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The Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots were among the more frustrating teams to start the season, both getting off to slow starts that had us questioning their respective ceilings for 2026. Welp, nevermind about that. They both appear dangerous here in early November, and they square off in what should be one of the best games of Week 9. That's where Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman kick off the Week 9 preview episode of The Athletic Football Show. After that, the guys dig into five more games and highlight what they want to know coming out of the week. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy 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 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.

Welp, that's pretty much what it looks like when a third-string quarterback starts against one of the best teams in the NFL. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen break down the Jacksonville Jaguars 33-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy 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 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 Indianapolis Colts had high hopes at last season's trade deadline...so high that they leveraged their future to trade for Sauce Gardner and, well, we all know how that went. So which teams are trying to avoid being the 2026 Colts? Charles Robinson from NFL Blue Book joins Robert Mays to discuss how the Vikings and Giants are at risk of making the wrong all-in move. Plus, a deep dive on Jacoby Brissett and the Baltimore Ravens, including how it may impact Lamar Jackson's future negotiations. And who is making up the robust trade markets for Jonathan Taylor and Josh Downs? Details on all of it as we approach the trade deadline. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Host: Robert Mays Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @RobertMays 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.

Accompanied reading: Dane on Zereoue Williams https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7749432/2026/11/04/nfl-draft-2027-ol-prospects-utah-zereoue-williams/ College football fans have had November 7 circled since the summer, and with good reason. On paper, this has long looked like the best weekend of the season. Some matchups didn't quite hold up—looking at you, Oregon and Ohio State—but others, such as Kentucky and Tennessee, stepped up to fill the void. Either way, this weekend is stacked with games featuring massive 2027 NFL Draft class talent on both sides. Dane Brugler and Dave Helman give you a primer on what you should be watching from a draft perspective this Saturday on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Co-Hosts: Dave Helman and Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy 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.

Week 8 was the strangest to date this NFL season, so perhaps it's fitting that we kick off this episode of The Athletic Football Show with one of the more unlikely Hangover games of the season: the battle of Los Angeles between the Rams and Chargers. From there, Derrik Klassen and special guest Dan Pizzuta dive into the Las Vegas Raiders' win over the New York Jets, and the New England Patriots' slog of a victory over the Miami Dolphins. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Host: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social 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.

There are immediate dividends, and there's what Jeffery Simmons did for the Chicago Bears on Monday night. Simmons and the defense shut down the Seattle Seahawks offense, D'Andre Swift scored three touchdowns, and the Bears cruised to a 34-17 win. Robert Mays, Dave Helman and Charles McDonald recap the game on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @RobertMays 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 Kansas City Chiefs were one quarter away from taking a commanding lead in the AFC West. Then the Denver Broncos scored 15 straight points, came up with a goal-line stand as the clock struck zeroes, and notched a dramatic comeback win to move to the top of the division. That's where Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen, and Dave Helman begin the Week 8 recap episode of The Athletic Football Show. From there, the guys discuss Lamar Jackson's thumb injury, the Detroit Lions' huge win over the Minnesota Vikings, the bizarre back-and-forth between the Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers winning a game without a single pass completion, the latest massive Dallas Cowboys disappointment, and a whole lot more. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy 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 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.

Vikings-Lions, Ravens-Bills, Browns-Steelers and Falcons-Bucs early. Chiefs-Broncos late. Bears-Seahawks on Monday night. On paper, Week 8 looks like the best slate of the season to date. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman give it the preview treatment on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy 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 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.

Behind a dominant defense and a big first half from Jordan Love and the passing game, the Green Bay Packers took care of the Carolina Panthers, 27-19, to kick off Week 8. Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen recap the game on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy 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 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.

In case there was any doubt, the Chicago Bears have officially announced that they believe their Super Bowl window is open. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman break down the team's blockbuster acquisition of DT Jeffery Simmons on this emergency episode of The Athletic Football Show. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy 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 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.

Accompanied reading: Popper’s NFL trade big board https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7664102/2026/10/22/nfl-trade-deadline-board-players-available/ The Indianapolis Colts officially kicked off trade season by sending Quenton Nelson to Seattle and DeForest Buckner to San Francisco. The train will keep on rolling all the way through the trade deadline on November 10, and it could be a busy trade cycle yet again. Daniel Popper joins Robert Mays to look back at the trades that have happened, and ahead to what might be coming, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy 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 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.

We've paid a ton of attention to this year's QB class, and with good reason, but the group of wide receivers who will hear their names called during the 2027 NFL Draft is strong at the top and deep, as well. Everyone knows about Jeremiah Smith and Charlie Becker, but their classmates are going to help them make this an intriguing draft at one of the most important positions in the NFL. Dane Brugler and Dave Helman dive deep into the receiver group on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. The guys also discuss Dante Moore's future and take a look ahead to Week 9 on the college football landscape. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Co-Hosts: Dave Helman and Dane Brugler Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy 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.

That the Pittsburgh Steelers have managed to find a way to 5-2 through seven weeks shouldn't surprise anyone familiar with the franchise. That they've done it with an interesting offense, though, is a bit of a twist off of what we've grown to expect from this team. That's were Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen begin this episode of The Athletic Football Show. After handling the Steelers' win over the New Orleans Saints, the guys dig into the Los Angeles Rams' 35-21 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Denver Broncos' 30-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social Follow Robert on X: @RobertMays 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.

Things go from bad to worse for the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC East matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Injuries, hot seat questions, a lost season for Jalen Hurts, and now a defensive collapse. Is it time for a fire sale? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen, and Dave Helman break it all down. Plus, oh yeah, the Cowboys defense showed up! And their run game came alive! Will it be enough for their season ahead? And we couldn't NOT talk about Jay-Z selecting himself for the 2027 Super Bowl halftime show. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy 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 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.

Week 7 brought us its fair share of impressive performances. The Cincinnati Bengals used a 35-point run in the second half to throttle the Baltimore Ravens. The Minnesota Vikings kept doing things their way and got to 6-0 with a 16-10 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Going back to Thursday, the Chicago Bears won a thriller over the New England Patriots. Will any of those teams get seats at the TAFS Contenders Table? And what more did we learn in Week 7? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman break it all down on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy 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 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.