The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL

Latest Episodes:

Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen? It's the TAFS 2024 Awards Spectacular! Jan 01, 2025

Show notes

Lamar or Josh, who's the MVP? It's the question that will define NFL awards season this year. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen answer it at the end of this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Before that, the guys hand out all the rest of the standard hardware—Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, you know the drill—as well as the extras that get at the heart and soul of TAFS—Assistant Coach of the Year, narrative changers, and more.

Rundown

Offensive Player of the Year
Defensive Player of the Year
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Executive of the Year
Assistant Coach of the Year
Coach of the Year
Pleasant Surprises
Biggest Disappointments
Narrative Changers
MVP

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 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 recap: With the playoffs around the corner, the Vikings make a statement Dec 30, 2024

Show notes

Every serious Super Bowl contender picks up a signature win at some point of the regular season. The Vikings may have already had one, but they certainly got one on Sunday. That's where Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen begin the Week 17 recap episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also discuss the Commanders clinching a playoff berth, the Bengals (and Dolphins) staying alive in the AFC Wild Card race, the Colts falling out of the picture, the Jekyll and Hyde Rams, Saquon Barkley hitting the 2K mark, Brock Bowers breaking all the records, and more.

Rundown

Vikings make a statement with win over Packers
The fascinating Cincinnati Bengals
The Commanders secure a playoff berth, and the Bucs take control of the NFC South
The Jekyll and Hyde Rams
Colts eliminated from playoff contention by Drew Lock and the Giants
The Patriots move to the top of the 2025 draft board
Saquon Barkley hits the 2,000-yard mark
The Jets are the saddest team of 2024
Brock Bowers headlines a great day for rookies
The Chargers plan came together

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 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 best contracts in recent NFL history Dec 28, 2024

Show notes

A good contract can be a sneaky differentiator for an NFL team. A bad one can torpedo half a decade or so. On the final episode of The Money Down, The Athletic Football Show's miniseries focused on the business of the NFL, Robert Mays and Bill Barnwell from ESPN highlight the best and worst deals of the last 10 to 15 years.

Host: Robert Mays

With: Bill Barnwell

Executive Producer: Michael Beller

Producer: Chris Flannery

Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show...

Apple

Spotify

YouTube

Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social

Follw Bill on Bluesky: @billbarnwell.com

Follow Robert on X: @robertmays

Follow Bill 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.

Week 17 preview: Packers-Vikings the final, and best, gift of the holiday weekend Dec 26, 2024

Show notes

There may not be a ton of playoff intrigue as we head toward the end of the regular season, but what we do have is about as good as it could be. Take, for example, the Week 17 showdown in the NFC North between the Packers and Vikings. A Vikings win sets up a likely win-and-get-the-1-seed game between them and the Lions in Week 18. A Packers win doesn't carry quite that level of playoff implication, but it would further cement them as a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into that game, recap the Christmas Day games, and check in on the other playoff races on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.

Rundown

Chiefs lock up the 1-seed in the AFC with win over Steelers
Ravens move into first place in AFC North with convincing win over Texans
Packers-Vikings preview
Handicapping the remaining playoff races

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 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.

TAFS goes holiday shopping! Dec 24, 2024

Show notes

It's the holiday season and we're getting in the spirit on The Athletic Football Show. From the right offensive coach for Caleb Wiliams to a new team for Myles Garrett, Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen are giving gifts to players, teams and coaches across the NFL on this episode of TAFS.

