear-view mirror. Who were the big winners from the week? How will their performances affect the 2026 NFL Draft? Dane Brugler and Dave Helman dive in on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are coaching cycles and then there are COACHING CYCLES. Somehow, Black Monday wasn't even a month ago, but it feels like it was three years ago. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman cover the latest in coaching news—Todd Monken to the Browns! Jesse Minter to the Ravens!—on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Plus, Joe Buscaglia and Zach Berman, who cover the Bills and Eagles, respectively, for The Athletic, join Robert to discuss the former's hiring of Joe Brady and the latter's unending OC search. Connect with The Athletic Football Show Please take our listener survey: theathletic.com/survey26 YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman With: Joe Buscaglia and Zach Berman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NFL may be a copycat league, but it's not like the 28 teams that fell short of Conference Championship weekend can just look at the Seahawks, Rams, Patriots and Broncos and say, "Oh, let's do that." After all, Mike Macdonald and Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye and the Broncos defense don't grow on trees. Still, there are lessons that we can draw from those four teams and apply to how we think about the league and each of its 32 teams. Friends of the show Nate Tice from Yahoo and Bill Barnwell from ESPN join Robert Mays to unearth those lessons on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show Please take our listener survey: theathletic.com/survey26 YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays With: Nate Tice and Bill Barnwell Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow the hosts of The Athletic Football Show: Robert Mays on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/robertmays.bsky.social Derrik Klassen on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/qbklass.bsky.social Dave Helman on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/davehelman.bsky.social Robert Mays on Twitter: https://twitter.com/robertmays Derrik Klassen on Twitter: https://twitter.com/QBKlass Dave Helman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/davehelman_ Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/footballshow Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're certainly in the heart of S. Bowl season. For most of us, that refers to the Super Bowl. For Dane Brugler, though? In that case, you're referring to the Shrine Bowl and the Senior Bowl. This week, Dane's travels take him to Mobile for the Senior Bowl. With practices underway, who's already catching the eye of scouts? What more is to come the rest of the week? Dane and Dave Helman get into it all on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. Connect with The Athletic Football Show Please take our listener survey: theathletic.com/survey26 YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Campbell said it best after the Lions lost to the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game after the 2023 season. "This may have been our only shot." No matter how bright a future may appear, there's no guarantee that you get back to your conference championship game. After falling one step short of Super Bowl LX, where do the Rams and Broncos go in 2026 and beyond? Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen consider what's next for both teams on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also discuss the recent hires of Mike McCarthy and Jesse Minter. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:29 Postmortem for the 2025 Broncos 34:59 Postmortem for the 2025 Rams 1:07:28 Steelers hire Mike McCarthy 1:19:03 Ravens hire Jesse Minter Connect with The Athletic Football Show Please take our listener survey: theathletic.com/survey26 YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New England Patriots. Seattle Seahawks. Super Bowl LX. Meet us in San Francisco. But before that, join Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen, and Dave Helman as they recap the the Patriots' AFC Championship Game win over the Denver Broncos, and the Seahawks' NFC Championship Game triumph over the Los Angeles Rams, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:15 Seahawks win thriller over Rams, advance to Super Bowl LX 49:08 Patriots take down Broncos in the snow, get back to Super Bowl Connect with The Athletic Football Show Please take our listener survey: theathletic.com/survey26 YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Championship Weekend is upon us. On one side, we get a matchup that feels historically familiar, but no one predicted this year when the Patriots and Broncos meet in Denver. On the other, we get the third installment of Rams-Seahawks, making it arguably the best single-season series in NFL history. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dive deep on both games on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:06 AFC Championship Game preview 36:11 NFC Championship Game preview Connect with The Athletic Football Show Please take our listener survey: theathletic.com/survey26 YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nearly every coaching hire looks fine on paper. Many of them look good. Great, even! But we know not all of them turn out great or good or even fine. So how could each hire in this year's cycle go right, or go wrong? Robert Mays and Jourdan Rodrigue, Athletic NFL senior writer, go over all of them on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. After that, they play a game of "What this job is, and what this job ins't" with the openings still remaining, and highlight who they believe are the best candidates for each of those positions. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 5:03 Where John Harbaugh and the Giants could go right, where it could go wrong 15:26 Where Kevin Stefanski and the Falcons could go right, where it could go wrong 30:09 Where Jeff Hafley and the Dolphins could go right, where it could go wrong 36:34 Where Robert Saleh and the Titans could go right, where it could go wrong 44:17 What is, and what isn't, the Cardinals job? 50:23 What is, and what isn't, the Bills job? 58:26 What is, and what isn't, the Ravens job? 1:02:33 What is, and what isn't, the Steelers job? 1:05:18 Mike McDaniel as the Chargers OC 1:11:17 Drew Petzing as the Lions OC 1:12:52 Robert on the Browns job 1:16:17 Robert on the Raiders job Connect with The Athletic Football Show Please take our listener survey: theathletic.com/survey26 YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays With: Jourdan Rodrigue Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The end of the college football season is something of a starting bell for NFL Draft season, and the annual all-star games get everything going. It begins this week with the Shrine Bowl, a showcase event for draft prospects. Eric Galko, director of football operations and player personnel for the Shrine Bowl, joins Dave Helman and Dane Brugler on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast to preview the event. Before that, though, Dave and Dane highlight their takeaways from Indiana's thrilling 27-21 win over Miami in the CFP National Championship Game. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 2:00 CFP National Championship Game takeaways 31:22 Shrine Bowl preview with Eric Galko Connect with The Athletic Football Show Please take our listener survey: theathletic.com/survey26 YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you're one of the last eight teams playing football in a season, that final loss is hard to swallow. No matter how bright the future appears, there's no guarantee you get another shot quite like the one you just had. And yet, there's plenty of reason for optimism in 2026 and beyond for the Bills, 49ers, Texans and Bears after their respective Divisional Round losses. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen consider what the offseason ahead looks like for each of those teams on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:00 Buffalo Bills 33:57 San Francisco 49ers 43:49 Houston Texans 59:05 Chicago Bears 1:17:20 Jeff Hafley to the Dolphins Connect with The Athletic Football Show Please take our listener survey: theathletic.com/survey26 YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Buffalo Bills were great during Sean McDermott's nine-year run as coach, but not quite great enough. As such, the team relieved him of his duties as head coach two days after its Divisional Round loss to the Denver Broncos. Robert Mays and Dave Helman dive into what's next for the Bills on a special live edition of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

And then there were four. The Conference Championship games are set. Joining the Denver Broncos in the AFC are the New England Patriots after taking care of business against the Houston Texans on Sunday. On the NFC side of things, we get the third installment of Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams, with the latter winning a thriller over the Chicago Bears in overtime on Sunday night. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman recap the Divisional Round Sunday games on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:00 Rams beat Bears to advance to NFC Championship Game 37:42 Patriots cruise past Texans to AFC Championship Game Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Divisional Round weekend never disappoints. The Seattle Seahawks turned in the most dominant performance of the day - maybe of the entire postseason - in a win over the San Francisco 49ers. What does the domination tell us about their path to the Super Bowl? And what's next for Kyle Shanahan and the oft-injured 49ers as they head into an early offseason? The Denver Broncos toppled the Buffalo Bills in an overtime thriller, benefiting from 4 uncharacteristic turnovers by Josh Allen. But the mood shifted quickly in Denver with the news that Bo Nix is out for the remainder of the postseason with a broken ankle. Who takes a majority of the blame for the Bills? And how much does the Broncos' ceiling change without Bo Nix? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen, and Dave Helman discuss that and more on this live episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate): 1:15 49ers-Seahawks 4:30 Seahawks defense 9:43 Brock Purdy 15:04 Lumen Field/Seahawks fans 21:27 Broncos-Bills / Bo Nix injury 29:28 Sean Payton playcalling 32:01 Josh Allen 41:24 Officiating Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Four games, eight teams, all with legitimate designs on winning the Super Bowl. Friends, the best weekend of the NFL season is here. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman break down the Divisional Round games on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 5:34 Bills-Broncos 32:21 49ers-Seahawks 53:30 Texans-Patriots 1:18:57 Rams-Bears Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When we last checked in on the coaching carousel on Black Monday, it seemed like it could actually be a relatively quiet year for coaching moves. Since then, John Harbaugh was fired and Mike Tomlin stepped down. Just like that, the two longest tenured NFL coaches were back out on the market, and two potentially premium jobs opened up. Conor Orr from Sports Illustrated and The MMQB joins Robert Mays to take a ride on the coaching carousel on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:21 Steelers 19:20 Ravens 34:44 John Harbaugh and the Giants job 42:33 Falcons 45:44 Titans 56:24 Cardinals 1:01:54 Browns 1:09:12 Raiders 1:12:00 Dolphins 1:18:46 Coordinators Host: Robert Mays With: Conor Orr Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're on the doorstep of the NFL Draft declaration deadline, and most of the big dominos have fallen. One big one, Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, remains at time of the recording of this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. That's precisely where Dane Brugler and Dave Helman began their discussion. The guys also hit on the biggest decisions we do already have answers on, be they guys who are going to the draft or staying in school. Finally, they wrap up with a look at the CFP National Championship Game between Indiana and Miami. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:25 Waiting on Dante Moore 17:09 Ty Simpson headed to the NFL...for now 28:23 Guys headed to the 2026 NFL Draft 40:42 Guys staying in school one more year 52:22 Indiana/Miami CFP Championship Game preview Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After 19 years as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers—a run that included one Super Bowl Championship, two AFC titles, and eight AFC North crowns—Mike Tomlin stepped down on Tuesday. Robert Mays and Dave Helman discuss what's next for Tomlin, and what's next for the Steelers, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Five teams saw their seasons come to an end on Saturday and Sunday of Wild Card weekend. Where do they all stand as they start to turn the page to 2026? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into the immediate future for the Panthers, Packers, Jaguars, Eagles and Chargers on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:24 Carolina Panthers 19:48 Green Bay Packers 33:25 Jacksonville Jaguars 46:57 Philadelphia Eagles 54:02 Los Angeles Chargers Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've been talking about the Super Bowl potential of the Houston Texans defense for months, especially in a wide open AFC. That was on full display in their dismantling of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card Round on Monday night. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman recap the Texans' 30-6 win on this live episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wild Card Saturday was one of the most exciting days of the season to date, and Wild Card Sunday proved to be a worthy encore. Here's a stat...Hunter Henry's fourth-quarter touchdown in the Patriots win over the Chargers marked the first time all day that any team had a multi-score lead. We went 170+ minutes of football with three games being played in a one-score window. That's a heck of a day. And it ended with the Bills, 49ers and Patriots advancing to the Divisional Round, and the Jaguars, Eagles and Chargers turning the page to the offseason. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman recap the busy day on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:30 Patriots beat Chargers, 16-3 28:59 49ers beat Eagles, 23-19 54:18 Bills beat Jaguars, 27-24 Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman recap the first games of the 2026 playoffs. Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears take down the Green Bay Packers after yet another improbable comeback. The Carolina Panthers gave the Los Angeles Rams a scare, forcing Matthew Stafford's squad into a close fourth quarter. What's next for the Panthers after being eliminated in Bryce Young's career postseason debut? And should Sean McVay be concerned about his team's flaws going into the divisional round? Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 0:00 Welcome to the show 0:05 Packers-Bears 11:30 Caleb Williams & Bears offense 13:07 Colston Loveland 14:20 Packers defense 18:00 Should Packers loss result in firings? 27:55 Bears outlook 32:00 Caleb Williams pt 2 35:36 Rams-Panthers 39:03 Panthers defense 41:21 Matthew Stafford & Rams offense 50:20 Panthers offense 53:20 How concerned should Rams be? 59:42 What's next for Panthers? Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The AFC has long been the quarterback conference, and that hasn't necessarily changed just because Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow aren't in the playoffs this year. Just look at the quarterbacks in Sunday's AFC Wild Card games. Trevor Lawrence and Josh Allen in one, Drake Maye and Justin Herbert in the other. Throw in a classic styles-make-fights matchup between the Steelers and Texans on Monday night, and we've got an awesome trio of AFC games coming our way. The NFC side of the bracket, meanwhile, wraps up with 49ers-Eagles in a game between two teams that are predictably in this spot, but arrived here in perhaps unpredictable ways. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into all four games on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 2:25 Bills-Jaguars preview 24:16 49ers-Eagles preview 35:53 Chargers-Patriots preview 53:07 Texans-Steelers preview Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wild Card Weekend kicks off on Saturday with the two games that occupy opposite poles in the round. First up is Rams-Panthers, where the Rams are 10-point favorites, the biggest spread on the board. The nightcap is Packers-Bears, where the Packers are the narrowest favorites of the round as we click publish on this episode. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dive deep on these two games to get the playoffs rolling on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 2:45 Rams-Panthers preview 22:20 Packers-Bears preview Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The regular season is over and the playoffs have yet to start. It's time to hand out some hardware. Are the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year winners as straightforward as they seem? Who emerges from a crowded Coach of the Year candidate pool? And who's the MVP, Drake Maye or Matthew Stafford? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman name their 2025 NFL season award winners on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:15 Offensive Player of the Year 15:52 Defensive Player of the Year 24:59 Offensive Rookie of the Year 31:43 Defensive Rookie of the Year 36:37 Protector of the Year 42:13 Assistant Coach of the Year 58:48 Executive of the Year 1:03:24 Coach of the Year 1:14:26 MVP Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sure, the NFL playoff field is set. Cool. You know what's really cool, though? The top 18 of the 2026 NFL Draft order being locked in place. At least that's what's really cool as far as Building the Beast is concerned. Dave Helman and Dane Brugler offer up their takeaways from the draft order on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. Then, Dane and Dave debate the toughest picks on Dane's All-Rookie Team. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:00 The 2026 NFL Draft order is set 45:12 Don't forget about Trinidad Chambliss 57:00 Dane's All-Rookie Team Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Baltimore Ravens have fired head coach John Harbaugh. Robert Mays and Dave Helman break down the news and react to what's next for Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and the rest of the roster. For more Athletic Football Show content: - Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow - Follow The Athletic Football Show wherever you listen to podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view - Twitter: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow - IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another Black Monday has hit the NFL, and with it came plenty of expected news. Raheem Morris out in Atlanta. Pete Carroll out in Las Vegas. Jonathan Gannon out in Arizona. It also saw the firing in Cleveland of two-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski, who might just be a victim of circumstance more than anything else. Six teams are now on the coaching carousel, which we can expect to spin for most of the next month. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dive into all the Black Monday news on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:14 Falcons fire Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot 16:45 Browns fire Kevin Stefanski, retain Andrew Berry 30:17 Raiders fire Pete Carroll 36:21 Cardinals fire Jonathan Gannon 47:14 Titans update 49:36 Giants update 52:26 Teams not making any changes Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Week 18 had a little bit of everything, as far as stakes are concerned. A game for the 1-seed in the NFC? Check. Winner-take-all divisional matchups? Check. Glorified exhibition games? Oh yeah, big check. And when it all wrapped up, we got our first look at this season's playoff field. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman put a bow on the regular season on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 0:01 Ravens-Steelers 17:10 Seahawks-Niners 34:11 Panthers/NFC South 52:20 Playoff picture 1:02:00 Draft order 1:03:55 How can you not be romantic about football? 1:15:10 What did we learn today? Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It'd be easy to sit here and complain about the lack of juice in Week 18. We're not going to do that. We've got Seahawks-49ers for the 1-seed in the NFC. We've got two other divisions hanging in the balance. And we've got a ton of seeding implications on the line, all of which could affect what ends up happening in the playoffs. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman preview Week 18 on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:59 Seahawks-49ers preview 30:03 Ravens-Steelers preview 46:24 Panthers-Buccaneers preview 1:03:25 Playoff seeding 1:09:05 Stats and incentives to keep an eye on in Week 18 1:14:42 TAFS Wins Pool Update Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Look, not everyone can win the Super Bowl. Or make the playoffs. Or win at least five games. But even if you're a fan of one of those bad teams, there's probably something positive you can take forward with you into 2026. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen find those silver linings for the worst teams in the league on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:34 Las Vegas Raiders 9:18 New York Giants 17:25 New York Jets 30:00 Tennessee Titans 36:00 Arizona Cardinals 43:13 Cleveland Browns 54:44 Washingon Commanders 1:01:44 New Orleans Saints Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The CFP quarterfinals take place on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, and the eight teams remaining are absolutely loaded with NFL talent. So, who among the draft prospects as the most at stake in the quarters? Dane Brugler and Dave Helman dive into that question on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:00 Miami-Ohio State 27:30 Texas Tech-Oregon 46:33 Alabama-Indiana 59:24 Georgia-Mississippi Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Lions, Chiefs and Ravens entered the 2025 season among the inner-circle Super Bowl favorites. The Lions and Chiefs were eliminated from playoff contention before Christmas, and while the Ravens might still win the AFC North, they clearly are nowhere near what they were expected to be. The Falcons were supposed to take a step this year. Instead, they could be handing a top-10 pick to the Rams. The Bengals, Cowboys and Vikings were mostly afterthoughts all year, and the Colts suffered a dramatic second-half collapse. Where did things go so wrong for these eight teams this season? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dive deep into the octet on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Week 17 was all about the upstarts that have defined this season. The San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears gave us a game of the year candidate, with the 49ers coming out on top. The New England Patriots clinched the AFC East and Drake Maye made a case for MVP. The Jacksonville Jaguars took another step toward the AFC South crown. The Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos inched closer to locking up the top seeds in their respective conferences. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman look back at the week that was and set the stage for the final week of the regular season on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 2:52 Niners beat Bears in SNF thriller 21:25 Eagles take down Bills 39:00 Texans keep rolling, beat Chargers 49:44 Ravens stay alive with win over Packers 1:06:10 Browns upend Steelers 1:13:15 The NFC South remains the NFC South 1:24:20 What made us romantic about football in Week 17? 1:33:10 What did we learn in Week 17? Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eleven of 14 playoff berths have already been claimed this season, and one that remains up for grabs—the final Wild Card in the AFC—all but belongs to the Texans. And yet, there is still a ton on the line in Week 17. The 1-seed and bye in both conferences hang in the balance. Seven of the eight divisions have yet to be clinched. We might know who's going to be in the playoffs this year, but the overall playoff picture remains cloudy. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman preview the Week 17 games with all the stakes on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bills and Texans both appear ticketed for the playoffs, but neither exactly covered itself in glory in Week 16 wins over the Browns and Raiders, respectively. So, were those performances cause for concern? Or were they simply late-season, "do-what-we-gotta-do" wins that don't really have much, if any, bearing on their playoff prospects? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig in on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 5:00 Bills-Browns recap 24:55 Raiders-Texans recap 41:07 Monday Mourning: Todd Bowles and the Buccaneers 49:29 Monday Mourning: Is it all over for the Lions Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're just two weeks away from the end of the regular season, and exactly one team that won its division last year is in first place this year. That would be the Philadelphia Eagles, who clinched the NFC East with a win over the Washington Commanders on Saturday. Every other division, however, is looking quite possibly at a new division winner. That includes the Chicago Bears, who took firm control of the NFC North with a win over the Green Bay Packers. It includes the Jacksonville Jaguars, who went into Denver and took down the Broncos. And it includes the Carolina Panthers, who moved into first place in the NFC South with a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Robert Mays, Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen recap a crazy Week 16 on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 2:28 Ravens-Patariots 15:09 Jags-Broncos 33:33 Packers-Bears  54:06 Buccaneers-Panthers 1:04:57 Chargers-Cowboys 1:12:49 Steelers-Lions 1:20:56 How could you not be romantic about football? 1:37:51 What did we learn in Week 16? Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jaguars-Broncos is the Game of the Week. Patriots-Ravens is another game of the week, and it's the former that is leading its division as the latter fights for its playoff life. The defining characteristic of this NFL season—true contender turnover in largely unseen quantities—steps to the fore in Week 16. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman give it the full preview treatment on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 2:18 Game of the Week: Jaguars-Broncos 23:33 Game of the Week: Patriots-Ravens 42:08 One Thing From...Packers-Bears 47:18 One Thing From...Buccaneers-Panthers 57:12 One Thing From...Steelers-Lions 1:00:54 One Thing From...Cowboys-Chargers 1:06:07 Under the Hood: Texans offense 1:15:40 Jaxson Dart vs. Tyler Shough vs. JJ McCarthy...who would you take as your 2026 starter? 1:26:26 Falcons-Cardinals and the saddest Spiderman pointing meme ever 1:30:11 What do you wanna know in Week 16 Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every NFL season brings us some sort of advance in analytics and schematics, and spending some time every December looking back at this season's developments is one of our favorite things to do before we turn the page to the playoffs. Sam Schwartzstein, Amazon Prime's analytics expert, joins Robert Mays on this episode of The Athletic Football Show to dive deep on this season's analytic and schematic trends, and preview the monster Week 16 TNF game between the Rams and Seahawks. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The College Football Playoffs kick off this week, and while the results on the field will understandably dominate the discussion around the games, it's the performances of the NFL Draft prospects that we care about most here at The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. Dane Brugler and Dave Helman dive into the draft-eligible players you need to be watching when you've got the CFP games on this weekend. Before that, the guys discuss the QB movement—or non-movement, as the case may be—for guys like LaNorris Sellers, Arch Manning and Brendan Sorsby. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all realize that the 49ers have 10 wins and are a near-lock for the playoffs, right? Has a double-digit-win season ever gone more overlooked? And how dangerous might the Niners be, assuming they do get into the playoffs? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen discuss that on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also dig into Ravens-Bengals and Vikings-Cowboys from Week 15, and take a couple of sad voicemails from the fans. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:35 Ravens-Bengals recap 24:57 Vikings-Cowboys recap 47:06 Titans-49ers recap 1:02:57 Voicemail from a sad Cowboys fan 1:09:34 Voicemail from a sad Packers fan Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the big stories of the 2025 season is the rise of new contenders and the fall of the traditional powers. We saw the former on Sunday, with the Denver Broncos winning their 11th straight game, this time taking down the mighty Green Bay Packers. We saw the latter, as well, with the Kansas City Chiefs being officially eliminated from playoff contention after a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. And we also saw a team defy that storyline, with the Buffalo Bills clawing back from a 21-point deficit to beat the Patriots and keep the AFC East in play. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dig into all those games on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Plus, some talk about the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, and Philadelphia Eagles. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this particuarly topsy-turvy season, there's perhaps nothing stranger than seeing the Broncos and Patriots on top of the AFC. Both of them in Week 15 have massive opportunities to prove they're not just great regular season stories, but legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman kick off the Week 15 preview episode of The Athletic Football Show by diving deep on Bills-Patriots and Packers-Broncos. They also discuss Lions-Rams, Dolphins-Steelers and Chargers-Chiefs, the return of Philip Rivers, the collapse potential of the Eagles, and the fall of the great quarterback conference. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:11 Game of the Week: Bills-Patriots 23:04 Game of the Week: Packers-Broncos 47:36 One Thing From...Lions-Rams 50:44 One Thing From...Dolphins-Steelers 55:38 One Thing From...Chargers-Chiefs 1:13:51 Sicko Street: Philip Rivers is back! 1:19:48 Sicko Street: Could it get worse for the Eagles? 1:23:08 What do you wanna know in Week 15? Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The teams heading to the playoffs and putting themselves in the Super Bowl discussion are, understandably, in the NFL spotlight right now. Before long, however, the teams at the opposite end of the spectrum will steal that spotlight for a couple of days when they hire their new head coaches. Robert Mays and Conor Orr from Sports Illustrated and The MMQB get you ready for those couple of days on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:00 Why this will be a unique carousel 7:09 The top candidates 30:02 The second rung 1:04:20 The rest Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

