The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL
The Athletic
The Athletic’s flagship NFL podcast covers the league like only The Athletic can. Host Robert Mays and co-hosts Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dive into the biggest stories, break down the Xs and Os, and tackle the ins and outs of roster building. They meticulously follow the details of why we all love this sport and have plenty of fun along the way, bringing the expertise necessary to cover the NFL at the highest level. You want year-round draft coverage? You'll get that here, too, with draft expert Dane Brugler. Whether it’s happening on the field or behind the scenes, you’ll get an in-depth look at all things NFL on The Athletic Football Show, available wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
20 snips
Oct 13, 2026 • 1h 11min
Week 5 Hangover: C.J. Stroud is "f***ing awesome"
Week 5 delivers overtime drama, bold scheme adjustments, defensive dominance, and a surprise mid-game trade. Dive into Baltimore’s adaptable offense, Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s growing pains, Cincinnati’s familiar limitations, and Miami’s offensive collapse. Plus, C.J. Stroud’s elite-level play, Marvin Harrison Jr.’s fit in Houston, and Cam Ward’s frustrating development.
29 snips
Oct 13, 2026 • 32min
Bills stun special teams-plagued Rams in 37-34 OT win
Dave Helman, an NFL analyst and football writer, joins the breakdown of Buffalo’s wild overtime win over Los Angeles. They examine Puka Nacua’s breakout night, Josh Allen’s 120 rushing yards, James Cook’s costly fumbles, and Matthew Stafford’s strong showing. The discussion also covers the Rams’ special-teams collapse, conservative decisions, defensive vulnerabilities, penalty overload, and both teams’ playoff promise.
47 snips
Oct 12, 2026 • 1h 47min
Week 5 Recap: 49ers & Vikings stay undefeated, Drake Maye goes off, WTF Bears?!
NFL analysts Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen break down Week 5’s chaos. They examine San Francisco’s wild win over Seattle, Minnesota’s undefeated grind, and Drake Maye’s breakout performance. The conversation also tackles bizarre Giants-Commanders clock management, Jacksonville’s coaching confusion, Detroit’s offensive surge, and Chicago’s alarming showing against Green Bay.
13 snips
Oct 9, 2026 • 1h 23min
Week 5 Preview: The first 49ers-Seahawks tilt of the season highlights the slate
San Francisco and Seattle renew their NFC rivalry in a pivotal early-season showdown. The preview also tackles the Rams-Bills battle between elite quarterbacks, Philadelphia’s fading Super Bowl window, and Sean Payton reclaiming Denver’s play-calling. Baltimore’s run-defense challenge, Brock Bowers against New England’s coverage, and the bleak Colts-Steelers outlook round out the biggest Week 5 storylines.
11 snips
Oct 9, 2026 • 32min
Buccaneers shock Cowboys in Dallas, 24-16
Tampa Bay storms into Dallas and throws the NFC East picture into chaos. The discussion breaks down the Cowboys’ defensive penalties, missed tackles, passive tactics and lack of pressure, while spotlighting Todd Bowles’ clever blitz designs that kept Dak Prescott guessing. Tampa Bay’s promising young talent, offensive limitations and the ripple effects for early-season contender rankings also take center stage.
47 snips
Oct 8, 2026 • 1h 20min
The most surprising developments in the season's first month
Diante Lee, an NFL analyst and Ringer writer renowned for sharp film study, joins a wide-ranging look at the season’s biggest surprises. They explore the Eagles’ fading championship window, Jacksonville’s continued rise, Atlanta’s explosive two-way transformation, and the league’s unusually open contender field. They also examine unexpected play-caller results, the Chargers’ collapse, and Houston’s defensive communication issues.
Oct 7, 2026 • 1h 1min
Building the Beast: Austin Simmons and C.J. Carr get their turn in the QB Corner
Dane Brugler, The Athletic’s NFL Draft analyst, joins the QB Corner to spotlight Missouri’s Austin Simmons and Notre Dame’s C.J. Carr after breakout performances. They also assess Dante Moore’s injury and Oregon’s depth, emerging edge rushers Emmanuel Oye Badejo, Bubakar Traore and Kenyatta Jackson, first-round Green Room invitations, and the weekend’s biggest scouting tests.
49 snips
Oct 6, 2026 • 56min
Week 4 Hangover: Bryce Young's big night, the Chargers season gets worse, and the Giants move into first place
Bryce Young’s breakout performance powers Carolina past Detroit, while the Lions struggle to maintain their identity. The Chargers collapse against Seattle as protection issues, puzzling decisions, and costly Justin Herbert interceptions pile up. New York climbs atop the NFC East behind Malik Nabers, Abdul Carter, timely turnovers, and flashes of defensive growth.
Oct 6, 2026 • 29min
Falcons stomp Saints behind dominant run game, 45-24
Atlanta’s ground game steamrolls New Orleans in a 45–24 rout, while Jeff Ulbrich’s battered defense delivers a punishing performance. The discussion explores Michael Penix Jr.’s strengths within a layered offensive design, the Saints’ overly pass-heavy approach, and whether the Falcons have a legitimate path to the NFC South title. A celebratory rivalry anniversary takes an especially painful turn.
45 snips
Oct 5, 2026 • 1h 42min
Week 4 Recap: Chiefs and 49ers Remain unbeated, Jaguars win ugly, CeeDee Lamb goes off
Week 4 delivers unexpected drama: Kansas City survives Las Vegas, San Francisco stays unbeaten, and CeeDee Lamb erupts for Dallas. The discussion covers Jacksonville’s gritty defensive win, Drake Maye’s resurgence in New England, Buffalo’s offensive concerns, the Rams’ comeback over Philadelphia, Chicago’s statistical oddity, and Zay Flowers’ breakout role.
