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Six weeks ago, the Los Angeles Rams were not only the prohibitive favorite to win this season's Super Bowl. They were one of the biggest preseason favorites we've ever seen. Six weeks into the season, they're 2-4 and at the bottom of the NFC West after a shocking 18-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman consider just what has gone so wrong for the Rams on the Week 6 recap episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also discuss Cowboys/Packers on Sunday Night Football, Caleb Williams' big return, the Texans' season-saving win over the Jaguars in London, and much 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.

The Week 6 slate looks like a great regular season baseball team that doesn't quite have what it takes to get over the hump in October: a bunch of twos and threes, but no true ace. And so with that in mind, Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman eschewed Game of the Week and instead dove into six games that have our attention in the Week 6 preview episode of The Athletic Football Show. After hitting on that group of games, the guys took a stroll down Sicko Street and considered a few things they want to know once we call it a 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.

Of all the Thursday night games, that was definitely one of them. Somehow, someway, the Denver Broncos knocked off the Seattle Seahawks in a game where their offense totaled 168 yards, 2.9 yards per play, 13 first downs, -0.09 EPA/play and a 26.2% success rate. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dive deep into the insanity 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.

Peter King is a man who needs no introduction in the world of sports media. He changed what it meant to be an NFL reporter, rising the ranks from beat writer covering the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1980s to one of the most well-known, widely read and influential national writers. In advance of the release of his latest book, "The Game," he sat down with Robert Mays to dive deep into his treasure trove of stories from 40 years of covering the NFL. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Host: Robert Mays With: Peter King Executive Producer: Michael Beller Senior Producer: Katy Duffy Social Producer: Scott Krinch 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.

Drew Mestemaker's latest outing has us ready to make some bold proclamations: he is QB1 in the 2027 NFL Draft. The week in college football was also highlighted by some of Georgia's best prospects - Chris Cole, KJ Bolden, and Gunner Stockton - impressing against Alabama. Plus, another trip to the QB corner and a look ahead to the prospects worth watching this weekend. Dave Helman and Dane Brugler dive into all of it on this episode of Building the Beast. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/theathleticfootballshow Co-Hosts: Dave Helman & 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 5 in the NFL had everything you could want: overtime, on-the-fly scheme changes, defensive beatdowns, and a mid-game trade. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen pick up the leftovers from Sunday and deep dive into young quarterbacks, Marvin Harrison Jr, and an impressive new play caller. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VJV7zyDw 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.

There are a few things we knew before the season even started: Josh Allen is good at football, Monday Night Football games are best when they feature good teams, and the Los Angeles Rams have a special teams problem. All those familiar themes were on display tonight. Robert Mays and Dave Helman recap Puka Nacua's big night, James Cook's gaffes, and everything else from the Buffalo Bills overtime win. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VJV7zyDw 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.

Through five weeks of the 2026 NFL season, two teams sit at 5-0. One of those teams, the San Francisco 49ers, got there with one of the wins of the season thus far, a 32-29 triumph over the Seattle Seahawks on the road. The other, the Minnesota Vikings, keeps on winning ugly. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman discuss both of those games on the Week 5 recap episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also dive into Drake Maye's huge game, a wild finish between the New York Giants and Washington Commanders, some troubling performances from the Chicago Bears (in a loss) and Jacksonville Jaguars (in a win), and a whole lot more. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VJV7zyDw 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 last time the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks played one another, home-field advantage on the NFC side of the bracket in last season's playoffs was on the line. It's not a stretch to say that their win in that game helped the Seahawks win the Super Bowl. These teams get together on Sunday for the first time this season, and it's not a stretch to say that the winner will stake an early claim to being the NFC's best team. That's where Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman begin the Week 5 preview episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys also discuss Bills-Rams, Raiders-Patriots and Ravens-Falcons, take a stroll down Sicko Street with Colts-Steelers, consider Sean Payton taking playcalling duties from Davis Webb and the end of this era of the Philadelphia Eagles, and a whole lot more. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VJV7zyDw 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 NFL world spent much of this past week anointing the Dallas Cowboys as the clear favorite in the NFC East after rough couple of days for the Philadelphia Eagles. Welp, so much for that! The Tampa Bay Buccaneers waltzed into Jerry World and knocked off the Cowboys, 24-16, on Thursday Night Football. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman recap the game on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/bCyPFKAS 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 know the first month of the NFL season is going to surprise us, but we can't be sure exactly what those surprises are going to be. After all, if we knew what they were in advance, they wouldn't be surprises. With the first month of the season now in the books, though, we can wade through the unexpected turns presented to us and highlight the ones that have us most surprised as we get ready for Week 5. From the end of this era of the Eagles, to the Jaguars picking up right where they left off, to the suddenly explosive Falcons offense, and everything in between, Robert Mays and Diante Lee from The Ringer dig into the biggest surprises in the NFL thus far on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VJV7zyDw 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 spent most of our time this season with the loaded quarterback class focused on Arch Manning or Dante Moore or Drew Mestemaker. Three quarterbacks does not a loaded class make, though, so Dane Brugler and Dave Helman turn their attention to Missouri's Austin Simmons and Notre Dame's C.J. Carr on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. The guys also discuss edge rushers grabbing their attention and the biggest games of Week 6, and introduce The Green Room. Accompanied reading: Dane’s early All-Rookie team https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7663423/2026/10/06/nfl-all-rookie-jeremiyah-love-arvell-reese/ Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VJV7zyDw 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.

Through four weeks, Bryce Young leads the NFL in passing yards and ranks seventh in EPA/dropback, sandwiched between Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes. Of course he does. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen kick off the Week 4 Hangover by digging deep into the Carolina Panthers' 32-26 win over the Detroit Lions. After that, the guys move onto the Los Angeles Chargers' latest debacle, a 30-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks that was nowhere near as close as that score suggests, and the New York Giants' rise to the top of the NFC East after a 36-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/bCyPFKAS 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.

A strong outing from Michael Penix, a suffocating run game from Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr, and a Jeff Ulbrich classic. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman recap the Week 4 Atlanta Falcons MNF win over the New Orleans Saints. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/VJV7zyDw 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.

As we wrap up the first month of the NFL season, we still have three undefeated teams across the league, and none of them would've been among the most likely candidates if we turned back the clock to August. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman the Week 4 recap of The Athletic Football Show by discussing two of those teams...the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. The guys also dig into CeeDee Lamb's huge day, the Jacksonville Jaguars' gritty win over the Cincinnati Bengals, the Los Angeles Rams' comeback victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, and a whole lot more. Join The Athletic Football Show Discord Server: https://discord.gg/bCyPFKAS 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.