College Football Playoff controversy? What College Football Playoff controversy? You won't find any of that here on this episode of Building the Beast. What you will find, though, is Dane Brugler and Dave Helman digging into how the conference championship games and College Football Playoff field helped shape the state of the 2026 NFL Draft conversation as we approach the end of the year. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Vikings, Commanders, Titans and Browns have dealt with varying degrees of disappointment this season, but they remain worthy of our attention as we get ready to close the book on them for 2025. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dive into the Vikings' 31-0 win over the Commanders, and the Titans' surprisingly fun 31-29 win over the Browns, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Then, the guys get into a particularly illustrative edition of Monday Mourning with calls from Colts and Falcons fans. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:27 Commanders-Vikings recap 30:08 Titans-Browns recap 59:25 Monday Mourning with the Colts and Falcons Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you caught the Week 14 preview episode of The Athletic Football Show, you know we were excited about this Sunday. Bears-Packers, Colts-Jaguars, Texans-Chiefs, Steelers-Ravens and Bengals-Bills. Welp, the day lived up to the expectations, and the some. Robert Mays, Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen dive deep into an awesome day of football—and consider its implications—on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 0:00 Welcome to the show 0:45 Texans-Chiefs 11:15 Andy Reid 20:30 Jags-Colts 20:45 Trevor Lawrence 27:00 Colts lose Daniel Jones 34:50 Packers-Bears 35:30 Caleb Williams & Bears offense 45:45 Jordan Love & Packers offense 52:30 Bills-Bengals 1:05:30 Steelers-Ravens 1:12:50 John Harbaugh’s future 1:17:00 Buccaneers-Saints 1:27:15 Romantic: Josh Allen 1:28:45 Romantic: Puka Nacua 1:30:00 Minnesota Vikings/JJ McCarthy 1:34:30 What did we learn today? Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s a ton of fun anytime you get a game with first place on the line this late in the season. This week, we have three such games. And one of them is Bears-Packers. So yeah, Week 14 just might be the best week of the season. Robert Mays, Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen preview everything we’ve got to come this week on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chiefs, Ravens, Eagles and Lions; Chiefs, Ravens, Eagles and Lions. Look back over the last half-decade of the NFL, and you'll see those four teams at the top of the league, year in and year out. They're all such constants, in fact, that it seems we just chisel their names in stone into the playoff picture in August. But this year, the Eagles are sputtering their way into December, and the Chiefs, Ravens and Lions all could easily miss the playoffs. So, what happened to these assumed powerhouses? On this episode of The Athletic Football Show, Diante Lee from The Ringer hops on with Robert Mays to cover the issues for the Ravens, Eagles and Lions, and then former Chiefs offensive lineman Mitch Schwartz joins Robert to break down the problems for his old team, and whether they can come back from them this season. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 8:26 Detroit Lions 24:33 Philadelphia Eagles 36:34 Baltimore Ravens 48:06 Any overarching lessons? 59:40 Kansas City Chiefs Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays With: Diante Lee and Mitch Schwartz Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's December. The college football regular season is over. It's Mock Draft Season. Dane Brugler's end-of-season mock draft is now live at The Athletic, and he and Dave Helman dig into it on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It doesn't always have to be pretty, especially when you're stacking wins. The Broncos and Buccaneers can tell themselves that after picking up victories over the Commanders and Cardinals, respectively, in Week 13. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into both of those games on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Then, they do some necessary due diligence and check in on the Saints and Dolphins. Finally, the guys wrap up the episode with sad voicemails from Lions and Colts fans. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

December has arrived, and there isn't much more separation among teams at the top of their divisions as there was back when everyone was 0-0. Three divisions—the NFC West, AFC South and AFC North—are tied. Two more—the NFC North and NFC South—have a half-game separating the top-two teams. The Cowboys now trail the Eagles by just 1.5 games in the NFC East. We're going to enjoy one helluva run to the playoffs over the next month. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman recap all the games that contributed to those tight standings, and a whole lot more, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow Podcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/view X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Thanksgiving Day now behind us, it's time to get to the rest of the Week 13 slate. Believe it or not, the AFC South is still very much up for grabs, and the Texans have an opportunity for a huge win when they visit the Colts on Sunday. The Bills and Steelers, meanwhile, are both coming off a loss and meet in a game that feels like neither can afford to lose. The 49ers, Jaguars, Buccaneers and Chargers are all comfortable favorites on Sunday, but there are rakes in each of their respective yards they need to make sure they avoid. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman preview all those matchups on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've been a football fan for any meaningful amount of time, you know that great games on the Thanksgiving Day slate isn't a guarantee. That's what makes a Thanksgiving like this one so delightfully juicy. Packers-Lions! Chiefs-Cowboys! Bengals-Ravens, with Joe Burrow back! And then, to top it all off, Bears-Eagles on Black Friday. That's just about as good a set of games as you could hope for to kick off Thanksgiving weekend. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman preview those games on this episode of The Athletic Football Show Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 1:36 Packers-Lions 14:26 Chiefs-Cowboys 27:18 bengals-ravens 39:36 Bears-Eagles Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rivalry Week always has, and always will, mean so many things in the college football world. One of the newer elements of Rivalry Week, though, is that it's often the last time any NFL Draft prospects whose teams don't make the College Football Playoff will put something new on tape for pro teams to consider. It's on those players that Dane Brugler and Dave Helman focus their attention on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every contender needs to win a game or two on the road when they aren't necessarily at their best. That goes doubly so for surprise contenders like, say, the Seahawks and Patriots. That's exactly what they both did in wins over the Titans and Bengals, respectively. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dive into those games on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Included: plenty of love for Cam Ward and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. After that, the guys do what they can to console sad Vikings and Buccaneers fans. Rundown (timestamps are approximate_ 3:33 Seahawks with enough to get past Titans 31:11 Patriots get out of Cincinnati with a win 51:38 Monday Mourning with the Buccaneers and Vikings Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're through two-thirds of the NFL regular season. Thanksgiving Week is here. The beginning of the home stretch has arrived. And yet, do we even have a definitive Super Bowl favorite? Perhaps it's the Los Angeles Rams, who crushed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 12. But this thing is wide open and that was on full display leading up to that SNF game. The Dallas Cowboys rallied from a 21-0 hold to beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 24-21. The Kansas City Chiefs came back from 20-9 to get a huge 23-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts. The Baltimore Ravens moved into first place in the AFC North...but they weren't terribly impressive in the process. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions all kept pace with one another in the NFC North, the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots took care of business, and the Jacksonville Jaguars won a silly one over the Arizona Cardinals. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman break it all down on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:00 Bucs-Rams 13:41 Colts-Chiefs 33:28 Eagles-Cowboys 49:00 Steelers-Bears 1:03:27 Ravens WTF 1:11:30 Jags-Cardinals WTF 1:21:54 Vikings WTF 1:28:10 Derrik/Gibbs Romantic 1:31:02 Robert Romantic...Game will humble you 1:34:00ish Dave Romantic...George Pickens 1:35:51 What did we learn today? Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If we told you back in August that Colts-Chiefs would be the Game of the Week in Week 12, you probably would've nodded along. "Sure," you'd say to yourself, "I can see that. The Chiefs are doing their thing as a Super Bowl favorite, and the Colts are a surprise upstart on the fringes of the playoff picture. That adds up." Instead, it's the Colts who are leading their division, and the Chiefs who are desperate for a win to stay within shouting distance of the playoffs. That's where Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman begin the Week 12 Preview episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also discuss Buccaneers-Rams, Steelers-Bears, Eagles-Cowboys and Panthers-49ers; talk a stroll down Sicko Street with Cam Ward against the Seahawks defense and Shedeur Sanders getting his first ever start against the lowly Raiders; and wonder if it's time for a moratorium on Vikings talk until J.J. McCarthy shows us...anything. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 2:17 Game of the Week: Colts-Chiefs 22:35 Game of the Week: Buccaneers-Rams 40:24 One Thing From...Steelers-Bears 47:39 One Thing From...Panthers-49ers 52:06 One Thing From...Eagles-Cowboys 1:02:43 Sicko Street: Cam Ward vs. the Seahawks defense 1:05:07 Sicko Street: Myriad entry points for Browns-Raiders 1:08:21 Take Tribunal: It's time for a moratorium on Vikings offense talk 1:14:27 What do you wanna know after Week 12? Connect with The Athletic Football Show Take our listener survey: https://forms.gle/9CwBVwManjR9froy9 X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ten teams started the season with a seat at The Lombardi Table, a place where only the teams we deem legitimate Super Bowl contenders can sit. Ten teams remain, although the composition has changed. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman take away two seats and cut the membership down to eight on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show Take our listener survey: https://forms.gle/9CwBVwManjR9froy9 X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are still seven weeks remaining in the NFL regular season, but the likely composition of the top 10 in the draft order is starting to take shape. So, if you're a fan of the Titans or the Browns or the Jets, who inside the college football world should be getting you excited for 2026? Dane Brugler and Dave Helman do some team + position/player matchmaking for the worst teams in the NFL and the top prospects in the draft pool on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show Take our listener survey: https://forms.gle/9CwBVwManjR9froy9 X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bears and Steelers are in first place after Week 11? Sure, yup, just how we all drew it up back in August. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into the Bears' win over the Vikings and the Steelers' win over the Bengals on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also hit on the Texans, who won another game with Davis Mills at the helm, and take a couple of sad voicemails from fans of AFC West teams. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:20 Michael Penix likely out for season with knee injury 12:19 The Bears—yes, the Bears—move into first place after win over Vikings 38:59 The Steelers stay in first, and the Bengals are a total mess 54:41 Monday Mourning: Kansas City Chiefs are in uncharted waters 1:01:10 Monday Mourning: The Chargers and their desperate offensive line situation Connect with The Athletic Football Show Take our listener survey: https://forms.gle/9CwBVwManjR9froy9 X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We spent all last week getting pumped about the Week 11 slate. And then it delivered the goods. The Kansas City Chiefs nine-year reign atop the AFC West is in serious jeopardy after their loss to the Denver Broncos. The Los Angeles Rams grabbed a hold of the NFC West steering wheel with their win over the Seattle Seahawks. The Philadelphia Eagles took down the Detroit Lions in a clash of NFC heavyweights. Josh Allen had a monster day. Bryce Young and Jacoby Brissett set records. Like we said, Week 11 delivered. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman recap it all on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show Take our listener survey: https://forms.gle/9CwBVwManjR9froy9 X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are certain weeks where we don't need to get cute with these descriptions. The Rams and Seahawks play on Sunday in a game that could determine the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Lions and Eagles play on Sunday in a game that also could determine the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Broncos and Chiefs play on Sunday in a game that could determine the AFC West Champion. In other words, Week 11 is jam-packed with great games. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman preview it on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 2:24 Seahawks-Rams preview 26:55 Chiefs-Broncos preview 42:51 One Thing From...Lions-Eagles 47:18 One Thing From...Bears-Vikings 56:48 One Thing From...Chargers-Jaguars 1:04:33 Sicko Street: The Panthers-Falcons mystery box 1:07:52 Under the Hood: What's up with the Bills dropback passing game? 1:17:44 What do you wanna know on the Packers, Bengals and Ravens Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Doing your midseason awards at the exact midpoint of the season might be cool, but you know what's even cooler? Doing them 55.6% of the way through the season. And that's exactly what Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman do at the midway point, plus one week. Who's the Offensive Player of the Year, Jonathan Taylor or Jaxon Smith-Njigba? Can anyone challenge Myles Garrett for the Defensive Player of the Year crown? And who's the MVP. We hand out all the awards—not only those three, but also Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year, Protector of the Year, Coach of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year—on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:32 Offensive Player of the Year 12:55 Defensive Player of the Year 27:28 Offensive Rookie of the Year 35:53 Defensive Rookie of the Year 42:22 Protector of the Year 49:01 Coach of the Year 58:43 Assistant Coach of the Year 1:07:55 Executive of the Year 1:14:40 MVP Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ah yes, the familiar hallmarks of mid-November. Leaves falling off trees, Thanksgiving preparations being made, and Dane Brugler's updated Top 50. Dane and Dave Helman dig into the new Top 50 on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. The guys discuss Arell Reese and Ty Simpson up top, the biggest risers and fallers, the unique challenges of the 2026 class, and a whole lot more. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:44 Arvell Reese and Ty Simpson at the top 15:27 The other quarterbacks in the top 50 31:22 Making sense at the top 36:12 Cornerback class 54:31 Wide receiver class 1:00:00 The biggest fallers Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brian Daboll appeared to be on thin ice dating back to the end of last season. The ice finally broke on Monday, with the Giants making a change at head coach. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen begin the Week 10 Hangover episode of The Athletic Football Show by discussing the end of the Daboll era in New York. After that, the guys dig into the Ravens' win over the Vikings and the Chargers' victory over the Steelers, which tightened things up considerably in the AFC North. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:20 Brian Daboll out in New York 28:17 And here come the Ravens 54:22 Chargers handle Steelers 1:06:54 Monday Mourning with the Panthers Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The late window in Week 10 may have been nothing but blowouts, but it did lay bare for us one clear and obvious truth: the Rams and Seahawks are two of the best teams in the league. That's where Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman begin the Week 10 recap episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also give plenty of love to the Patriots, Dan Campbell as playcaller, and Jonathan Taylor; wonder what went wrong with the Bills, Jaguars and Panthers; and highlight a few things that made them feel romantic about football on Sunday. (Timestamps are approximate) 0:00 Welcome to the show 1:30 Rams & Seahawks best teams in the NFL? 5:15 Seahawks dominant defense 8:20 Matthew Stafford & Rams offense reaching final form 12:50 Do the Seahawks belong at the table? 17:30 Patriots-Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25:55 Not Drake Maye’s best game 31:30 Lions-Washington Commanders & Dan Campbell the play caller 34:20 What was different for Jared Goff, Lions offense today? 39:30 Jonathan Taylor & Colts-Atlanta Falcons 44:15 Daniel Jones turning back into a pumpkin? 49:10 Bills-Miami Dolphins 1:04:30 Jaguars-Houston Texans 1:13:05 Panthers-New Orleans Saints 1:16:00 The Bryce Young experience 1:24:00 How could you not be romantic about football? 1:26:55 Caleb Williams 1:33:30 What did we learn today? Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The second half of the NFL season kicks off with a bang, with four games pitting current playoff teams against one another. Two of those games—Eagles at Packers and Rams at 49ers—are the Games of the Week on the Week 10 preview episode of The Athletic Football Show. After diving deep into those games, Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman discuss the other two—Patriots at Buccaneers and Steelers at Chargers. The guys also dig into Ravens-Vikings and Falcons-Colts, give you a reason to tune into Giants-Bears, and ponder Kyler Murray's future. Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a familiar refrain in sports media. "You can't tell the story of SPORTS TOPIC without talking about FAMOUS PLAYER/COACH." Well, who are the players and coaches without whom the story of the 2025 season would be incomplete? Old friend Nate Tice joins Robert Mays to highlight those players and coaches on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:45 Reggie Gilliam, Jackson Hawes, and the new-look Bills run game 14:20 Ben Johnson, Joe Thuney, Darnell Wright, Dan Rousher, and the new-look Bears run game 24:00 Talanoa Hufanga making an already-great Broncos defense even better 32:17 Kyle Hamilton, the Ravens fixer 43:03 Chris Shula and the transformation of the Rams 54:17 Josh McDaniels, Klayton Adams, and the rise of cohesive offenses 1:01:38 Tony Sparano Jr. changing the game for the Colts offense 1:08:21 Daniel Jones is the coolest story in the league Host: Robert Mays With: Nate Tice Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Nate on Bluesky: @natetice.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Nate on X: @Nate_Tice Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a week away, Dane Brugler is back on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. He and Dave Helman hand out some game balls from Week 10—hello, Arvell Reese—and then turn their attention to under-the-radar prospects making their statements as the season approaches the stretch run. Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thank you, New York Jets, for making the 2025 NFL Trade Deadline one of the most active on record. First, the Jets swung a blockbuster deal with the Colts for Sauce Gardner. Then, the Jets sent out another supposed pillar of their defense, trading Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys. And it's not like those were the only deals made, either. Jaelen Phillips, Jakobi Meyers and Rashid Shaheed all have new homes, too. Robert Mays, Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen cover the deadline and the moves that were made on this episode of The Athletic Football Show Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We might not have thought of the Seahawks as Super Bowl contenders before the season began. We definitely do now. They showed us why yet again in their dismantling of the Commanders on Sunday Night Football in Week 9. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dive into that performance on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also discuss the Jaguars' 30-29 win over the Raiders, and the Eagles and Dolphins getting trade deadline week going with a deal for Jaelen Phillips. Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Now that's more like it. After a blowout-filled Week 8, the NFL got back to its down-to-the-wire ways in Week 9. Of course, Bills over Chiefs goes down as the big story of the day, and that's where Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman begin the Week 9 recap episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also discuss eye-opening wins for the Steelers and Vikings, a fireworks show between the Bears and Bengals, a puzzling loss for the Packers to the Panthers, a rock fight between the Broncos and Texans, and plenty more. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:14 The Bills beat the Chiefs, and might have found something on defense 22:47 The Steelers have our attention after taking down the Colts 34:45 The Vikings have our attention after upsetting the Lions 53:49 WTF?!? Packers lose to the Panthers 1:06:29 Bears/Bengals craziness 1:17:09 Broncos/Texans rock fight 1:22:23 John Parker Romo deprives us of a dramatic finish in Falcons-Patriots 1:26:25 How Can You Not be Romantic About Football? 1:31:50 What did we learn in Week 9? Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've talked a lot in recent weeks about how every NFL season is going to throw us its fair share of curveballs. There are constants, however, and one of the most constant of the constants is Bills-Chiefs Game of the Week. That's where Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman begin the Week 9 preview episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys give the "One Thing From..." treatment to Falcons-Patriots, Colts-Steelers and Broncos-Texans, take a stroll down Sicko Street with Saints-Rams and Bears-Bengals, and ponder this question: Has it turned out that the Vikings actually had the worst offseason in the league? Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 5:12 It's Bills-Chiefs Week 33:03 The diverging paths taken by the Patriots and Falcons 41:22 The Colts and Steelers show us the duality of believing you're "a QB away" 47:28: Texans offense vs. Broncos defense 53:38 Taking stock of the AFC Wild Card picture 1:05:37 Sicko Street: Saints-Rams...and not for the reason you'd think 1:12:44 Sicko Street: The Bears better be able to score against this Bengals defense 1:16:00 Take Tribunal: The Vikings made the wrong bet this offseason 1:31:08 What do you wanna know in Week 9? Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Even a casual NFL fan can tell which quarterbacks, running backs and receivers are among the best in the league. It takes a more discerning eye to watch the tape and understand who's winning in the trenches on the offensive side of the ball. Brandon Thron brings just such an eye to this episode of The Athletic Football Show, where he and Robert Mays dive deep on the offensive line to identify which groups are lifting their teams this season. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 5:04 Indianapolis Colts OL at the heart of the team's success 17:16 Seattle Seahawks rebuilt OL exceeding expectations 22:38 New England Patriots helping to drive this surprisingly good offense 33:08 Minnesota Vikings OL crushed by injuries 35:32 Tennessee Titans OL the most disappointing in the league 40:40 OL coaches on the rise 44:03 Baltimore Ravens OL -- same pieces as last year, but much different results 49:30 The best OL this season at every spot 1:00:07 Pleasant surprises at every spot across the OL Host: Robert Mays With: Brandon Thorn Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Brandon on X: @BrandonThornNFL Find Brandon's work: https://trenchwarfare.substack.com/ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're just about halfway through the NFL season, which means that we know a thing or two—maybe not more, but definitely a thing or two—about this year's rookie class. With that in mind, Dave Helman welcomes Trevor Sikkema from Pro Football Focus to this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast to name this season's first half All-Rookie Team. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:47 Quarterback 10:10 Running Back 17:20 Wide Receiver 23:50 Tight End 27:00 Flex skill player 35:16 Offensive Tackles 40:06 Interior OL 46:34 Edge Rusher 53:33 Interior DL 59:24 Linebackers 1:00:49 Defensive Backs (nickel personnel) Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler With: Trevor Sikkema Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Trevor on Bluesky: @tampabaytre.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Follow Trevor on X: @TampaBayTre Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's safe to say that the first half of the 2025 season hasn't gone exactly as the Ravens or Texans drew it up. Yet after big wins for both teams in Week 8, they remain firmly in the mix as we turn toward November. The Buccaneers, meanwhile, are putting real distance between themselves and the rest of the NFC South, despite all their injuries. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into Bears-Ravens, 49ers-Texans and Saints-Buccaneers on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. They also do what they can to console sad Steelers and Vikings fans in the latest edition of Monday Mourning. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:50 Ravens take down Bears without Lamar Jackson 34:51 Texans offense comes to life in win over 49ers 53:11 Saints bench Spencer Rattler in loss to Buccaneers 1:03:30 Monday Mourning: Why should Steelers fans even care? Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does a football show have to do to get an exciting Sunday around here? Despite the slate of blowouts and correct predictions, some wins were more legit than others. Is the Philadelphia Eagles offense for real or did they just play a hobbled opponent? Does the Baltimore Ravens win say more about their playoff chances or about the Chicago Bears flaws? And did the Dallas Cowboys loss to the Denver Broncos solidify their presence on the sellers market at the trade deadline, despite Dak Prescott's MVP-worthy season? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman recap the best and worst of Week 8 Sunday in this recap episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 2:15 Packers-Steelers 10:30 Tucker Kraft went crazy 14:50 Micah Parsons, GB defense 17:57 Broncos - Cowboys 27:55 Drake Maye, Patriots-Browns 38:00 Myles Garrett 41:30 Eagles-Giants 51:10 Dolphins-Falcons 1:00:05 Bills-Panthers 1:05:40 Jets-Bengals 1:13:35 How could you not be romantic about football? Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cowboys-Broncos? Packers-Steelers? Browns-Patriots and Giants-Eagles and Panthers-Bills? Sure, those games might not have jumped out at us back in August, but they combine to make Week 8 one of the more compelling slates we've had all season. At least as we sit here previewing them. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman get you ready for Week 8 on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sixty-yard field goals! Landing zones! The K ball! The kicking game seemingly has never played a bigger role in the NFL than it is this season. The Athletic national NFL writers Jourdan Rodrigue and Mike Sando join Robert Mays to dive into The Year of the Kicker in the NFL, how we got to this point, and the effects the rule changes are having on the league on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:30 The evolution in kickoff rules 29:36 The K ball 38:53 How much does this all matter? 48:27 The effects on offenses and defenses Host: Robert Mays With: Jourdan Rodrigue and Mike Sando Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Jourdan on Bluesky: @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social Follow Mike on Bluesky: @sandonfl.