The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL

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

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tafootballshow

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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

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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.

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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.