Pigskin Dispatch

In our latest installment of the Pigskin Daily History Dispatch, we embark on a compelling journey through the current NFL landscape, contemplating the implications of Week 16 predictions as the season approaches its conclusion. Early Observations After NFL Week 15 (2025 Season)Based on the discussion between Darin Hayes and Ed Kleese, the primary observations after Week 15 revolved around two main themes: the plight of the Washington Commanders and the volatility of the league standings.The Washington Commanders' Annual December MiseryEd Kleese, a Commanders fan, detailed his team's historically difficult relationship with the late season:Status:The Commanders are characterized as "dead and done" and playing in a "dismal atmosphere" (3-10 vs. 2-11 game).Historical Context:In 17 out of the last 33 seasons, the Commanders have been either officially or essentially eliminated from the playoffs by December 1st. In 25 out of those 33 seasons, they were eliminated before the last game of the season.Current Sentiment:Kleese is "grappling with the bitterness" and now just "root[s] for around the league... just pain," hoping other teams join the misery. He noted the team is "playing out the string" and starting to think about 2026.High League Volatility and the "Roller Coaster" SeasonKleese noted that the "roller coaster of the NFL season" has been extreme, with inconsistent performances dominating the league:Inconsistent Teams:Kleese estimates that15 out of 32 teamshave had a "roller coaster season" (being significantly different from how they looked at the start or middle of the year).Examples of Volatility:Chiefs:Described as having a "bad start, good middle, miserable end."Dolphins:Started 1-6 before making a run.Commanders:Started 3-2 before an eight-game losing streak.Texans:Looked "dreadful in as recently as mid-October" but now look like Super Bowl contenders.Contenders Falling:Both the Buccaneers and Colts were 5-1 and near the one-seed at one point but are now fighting for their playoff lives or likely to miss entirely.Saints:Had a "rough, rough first three quarters" but look like they will "finish strong."Consistent Teams (Exceptions):The NFC West (Rams, Seahawks, 49ers) were singled out as teams that were "pretty good Week 1... and they're still good in December," showing consistency throughout.Conclusion on Season LengthThe hosts concluded that the volatility serves as a reminder "to not panic, not freak out" early in the year, and that in the NFL, "things may not be what they seem in the NFL because you got it. You got to make it through the long haul." They cautioned against dismissing any team that is "one in five."Week 15 Results SummaryHere are the points awarded to Darin and Ed for Week 15.Ravens vs. BengalsDarin - 2 Points (Perfect Call/Win)Ed- Not Discussed (Implied not a pick)Bills vs. PatriotsDarin -2 Points (Win)Ed- 2 Points (Win by 4+ points)Broncos vs. PackersDarin - 1 Point (Partial Credit - Win but score missed)Ed- 0 Points (Loss - Called Packers win)Chiefs vs. ChargersDarin - 0 Points (Loss)Ed- 0 Points (Loss)Panthers vs. SaintsDarin - 0 Points (Loss - Called Panthers rolling)Ed- Not Discussed (Implied not a pick)Steelers vs. DolphinsDarin - Not Discussed (Implied not a pick)Ed- 2 Points (Win - Called steamrolling)WEEK 15 TOTALDarin- 5 PointsEd- 4 PointsFinal Point TotalsDarin's Week 15 Total:5 pointsEd's Week 15 Total:4 pointsThis means Darin finished ahead of Ed for the week, narrowing the overall gap in the season total.Season Total (After Week 15)Ed - 71 pointsDarin - 67 pointsOur predictions for week 16 went something like this:Ed Kleese's Bold PredictionsSeahawks vs. Rams (Thursday Night):Ed picks the Seahawks to win a "coin flip" game, stating it is a "law of averages game" and that Sam Darnold will play much better.Packers over the BearsCommanders vs. Eagles:Ed predicts the Eagles will win, but the game will be "way closer than people think," with the Eagles' defense holding on during a crucial final drive by the Commanders.Dallasto bounce back, have a big week and beat theChargersin DallasLions vs. Steelers:Ed predicts the Lions will "roll the Steelers" and win the game by10 or more points.Darin Hayes's Bold PredictionsSeahawks vs. Rams (Thursday Night):Darin picks the Seahawks to win and specifically predicts that the Seahawks'defense is going to set up a score (or score themselves) late in the second halfto make the difference.Bears vs. Packers (Saturday):Darin predicts the Bears will win a hard-fought game with alate Caleb-led driveputting them over the edge.Buccaneers vs. Panthers:Darin predicts the Buccaneers will "write the ship" with astatement win, and that quarterbackBaker Mayfield will account for at least three touchdowns.Patriots vs. Ravens:Darin predicts a big Patriots win, stating that Drake May willoutduel Lamarand the Patriots' defense will lead them to holding Baltimore's offense to21 points or less.Colts vs. 49ers:Darin makes his "Christmas miracle" prediction, taking Philip Rivers and theIndianapolis Colts to knock off the 49ers. He also suggests Rivers might become theAFC Player of the Week.Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website to see even more Positive football news! Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