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Jourdan on X: @JourdanRodrigue Follow Mike on X: @SandoNFL Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we get to the final Saturday in October, certain elements of what will be come the 2026 NFL Draft picture are at least approaching a degree of focus. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, for example, is certainly climbing up the quarterback ranks. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is cementing himself as RB1. Jordyn Tyson and Chris Bell are leading a deep group of top-50 wide receivers. Dane Brugler and Dave Helman set the draft table, with Week 8's games freshly in mind, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Michael Ayaub Audio Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 49ers mash unit defense showed up in a big way against the Falcons. The Chiefs got Rashee Rice back in Week 7, and had one of their best offensive days of the season. Drake Maye and the Patriots took care of business against an inferior Titans team and are now 5-2 on the season. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dive into those three games on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Plus, the guys help sad Titans and Saints fans sort through some feelings. Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When we previewed Week 7, we made Colts/Chargers and Rams/Jaguars audition for a Game of the Week spot. Neither of those lived up to the billing, thanks to the dominant performances by the Colts and Rams in their respective wins. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman wonder whose performance was more impressive in the Week 7 recap episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also dig into the craziness of the Broncos comeback win over the Giants, the lingering problems with the Packers (who did win their game), a big day for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles, a step back for the Commanders, rock bottom for the Raiders and Dolphins, and more. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 2:45 Giants-Broncos 17:40 Packers-Cardinals 28:47 More impressive win...Colts over Chargers or Rams over Jaguars? 47:02 The Eagles passing game has our attention 58:17 Is the Commanders season slipping away? 1:15:46 Have the Dolphins hit rock bottom? 1:18:46 What was that game from the Raiders offense? 1:24:11 Jaycee Horn did some cool stuff 1:27:14 The Bears ran all over the Saints 1:30:54 And that's why you trade for Micah Parsons 1:32:59 What we learned in Week 7 Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every mini-era of the NFL gives us a handful of short-term rivalries that are the result of teams from different divisions running into one another for a couple years in a row. Buccaneers-Lions is turning into one such rivalry. And hey, given the way they're both playing, this might not be the last time we see them go up against one another this season. Robert Mays, Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen kick off the Week 7 epsiode of The Athletic Football Show by digging into Buccaneers-Lions. Then, they debate whether Rams-Jaguars or Colts-Chargers is a more worthy game of the week. After that, they turn their attention to Texans-Seahawks, Eagles-Vikings and Commanders-Cowboys, before talking a walk down Sicko Street, and diving deep on the Falcons defense. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:01 Game of the Week: Buccaneers-Lions 23:00 Game of the Week Faceoff! Rams-Jaguars or Colts-Chargers? 42:11 One Thing From...Texans-Seahawks 46:56 One Thing From...Eagles-Vikings 56:07 One Thing From...Commanders-Cowboys 1:04:52 Dolphins and Browns on Sicko Street 1:07:49 Under the Hood: Falcons defense 1:25:38 Mike Vrabel goes back to Tennessee 1:31:07 What do you want to know in Week 7? Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're one-third of the way through the NFL regular season, and we know a thing or two about each of the league's 32 teams. We know enough, in fact, to start separating the teams into distinct groups. That's right, it's team tiers time. Robert Mays and Dave Helman drop all 32 teams in one of five buckets—from Super Bowl or Bust to Mock Draft Enthusiasts—on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 7:12 Super Bowl or Bust 20:57 Playoff Teams 43:42 Wild Card Caliber 55:13 Tier 4, Good Vibes 1:04:03: Tier 4, Bad Vibes 1:13:52 Mock Draft Enthusiasts Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Hosts: Robert Mays and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Indiana is the #3 team in the country. Yes, in football. And they aren't the only big surprise this season. Texas A&M, Missouri and Cincinnati all have paths to the Playoff, as well. We've discussed a handful of players from those teams through an NFL Draft lens, but it's not just Fernando Mendoza and Marcel Reed doing work for their respective teams. On this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast, Dane Brugler and Dave Helman go into the draft prospects you need to know from college football's surprise teams. The guys also discuss the effects of James Franklin's firing on Penn State's NFL Draft prospects and take a look ahead to Week 8. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 7:55 Indiana 25:34 Texas A&M 38:06 Missouri 47:45 Cincinnati 52:20 How James Franklin's firing could affect Penn State's NFL Draft prospects 1:01:07 Week 8 Lookahead Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The AFC North feels like one big, collective hangover this season, so it's no surprise that both games in the Week 6 Hangover feature teams from the division. All four AFC North teams were going to be in this show, but Browns-Steelers landed on the cutting room floor when the Titans made Brian Callahan the first coach fired this season. That's where Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen begin this episode of The Athletic Football Show. After that, the guys recap Rams-Ravens and Bengals-Packers, and take sad voicemails from Eagles and 49ers fans. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:07 Titans fire Brian Callahan 13:18 Rams-Ravens recap 31:09 Bengals-Packers recap 50:08 Monday Mourning: Why are the Eagles like this? 54:45 Monday Mourning: Why can't the 49ers stay healthy? Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Video Producer: Katy Duffy Audio Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Remember that wild time three weeks ago when there were some simmering concerns about the Chiefs? Safe to say those have been put to bed after their convincing win over the Lions on Sunday night. That's where Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman begin the Week 6 recap episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also discuss Buccaneers and Seahawks grabbing our attention, the disgusting Broncos-Jets game in London, Rico Dowdle's revenge on the Cowboys, the Colts and Cardinals giving us one of the day's most entertaining games, Drake Maye's latest heroics, and more. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:40 The Chiefs feel like they're back after convincing win over Lions 13:45 Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers have our attention 30:08 Seahawks defense an absolute force in win over Jaguars 40:18 Cardinals-Colts was the fun game of the day 52:28 Broncos-Jets...WTF?!? 1:04:00 The Packers and Rams are on notice 1:07:43 Rico Dowdle's revenge game 1:13:11 Drake Maye takes another step 1:15:42 Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey save the Chargers 1:18:51 What Did We Learn in Week 6? Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The last time the Lions played the Chiefs, they made clear that they had arrived as contenders. Two years later, they just might be the best team in the league. Lions-Chiefs is our first Game of the Week and where Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman kick off the Week 6 preview episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also dig into 49ers-Buccaneers, Jaguars-Seahawks, Bears-Commanders and Bills-Falcons; take a ride over to Sicko Street with Chargers-Dolphins and Cowboys-Panthers; and ask an important question…excluding quarterback, are the Colts the most complete team in the AFC? Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:36 Lions-Chiefs 24:13 49ers-Buccaneers 43:20 One Thing From…Jaguars-Seahawks 49:06 One Thing From…Bears-Commanders 56:06 One Thing From…Bills-Falcons 1:02:53 Sicko Street: No Fly Zone 1:04:35 Sicko Street: Chargers-Dolphins 1:09:36 Sicko Street: Cowboys-Panthers 1:11:54 Take Tribunal: Excluding QB, the Colts are the most complete team in the AFC 1:20:08 Dave: Is this the week it all ends in Miami? 1:22:37 Robert: Are the Steelers going to win the AFC North by Week 6? 1:24:27 Derrik: How much RJ Harvey do we get this week? Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Take a look at any wide receiver stat leaderboard for 2025, and you're going to see Puka Nacua, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jaxon Smith-Njigba at the top. For various reasons, those three aren't the types of receivers we're used to seeing at the top of the leaderboards. Is the receiver landscape shifting? Is this small sample size theater? Is it a little of both? Is there something else at work here? Robert Mays and Matt Harmon from Yahoo Sports and Reception Perception dive deep on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 9:18 Puka Nacua 29:50 Amon-Ra St. Brown 38:42 Jaxon Smith-Njigba 48:12 What's next? Host: Robert Mays With: Matt Harmon Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Video Producer: Michael Ayaub Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Matt on Bluesky: @mattharmon.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Matt on X: @MattHarmon_BYB Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're just about halfway through the college football regular season, and boards for the 2026 NFL Draft look different than they did in August. How different? That's exactly what Dane Brugler and Dave Helman dive into on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. With about two months of the season in the books, Dane offers up his top-three rankings for the 2026 NFL Draft at every position. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 6:50 Quarterbacks 18:28 Running Backs 26:48 Wide Receivers 36:54 Tight Ends 40:09 Offensive Tackles 45:47 Interior OL 49:04 EDGE rushers 52:06 Defensive Tackles 55:01 Linebackers 1:00:20 Cornerbacks 1:02:41 Safeties 1:05:35 Week 7 Lookahead Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first time since 2014, no NFL team made it to 5-0. The Bills nearly did it, but, instead, Sunday Night Football turned into a coming-out party for Drake Maye and the Patriots. How did the Patriots pull off the upset? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig in on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also dive deep on the Lions dismantling of the Bengals and the Saints first win of the season, a 26-14 triumph over the Giants. Plus, sad voicemails from Ravens, Cardinals and Jets fans. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 5:40 Patriots-Bills recap 21:42 Lions-Bengals recap 37:20 Giants-Saints recap 54:57 Monday Mourning: Ravens 1:01:32 Monday Mourning: Cardinals 1:09:09 Monday Mourning: Jets Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Buccaneers-Seahawks was one of our Games of the Week in Week 5, and it absolutely delivered the goods. The Bucs may have come out of the game with a 38-35 win, but both teams further announced themselves as legitimate contenders in the NFC. That's where Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman start the Week 5 recap episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also dig into the Broncos win over the Eagles, the Patriots upset of the Bills, and the Ravens continued fall from grace. The Commanders, with Jayden Daniels back on the field, grabbed their attention. And what exactly was that Titans-Cardinals game? Our crew hits all that, and a whole lot more, as it puts a bow on Week 5. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 1:37 Patriots upset Bills 6:51 Buccaneers and Seahawks give us the game of the day 26:24 The Broncos take down the Eagles 38:15 Commanders beat the Chargers in Los Angeles 48:12 Is the Ravens season over after loss to Texans? 55:44 The Raiders and Jets were supposed to be better than this 1:08:50 What was that Titans-Cardinals game? 1:17:17 Kevin O'Connell dialed it up in London 1:21:37 Nice moments for Bryce Young and Cam Ward 1:29:48 What Did We Learn in Week 5? Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've turned the calendar to October and reached the bye-week portion of the schedule, which means that while it's still relatively early in the season, the "it's early" caveats are starting to fall by the wayside. So when we get Games of the Week like Seahawks-Buccaneers and Chargers-Commanders, it isn't a function of the schedule. It's because these are legitimately great matchups we can't wait to watch on Sunday. That's where Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman kick off the Week 5 preview episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also touch on Patriots-Bills, Chiefs-Jaguars and Texans-Ravens, take a walk on Sicko Street with Giants-Saints and Vikings-Browns, and go Under the Hood on the struggling Panthers offense. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:52 Game of the Week: Buccaneers-Seahawks 25:00 Game of the Week: Commanders-Chargers 38:30 One Thing From...Bills-Patriots 47:17 One Thing From...Jaguars-Chiefs 1:00:10 One Thing From...Texans-Ravens 1:04:22 Sicko Street: The Saints are favored against the Giants 1:08:00 Sicko Street: The Browns and Vikings fronts against Carson Wentz and Dillon Gabriel 1:10:48 Under the Hood: Panthers offense 1:23:25 Wins Pool Update 1:26:22 What Do You Wanna Know? Dave: I wanna know what we’re saying about the Eagles on Monday 1:28:19 What Do You Wanna Know? Robert: I wanna know what we’re saying about the Broncos on Monday 1:31:05 What Do You Wanna Know? Derrik: Is Klayton Adams the most important coach in the NFL? Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When a team goes out and brings in a new playcaller during the offseason, be it the head coach or offensive coordinator, they're telling us one thing: We need new ideas on offense. One-quarter of the league did that this offseason, and five of those teams have stood out for one reason or another over the first month of the season...the Patriots, Bears, Jaguars, Seahawks and Cowboys. What are the early returns on the new ideas for those five teams? Robert Mays and Ollie Connolly from The Read Optional dive deep into the quintet on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:48 Dillon Gabriel takes the reins in Cleveland 8:18 New England Patriots 22:05 Chicago Bears 40:58 Jacksonville Jaguars 53:21 Seattle Seahawks 1:10:40 Dallas Cowboys Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays With: Ollie Connolly Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Ollie on Bluesky: @ollieconnolly.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Ollie on X: @OllieConnolly Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

