The annual Wins Pool Draft is here. Three drafters, seven teams apiece, glory and ignominy at stake. What more could you ask for? In both of the last two seasons, Robert Mays has had to pay off an embarrassing bet on Radio Row. Will he make it three years in a row, or will Derrik Klassen or Dave Helman save him and fall into the TAFS Wins Pool basement? Listen along as they guys select seven teams—five good and two bad, with bad being defined as a win total over/under of 6.5 or fewer—on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Host: 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.
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51:10
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51:10
2025 AFC North preview
We've done it. We've reached the end of the line. Our eighth and final division preview features what has long been one of the most competitive divisions in the league, the AFC North. The Ravens are back as one of the inner-circle Super Bowl favorites, while the Bengals are back as one of the very best offenses in the league. The Steelers, meanwhile, underwent a facelift this offseason that included bringing in Aaron Rodgers, and the Browns are finally trying to turn the page to a new chapter in their story. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dive deep into all four AFC North teams on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Rundown (timestamps are approximate)6:58 Baltimore Ravens 2025 season preview36:34 Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 season preview1:07:01 Cincinnati Bengals 2025 season preview1:32:16 Cleveland Browns 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.
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1:52:29
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1:52:29
2025 NFC West preview
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.
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1:55:19
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1:55:19
2025 AFC West preview
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.
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1:55:07
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1:55:07
2025 NFC North preview
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.
About The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL
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.
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