The Coach Who Vanished: A Bizarre Christmas Football Mystery from 1917Before the era of 12-team playoffs and million-dollar bowl games, the 1917 football season was pure chaos, defined by World War I restrictions and a lack of organized post-season play. Amidst this turmoil, an impromptu Christmas Day tiebreaker game was scheduled in San Diego, pitting the Utah Artillerymen (Camp Kearney) against the Balboa Park team. But the biggest drama wasn't on the field; it was off it, where the Utah squad's coach vanished just two days before kickoff. This is the astonishing, forgotten story of Coach Richard F. King, a true football history rogue whose disappearance forced a team to play its biggest game coachless.The story from our guest Timothy Brown's archives in a post he put out titled: The 1917 Postseason and the AWOL Football Coach.The Chaotic Post-Season of 1917In the early days of football, postseason games were rare, and World War I further complicated travel and scheduling. The prestigious Rose Bowl, for instance, had only just returned in 1916. Sensing an opportunity for local excitement, San Diego decided to host its own holiday spectacle in Balboa Park.The contest materialized after a December 9th match between the local Balboa Park team and the championship winners of Camp Kearney—a field artillery unit largely composed of men from the Utah National Guard—ended in a tie. A Christmas Day rematch was quickly arranged, but the military team's leader, Coach Richard F. King, was quickly becoming the center of attention for all the wrong reasons.The Disappearing Coach and the Web of LiesCoach King, who had served along the Mexican border in 1916 and was coaching the artillery unit’s football team, was a man shrouded in a spectacular fog of deceit. He routinely told elaborate lies, claiming he attended prestigious institutions like West Point and Lehigh and was even the brother of famous Princeton All-American, Phil King. More troubling than his tall tales was his habit of borrowing significant sums of money from fellow officers without repaying his debts.As the Christmas Day game approached, King’s superior officer finally confronted him about his conduct and finances. Rather than facing the music, Richard F. King simply disappeared. He went officially AWOL from the Army just 48 hours before his team's crucial post-season game, leaving the Utah Artillerymen scrambling and coachless for their biggest match of the season.The Rogue’s Continuing SagaKing’s bizarre story didn't end there. He was reportedly spotted partying in Los Angeles before beginning a cross-country odyssey, mailing letters from El Paso and Chicago that falsely claimed he was already serving in France. A world without national IDs or digital records allowed him to thrive.In Chicago, King re-enlisted under a completely different name, successfully deploying to France where he was eventually spotted by a man who had previously served under him in California. Arrested and shipped back to the U.S., King promptly escaped custody. Undeterred, he reenlisted a third time under a new alias. His final capture occurred in Hawaii after he accrued too many debts while scheduled to sail to Siberia after the war.Despite the coach's ongoing personal chaos, the Utah Artillerymen were forced to play the Christmas Day tiebreaker. Without their leader, they ultimately fell to the Balboa Park squad with a final score of 24–13, suffering a defeat made even sadder by their coach’s spectacular abandonment. King and his wife disappeared shortly thereafter, never to be heard from again.ConclusionThe story of the Utah Artillerymen and their disappearing coach on December 25, 1917, highlights the wild, unregulated nature of early football history. It’s a remarkable pre-Super Bowl tale that proves the drama surrounding the gridiron—from recruiting scandals to financial fraud—is hardly new. While the Chicago Bears and Bronko Nagurski were still years away from defining the professional game, this single, strange Christmas match in San Diego remains a compelling anecdote about the characters and chaos that built American football.Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website to see even more Positive football news! Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

A profound exploration of the Green Bay Packers' historic 1929 season unveils a juxtaposition of triumph and unexpected defeat. A mere 96 years prior, the Packers, under the astute leadership of Curly Lambeau, secured their inaugural National Football League championship with an impressive record of 12 wins, no losses, and one tie. Their dominance was underscored by a formidable defense that permitted a mere four points in their first five games, culminating in eight shutouts throughout the season, thereby establishing them as a veritable powerhouse in the league. However, this narrative takes a perplexing turn as we delve into the circumstances surrounding their singular defeat, which transpired not during the regular season but in an exhibition match against the Memphis Tigers, a team bolstered by players from various NFL franchises and driven by the financial exigencies following the onset of the Great Depression. This loss raises intriguing questions about the nature of competition and the complexities of early professional football, where financial motivations often intersected with the pursuit of athletic excellence.Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website to see even more Positive football news! Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

