Week 1 often leaves us asking this simple question...is this real? Bengals panic after the loss to the Patriots...is this real? The Saints and Buccaneers offenses under new playcallers? Really good! The Falcons offense under a new playcaller? Pretty bad! Is this real? Robert Mays and Mike Sando dig into those situations, and more, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Plus, the guys also recap Jets-49ers and scoop up news items coming out of the weekend. Rundown Jets-49ers recap Another...
Sep 11, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Week 1 represents 100% of the regular season football we've seen this season, so it's only natural to overreact. Not every reaction is an overreaction, though. For instance, it's not an overreaction to say that Dak Prescott had a great day...or that Josh Allen is a football superhero...or that the Bengals and Falcons were massive letdowns. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen discuss all that, and a whole lot more, on the Week 1 recap episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown Rams-Lions OT thrill...
Sep 09, 2024•2 hr 32 min
We did it. We made it. The 2024 NFL regular season is here. In fact, one game is already in the books. We kick off this episode of The Athletic Football Show with a recap of the Chiefs' thrilling 27-20 win over the Ravens, featuring Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Mike Sando. Then, Robert and Derrik preview the rest of the games by highlighting five things they're excited about watching in Week 1, including Packers-Eagles, Lions-Rams, the potentially resurgent Cardinals and Jets, and Caleb Willi...
Sep 06, 2024•1 hr 18 min
The 2024 NFL season is on our doorstep. There's just one item of business left...predictions! Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen offer up their playoff picks, award winners and Super Bowl Champions—along with some favorite bets—on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown Defensive Player of the Year Offensive Player of the Year Coach of the Year Assistant Coach of the Year Offensive Rookie of the Year Defensive Rookie of the Year Rushing Leader Passing Leader Receiving Leader MVP Division...
Sep 04, 2024•1 hr 22 min
We've come to the end of the division preview line for the 2024 NFL season, and we arrive here with a bang. The NFC West is on the shortlist for most exciting division in the league, one that includes the defending conference champion and a Super Bowl favorite. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dive into the 49ers, Rams, Seahawks and Cardinals on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown San Francisco 49ers preview Los Angeles Rams preview Seattle Seahawks preview Arizona Cardinals previe...
Sep 03, 2024•2 hr 53 min
So this division got pretty fun pretty fast, huh? The Texans look like a legitimate Super Bowl contender. The Jaguars have their guy at quarterback, and the Colts just might, too. The Titans, meanwhile, are getting a lot of, "they may not be great, but they sure look frisky" love this offseason. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dive deep into the AFC South on this episode of The Athletic Football show. Rundown Houston Texans preview Indianapolis Colts preview Jacksonville Jaguars preview Tennessee...
Aug 30, 2024•2 hr 55 min
It's been a few years since the Patriots were the big, bad bully in the AFC East, but it's still jarring to see someone other than Bill Belichick patrolling the sidelines in New England. Meanwhile, there's good reason to think any of the Bills, Dolphins or Jets can win the division. Josh Allen! Aaron Rodgers! A fireworks show in Miami! One thing is for sure...it won't be boring. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen preview the AFC East on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown Buffalo Bil...
Aug 29, 2024•2 hr 44 min
The Lions are inner-circle Super Bowl contenders. The Packers are potential Super Bowl contenders. The Bears have Caleb Williams and a ton of justified optimism. And there's plenty of intrigue for the Vikings, even with J.J. McCarthy out for the year. Is the NFC North the most exciting division in the league? It just might be. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen break it down on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown Detroit Lions preview Green Bay Packers preview Minnesota Vikings previ...
Aug 27, 2024•2 hr 1 min
The Chiefs and everyone else...that's the AFC West. While it'd be a massive upset if the Chiefs don't run away with this division, it still has its fair share of storylines and intrigue. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into all of it on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown Kansas City Chiefs preview Los Angeles Chargers preview Las Vegas Raiders preview Denver Broncos preview Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller S...
Aug 23, 2024•2 hr 51 min
A familiar story is expected to unfold in the NFC East...the Cowboys and Eagles battling for the division title, and the Giants and Commanders battling to stay relevant. What can we expect from each of the four teams this season? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into the NFC East on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown Dallas Cowboys preview Philadelphia Eagles preview New York Giants preview Washington Commanders preview Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Produ...
Aug 22, 2024•2 hr 59 min
Glory and humiliation...it's what friendly competition is all about. We bring both together in the annual TAFS Wins Pool. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen selected seven teams apiece with the goal of assembling the group that combines for the most wins this season. This year's twist...their final two picks had to be teams projected by the betting markets to win fewer than seven games. The winner will achieve personal glory. The loser will suffer the humiliation of paying off a bet on Radio Row dur...
Aug 20, 2024•1 hr 4 min
The Falcons gobbled up all the NFC South headlines this offseason—Kirk Cousins! Michael Penix! Matthew Judon!—but that doesn't guarantee them a division title. The Buccaneers mostly brought last year's division-winning band back. The Saints are boring, but generally competent. The Panthers, meanwhile, did everything they could to put a supportive infrastructure around Bryce Young. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen preview the NFC South on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown Atlanta ...
Aug 16, 2024•2 hr 52 min
From excitement over Caleb Williams' debut to disappointment over J.J. McCarthy's season-ending knee injury, we already have plenty to talk about regarding this season's rookie quarterbacks. Robert Mays and former NFL quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan dive into early impressions on the rookies, and discuss what McCarthy misses out on by losing his rookie year, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays With: J.T. O'Sullivan Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Bel...
