The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL
Episodes
Week 2 preview
The Athletic Football Show breaks down Week 2 matchups, starting with the Texans-Bengals game where hosts analyze Houston’s elite defense and Cincinnati’s shift to an under-center offense.
Bills cruise to big win over Lions behind Josh Allen magic
The hosts analyze the Buffalo Bills' dominant Week 2 performance, highlighting Josh Allen's precision and the innovative multi-tight-end offense that overwhelmed the Detroit Lions.
First impressions of the teams that FLOPPED in Week 1
Hosts and guest Mike Sando analyze disappointing Week 1 performances from the Chargers, Rams, Packers, and Broncos, focusing on offensive line struggles and quarterback inconsistencies.
Building the Beast: Drew Mestemesker back on the NFL Draft radar after Oregon upset
Hosts Dane Brugler and his co-host analyze the top quarterback performances from Week 2 of the college football season, focusing on the 2025 draft class.
Week 1 Hangover: Impressive 2026 debuts for the Ravens, Jets and Raiders
Robert Mays and Derek Carr analyze the Week 1 Monday Hangover, focusing on the Ravens' dominant offensive debut featuring Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
Chiefs dominate Broncos behind big night from Kenneth Walker
The Athletic Football Show hosts Robert Mays, Dave, and Derek break down the Chiefs' dominant Week 1 win over the Broncos.
Week 1 recap: Bills, Bears & Jaguars shine, Chargers & Packers flop
The hosts analyze a standout Week 1, highlighting the Giants' dominant Sunday Night performance over the Cowboys and the Bills' offensive explosion against Houston.
49ers manhandle Rams on Thursday Night Football
The hosts analyze the 49ers' dominant Week 1 victory over the Rams, debating whether Matthew Stafford's poor performance was due to the team's…
Week 1 Preview
Hosts Dave and Derek discuss their Week 1 NFL preview, focusing on unit matchups and the uncertainty of early-season results.
Recap: Seahawks beat Patriots in season opener
The hosts break down the 2026 season opener where the Patriots lost to the Seahawks despite a late lead, highlighting Drake Maye’s three…
Predictions and award picks for the 2026 NFL season
The Athletic Football Show hosts its annual predictions episode, discussing the 2026 NFL season with a focus on individual awards.
Building the Beast: Darian Mensah and Trinidad Chambliss put down NFL Draft markers in Week 1
Hosts Dan and Bruger react to Week 1 college football, highlighting LSU’s dominant win over Clemson and the emergence of transfer QB Sam Levitt and OL Jordan Seton.
The 2026 TAFS Wins Pool Draft
The Athletic Football Show hosts its annual "Wins Pool Draft," where the hosts pick eight teams to win the most games, with the loser facing a public punishment.
2026 NFC West preview
The Athletic Football Show concludes its division previews by analyzing the NFC West, focusing on the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks.
2026 NFC North preview
Hosts preview the 2026 NFC North, starting with the Detroit Lions.
2026 AFC South preview
The Athletic Football Show previews the AFC South, focusing on the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars.
2026 AFC East preview
Hosts Derek and Dave preview the 2026 Buffalo Bills, analyzing Josh Allen’s dominance, DJ Moore’s offensive fit, and Jim Leonhard’s defensive overhaul.
2026 NFC South preview
The Athletic Football Show previews the NFC South, starting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
We're going camping! Broncos, Chiefs, Packers and Bears
Robert Mays hosts beat writers Nick Cosmider, Jesse Newell, Matt Schneidman, and Kevin Fishbane to discuss training camp updates for the Broncos, Chiefs, Packers, and Bears.
2026 NFC East preview
The Athletic Football Show previews the 2026 NFC East, focusing on the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.
2026 AFC North preview
The Athletic Football Show previews the AFC North, focusing on the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals.
2026 AFC West Preview
The Athletic Football Show previews the AFC West, starting with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Quarterbacks at a crossroads in 2026
Hosts Robert Mays, Dave, and Derek discuss quarterbacks at career crossroads for the 2026 season, starting with the Cleveland Browns naming Deshaun Watson their Week 1 starter.
What analytical trends and rule changes tell us about the 2026 season
Robert Mays interviews former NFL analyst Ryan Paganetti about analytical trends shaping the upcoming season.
We're going camping! Bengals, Colts, Lions and Vikings
The Athletic’s NFL writers discuss the Bengals’ calm training camp, highlighting their shift to under-center offense and a revamped defense anchored by Dexter Lawrence.
