The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Bills-Lions recap Texans defense...You Have My Attention! Jalen Hurts...You Have My Attention! Buccaneers offense...You Have My Attention! Bengals-Titans...WTF?!? Chiefs pass protection...WTF?!? Washington Commanders...WTF?!? Indianapolis Colts...WTF?!? Lamar Jackson making sure that Josh Allen doesn't run away with the MVP The Seahawks offense cannot function without Geno Smith Who's going to win the NFC West, Week 15 edition Brian Thomas is really good Davante Adams isn't done yet 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hungry for more inside scoop on the NFL? We've got a great show in our network to share with you: Scoop City. Twice a week, The Athletic's senior NFL insider Dianna Russini and longtime quarterback NFL Chase Daniel share what they're hearing and seeing from their own unique perspectives. And their latest episode is just a taste of all you get from them in your feed. You'll hear them dishing with The Athletic's Bruce Feldman about what people inside the NFL and college football are saying about Bill Belichick taking the head coaching job at UNC. Check it out and let us know what you think! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Super Bowl LIX is eight weeks from Sunday. Would any of us be surprised if we're talking about the Bills and Lions in New Orleans? Of course not! And that's just one thing that makes their Week 15 matchup so much fun. Bills-Lions highlights a loaded week in which we also get Steelers-Eagles, Packers-Seahawks, Broncos-Colts (the biggest game on the slate in terms of the makeup of the playoff field), Buccaneers-Chargers and Dolphins-Texans. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen preview the week ahead on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown Bills-Lions preview Colts-Broncos is a huge game Steelers-Eagles is a litmus test for both offenses What to watch in Packers-Seahawks Buccaneers offense vs. Chargers defense What do the Texans look like coming out of their bye? Chiefs-Browns...is this the game the Chiefs drop? Sam Darnold's future in Minnesota 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In another world, the Week 14 Monday night game between the Bengals and Cowboys could've been a Super Bowl preview. In our world, it was just another game between a couple of teams that won't make the playoffs. Where did this season go so wrong for the Bengals, Cowboys and three other teams—the 49ers, Jets and Dolphins—most of the football world believed could be contenders? And can they turn things around in short order? First, Robert Mays is joined by The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. to discuss the Bengals, then Derrik Klassen hops on to tackle the other four teams on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown Cincinnati Bengals Dallas Cowboys San Francisco 49ers New York Jets Miami Dolphins Host: Robert Mays Co-Host: Derrik Klassen With: Paul Dehner Jr. 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 Paul on Bluesky: @pauldehnerjr.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Paul on X: @pauldehnerjr 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2025 coaching carousel has been spinning since the Jets surprisingly fired Robert Saleh in October. Since then, the Bears and Saints have officially hopped on board, and we know at least three or four more are going to join them. Who else might be looking for a coach after the season? What should we expect from Bill Belichick, Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn? Who might be the surprise candidates that emerge in January? Conor Orr from Sports Illustrated joins Robert Mays to break down the upcoming coaching cycle on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Then, The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue and Alec Lewis discuss with Robert a recent success on the coaching carousel: Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell. Rundown Head coach openings Potential surprise openings Good job or bad job? Bill Belichick Ben Johnson Aaron Glenn Brian Flores Mike Vrabel Liam Coen Todd Monken Joe Brady Off-the-beaten path candidates First-time coordinator candidates The rise of Kevin O'Connell Host: Robert Mays With: Conor Orr, Jourdan Rodrigue and Alec Lewis 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 Conor on Bluesky: @conororr.bsky.social Follow Jourdan on Bluesky: @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social Follow Alec on Bluesky: @aleclewis.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Conor on X: @ConorOrr Follow Jourdan on X: @JourdanRodrigue Follow Alec on X: @alec_lewis 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Allen threw three touchdown passes and ran for three more scores on Sunday...and the Bills lost. On the other side of that game, the Rams vaulted themselves right back into the NFC West race. We're staring down a wild final month of the regular season, and it all got started in Week 14. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen recap the week on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown Rams win thriller over Bills Seahawks remain atop NFC West Patrick Mahomes late-game mastery...You Have My Attention! Sam Darnold...You Have My Attention! The Buccaneers...You Have My Attention (grudgingly) Panthers take another brutal loss How worried should we be about the Eagles passing game? The Giants' comical red zone numbers The race for the top pick in the 2025 draft is on Aaron Rodgers' first 300-yard performance in 35 games results in another Jets loss The Dolphins sneaky retooling on offense Firing Matt Eberflus didn't fix the Bears Another Russell Wilson TD pass over the middle of the field The Jaguars and Titans bring TNF to Sunday What Did We Learn in Week 14? 