What we're excited to watch in Week 1 + A new look for The Athletic Football Show

The Athletic

04 September 2025

Football friends, we have made it back to the start of another NFL season. We hope you enjoy the crazy six-month ride with us. To kick off the season, Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman highlight what they're excited to watch in Week 1 on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/npVXkk3c Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show ⁠Apple⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ Rundown (timestamps are approximate) 5:43 We're in studio! 9:57 Lamar vs. Josh 13:52 Chiefs-Chargers 21:50 The Ben Johnson Bears 27:53 Can the Giants front create the weird Week 1 game? 30:30 The sicko games on the noon slate 36:31 Proof-of-concept matchups (HOU OL vs. LAR DL, Raiders offense vs. Patriots defense) 38:30 The loaded afternoon slate 43:22 The potential uh-oh games 48:47 Aaron Rodgers vs. the Jets 52:00 Michael Penix Jr. vs. Todd Bowles Host: Robert Mays Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman Executive Producer: Michael Beller Producer: Michael Beller 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 Derrik on X: @QBKlass 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.