Can this season's failed, would-be contenders bounce right back in 2025?

The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL

In another world, the Week 14 Monday night game between the Bengals and Cowboys could've been a Super Bowl preview. In our world, it was just another game between a couple of teams that won't make the playoffs. Where did this season go so wrong for the Bengals, Cowboys and three other teams—the 49ers, Jets and Dolphins—most of the football world believed could be contenders? And can they turn things around in short order? First, Robert Mays is joined by The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. to discuss the Bengals, then Derrik Klassen hops on to tackle the other four teams on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.

Rundown

• Cincinnati Bengals
• Dallas Cowboys
• San Francisco 49ers
• New York Jets
• Miami Dolphins

Host: Robert Mays

Co-Host: Derrik Klassen

With: Paul Dehner Jr.

Executive Producer: Michael Beller

Producer: Michael Beller

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Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social

Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social

Follow Paul on Bluesky: @pauldehnerjr.bsky.social

Follow Robert on X: @robertmays

Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass

Follow Paul on X: @pauldehnerjr

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

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