College football's loaded weekend delivered with Oregon, Alabama and Mississippi picking up huge wins. Those games, not to mention the rest of the slate, reverberated across the NFL Draft world, as well. Dane Brugler and Dave Helman break it all down on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. The guys also dive into Dane's All-Rookie Team through the first month of the NFL season. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:52 Game Ball: Dante Moore 12:25 Drew Allar takes a tumble 21:41 Game Ball: Ty Simpson 30:11 Game Ball: Notre Dame RBs 35:22 Top-50 Stock Watch: Fernando Mendoza 39:45 Top-50 Stock Watch: Garrett Nussmeier 44:10 Top-50 Stock Watch: Makai Lemon 47:51 While you were busy... 54:57 Dane's first month NFL All-Rookie Team 1:20:48 Week 6 CFB lookahead Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If ever there were a game that felt like a hangover, it was the Texans 26-0 win over the Titans in Week 4. That's where Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen kick off this episode of The Athletic Football Show. After that, the guys dive into another impressive performance by the Browns defense, albeit in a 34-10 loss to the Lions, and the Bills 31-19 win over the Saints. Robert and Derrik wrap up the episode by discussing all the injuries affecting the Ravens, and taking a couple of your sad voicemails. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:45 Titans-Texans recap 18:25 Browns-Lions recap 33:53 Saints-Bills recap 45:51 Injuries piling up for the Ravens 50:40 Monday Mourning with the Colts and Vikings Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Allow us to take you behind the curtain. This was, by far, the hardest recap show for us to program thus far this season. That's how much happened in Week 4. From the Chiefs dismantling of the Ravens, to the Eagles taking down the Buccaneers, to huge wins for the Rams, Steelers and Jaguars, we had no shortage of topics to get into the show. Robert Mays, Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen do what they can to get their arms around a jam-packed Week 4 Sunday on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 2:50 Packers-Cowboys recap 13:12 Ravens-Chiefs recap 32:42 Colts-Rams recap 41:31 Eagles-Buccaneers recap 55:02 Pittsburgh Steelers...You Have My Attention 1:03:55 Jacksonville Jaguars...You Have My Attention 1:16:51 Chargers lose to the previously winless Giants...WTF?!? 1:25:41 Panthers punt coverage...WTF?!? (But also, Drake Maye and the Patriots looked good) 1:29:53 The Raiders really lost that game to the Bears...WTF?!? 1:37:03 How Can You Not Be Romantic About Football...featuring Tyler Allgeier, Drake Maye and DK Metcalf 1:42:03 What Did We Learn in Week 4? Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you looked at Week 4 before the season, you likely would've assumed that Ravens-Chiefs would be the Game of the Week, with Eagles-Buccaneeers at the top of the undercard. Instead, Eagles-Bucs has jumped up to top billing, the Colts and Rams find themselves in the Game of the Week, and the Ravens and Chiefs are both starting down 1-3 records. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dive into all three of those games to kick off the Week 4 preview episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also get into the heavyweight matchup between the Browns defense and Lions offense, Jaxson Dart's debut start against a tough Chargers defense, the surprising Jaguars defense getting its biggest test against the 49ers, and a whole lot more. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 1:56 Colts-Rams preview 20:55 Eagles-Buccaneers preview 36:42 Ravens-Chiefs Bizarro Game of the Week 48:16 One Thing From...Browns-Lions 57:05 One Thing From...Jaguars-49ers 1:04:02 One Thing From...Chargers-Giants 1:10:19 Sicko Street: Waking up early for Vikings-Steelers 1:14:45 Sicko Street: You should watch Panthers-Patriots! 1:17:06 Micah Parsons and the shattering of the Wick Scale 1:20:39 What Do You Wanna Know? Dave: Who’s gonna be the first team eliminated from playoff contention, the Titans or Texans? 1:22:49 What Do You Wanna Know? Robert: Who’s gonna be the 10th team at the Table? 1:24:50 What Do You Wanna Know? Derrik: Can the Falcons offense function against a gettable defense? Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Texans are 32nd in offensive success rate. The Broncos are 31st. The Raiders are 30th. The Falcons are 20th, but they just got shut out by the Panthers, fired their WRs coach, and moved their OC down to the field from the booth. Why can't these four offenses, all of which have good-to-great personnel on paper, get anything going? Robert Mays and Ted Nguyen dive deep on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 7:32 Texans 25:51 Broncos 38:51 Raiders 55:24 Falcons Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays With: Ted Nguyen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Ted on Bluesky: @tednguyen.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Ted on X: @FB_FilmAnalysis Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the sort of week that makes college football fanatics and NFL Draft nuts the Predator meme. Saturday is absolutely loaded with games that are monumental on the college football landscape filled with players who will be playing on Sundays next year. From Oregon at Penn State and Alabama at Georgia, to LSU at Mississippi and Notre Dame at Arkansas, to Ohio State at Washington and USC at Illinois, we're going to see a lot of future NFL players determining the outcomes of hugely impactful college football games. Dane Brugler and Dave Helman break it all down on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 6:01 Game Ball: Miami EDGE Ruben Bain 12:38 Game Ball: Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza 26:45 Game Ball: Utah OTs Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu 34:15 Game Ball: Oklahoma EDGE R Mason Thomas (yes, R without a period is part of his name) 43:23 Oregon-Penn State 57:26 Alabama-Georgia 1:08:22 The rest of the Week 5 Lookahead Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: https://discord.gg/emgJsXHJ Call us: 847-448-0701 Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Chiefs are on the board, while the Vikings and Commanders both got easy wins with their backup quarterbacks at the helm. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen recap Chiefs-Giants, Bengals-Vikings and Raiders-Commanders on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also consider what Nick Bosa's season-ending ACL injury means for the 49ers and take sad voicemails from you, our dear listeners and viewers. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:20 Nick Bosa out for the season with torn ACL 7:12 Chiefs-Giants recap 28:47 Bengals-Vikings recap 44:14 Raiders-Commanders recap 56:49 Monday Mourning with the Cowboys, Broncos and Bengals Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: https://discord.gg/sPp5md3B Call us: 847-448-0701 Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bills, Eagles and Buccaneers are among the 3-0 teams in the NFL. No real surprises there, right? Well, so are the Chargers. So are the Colts! Oh, and the 49ers, too. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman kick off the Week 3 recap episode of The Athletic Football Show by talking about four of the teams that improved to 3-0 on Sunday. They also try to answer how Packers lost to the Browns, and the Falcons got shut out by the Panthers. Plus, they get a little bit romantic about football and dive into what we learned in Week 3. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 5:55 Eagles take down Rams 17:20 The Chargers have our attention 32:28 The Colts are the new favorites in the AFC South 39:18 The Texans lost their Seat at the Table 51:28 Hey, the 49ers are 3-0 56:37 Browns upset the Packers...WTF?!? 1:06:37 Falcons get blanked by the Panthers...WTF?!? 1:16:02 Patriots turn it over five times in loss to Steelers...WTF?!? 1:24:50 The end of Jets-Bucs was uniquely fun 1:28:50 Holy cow, that Caleb Williams missile on the flea flicker 1:33:40 What did we learn in Week 3? Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Call us: 847-448-0701 Email us: [email protected] Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Any time the calendar says "September," it's still early in the NFL season. But as we get ready for Week 3, we're starting to know a thing or two about most teams across the league. One thing we would've known at any point, though? Rams-Eagles and Lions-Ravens is must-see TV. That's where Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman start the Week 3 preview episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also dive into Cardinals-49ers, Broncos-Chargers and Texans-Jaguars, take a trip down Sicko Street with Spencer Rattler, trot out the Take Tribunal for the first time this season, and more. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:25 Rams-Eagles preview 30:48 Lions-Ravens preview 51:05 One Thing From: Cardinals-49ers 55:29 One Thing From: Broncos-Chargers 1:00:57 One Thing From: Texans-Jaguars 1:05:17 Sicko Street: Spencer Rattler time 1:09:02 Sicko Street: Jake Browning vs. Carson Wentz 1:15:10 Take Tribunal: The Steelers defense is an unfixable problem 1:23:33 Wins Pool Update 1:25:05 What Do You Wanna Know: Are this year’s Cowboys last year’s Bengals? 1:27:31 What Do You Wanna Know: Haason Reddick vs. the Jets tackles 1:28:23 What Do You Wanna Know: Is the August optimism for the Panthers just over? Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: https://discord.gg/emgJsXHJ Call us: 847-448-0701 Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Through two weeks of the 2024 season, the Saints looked like a breakout offense while the Broncos ranked in the top five in defensive success rate. One of those held steady through the entire season. The other...did not. This year, we have some of those same types of early season surprises, including the Colts offense, the Falcons pass rush, and some real Chiefs panic. What of these are real and what are simply small sample size flukes? Robert Mays is joined by Bill Barnwell from ESPN to wade through all that on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:55 The Colts offense 20:02 The Packers as the best team in the NFL 32:18 The Bears as a lost cause 45:19 Chiefs panic 56:32 The Falcons pass rush 1:03:13 The Vikings picked the wrong QB Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: https://discord.gg/emgJsXHJ Call us: 847-448-0701 Host: Robert Mays With: Bill Barnwell Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Bill on Bluesky: @billbarnwell.com Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Dan on X: @billbarnwell Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're coming off a loaded weekend in the college football world, and the fallout from those games registered in NFL Draft circles. In the latest edition of Building the Beast, Dane Brugler and Dave Helman hand out some game balls, spotlight some big games from under-the-radar players, check in on the 2025 NFL rookie class, and look ahead to what's on the radar this weekend, highlighted by Illinois-Indiana and Auburn-Oklahoma. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 6:47 Game Ball: Texas Tech QB Behren Morton 15:25 Game Ball: LSU LB Harold Perkins 23:42 I Was Not Familiar with Your Game: Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell II 29:30 I Was Not Familiar with Your Game: Mississippi QB Trinidad Chambliss 37:52 One-Play Prospect Snapshot: Texas A&M CB Will Lee 44:57 One-Play Prospect Snapshot: Georgia Tech QB Haynes King 50:16 Top-50 Stock Watch 1:02:02 NFL Rookie Check-in: Tet McMillan, Bhayshul Tuten among Week 2 standouts 1:08:57 Week 4 Lookahead Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: https://discord.gg/emgJsXHJ Call us: 847-448-0701 Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey, the Bengals finally didn't dig a massive hole in September. Things are going great, right? Right?!? Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen kick off the Week 2 Hangover by discussing Joe Burrow's toe injury and the Bengals ability to stay afloat with Jake Browning starting for potentially the next three months. After that, the guys dig into Vikings-Falcons and Rams-Titans, and then listen to a couple of your sad voicemails to wrap up this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 1:20 Joe Burrow injury 12:06 JJ McCarthy injury 18:12 Falcons-Vikings recap 37:35 Rams-Titans recap 56:12 Sad Jaguars fan voicemail 1:02:17 Sad Bears fan voicemail Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: https://discord.gg/sPp5md3B Call us: 847-448-0701 Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Super Bowl LIX rematch was always going to be at the center of Week 2, and this one ended with the same winner as that one back in February did. The Eagles 20-17 win over the Chiefs is where Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen kick off the Week 2 recap episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also discuss the craziness of Giants-Cowboys, the hot start for the Colts offense, Joe Burrow's toe injury, Joey Bosa turning back the clock, and much more. Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: https://discord.gg/sPp5md3B Call us: 847-448-0701 Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Week 2 marks our first real preview episode of the season, and what a helluva week it is. For starters, we've got a Super Bowl LIX rematch between the Eagles and Chiefs. We also get a number of teams or units that surprised us in Week 1—the Jaguars defense and Colts offense to name two—getting much different tests in Week 2. And hey, the internet's favorite quarterbacks, Justin Herbert and Geno Smith, are playing against one another on Monday night. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dig deep into Week 2 on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 5:05 Game of the Week: Eagles at Chiefs 30:59 Brock Purdy's injury 36:30 A much tougher test for the Colts offense 43:52 Jets might not be the pushover opponent for the Bills they appeared to be 50:32 Battle of the internet's favorite QBs, Justin Herbert and Geno Smith 57:48 Sicko Street: The Jaguars defense 1:05:34 Sicko Street: The Titans defense 1:13:11 Under the Hood: J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings offense 1:22:12 What Do You Wanna Know: Is the Bucs pass protection without Tristan Wirfs gonna be a problem 1:25:31 What Do You Wanna Know: Cardinals front/defense vs. Panthers run game 1:26:44 What Do You Wanna Know: How scared should I be about the Bears offense Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: https://discord.gg/sPp5md3B Call us: 847-448-0701 Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the best parts of Week 1 is that we finally get to see a bunch of new stuff in action. Like the Geno Smith/Chip Kelly offense in Las Vegas. Or Nick Caley running Houston's offense. Or Cam Ward playing in the NFL and Robert Saleh back with the 49ers. What are our first impressions of all these new things? Robert Mays and Dan Pizzuta of Snaps and Stats dig in on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: https://discord.gg/sPp5md3B Call us: 847-448-0701 Host: Robert Mays With: Dan Pizzuta Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Dan on Bluesky: @danpizzuta.