The Athletic Football Show: Wild Card Sunday Recap

Date: January 12, 2026
Hosts: Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen, Dave Helman

Episode Overview

This episode of The Athletic Football Show provides an in-depth, expert breakdown of all three NFL Wild Card Sunday matchups. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen, and Dave Helman open with the Patriots' defensive stifling of the Chargers, analyze the 49ers' gritty win over the Eagles, and close with the Bills' statement win against the Jaguars. The conversation is rich with tactical analysis, critical coaching discussion, and big picture playoff implications, all delivered in the hosts' candid and passionate style.

Game 1: Patriots Stifle Chargers – Defensive Masterclass

Segment Start: [02:25]

Key Discussion Points

• Game Tone & Defensive Dominance

  • The hosts agree this was the weekend’s least entertaining game, but a “clinic” in defensive football from New England.
  • “I think the stuff about this game you can appreciate as a football watcher and a football enthusiast are going to be things that you’re going to catch on film when we watch it deeper into the week.” – Robert Mays [05:05]
  • New England’s pressure packages were highlighted, especially creative blitzes and simulated pressures disrupting Justin Herbert.

• Patriots’ Defensive Tactics

  • Pats mixed in DB blitzes (Jalen Hawkins, Craig Woodson), loaded look decoys, and disguised coverages effectively.
  • “They brought DBs off the edge... trying to occupy the back, not give Herbert any checkdown options.” – Derrick Klassen [06:28]
  • Notable play: 3rd-and-4, stacked LB/safety over LG then both drop, linebacker spies Herbert, leads to stop [07:03].

• Chargers’ Offensive Failures

  • Herbert led the team in rushing, but the run game was otherwise stymied (27% rushing success rate).
  • Despite poor pass protection and lack of open receivers, Herbert failed to capitalize on the few opportunities available.
  • “There were not a lot of plays to be made and the few that were there, he did not make them in this game.” – Robert Mays [08:16]
  • The QB appears “antsy and uncomfortable,” showing eroded confidence due to lack of trust in protection and getting nowhere close to rhythm.

• Critical Offensive Sequences

  • Missed chances on 3rd downs (1-of-10 on the day).
  • Keenan Allen non-effort on key 4th-and-2, drops, and lack of creative play design for Ladd McConkey.
  • “The offense just...did not have any easy buttons.” – Derrick Klassen [16:17]

• Drake May’s Rookie Performance

  • Mistake-prone outing (two fumbles, tipped INT) offset by impressive poise, sequencing, and critical conversions.
  • “He looked so unbothered...There was nothing hurried about his game.” – Dave Hellman [21:43]
  • Notable: Composed package on crucial 3rd-and-13 to Henry, and a highlight TD to Henry while rolling left [20:43].

• Coaching and Situational Management

  • Chargers' offensive approach and play design were panned, especially the failure to leverage McConkey and unimaginative use of trips in goal-to-go.
  • Mays questions Jim Harbaugh’s situational decisions—passing up go-for-its, game and time management.
  • “If you’re going to be the CEO type head coach, you need to be doing a lot of the little things...Mike Vrabel was doing more than Jim Harbaugh.” – Robert Mays [24:42]

Game 2: 49ers Outlast Injury-Depleted Eagles – Grit Over Talent

Segment Start: [29:54]

Key Discussion Points

• Niners Grit Through Adversity

  • 49ers lose George Kittle mid-game, play without several key starters; talent gap is massive in Eagles’ favor.
  • “The Niners played this game with more than a hand tied behind their back.” – Dave Hellman [39:25]
  • Despite this, their defense (down to LBs 5 and 6) stymied the Eagles, especially after halftime.

• Eagles Offense Implodes

  • Lowest success rate since Week 7, abysmal use of skill talent and resources; repeated failures on 3rd downs and key situations.
  • “When you consider the resources, the talent gap and the stakes, this was about as disgusting of an offensive performance as you could possibly have from the Philadelphia Eagles.” – Robert Mays [31:19]
  • Noteworthy failures: Bad drops by A.J. Brown, uninspired play calls after timeouts, e.g., the 4th-and-11 game on the line (timeout into four verts, throw into triple coverage).

• Niners Defensive Moments

  • Key stops: Marquis Siegel TFL [4Q, 9:21], Huffman TFL, Lenore’s key TFL (avenging early chunk run).
  • Upton Stout’s downhill DB play, multiple nickel stops, and plays that “changed the attitude” of the defense.
  • Backup LBs Wilson and Wallow combine for 21 tackles.
  • “The attitude that this Niners defense plays with despite being down five, six, seven guys... pretty incredible.” – Derek Klassen [35:00]

• Coaching Advantage and Shanahan’s Brilliance

  • Play design wizardry in the second half creates just enough offense:
    • Jennings trick-play TD to McCaffrey [45:09], layered screen, unique angle route out of the backfield.
    • "Understanding where you needed to find your big plays and then consistently being able to come up with them—an incredibly impressive performance from Kyle Shanahan." – Robert Mays [44:39]
  • Christian McCaffrey: His pass-catching, ball tracking, and “gravity” (how his presence distorts coverage) are hailed as unique.

