Every team in the NFC West has a win total over/under of 8.5 or better. The Rams are the favorite, but their quarterback has been hurt all summer. The 49ers have institutional power, but they went 6-11 last year and have undergone serious change. There's justifiable optimism for the Seahawks and Cardinals, with easy-to-see downsides, as well. In short, if there's one division that could finish in literally any order, one through four, it's this one. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dive deep into all four NFC West teams on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Rundown (timestamps are approximate)6:07 Los Angeles Rams season preview41:08 Seattle Seahawks season preview1:09:32 Arizona Cardinals season preview1:38:58 San Francisco 49ers season previewHost: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave HelmanExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show⁠Apple⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠YouTube⁠Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Derrik on X: @QBKlassFollow Dave on X: @davehelman_Theme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The AFC West has long been the domain of Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid and the Chiefs, winners of nine straight division titles. The Chargers and Broncos both made the playoffs last year, and the Raiders had an exciting offseason, but there's no question who reigns supreme over this division. Can the Chiefs make it a full decade of division championships? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dive deep into all four AFC West teams on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Rundown (timestamps are approximate)5:23 Kansas City Chiefs 2025 season preview35:27 Los Angeles Chargers 2025 season preview1:04:52 Denver Broncos 2025 season preview1:38:53 Las Vegas Raiders 2025 season previewHost: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave HelmanExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show⁠Apple⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠YouTube⁠Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Derrik on X: @QBKlassFollow Dave on X: @davehelman_Theme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NFC North put three teams in the playoffs last year, including the top seed in the conference and two teams with 14 wins. There's a chance the division is even better from top to bottom this year, even if it doesn't win quite as many games. Robert Mays, Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen dive deep into all four teams in the NFC North on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Rundown (timestamps are approximate)3:49 Detroit Lions 2025 season preview37:09 Minnesota Vikings 2025 season preview1:12:26 Green Bay Packers 2025 season preview1:43:03 Chicago Bears 2025 season previewHost: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave HelmanExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show⁠Apple⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠YouTube⁠Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Derrik on X: @QBKlassFollow Dave on X: @davehelman_Theme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The AFC South is something of a punchline in the NFL, with its division champion seemingly locked into that Saturday afternoon Wild Card round game timeslot. You're there for a reason, you know? But is this the year the AFC South gets the last laugh? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dive deep into all four teams on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Rundown (timestamps are approximate)4:00 Houston Texans preview34:46 Indianapolis Colts preview1:01:53 Jacksonville Jaguars preview1:33:34 Tennessee Titans previewHost: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave HelmanExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show⁠Apple⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠YouTube⁠Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Derrik on X: @QBKlassFollow Dave on X: @davehelman_Theme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've made it. Training camp is over. The season is just about here. And we've got one final Beat Writer Notebook for you to close it all down. On this episode, Robert Mays talks with Alec Lewis, Chad Graff and Nick Kosmider, The Athletic's Vikings, Patriots and Broncos beat writers, respectively, as well as national NFL reporter Jourdan Rodrigue, who remains very plugged in with the Rams.Rundown (timestamps are approximate)3:47 Robert Mays and Chad Graff from Vikings camp37:56 Robert Mays and Jourdan Rodrigue from Rams camp1:09:36 Robert Mays and Chad Graff from Patriots camp1:32:31 Robert Mays and Nick Kosmider from Broncos campHost: Robert MaysWith: Alec Lewis, Jourdan Rodrigue, Chad Graff, Nick KosmiderExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show...⁠Apple⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠YouTube⁠Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Alec on Bluesky: @aleclewis.bsky.socialFollow Jourdan on Bluesky: @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.socialFollow Chad on Bluesky: @chadgraff.bksy.socialFollow Nick on Bluesky: @nickkosmider.bksy.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Alec on X: @alec_lewisFollow Jourdan on X: @JourdanRodrigueFollow Chad on X: @ChadGraffFollow Nick on X: @NickKosmiderTheme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's not hard to see why the NFC South is so often overlooked. The division hasn't put two teams into the playoffs since the 2020 season. It wouldn't be crazy for that streak to end this year, even in what feels like a loaded NFC. How do the Buccaneers continue their dominance over the division? How do the Falcons flip the script and get to the top? How optimistic should we be about the Panthers? How do we even measure success for the Saints? Robert, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dive deep into all four teams in the NFC South on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Rundown (timestamps are approximate)4:21 Tampa Bay Buccaneers preview35:33 Atlanta Falcons preview1:04:43 Carolina Panters preview1:37:33 New Orleans Saints previewHost: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave HelmanExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show⁠Apple⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠YouTube⁠Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Derrik on X: @QBKlassFollow Dave on X: @davehelman_Theme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bills have won the AFC East five years in a row, and it looks like nothing can stop them from making that six this season. Still, as Robert Mays says at the top of our AFC East preview, there's something for everyone in this division. Can the Bills finally break through this season? Is this the end of the line for this era of the Dolphins? Are the Jets and Patriots really righting their respective ships? Robert, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dive deep into all four teams in the AFC East on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Rundown (timestamps are approximate)3:17 Bills preview32:52 Dolphins preview1:01:38 Jets preview1:30:23 Patriots previewHost: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave HelmanExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show⁠Apple⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠YouTube⁠Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Derrik on X: @QBKlassFollow Dave on X: @davehelman_Theme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Division preview season is back, our friends, and we have to start with the division that houses the reigning Super Bowl Champions. Can the Eagles reload and avoid a Super Bowl Hangover? How do the Commanders build on a breakout 2024 season? How might the Cowboys rebound this season? Is the Giants defensive front enough to make them fun all season? The guys answer all those questions, and a whole lot more, on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Rundown (timestamps are approximate)3:39 Eagles preview43:47 Commanders preview1:21:53 Cowboys preview1:52:37 Giants previewHost: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave HelmanExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show⁠Apple⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠YouTube⁠Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Derrik on X: @QBKlassFollow Dave on X: @davehelman_Theme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After visiting 23 teams in person over the last month, Robert Mays is finally back home. While he was out on the road, he asked the 50 or so NFL coaches he spoke to about the trends they see starting to take root across the league. That's great information for Robert to have, and it's also fun information to share with our audience. From three-high-safety looks on defense to more under center straight dropbacks on offense, Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into the trends coaches in the league are watching on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Rundown (timestamps are approximate)7:41 Vikings-style pressure looks15:17 Three high safeties20:56 Even more motion on offense31:12 The designed QB run game36:34 The return of under center straight dropbacks44:13 Packers-style backfield actions in the run game52:49 The "escort screen"56:15 How 4th down aggressiveness affects 3rd down play callingHost: Robert MaysCo-Host: Derrik KlassenExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show⁠Apple⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠YouTube⁠Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Derrik on X: @QBKlassFollow Dave on X: @davehelman_Theme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dane Brugler is back on The Athletic Football Show year-round. Every week through the draft, Dane and Dave Helman will bring you Building the Beast, giving you a week-by-week look at how The Beast comes together. In this debut episode, Dane explains the process of building his initial top 50, and then he and Dave go through the top draft prospects and five key positions. They wrap things up with prospects to watch in Week 0 and Week 1 of the college football season.Hosts: Dave Helman and Dane BruglerExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show...⁠Apple⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠YouTube⁠Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.socialFollow Dave on X: @davehelman_Follow Dane on X: @dpbruglerTheme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.