The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL

Call us: 847-448-0701

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.

Week 9 Preview: It's Bills-Chiefs Week Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

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.

Who's winning—and losing—the trenches this NFL season? Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

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.

Building the Beast: All-Rookie Team for the first half of the NFL season Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

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

Call us: 847-448-0701

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.

Week 8 Hangover: Ravens and Texans grind out critical wins; Bucs take firm control of the NFC South Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

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.

Week 8 Recap: Broncos, Eagles, Dolphins get biggest wins of sleepy day Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

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

Call us: 847-448-0701

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.

Week 8 preview: Can the Cowboys or Broncos prove they're the real deal? Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

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

Call us: 847-448-0701

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.

The kickers strike back Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

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.

Building the Beast: The 2026 WR draft class is taking shape Oct 22, 2025

Show notes

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

Call us: 847-448-0701

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.

Week 7 Hangover: Celebrating the 49ers defense, the Chiefs offense, and Drake Maye's rise Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

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

Call us: 847-448-0701