Rundown

A want for more from the Cowboys for Jerry Jones
A ball-winner for Lamar Jackson
The right offensive coach for Caleb Williams
The fountain of youth for Matthew Stafford
Wolverine blood for the Lions
Framed depth charts for John Schneider
A new team for Myles Garrett
One of the dudes for the Jaguars
A partner in crime for Christian Gonzalez
An apology card for the Falcons

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 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 16 recap: Lions, Vikings race for the NFC 1-seed, while Chiefs nearly put AFC's top spot out of reach Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

So which team had the best Week 16? It's not as easy as it might seem at first glance. Sure, it might look like the Vikings, who kept pace with the Lions atop the NFC. It might look like the Chiefs, who took an impressive step toward locking up the top seed in the AFC. It might look like the Commanders, who brought back the early season offense in their win over the Eagles. It could even be the Rams, who put themselves on the doorstep of clinching the NFC West. So, who is it? Well, Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen might not answer that question on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. But they will recap Week 16.

Rundown

Commanders take down an Eagles team clearly missing Jalen Hurts
The Vikings chances at the 1-seed...You Have My Attention!
The Ravens run game...You Have My Attention!
The potential of the Chiefs offense...You Have My Attention!
Arizona Cardinals...WTF?!?
The top of the draft order...WTF?!?
Michael Penix brings some juice to Atlanta's offense
A strange win, but a win nonetheless, for the Rams over the Jets
Joe Burrow keeps on making plays on the move
Jonathan Taylor's big day and the Colts unlikely feat
The AFC Wild Card picture
Drake Maye's zone/man splits
The latest in Lions trickery
What Did We Learn Today?

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 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 16 preview: Steelers-Ravens battle for AFC North supremacy at the center of the playoff push Dec 20, 2024

Show notes

Broncos-Chargers on Thursday. Steelers-Ravens and Texans-Chiefs on Saturday. Eagles-Commanders on Sunday. The playoff push is on, seeming every single day of the week. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen preview the jam-packed Week 16 slate on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.

Rundown

Chargers-Broncos recap
Steelers-Ravens preview
Texans-Chiefs preview
Eagles run defense vs. Jayden Daniels and the Washington offense
Can Minnesota's offense keep it rolling in Seattle?
What do we make of the staffs in Indianapolis and Tennessee?
Big offseason ahead for Tua Tagovailoa and Brock Purdy
Micah Parsons vs. the Buccaneers offensive line
It's Michael Penix Time

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 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.

Bill Belichick goes back to school Dec 19, 2024

Show notes

Bill Belichick, head coach at the University of North Carolina. It's going to take some getting used to. Robert Mays starts that process from two different angles on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. First, he's joined by Seth Wickersham of ESPN to discuss why a move to the college game would be attractive to Belichick at this stage of his career. Then, David Ubben, host of The Athletic's Until Saturday podcast, jumps on with Robert to dig into the Belichick/UNC pairing from the college football perspective.

Host: Robert Mays

With: Seth Wickersham and David Ubben

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 Seth on Bluesky: @sethwickersham.bsky.social

Follow David on Bluesky: @davidubben.bsky.social

Follow Robert on X: @robertmays

Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass

Follow Seth on X: @SethWickersham

Follow David on X: @davidubben

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.

Wide receivers wrapped, 2024, with Matt Harmon Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

From the heroics of Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and Amon-Ra St. Brown, to the breakouts from Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton, and the letdowns from Bears and Texans passing games, the 2024 season gave us plenty to talk about at the wide receiver position. That's exactly what Robert Mays and Matt Harmon of Yahoo do on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.

Host: Robert Mays

With: Matt Harmon

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 Matt on Bluesky: @mattharmon.bksy.social

Follow Robert on X: @robertmays

Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass

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.

Week 15 recap: Bills win a possible Super Bowl preview, and the Lions lose more than just the game Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

If the Week 15 game between the Bills and Lions proves to be a Super Bowl LIX preview, then we're all one for one helluva rematch in New Orleans in a couple months. In the meantime, the Bills scored one of the biggest wins of the season in taking down the Lions on the road. That's where Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen begin the Week 15 recap episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also discuss the Texans defense, Jalen Hurts acing the litmus test, the Buccaneers offense, the Chiefs woeful pass protection, the Bengals-Titans slopfest, and a whole lot more.

Rundown