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Dan on X: @DanPizzuta Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Week 2 of the college football season may not have had the marquee matchups that Week 1 did, but it still gave Dave Helman and Dane Brugler more than enough to talk about from an NFL Draft perspective. The guys dig into John Mateer's big day against Michigan, Sawyer Robertson's second straight strong showing against a power four team, Jordyn Tyson's hot start to the season, and a whole lot more on this episode of Building the Beast on The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 5:12 Game Ball: Oklahoma QB John Mateer 12:40 Game Ball: Oregon QB Dante Moore 18:40 Sawyer Robertson leads another big week for Baylor's draft prospects 28:45 I Was Not Familiar with Your Game: Cincinnati LB Jake Golday 34:23 Prospect Snapshot: Louisville WR Chris Bell 38:38 Prospect Snapshot: Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell 42:21 Top-50 Stock Watch: Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson 46:13 Top-50 Stock Watch: USC WRs Makai Lemon and WR Ja’Kobi Lane 50:04 Top-50 Stock Watch: Iowa State DT Dominique Orange vs. Iowa C Logan Jones 56:40 NFL Rookie Watch: Browns LB Carson Schwesinger and Jets OT Armand Membou 1:05:33 Week 3 CFB preview Host: Dave Helman Co-Host: Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: https://discord.gg/sPp5md3B Call us: 847-448-0701 Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our return to five episodes per week means that the Weekly Hangover is back! Because look, Sundays are busy. We can't possibly talk about every game in the way that we'd like to on our Sunday night recaps. But we do still want to talk about every game. That's what the Hangover is for. In the Week 1 Hangover, Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen get to two games we didn't discuss on Sunday night—the Commanders' 21-6 win over the Giants and the Cardinals' 20-13 win over the Saints. Plus, we listen to some of the best voicemails we got on the TAFS voicemail line on Sunday. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 6:00 Commanders-Giants recap 31:50 Cardinals-Saints recap 56:02 Your sad voicemails Connect with The Athletic Football Show X: https://x.com/TA_FootballShow IG: https://www.instagram.com/tafootballshow YT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShow TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow Discord: https://discord.gg/sPp5md3B Call us: 847-448-0701 Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Same Sunday night recap you know and love, brand spankin' new look. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman celebrate the return of the NFL with the Week 1 recap episode of The Athletic Football Show, the first from our new studio in Chicago. The guys discuss the Bills' dramatic win over the Ravens, the Packers' dominant victory against the Lions, the Jets and Steelers—really!—giving us the most exciting game of the day, troubles for the Dolphins and Titans, and a whole lot more. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 5:30 Bills-Ravens thriller 15:15 Packers dominate Lions 27:40 Steelers-Jets fireworks! 39:00 Emeka Egbuka pays immediate dividends 49:00 Dolphins embarrassed by Colts 56:10 Titans fumble multiple chances to upset Broncos 1:05:00 Seahawks endgame leaves a bit to be desired 1:12:30 Bryce Young off to a rough start 1:16:05 The Bengals get away with one 1:22:15 Geno Smith starts his Raiders career with a bang 1:27:00 The Stafford/Davante connection 1:30:35 You can't ignore bad training camp vibes Connect with The Athletic Football Show ⁠YouTube⁠ Discord ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ Call us: 847-448-0701 Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

And with that, the 2025 NFL season is officially underway. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman recap the Eagles' 24-20 season-opening win over the Cowboys on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/sPp5md3B Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Football friends, we have made it back to the start of another NFL season. We hope you enjoy the crazy six-month ride with us. To kick off the season, Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman highlight what they're excited to watch in Week 1 on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/npVXkk3c Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 5:43 We're in studio! 9:57 Lamar vs. Josh 13:52 Chiefs-Chargers 21:50 The Ben Johnson Bears 27:53 Can the Giants front create the weird Week 1 game? 30:30 The sicko games on the noon slate 36:31 Proof-of-concept matchups (HOU OL vs. LAR DL, Raiders offense vs. Patriots defense) 38:30 The loaded afternoon slate 43:22 The potential uh-oh games 48:47 Aaron Rodgers vs. the Jets 52:00 Michael Penix Jr. vs. Todd Bowles Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've previewed every division. We've pondered every lingering question. We've analyzed every roster from top to bottom and back to the top, again. There's only one thing left to do. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman offer up their awards, playoffs and Super Bowl predictions on this final preseason episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:35 Defensive Player of the Year 15:18 Offensive Player of the Year 23:09 Coach of the Year 36:40 Offensive Rookie of the Year 44:35 Defensive Rookie of the Year 48:49 Assistant Coach of the Year 55:03 Protector of the Year 58:47 MVP 1:07:07 NFC Playoff Picks 1:16:25 AFC Playoff Picks 1:21:46 Super Bowl picks Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We saw Arch Manning, Garrett Nussmeier and LaNorris Sellers all play in Week 1, to varying results. What are our first 2025 impressions of all of those quarterbacks? And who else should NFL Draft heads already be taking notice of this season? Dave Helman and Dane Brugler recap Week 1 of the CFB season on this episode of Building the Beast. Hosts: Dave Helman and Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The annual Wins Pool Draft is here. Three drafters, seven teams apiece, glory and ignominy at stake. What more could you ask for? In both of the last two seasons, Robert Mays has had to pay off an embarrassing bet on Radio Row. Will he make it three years in a row, or will Derrik Klassen or Dave Helman save him and fall into the TAFS Wins Pool basement? Listen along as they guys select seven teams—five good and two bad, with bad being defined as a win total over/under of 6.5 or fewer—on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've done it. We've reached the end of the line. Our eighth and final division preview features what has long been one of the most competitive divisions in the league, the AFC North. The Ravens are back as one of the inner-circle Super Bowl favorites, while the Bengals are back as one of the very best offenses in the league. The Steelers, meanwhile, underwent a facelift this offseason that included bringing in Aaron Rodgers, and the Browns are finally trying to turn the page to a new chapter in their story. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dive deep into all four AFC North teams on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 6:58 Baltimore Ravens 2025 season preview 36:34 Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 season preview 1:07:01 Cincinnati Bengals 2025 season preview 1:32:16 Cleveland Browns 2025 season preview Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every team in the NFC West has a win total over/under of 8.5 or better. The Rams are the favorite, but their quarterback has been hurt all summer. The 49ers have institutional power, but they went 6-11 last year and have undergone serious change. There's justifiable optimism for the Seahawks and Cardinals, with easy-to-see downsides, as well. In short, if there's one division that could finish in literally any order, one through four, it's this one. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dive deep into all four NFC West teams on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 6:07 Los Angeles Rams season preview 41:08 Seattle Seahawks season preview 1:09:32 Arizona Cardinals season preview 1:38:58 San Francisco 49ers season preview Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The AFC West has long been the domain of Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid and the Chiefs, winners of nine straight division titles. The Chargers and Broncos both made the playoffs last year, and the Raiders had an exciting offseason, but there's no question who reigns supreme over this division. Can the Chiefs make it a full decade of division championships? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dive deep into all four AFC West teams on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 5:23 Kansas City Chiefs 2025 season preview 35:27 Los Angeles Chargers 2025 season preview 1:04:52 Denver Broncos 2025 season preview 1:38:53 Las Vegas Raiders 2025 season preview Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NFC North put three teams in the playoffs last year, including the top seed in the conference and two teams with 14 wins. There's a chance the division is even better from top to bottom this year, even if it doesn't win quite as many games. Robert Mays, Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen dive deep into all four teams in the NFC North on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:49 Detroit Lions 2025 season preview 37:09 Minnesota Vikings 2025 season preview 1:12:26 Green Bay Packers 2025 season preview 1:43:03 Chicago Bears 2025 season preview Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The AFC South is something of a punchline in the NFL, with its division champion seemingly locked into that Saturday afternoon Wild Card round game timeslot. You're there for a reason, you know? But is this the year the AFC South gets the last laugh? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dive deep into all four teams on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:00 Houston Texans preview 34:46 Indianapolis Colts preview 1:01:53 Jacksonville Jaguars preview 1:33:34 Tennessee Titans preview Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've made it. Training camp is over. The season is just about here. And we've got one final Beat Writer Notebook for you to close it all down. On this episode, Robert Mays talks with Alec Lewis, Chad Graff and Nick Kosmider, The Athletic's Vikings, Patriots and Broncos beat writers, respectively, as well as national NFL reporter Jourdan Rodrigue, who remains very plugged in with the Rams. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:47 Robert Mays and Chad Graff from Vikings camp 37:56 Robert Mays and Jourdan Rodrigue from Rams camp 1:09:36 Robert Mays and Chad Graff from Patriots camp 1:32:31 Robert Mays and Nick Kosmider from Broncos camp Host: Robert Mays With: Alec Lewis, Jourdan Rodrigue, Chad Graff, Nick Kosmider Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Alec on Bluesky: @aleclewis.bsky.social Follow Jourdan on Bluesky: @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social Follow Chad on Bluesky: @chadgraff.bksy.social Follow Nick on Bluesky: @nickkosmider.bksy.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Alec on X: @alec_lewis Follow Jourdan on X: @JourdanRodrigue Follow Chad on X: @ChadGraff Follow Nick on X: @NickKosmider Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's not hard to see why the NFC South is so often overlooked. The division hasn't put two teams into the playoffs since the 2020 season. It wouldn't be crazy for that streak to end this year, even in what feels like a loaded NFC. How do the Buccaneers continue their dominance over the division? How do the Falcons flip the script and get to the top? How optimistic should we be about the Panthers? How do we even measure success for the Saints? Robert, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dive deep into all four teams in the NFC South on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:21 Tampa Bay Buccaneers preview 35:33 Atlanta Falcons preview 1:04:43 Carolina Panters preview 1:37:33 New Orleans Saints preview Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bills have won the AFC East five years in a row, and it looks like nothing can stop them from making that six this season. Still, as Robert Mays says at the top of our AFC East preview, there's something for everyone in this division. Can the Bills finally break through this season? Is this the end of the line for this era of the Dolphins? Are the Jets and Patriots really righting their respective ships? Robert, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dive deep into all four teams in the AFC East on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:17 Bills preview 32:52 Dolphins preview 1:01:38 Jets preview 1:30:23 Patriots preview Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Division preview season is back, our friends, and we have to start with the division that houses the reigning Super Bowl Champions. Can the Eagles reload and avoid a Super Bowl Hangover? How do the Commanders build on a breakout 2024 season? How might the Cowboys rebound this season? Is the Giants defensive front enough to make them fun all season? The guys answer all those questions, and a whole lot more, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:39 Eagles preview 43:47 Commanders preview 1:21:53 Cowboys preview 1:52:37 Giants preview Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After visiting 23 teams in person over the last month, Robert Mays is finally back home. While he was out on the road, he asked the 50 or so NFL coaches he spoke to about the trends they see starting to take root across the league. That's great information for Robert to have, and it's also fun information to share with our audience. From three-high-safety looks on defense to more under center straight dropbacks on offense, Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into the trends coaches in the league are watching on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 7:41 Vikings-style pressure looks 15:17 Three high safeties 20:56 Even more motion on offense 31:12 The designed QB run game 36:34 The return of under center straight dropbacks 44:13 Packers-style backfield actions in the run game 52:49 The "escort screen" 56:15 How 4th down aggressiveness affects 3rd down play calling Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dane Brugler is back on The Athletic Football Show year-round. Every week through the draft, Dane and Dave Helman will bring you Building the Beast, giving you a week-by-week look at how The Beast comes together. In this debut episode, Dane explains the process of building his initial top 50, and then he and Dave go through the top draft prospects and five key positions. They wrap things up with prospects to watch in Week 0 and Week 1 of the college football season. Hosts: Dave Helman and Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Mays is just about off the road, but we've still got a double Beat Writer Notebook weekend for the masses. This episode features Kevin Fishbain, Tashan Reed and Matt Barrows, The Athletic's Bears, Raiders and 49ers beat writers, respectively. Can Ben Johnson be exactly what Caleb Williams needs? Is Pete Carroll the man to get the Raiders on track? Are the 49ers as ready for a rebound season as they appear to be? Learn the answers to those questions, and a whole lot more, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 2:44 Robert Mays and Kevin Fishbain from Bears camp 32:56 Robert Mays and Tashan Reed from Raiders camp 1:02:57 Robert Mays and Matt Barrows from 49ers camp Host: Robert Mays With: Kevin Fishbain, Tashan Reed, Matt Barrows Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Kevin on Bluesky: @kfishbain.bsky.social Follow Tashan on Bluesky: @tashanreed.bsky.social Follow Matt on Bluesky: @mattbarrows.bksy.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Kevin on X: @kfishbain Follow Tashan on X: @tashanreed Follow Matt on X: @mattbarrows Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Training camp is winding down, and so, too, is Robert Mays' Beat Writer Notebook. We've got two more for you this weekend, though, beginning with Paul Dehner Jr., James Boyd and Matt Schneidman, The Athletic's Bengals, Colts and Packers beat writers, respectively. Can the Bengals defense simply be good enough? What should we make of the Colts quarterback situation? Is this the season this version of the Packers takes off? Learn the answers to those questions, and a whole lot more, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:00 Robert Mays and Paul Dehner Jr. from Bengals camp 32:13 Robert Mays and James Boyd from Colts camp 1:01:57 Robert Mays and Matt Schneidman from Packers camp Host: Robert Mays With: Paul Dehner Jr., James Boyd, Matt Schneidman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Paul on Bluesky: @pauldehnerjr.bsky.social Follow Matt on Bluesky: @mattschneidman.bksy.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Paul on X: @pauldehnerjr Follow James on X: @RomeovilleKid Follow Matt on X: @mattschneidman Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

