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The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL
2026 NFC South preview
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The NFC South remains the little brother of the league, coming into the season as the only division without an obvious Super Bowl contender. The Buccaneers have held sway over this division for most of the 2020s, but it was the Panthers last year who broke through and won the division, albeit with an 8-9 record. How do the Buccaneers get back to the top of the division this season? What must the Saints do to rollover the optimism they built up over the second half of last season into this year? How do the Panthers prove that last year wasn't a fluke? And is this the season that the Falcons can finally put it all together on offense, given their wealth of skill position talent? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman answer those questions, and a whole lot more, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.
Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: http://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow
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 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
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Broncos, in spite of their offense, beat Seahawks 17-14 on TNF
34:11|Of all the Thursday night games, that was definitely one of them. Somehow, someway, the Denver Broncos knocked off the Seattle Seahawks in a game where their offense totaled 168 yards, 2.9 yards per play, 13 first downs, -0.09 EPA/play and a 26.2% success rate. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dive deep into the insanity on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshowHost: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave HelmanExecutive Producer: Michael BellerSenior Producer: Katy DuffySocial Producer: Scott KrinchFollow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @RobertMaysFollow Dave on X: @DaveHelman_Theme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLCPeter King on serendipity, change, and a life spent covering the NFL
49:22|Peter King is a man who needs no introduction in the world of sports media. He changed what it meant to be an NFL reporter, rising the ranks from beat writer covering the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1980s to one of the most well-known, widely read and influential national writers. In advance of the release of his latest book, "The Game," he sat down with Robert Mays to dive deep into his treasure trove of stories from 40 years of covering the NFL.Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshowHost: Robert MaysWith: Peter KingExecutive Producer: Michael BellerSenior Producer: Katy DuffySocial Producer: Scott KrinchTheme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC
Building the Beast: How Chris Cole & Drew Mestemaker are reaffirming their draft stock
01:01:28|Drew Mestemaker's latest outing has us ready to make some bold proclamations: he is QB1 in the 2027 NFL Draft. The week in college football was also highlighted by some of Georgia's best prospects - Chris Cole, KJ Bolden, and Gunner Stockton - impressing against Alabama. Plus, another trip to the QB corner and a look ahead to the prospects worth watching this weekend. Dave Helman and Dane Brugler dive into all of it on this episode of Building the Beast.Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshowCo-Hosts: Dave Helman & Dane BruglerExecutive Producer: Michael BellerSenior Producer: Katy DuffySocial Producer: Scott KrinchFollow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.socialFollow Dave on X: @DaveHelman_Follow Dane on X: @DPBruglerTheme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLCWeek 5 Hangover: C.J. Stroud is "f***ing awesome"
01:11:18|Week 5 in the NFL had everything you could want: overtime, on-the-fly scheme changes, defensive beatdowns, and a mid-game trade. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen pick up the leftovers from Sunday and deep dive into young quarterbacks, Marvin Harrison Jr, and an impressive new play caller.Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VJV7zyDwHost: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave HelmanExecutive Producer: Michael BellerSenior Producer: Katy DuffySocial Producer: Scott KrinchFollow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @RobertMaysFollow Dave on X: @DaveHelman_Theme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLCBills stun special teams-plagued Rams in 37-34 OT win
32:12|There are a few things we knew before the season even started: Josh Allen is good at football, Monday Night Football games are best when they feature good teams, and the Los Angeles Rams have a special teams problem. All those familiar themes were on display tonight. Robert Mays and Dave Helman recap Puka Nacua's big night, James Cook's gaffes, and everything else from the Buffalo Bills overtime win.Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VJV7zyDwHost: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave HelmanExecutive Producer: Michael BellerSenior Producer: Katy DuffySocial Producer: Scott KrinchFollow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @RobertMaysFollow Dave on X: @DaveHelman_Theme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLCWeek 5 Recap: 49ers & Vikings stay undefeated, Drake Maye goes off, WTF Bears?!
01:47:07|Through five weeks of the 2026 NFL season, two teams sit at 5-0. One of those teams, the San Francisco 49ers, got there with one of the wins of the season thus far, a 32-29 triumph over the Seattle Seahawks on the road. The other, the Minnesota Vikings, keeps on winning ugly. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman discuss both of those games on the Week 5 recap episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also dive into Drake Maye's huge game, a wild finish between the New York Giants and Washington Commanders, some troubling performances from the Chicago Bears (in a loss) and Jacksonville Jaguars (in a win), and a whole lot more.Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VJV7zyDwHost: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave HelmanExecutive Producer: Michael BellerSenior Producer: Katy DuffySocial Producer: Scott KrinchFollow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @RobertMaysFollow Dave on X: @DaveHelman_Theme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLCWeek 5 Preview: The first 49ers-Seahawks tilt of the season highlights the slate
01:22:41|The last time the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks played one another, home-field advantage on the NFC side of the bracket in last season's playoffs was on the line. It's not a stretch to say that their win in that game helped the Seahawks win the Super Bowl. These teams get together on Sunday for the first time this season, and it's not a stretch to say that the winner will stake an early claim to being the NFC's best team. That's where Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman begin the Week 5 preview episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also discuss Bills-Rams, Raiders-Patriots and Ravens-Falcons, take a stroll down Sicko Street with Colts-Steelers, consider Sean Payton taking playcalling duties from Davis Webb and the end of this era of the Philadelphia Eagles, and a whole lot more.Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VJV7zyDwHost: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave HelmanExecutive Producer: Michael BellerSenior Producer: Katy DuffySocial Producer: Scott KrinchFollow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @RobertMaysFollow Dave on X: @DaveHelman_Theme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLCBuccaneers shock Cowboys in Dallas, 24-16
32:13|The NFL world spent much of this past week anointing the Dallas Cowboys as the clear favorite in the NFC East after rough couple of days for the Philadelphia Eagles. Welp, so much for that! The Tampa Bay Buccaneers waltzed into Jerry World and knocked off the Cowboys, 24-16, on Thursday Night Football. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman recap the game on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/bCyPFKASHost: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave HelmanExecutive Producer: Michael BellerSenior Producer: Katy DuffySocial Producer: Scott KrinchFollow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @RobertMaysFollow Dave on X: @DaveHelman_Theme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLCThe most surprising developments in the season's first month
01:19:52|We know the first month of the NFL season is going to surprise us, but we can't be sure exactly what those surprises are going to be. After all, if we knew what they were in advance, they wouldn't be surprises. With the first month of the season now in the books, though, we can wade through the unexpected turns presented to us and highlight the ones that have us most surprised as we get ready for Week 5. From the end of this era of the Eagles, to the Jaguars picking up right where they left off, to the suddenly explosive Falcons offense, and everything in between, Robert Mays and Diante Lee from The Ringer dig into the biggest surprises in the NFL thus far on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VJV7zyDwHost: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave HelmanExecutive Producer: Michael BellerSenior Producer: Katy DuffySocial Producer: Scott KrinchFollow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @RobertMaysFollow Dave on X: @DaveHelman_Theme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC