Overview of The Athletic Football Show
Robert Mays, Dave Helman, and Derek Klassen previewed a loaded Week 7 NFL slate, with the spotlight on Chiefs vs. Seahawks as the game of the week. The episode also covered Packers-Lions, Bengals-Ravens, 49ers-Falcons, and Rams-Raiders, before closing with an under-the-hood deep dive on the Buccaneers’ defense and a few broader “what do we want to know?” questions around the league.
Biggest Week 7 Themes
Chiefs vs. Seahawks: run-game evolution vs. defensive structure
- The Chiefs’ offense has undergone a major schematic shift, leaning heavily into run action / play-action / under-center concepts after being far more shotgun-heavy last year.
- The panel focused on whether Seattle can slow down Kansas City’s run game and force Patrick Mahomes into more traditional dropback situations.
- Seattle’s defense has been especially good against under-center play-action, making this a test of whether the Chiefs can still create explosives if they can’t lean on the ground game.
- They also discussed the Kenneth Walker decision and how his fit in Kansas City makes the Seahawks’ choice look worse in hindsight, even if it’s too early for firm conclusions.
- Another key angle: how Seattle handles Kansas City’s short passing game, where Mahomes is elite at staying patient and taking what’s available.
Packers vs. Lions: Detroit’s run game is back
- Detroit’s run game appears to be stabilizing, which matters because the Lions are at their best when they can stay out of obvious passing situations.
- The return of key offensive-line help, including Cade Mays, could make the front even more dangerous.
- Green Bay’s defense has been strong overall, but the panel questioned whether it can consistently hold up against a more physical, explosive Detroit ground attack.
- The conversation also touched on whether both the Packers and Lions are legitimate NFC contenders, with both hosts ultimately leaning yes.
Bengals vs. Ravens: what is Cincinnati’s offensive identity now?
- The big question is whether the Bengals are still committed to their under-center/play-action experiment, or whether they’ll quietly scale it back after the bye.
- They noted that Cincinnati has already shown a tendency toward reverting to what Joe Burrow does best: operating from the gun and using his accuracy and timing.
- The panel also highlighted Burrow’s strong numbers on intermediate seam/hashes throws, suggesting the offense still has viable middle-of-the-field answers.
- On the Ravens side, the matchup interest is how their defense can use coverage rotation and pressure variation to confuse Burrow.
49ers vs. Falcons: heat up Michael Penix
- The main question is whether San Francisco can force Michael Penix Jr. into pressure situations, where he has struggled this season.
- Penix has been productive when clean, but once pressured he has been one of the league’s least efficient quarterbacks.
- The 49ers’ defense has shown more willingness to blitz and play with five-man fronts, which could make this a tough day for Atlanta.
- The Falcons’ offense looks dangerous only when Penix is protected and allowed to play rhythm football.
Rams vs. Raiders: roster depth and “biblical greed” consequences
- Derek and Dave expressed real concern about the Rams after a wave of injuries hit both sides of the ball.
- The episode framed this as a consequence of the Rams’ aggressive, high-upside roster-building approach — what they jokingly described as “biblical greed” — because now the team’s depth is being tested hard.
- Their receiving room and defensive line have both taken major hits, raising questions about whether the Rams can survive the stretch run.
- On the other side, the Raiders’ passing offense was highlighted as a serious test for a Rams defense that relies heavily on dime personnel and matchups.
Under the Hood: The Buccaneers’ Defense
Why this unit stands out
- The Buccaneers’ defense has quietly become one of the league’s best units under Todd Bowles.
- Their identity is built around pressure, disguise, and forcing quick throws.
- The panel loved the influx of young talent and development across the roster, especially in the secondary and front seven.
Players driving the turnaround
- Jacob Parrish and Zion McCollum were singled out as standout corners.
- Tykee Smith has been fast, violent, and impactful.
- Josiah Trotter has been a revelation at linebacker.
- David Walker has emerged as a disruptive force up front.
- Even with Antoine Winfield Jr. out, the group has held together well.
How teams can attack them
- The Bucs are excellent at forcing opponents into short, fast, over-the-middle throws.
- The two ways to stress them:
- attack the perimeter with RPOs/screens/quick game
- use five-out concepts and target the backs
- Carolina’s game plan was especially interesting because the Panthers don’t throw to the back much, which could make them a bad stylistic matchup for Tampa.
Other Week 7 Questions to Watch
Cowboys offense: can they get back to being multiple?
- Mays is increasingly frustrated by how Dallas has reverted to a spread-heavy, shotgun-heavy offense.
- The Cowboys are using less motion and less run action than they did last year, despite having already shown they can be more versatile.
- The hosts want to see whether Dallas can rediscover the version of the offense that made it dangerous in 2024.
Giants quarterback situation: go young or go home
- The discussion favored giving the younger, higher-upside quarterback a real look rather than leaning on a veteran stopgap.
- Their point was simple: if the veteran option isn’t actually stabilizing the offense, why not see what the more talented young player can do?
Broncos vs. Cardinals / Saints vs. Steelers
- The Broncos-Cardinals matchup was framed as a chance for Denver to look competent against a weaker defense.
- The Saints-Steelers game was viewed as a chance for New Orleans to stabilize before the bye and stay in the NFC South race.
Key Takeaways
- The Chiefs are evolving schematically in a big way, and Kansas City’s ground game is now central to everything they do.
- The Seahawks-Chiefs matchup hinges on whether Seattle can slow the run and force Mahomes into a different script.
- The Lions and Packers both still have real NFC upside, even if neither is fully polished yet.
- The Bengals may be quietly moving back toward what Burrow does best after experimenting with under-center concepts.
- The Buccaneers’ defense is one of the most fun and aggressive units in the NFL right now.
- The Rams are the team most under stress after injuries exposed how thin their roster really is.