First impressions are pretty important in all facets of life. So what sort of first impressions did some of the youngsters across the league make in Week 1 of the preseason? Robert Mays, Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen dig into the QBs, the key offensive linemen, Travis Hunter, the rookies on the 49ers defense and more on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's time for an annual bit on The Athletic Football Show. And what better way to stage a bit on an NFL podcast than against the backdrop of the Super Bowl. As much upheaval as there is in the NFL every year, we all know that there's an inner circle of Super Bowl contenders to start the season. They are the teams with A Seat at the Table. The composition of the table will change as the season goes on, and we'll be there for every twist and turn. But for now, as the beginning of the season draws near, these are the 10 teams with A Seat at the Table. Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last year at this time, no one was expecting much from the Commanders offense or the Broncos defense. By the end of the season, they were among the units that defined 2024. Which units can pull off the same feat and come from out of nowhere to carry their teams this season. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen point to eight candidates—four offenses and four defenses—on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:52 Cowboys offense 13:33 Titans offense 24:43 Raiders offense 34:31 Panthers offense 46:35 49ers defense 52:52 Cardinals defense 1:04:50 Colts defense 1:11:20 Patriots defense Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NFL expanded to 14 total playoff teams, seven per conference, in 2020. In each of the five seasons since expansion, at least one division sent three teams to the playoffs. It was two last season, with the AFC West and NFC North pulling off the trick. So we can say with relative certainty that at least one division will have three playoff teams this season. Which division is going to keep the streak alive? Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen rank them from least to most likely on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Look, you visit with eight teams in one week, you gotta have two Beat Writer Notebooks. In this edition, Robert talks with Joe Person, Zac Jackson and Nicki Jhabvala, The Athletic's Panthers, Browns and Commanders beat writers, respectively. How legitimate is the optimism for the Panthers offense? How do the Browns even measure success this season? What can the Commanders do to follow up on last season's unexpected breakthrough? Learn the answers to those questions, and a whole lot more, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:01 Robert and Joe Person from Panthers camp 27:21 Robert and Zac Jackson from Browns camp 48:08 Robert and Nicki Jhabvala from Commanders camp Host: Robert Mays With: Joe Person, Zac Jackson, Nicki Jhabvala Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Joe on Bluesky: @josephperson.bsky.social Follow Nicki on Bluesky: @nickijhabvala.bksy.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Joe on X: @josephperson Follow Zac on X: @AkronJackson Follow Nicki on X: @NickiJhabvala Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Mays is coming off his busiest week of training camp yet, having spent the previous seven days with eight different teams (gotta love joint practices). In this edition of the Beat Writer Notebook, Robert talks with Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic's Bills beat writer, and Mike DeFabo, The Athletic's Steelers beat writer. How do the Bills finally get over the hump? Can Aaron Rodgers find enough of the fountain of youth to push the Steelers to another level? Learn the answers to those questions, and a whole lot more, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Plus, Robert and Derrik Klassen cover the injuries to Rashawn Slater and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 3:10 Rashawn Slater and C.J. Gardner-Johnson injuries 17:25 Robert and Joe Buscaglia at Bills camp 45:36 Robert and Mike DeFabo at Steelers camp Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen With: Joe Buscaglia, Mike DeFabo Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Joe on Bluesky: @joebuscaglia.bsky.social Follow Mike on Bluesky: @mikedefabo.bksy.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Joe on X: @JoeBuscaglia Follow Mike on X: @MikeDeFabo Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teams have been at training camp for a couple weeks now, so you know what that means. We've got plenty of storylines floating around out there. Some of them matter. Many of them don't. Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen wade through them and separate what actually has meaning from what doesn't on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 6:09 Matthew Stafford's back injury 13:27 Ben Johnson's aggressive approach to training camp 24:07 The Saints QB battle 32:20 Depth chart silliness 52:57 Rookie WRs turning heads 1:01:45 Aireontae Ersery pushing for a starting job in Houston Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There is a subset of quarterbacks for whom the 2025 season is an inflection point. For some of them, it's about their future in the league. For others, it's due to the massive changes around them. For still others, it's about their legacy. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen discuss eight quarterbacks at a crossroads this season on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 5:11 Kyler Murray 21:22 Jared Goff 34:26 Trevor Lawrence 46:47 C.J. Stroud and Jordan Love 55:56 Brock Purdy 1:03:05 Patrick Mahomes Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some takes are meticulously crafted, with each ingredient perfectly balanced to create a rational, thought-out, deeply held belief. Others are slapped together, thrown in the oven for, you know, whatever length of time feels right, and dropped down on the table to consume at your own risk. These are the latter. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman offer up their half-baked takes for the 2025 season on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown 7:00 Micah Parsons isn't getting traded and Jerry Jones isn't serious about winning football games (this is a fully baked take) 10:43 The Niners will win 12+ games 17:02 The Vikings will finish last in the NFC North 24:45 This is the year the Steelers crash out 35:42 The NFC will have massive playoff turnover this season 41:50 This is the season the Packers go nuclear 48:14 Abolish the draft so players like Myles Garrett don't get stuck on teams like the Browns forever 55:57 The NFL needs a leaguewide standardized bye week 1:05:40 Bo Nix was just kinda getting away with it last year, and that's not gonna happen this year 1:15:56 Zac Robinson is this year's Liam Coen Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We should know better. We really should. We've been at this for a long time, and we know that believing in certain teams and players is bad for us. And yet, come this time of year, we can't help ourselves. We go back to that well. So who are we ready to be hurt by again this season? Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen open up and get vulnerable on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Mays went to so many training camps in the previous week, we had to split this weekend's Beat Writer Notebook into two episodes. On this edition of the Beat Writer Notebook, Robert speaks to Brooks Kubena and Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic's Eagles and Jets beat writers, respectively. What do the Eagles do to live up to a Super Bowl encore? How does Aaron Glenn transform the Jets? Learn the answers to those questions, and a whole lot more, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays With: Brooks Kubena, Zack Rosenblatt Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Brooks on Bluesky: @bkubena.bsky.social Follow Zack on Bluesky: @zackblatt.bksy.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Brooks on X: @BKubena Follow Zack on X: @ZackBlatt Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Mays began the previous week in Seattle. He ended it in New York, by way of the southeast and mid-Atlantic. So, yeah, he's been around a bit. Robert checks in with Michael-Shawn Dugar, Josh Kendall and Jeff Zrebiec—the Athletic's beat writers for the Seahawks, Falcons, Ravens and Eagles, respectively—on this edition of the Beat Writer Notebook. What's the ceiling for the very good Seahawks defense? What are the expectations for Michael Penix in his first season as the starter? How do the Ravens finally get over the hump? Learn the answers to those questions, and a whole lot more, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 4:27 Seattle Seahawks 41:36 Atlanta Falcons 1:07:14 Baltimore Ravens Host: Robert Mays With: Michael-Shawn Dugar, Josh Kendall, Jeff Zrebiec, Brooks Kubena Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Michael-Shawn on X: @MikeDugar Follow Josh on X: @JoshTheAthletic Follow Jeff on X: @jeffzrebiec Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most offseason acquisitions are going to bring some change to their new teams. There's a reason why their new teams went out and got them, after all. A select few of those acquisitions, however, aren't simply going to bring a little change. They're going to completely change their new team's DNA on their side of the ball, opening up an entirely different style of play and new look for the unit. Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman run through their top DNA changers for the 2025 season on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 5:30 Cam Bynum 12:14 Poona Ford 19:47 Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga 28:54 Haason Reddick 34:30 Will Fries and Ryan Kelly 41:44 Omarion Hampton 48:42 Andre Cisco 57:23 Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. 1:06:03 Armand Membou Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A whole lot has happened during the first week of training camp. A bunch of good players got contract extensions. Injuries are unfortunately already changing plans across the league. Storylines are emerging, and not all of them are your usual July camp silliness. Some of them are worth digging into! Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman round up the first week of training camp news on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every NFL season is important to every person in the league. But we know that some players, coaches and executives have more at stake in any given season than others. So who has the most at stake in 2025? Robert Mays and Dave Helman answer that question on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The best teams in the league can keep their secret sauce secret for only so long. Teams are always hunting for an edge wherever they can find it, and it's never been easier to tap into how other teams are finding success. That's especially true on the offensive side of the ball, where you are holding the pen more often than not. So what can we learn from the best offenses in the league? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen are joined by Bobby Peters, owner and operator of the Alert the Post Substack, to answer that question on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Hosts: Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen With: Bobby Peters Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Bobby on X: @b_peters12 Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Mays' Homeric tour of the NFL world is underway, with stops across the previous week in Detroit, Los Angeles and San Diego. While there, he spoke with Colton Pouncy, Daniel Popper and Jon Machota, The Athletic's beat writers for the Lions, Chargers and Cowboys, respectively. How will the Lions handle the brain drain? Where can the Chargers find more juice on offense? How do the Cowboys feel different under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer? Learn the answers to those questions, and a whole lot more, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show Host: Robert Mays With: Colton Pouncy, Daniel Popper, Jon Machota Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Colton on Bluesky: @coltonpouncy.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Colton on X: @colton_pouncy Follow Daniel on X: @danielrpopper Follow Jon on X: @jonmachota Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's easy to overlook second-year players who A) didn't have huge rookie seasons, or B) aren't quarterbacks. But you don't have to be Jayden Daniels or Malik Nabers or Jared Verse to be an X-factor for your team—and, by extension, the league—in your second season. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen highlight six sneaky second-year X-factors on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 6:22 Any second-year Falcons defensive lineman 13:16 Christian Mahogany, Lions LG 20:37 Cole Bishop, Bills S 26:56 Kris Jenkins, Bengals DT 36:51 Renardo Green, 49ers CB 44:34 Blake Fisher, Texans RT Hosts: Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_ Theme song: Haunted Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.