Aug 15, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Our 2024 Division Preview Series is here, and we're starting with a bang. The AFC North sent three teams to the playoffs last year, and that didn't include the Bengals, a team that went to two straight AFC Championship Games, as well as a Super Bowl, with a healthy Joe Burrow. What are we excited about for each of these teams? What's keeping us up at night? What does success look like? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen answer those questions and more about the Ravens, Browns, Steelers and Bengals o...
Aug 13, 2024•2 hr 54 min
Some training camp storylines matter. Some are just fodder to get us to the regular season. How do you figure out which is which? By listening to this episode of The Athletic Football Show with Robert Mays and Gregg Rosenthal of NFL Media. Host: Robert Mays With: Gregg Rosenthal Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... Apple Spotify YouTube Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Mitchell on X: @MitchSchwartz71 Theme song: Haunted Writ...
Aug 09, 2024•1 hr
Predicting the league's best offenses is child's play. The top defenses, though? That's a completely different ballgame. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen attempt to do just that, laying out their predictions for the league's top-10 defenses on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also dive into the latest on Brandon Aiyuk. Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... Apple Spotify Yo...
Aug 08, 2024•2 hr 40 min
Description: A team's two or three best players aren't the only ones who determine how its season goes. Sometimes, a new guy comes in and changes what a unit can do and how it feels. Put another way, he changes the unit's DNA. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen highlight their 2024 DNA changers on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... Apple Spotify Yo...
Aug 06, 2024•1 hr
Wait a minute. Are the Chargers and Patriots really going to be that bad? Should the Falcons really be runaway favorites in the NFC South? Are the Jets really Super Bowl contenders? Robert Mays and Mitchell Schwartz bust some myths on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays With: Mitchell Schwartz Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... Apple Spotify YouTube Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Mitchell on X: ...
Aug 02, 2024•2 hr 36 min
OK, we'll give you one right off the top. The 49ers are our top offense heading into the 2024 season. But which nine teams will join them in the top 10? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen offer up their predictions for this year's top-10 offenses on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. 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 X: @robertmays Follow Derr...
Aug 01, 2024•1 hr 26 min
We at The Athletic Football Show are turning the page in more ways than one on this episode. Not only are we now firmly pointed toward the start of the 2024 NFL season, we are welcoming our new co-host. Derrik Klassen joins The Athletic Football Show as a permanent member of the cast, so it's only fitting that we focus on quarterbacks on this episode. The guys discuss the Tua Tagovailoa extension, welcome The Athletic Packers beat reporter Matt Schneidman to break down Jordan Love's, and break d...
Jul 30, 2024•1 hr 28 min
Whether it's good-to-great, average-to-good, great-to-superstar, or some other combination thereof, plenty of players make leaps every NFL season. PFF's Trevor Sikkema joins Robert Mays to highlight the players they think can make the leap on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also round up some of the big news coming from the first few days of training camp. Host: Robert Mays With: Trevor Sikkema Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athl...
Jul 26, 2024•1 hr 23 min
Come the end of the season, you can't hold Robert Mays and Fox Sports' David Helman to the takes they offer up on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Don't you dare even try. After all, they're just half-baked takes. Host: Robert Mays With: David Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... Apple Spotify YouTube Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow David on X: @davidhelman_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon...
Jul 25, 2024•1 hr 27 min
Days before the Rams opened training camp for the 2024 season, head coach Sean McVay opened the doors of his home to Robert Mays and The Athletic Football Show. The two discussed what it was like to coach Aaron Donald, what Matthew Stafford allows the Rams to do, and how Puka Nacua emerged last year. They also dove into McVay's personal growth the last few years, the process for improving as a play caller, and what it means to be a great coach. Get ready for training camp with Mays and McVay on ...
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Training camp is upon us. What are the biggest questions we have as we usher in the 2024 NFL season? Robert Mays and Mike Golic Jr. from the DraftKings Network ask theirs on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays With: Mike Golic Jr. Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... Apple Spotify YouTube Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Mike on X: @mikegolicjr Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...
Jul 19, 2024•1 hr 1 min
We know the coming NFL season will deliver plenty of surprises of both the good and bad varieties. Which teams might be better than we expect? Which could fall on the other side of that coin? FTN Fantasy's Aaron Schatz, the Godfather of DVOA, joins Robert Mays to dig into those questions on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Plus, Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel stop by to discuss their new podcast at The Athletic, Scoop City. Host: Robert Mays With: Aaron Schatz, Dianna Russini and Cha...
Jul 18, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Players like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen have the league in the palm of their hand. We know that. Identifying the wild card players who can swing their team's outcome, and thus that of the league as a whole, is a bit trickier. Bill Barnwell of ESPN joins Robert Mays to try and find those players on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays With: Bill Barnwell Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... Apple Spotif...
Jul 16, 2024•1 hr 26 min
Reception Perception’s Matt Harmon joins Robert Mays to break down which of the league’s receivers are primed for breakouts and where we should be looking for the league’s next elite group of pass catchers. Follow Robert on Twitter: @robertmays Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... Apple Spotify YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 12, 2024•2 hr 36 min
Robert Mays sits down with ESPN’s Courtney Cronin to discuss how many teams can really win the Super Bowl this season. They talk about the no brainers, the teams with the best paths, who could make a jump and those that might get stuck on the outside looking in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 11, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Fantasy football season is almost here! Robert Mays sits down with Ben Gretch from Stealing Signals to get you ready to crush your league with ten rules to remember heading into the 2024 season. Follow Robert on Twitter: @robertmays Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... Apple Spotify YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 09, 2024•2 hr 35 min
Brandon Thorn of the Trench Warfare newsletter joins Robert Mays to take stock of the league's offensive lines and debate which units might be better than people give them credit for. Follow Robert on Twitter: @robertmays Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... Apple Spotify YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 02, 2024•1 hr 25 min