A Seat at the Table: The 10 true Super Bowl contenders at the start of the 2026 season
Hosts Josh, Dave, and Derek select the top 10 NFL contenders for the 2026 season, introducing a "soapbox" rule to allow one team reinstatement per host.
Building the Beast: the NFL prospects you should know in 2026
Dane Brugler and the host kick off the 2027 NFL Draft cycle by previewing a quarterback-heavy class led by Arch Manning and Dante Moore.
The most interesting new playcallers in 2026
The Athletic Football Show hosts analyze ten new NFL play callers amid a league-wide coaching turnover.
Drafting the 15 best offenses in the NFL
Hosts Robert Mays, Dave Richard, and Derek Shapka rank the top 15 NFL offenses for the 2026 season using EPA per play.
First impressions of the rookie class in preseason action
The hosts review Week 1 of NFL preseason, highlighting standout rookie performances from Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiah Love, Ty Simpson, and Drew Allar.
We're going camping! Eagles, Steelers, Bills and Browns
Robert Mays hosts beat writers Zach Berman, Mike DeFabo, Joe Biscaglia, and Zach Jackson to discuss training camp updates.
Kyler Murray takes the reins & and other training camp stories worth caring about
Dave Hellman and Derek Klassen recap NFL training camp news ahead of the 2026 preseason, focusing on Kyler Murray winning the Vikings' starting job over J.
Drafting the best defenses in the NFL
Robert Mays, Dave, and Derek draft the top 15 NFL defenses for 2026, with the loser buying playoff dinner.
13 players who can swing the 2026 NFL season
The Athletic Football Show hosts Robert Mays, Dave, and Derek discuss key players who could swing the 2026 NFL season for borderline playoff teams.
The teams we just can't figure out going into the season
Hosts Robert Mays, Dave Richard, and Derek Shout discuss NFL teams that remain difficult to project for the 2026 season.
We're going camping! Seahawks, Falcons, Commanders and Ravens
Host Robert Mays interviews beat writers Michael Sean Dugard, Josh Kendall, Nikki Javala, and Jeff Serebek on the Seahawks, Falcons, Commanders, and Ravens.
The training camp storylines worth buying into
Dave Hellman and Derek Klassen review early NFL training camp news, highlighting massive contract extensions for running backs Bijan Robinson, Jonathan Taylor, and Jamar Gibbs.
The stories teams are willing themselves to believe
The Athletic Football Show hosts analyze the narratives NFL teams are telling themselves heading into the 2025 season.
Nine players who can change their teams DNA
Dave Hellman and Derek Klassen preview 2026 NFL "DNA Changers" who could transform their units.
Half-baked takes for the 2026 season
Hosts Robert Mays, Dave, and Derek share "half-baked" preseason takes, reacting to Kobe Bryant’s injury and debating if the Ravens need Max Crosby.
We're going camping! Panthers, Rams, Chargers and Cowboys
Host Robert Mays kicks off training camp coverage with beat writers Joe Person, Nate Atkins, Daniel Popper, and John Machoda.
2026 versions of 2025 things
Which second-year player will become an x factor in 2026?
The Athletic Football Show hosts Robert Mays, Dave, and Derek discuss second-year NFL players who could be X-factors, including Jared Wilson, Will Campbell, Demetrius Knight, and Anthony Belton.
Who has the most at stake in 2026?
The Athletic Football Show hosts discuss who has the most at stake in the 2026 NFL season, focusing on coaches and quarterbacks facing critical career junctures.
Our biggest questions heading into training camp
Hosts Robert Mays and Dave Richard discuss top training camp questions, focusing on Patrick Mahomes’ rapid recovery and the Chiefs’ offensive identity.
How Klayton Adams built one of the NFL's most exciting offenses
Robert Mays interviews Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Clayton Adams about designing modern NFL run games.
The ideal way to build a WR room in 2026
Robert Mays and Matt Harmon challenge the traditional "basketball team" approach to building NFL receiving corps for the 2026 season.
Can the Cardinals new scheme unlock Marvin Harrison Jr.?
The Athletic Football Show hosts Robert Mays, Dave, and Derek discuss NFL players poised for breakout seasons in 2026 due to scheme changes or new coaching staffs.
Which team has the healthiest roster construction in 2026?
Dave Hellman and Derek Klassen rank the NFL’s healthiest young roster cores, focusing strictly on players still on rookie contracts.
Aaron Donald's return could happen, but SHOULD it?
The hosts conclude their summer mailbag series by analyzing how the 2017 Eagles and 2019 Ravens influenced the league’s aggressive fourth-down trends.