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The quarterback position is the most important in all of sports, and it comes with the trappings that such a designation commands. Including, of course, money. All 32 teams in the NFL revolve around their quarterback in a way that is unique among professional sports. It's not just about how good of a quarterback he is. The amount and length of his contract is just as important. The way teams handle that can often help determine who is playing in the Super Bowl at the end of the season. And, like so many things in the league, that approach is ever-evolving. Brad Spielberger of Grand Central Sports Management joins Robert Mays to break down the evolution of quarterback contracts on this episode of The Money Down, a four-part miniseries on the business of the NFL presented by The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays With: Brad Spielberger Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Chris Flannery Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... Apple Spotify YouTube Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Brad on X: @SpielbergerBrad 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You know what the best part of Week 14 is? No, not learning if the Chiefs can keep getting away with this in their showdown with the Chargers. No, not the huge NFC West matchup between the Seahawks and Cardinals. It's not even that awesome Lions-Packers game we all watched on Thursday. Week 14 is the final week with byes. After Week 14, every team will have played 13 games, and we'll finally be back to standings equilibrium. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen preview the week ahead, and recap the Lions' thrilling Thursday night win over the Packers, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown Lions win thriller over Packers Game of the Week: Chargers at Chiefs Game of the Week: Seahawks at Cardinals Rams run game vs. Bills defense Bryce Young vs. Eagles defense Is Falcons-Vikings a revenge game for Kirk Cousins? Who's better positioned for the next three seasons...Bengals or Cowboys? What Do You Wanna Know from Week 14? 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we head into the final month of the 2024 regular season, we know who the true Super Bowl contenders are. What's just as clear, however, are their flaws. Robert Mays and Fran Duffy from PHLY of the ALLCITY Network dig into those flaws on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown Browns-Broncos recap What's keeping the Steelers up at night? What's keeping the Vikings up at night? What's keeping the Packers up at night? What's keeping the Ravens up at night? What's keeping the Bills up at night? What's keeping the Chiefs up at night? What's keeping the Eagles up at night? What's keeping the Lions up at night? Another way the run game is back An argument for quarterbacks should exhaust their college eligibility What the rest of this season means for the 49ers Host: Robert Mays With: Fran Duffy 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 Fran on Bluesky: @fduffy.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass Follow Fran on X: @FDuffyNFL 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Eagles' win over the Ravens in Week 13 wasn't just the team's best on its current eight-game winning streak. It was quite possibly the best win of the season for any team. That's where Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen begin the Week 13 recap episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also discuss the Steelers winning a game in which they needed to score more than 38 points, Kirk Cousins' terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, the crazy NFC West race, and a whole lot more. Rundown Eagles make statement with win over Ravens The NFC West race...You Have My Attention Seahawks knock off Jets Vikings sneak past Cardinals Who will win the NFC West? Pittsburgh Steelers, the likely AFC North Champs...You Have My Attention! Kirk Cousins...WTF?!? Buccaneers narrowly avoid WTF status OK, Bryce Young Washington's offense isn't dead yet The Texans find a way to let us down, even when they win A 19-play, game-winning drive from the Colts?!? 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If the first third of the season is about deciphering fact from fiction, and the middle third is about learning who teams really are, the final third is about the playoff push. The final third of the season begins in Week 13, and we've got five great games that are going to help us determine what the early stages of that playoff push look like. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen preview those games on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown Chargers-Falcons preview Steelers-Bengals preview Cardinals-Vikings preview Eagles-Ravens preview 49ers-Bills preview 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The college football regular season is winding to a close, which means our discussions around the 2025 NFL Draft are heating up. Dane Brugler joins Robert Mays to check in on where the class stands on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also discuss the rookie campaigns being put together by Drake Maye, Brock Bowers, Jared Verse and Bo Nix. Before all that, though, The Athletic's Chargers beat reporter Daniel Popper gets on the mic with Robert to recap the Ravens' win over the Chargers on Monday night. Rundown Ravens-Chargers MNF recap Emerging polarization in the 2025 NFL Draft class Dane's initial flag planting The 2025 quarterbacks, headlined by Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward Intriguing pairings in the top 10 Drake Maye is a dude Should the Jets have taken Brock Bowers? Should the Falcons have taken Jared Verse? Why the Bo Nix/Broncos pairing is working Host: Robert Mays With: Daniel Popper and Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show... Apple Spotify YouTube Follow Robert on X: @robertmays Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Daniel on X: @danielrpopper 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices