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The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL
Week 1 Hangover: Impressive 2026 debuts for the Ravens, Jets and Raiders
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We all know Sundays are jam-packed. They're so busy, in fact, that we can't possibly cover every game from the day in our Sunday night recap show. And that's why The Hangover is back once again in 2026. Every Tuesday, we'll dive deep into a handful of games we didn't get to on Sunday, and this year, we'll plan to save at least one meaty game per week for the Hangover. In the Week 1 edition, that game is the Baltimore Ravens' 41-23 win over the Indianapolis Colts. After that, Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into the New York Jets' win over the Tennessee Titans, and the Las Vegas Raiders' handling of the Miami Dolphins 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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The Bears are going for it, make blockbuster trade for Jeffery Simmons
24:25|In case there was any doubt, the Chicago Bears have officially announced that they believe their Super Bowl window is open. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman break down the team's blockbuster acquisition of DT Jeffery Simmons on this emergency 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, LLCTrade season is upon us
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Which college receivers are flying up NFL Draft boards?
51:31|We've paid a ton of attention to this year's QB class, and with good reason, but the group of wide receivers who will hear their names called during the 2027 NFL Draft is strong at the top and deep, as well. Everyone knows about Jeremiah Smith and Charlie Becker, but their classmates are going to help them make this an intriguing draft at one of the most important positions in the NFL. Dane Brugler and Dave Helman dive deep into the receiver group on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. The guys also discuss Dante Moore's future and take a look ahead to Week 9 on the college football landscape.Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshowCo-Hosts: Dave Helman and 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, LLCA surprising Steelers offense leads the Week 7 Hangover
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33:27|Things go from bad to worse for the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC East matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Injuries, hot seat questions, a lost season for Jalen Hurts, and now a defensive collapse. Is it time for a fire sale? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen, and Dave Helman break it all down. Plus, oh yeah, the Cowboys defense showed up! And their run game came alive! Will it be enough for their season ahead? And we couldn't NOT talk about Jay-Z selecting himself for the 2027 Super Bowl halftime 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, LLCWeek 7 recap: Seahawks = still very good, Bengals offense explodes & are the Ravens done?
01:47:43|Week 7 brought us its fair share of impressive performances. The Cincinnati Bengals used a 35-point run in the second half to throttle the Baltimore Ravens. The Minnesota Vikings kept doing things their way and got to 6-0 with a 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Going back to Thursday, the Chicago Bears won a thriller over the New England Patriots. Will any of those teams get seats at the TAFS Contenders Table? And what more did we learn in Week 7? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman break it all down 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, LLCWeek 7 preview: Super Bowl MVP returns, "biblical greed" consequences & deep dive on the Buccaneers defense
01:26:50|Week 7 brings us the following...a matchup of the franchises that have won three of the last four Super Bowls; the hopeful return of Lamar Jackson in a huge AFC North matchup; a big showdown in the NFC North, which just might be the best division in football; the reeling Los Angeles Rams going on the road in a tougher-than-expected matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders; and a whole lot more. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman preview a loaded Week 7 slate 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, LLCBears hold off Patriots in Thursday night thriller
31:53|Caleb Williams and Drake Maye might have just given us a glimpse into the next decade of the NFL, and if they did, then we've got a great 10 years of football ahead of us. In this moment, though, the result was a 30-24 win for the Chicago Bears over the New England Patriots. Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen—along with a special guest joining from the streets of Chicago—recap the game 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, LLCThe answers to seven of our most pressing preseason questions
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