• Big Picture/Eagles' Future

  • Play-caller carousel in Philly continues; calls for a big-name, big-pay OC who can maximize the loaded offense.
  • "I think we've gotten to a place where…the Eagles have to seek out somebody who’s done this job before and has done it at a competent enough level that you believe they're going to make this work." – Robert Mays [51:25]
  • A.J. Brown’s future addressed: “If the next OC gets him a dozen targets a game, that’ll probably smooth things over.” – Robert Mays [52:19]

Game 3: Bills Outgun Jaguars – Allen’s Brilliance, Buffalo’s Formula

Segment Start: [54:52]

Key Discussion Points

• Buffalo’s Defensive Prowess and Disguise

  • Bills defense wins with smoke and mirrors, not overwhelming talent.
  • “Pre-snap disguise is a foundational piece of what Sean McDermott has been on the back end...Even if they don’t have a lot of super high-end talent.” – Robert Mays [56:21]
  • Early pick on Trevor Lawrence: well-disguised Cover 2 fools him [56:17].
  • CB Tre’Davious White with two critical plays: 1st pick, late pass deflection in red zone [58:05-58:15].

• Jaguars: Good but Not Great

  • Trevor Lawrence played “average Trevor game,” hurt by a few mistakes, lack of run game continuity, and late-game play calling confusion.
  • “A pretty good Jags team that just didn’t have that extra 5%...a young team still learning.” – Derrick Klassen [59:52]
  • Both lines of scrimmage lost: Jags lose run game (perimeter runs only success), out of sync with key offensive calls (not enough runs after successful sequences).

• Josh Allen’s Quiet Dominance

  • “Josh Allen was spectacular in this game…Kind of feels like a B+ Josh Allen game. That’s how good Josh Allen is.” – Robert Mays [63:46]
  • 28/35 passing, 54.5% rushing success, multiple tough scrambles in key spots despite little support from the run game.
  • Stood up to constant pressure: Jags’ pass rush often collapsed the pocket.
  • Understated but crucial: “If Trevor had that game, we’d all think about Trevor in a different light.” – Derrick Klassen [64:16]

• Bills' Supporting Cast & Scheme

  • Shakir leads receivers (mostly on screens), Brandon Cooks' explosive. Buffalo’s YAC and unheralded players step up, aided by several Jags missed tackles.
  • “Josh Allen has been piecing this together with the most underwhelming group of pass catchers.” – Dave Hellman [66:39]
  • Favorite offensive sequence: Quick-hitting passes to Kincaid/Knox, converted 4th-and-inches, and creative design on Kincaid touchdown.

• Statement on Buffalo’s Playoff Potential

  • “What they were today…that’s why this team is dangerous. The defense is capable of doing enough weird shit to get you four or five high leverage wins. And the quarterback is the quarterback.” – Robert Mays [72:33]
  • Despite injuries to key targets (Davis, Shavers), Allen and the defense dictate high-leverage moments.
  • Jags pushed them, but couldn't close; Allen's special traits the difference.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Disguised coverage and creative pressures:

  • “They put a linebacker and safety stacked over the left guard…it looks like ‘Oh, we’re gonna pick the guard’…Nope, both guys drop. Safety cuts a crosser; linebacker spies Herbert.” – Derek Klassen [07:03]

• On Justin Herbert’s regression:

  • “You’re going to get seven real opportunities to make a play in this game, and…he just didn’t.” – Derek Klassen [13:35]

• On New England’s rookie QB:

  • “He just seemed so cool…nothing hurried about his game. You would never guess this guy is 23 and it’s his first playoff game.” – Dave Hellman [21:43]

• On Eagles’ offensive failures:

  • “You had to deliberate to call four verts? That’s where we are.” – Derek Klassen [37:27]

• On the Niners' resilience:

  • “When that’s how far you have to go down [the Eagles] roster to get to a Niners player, and the Niners won…” – Robert Mays [39:19]

• On Josh Allen’s performance:

  • “Josh Allen finished 9 of 12 for 144 yards when pressured…They did a great job of condensing the pocket, and he was just…doing that kind of stuff over and over.” – Robert Mays [68:55-69:15]

• On playoff levels:

  • “A quiet Josh Allen game would be a playoff-defining moment for most other quarterbacks.” – Dave Hellman [64:09]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Patriots-Chargers breakdown & defensive strategy: [02:25] – [18:28]
• Drake May evaluation: [19:21] – [24:32]
• Discussion on Chargers coaching decisions: [24:42] – [27:16]
• 49ers-Eagles analysis (talent & coaching): [29:54] – [49:51]
• Eagles’ play-caller future: [50:36] – [53:19]
• Bills-Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence mistakes & Bills disguise: [54:52] – [58:05]
• Josh Allen star turn: [63:46] – [69:15]
• Statement on Bills playoff threat: [72:33]

Tone and Style

The episode mixes wry humor, candid frustration with coaches who underperform, and deep tactical insight. The trio balances critical Xs-and-Os breakdowns with honest, sometimes blunt assessments of players, units, and coaches—never shying from calling out underachievement or celebrating elite tactical mastery.

Summary Takeaway

Wild Card Sunday delivered a clinic in defensive coaching, gutted some high-priced offenses, and showcased the razor’s edge that decides January football. The Patriots bullied the Chargers back into the offseason, the undermanned Niners found ways to win ugly and out-coach the Eagles, and Josh Allen’s Bills reminded the AFC that as long as he’s under center, Buffalo is alive—warts and all.