What can the surprise teams of 2024 do for an encore?

About this episode

<p>There's a temptation to believe that surprise teams from the previous season are on a clear upward trajectory. But we know that isn't always true. Just ask the 2022-23 Giants or 2021-22 Raiders. Four of last year's playoff teams significantly outperformed preseason expectations and made the playoffs: the Commanders, Chargers, Broncos and Vikings. Is the arrow really pointing up for those teams? Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen break it down on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.</p><br><p>Rundown (timestamps are approximate)</p><p>6:07 Washington Commanders</p><p>21:19 Los Angeles Chargers</p><p>35:41 Denver Broncos</p><p>53:40 Minnesota Vikings</p><br><p>Hosts: Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen</p><p>With: Dave Helman</p><p>Executive Producer: Michael Beller</p><p>Producer: Michael Beller</p><p>Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show...</p><p><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-athletic-football-show-a-show-about-the-nfl/id1528622068" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">⁠Apple⁠</a></p><p><a href="https://spoti.fi/3waggUU" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">⁠Spotify⁠</a></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6gWjMSDj7-8j3iCc2ZGo3g" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">⁠YouTube⁠</a></p><p>Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social</p><p>Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social</p><p>Follow Dave on Bluesky: @davehelman.bsky.social</p><p>Follow Robert on X: @robertmays</p><p>Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass</p><p>Follow Dave on X: @davehelman_</p><p>Theme song: Haunted</p><p>Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs</p><p>Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>