As the NFL season approaches its climax, the fervor of competition intensifies, revealing the crux of team dynamics and performance metrics. The discussion centers on the pivotal Week 15 games, particularly reflecting on the outcomes of Week 14, with a focus on the Detroit Lions' surprising dominance over the Dallas Cowboys. The hosts, Darren Hayes and Ed Cleese, unravel their predictions and analyses, dissecting prior performances while forecasting future matchups. The conversation is rich in detail, as they delve into the implications of each game on playoff standings, emphasizing the importance of strategy and execution in critical moments. The hosts emphasize their analytical prowess, offering listeners insights into team morale, injuries, and the psychological aspects that can influence the outcomes of these high-stakes encounters. Such depth of analysis not only showcases their expertise but also enhances the listener's understanding of the game, making it a compelling listen for both casual fans and ardent football enthusiasts alike.NFL Big Bold Predictions: Week 14 Results and StandingsWeek 14 was a pivotal week, described by Darin as taking a "kick in the chops" and providing Ed with the largest lead of the season.Week 14 Performance SummaryCompetitorCorrect PicksTotal Possible PointsWeek 14 ScoreAnalysisEd Kleese4.5 / 5107 PointsEd logged his second consecutive 7-point week, securing wins on the Bills, Titans, and Rams predictions.Darin Hayes / 2 PointsDarin struggled, losing his Thursday night pick (Cowboys) and his commitment to the Jets, managing only partial points on the Packers and Bengals games.Pigskin Dispatch Week 15 Predictions and Playoff AnalysisDarin Hayes and Ed Kleese dive deep into the NFL playoff picture and lay out their predictions for the remainder of the season, followed by their head-to-head picks for Week 15.The Playoff Prediction BreakdownEd Kleese begins the analysis by stating he believes one current AFC division leader and one current AFC Wild Card team will fall out of the picture. He then posits the same scenario for the NFC.AFC Playoff Projection (Ed Kleese)Current Status (Week 14 Standings)Ed's ProjectionAnalysisAFC North Winner (PIT)STAYSEd believes Pittsburgh (PIT) will win out or maintain control over Baltimore (BAL), securing the North, despite their current record being the worst among division leaders.AFC South Winner (JAX)FALLS OUTEd predicts the Jaguars (JAX) will lose their division lead to the Texans (HOU) and potentially fall out of the Wild Card race entirely.Wild Card (LAC)FALLS OUTEd correctly guesses that the Chargers (LAC) will be the Wild Card team to drop.Team to Replace JAXKansas City (KC)Ed makes a "cute prediction" that the Chiefs (KC), despite poor tiebreaker positioning, will finish 10-7 and somehow sneak in, likely bumping out the Jaguars or Chargers.Key AFC Analysis Points:AFC North:Ed predicts the Steelers will finish strong, potentially eliminating the need for a Week 18 showdown for the division title, citing the Ravens are "not very good."AFC East:Ed believes the Patriots will hold on due to their two-game lead over the Bills, despite feeling the Bills are the "better" team.AFC South:The main upset prediction is theTexans catching and passing the Jaguarsto win the division.NFC Playoff Projection (Ed Kleese)Current Status (Week 14 Standings)Ed's ProjectionAnalysisNFC West Winner (LAR)FALLS TO WILD CARDEd predicts the Seahawks (SEA) will pass the Rams (LAR) to win the division, citing their Week 16 head-to-head matchup in Seattle as the key decider.NFC South Winner (TB)STAYSDarin predicted the Buccaneers (TB) would fall, but Ed believes Tampa Bay will hold off the Panthers, largely because the Panthers have a tougher remaining schedule, including playing Tampa Bay twice.Wild Card (CHI)FALLS OUTEd predicts the Bears (CHI) will drop out of the Wild Card race, primarily because of a Week 18 matchup against the Lions (DET). The Lions already hold a head-to-head win and would secure the tiebreaker with a second victory, enabling them to leapfrog Chicago.Key NFC Analysis Points:NFC West:The Rams and Seahawks are seen as having similar records and playing a "huge, huge game" in Week 16 that will decide the division. Ed gives the edge to the home team (Seattle).NFC East:Ed strongly believes the Eagles will "back in" and win the division due to a soft remaining schedule, including the Raiders and Commanders multiple times. He discounts the Cowboys' chance of catching them after a crucial loss to the Lions.Week 15 Game PredictionsDarin and Ed made their head-to-head picks for Week 15, resulting in several agreements that leave Darin with little room to gain ground on Ed's established 5-point lead.MatchupDarin's PickEd's PickConsensus/AnalysisRavens at BengalsRavensDid Not PickDarin picks a Ravens rebound win, citing Lamar Jackson’s running game and a motivated team coming off a controversial loss.Chiefs at ChargersChiefsChiefsConsensus. Both cite the Chargers' physical, taxing Monday Night game against the Eagles, a short week, and the "must-win" urgency for the Chiefs at Arrowhead in cold weather. Ed predicts a win by 7+ points.Bills at PatriotsBillsBillsConsensus. Both agree the Bills will win, making the AFC East race a one-game margin. Darin notes Josh Allen's recent surge and the Bills' capability in cold weather ("snow tires on").Packers at BroncosBroncosPackersHead-to-Head Split. Darin takes the home team (Broncos) in a grind-it-out, low-scoring game (23-20). Ed takes the Packers, also predicting a low-scoring affair (Broncos held to 19 or less), resulting in a direct point swap opportunity.Lions at RamsDid Not PickLions (Upset)Ed makes an upset prediction, though he is "not super confident," predicting a game that "goes down to the wire" and potentially opens the door for the Seahawks. Darin strongly disagrees, favoring the productive Rams offense and turnover-forcing defense.Saints at PanthersPanthersDid Not PickDarin picks the Panthers to win by 10 or more, believing their defense is "stingy enough" to trouble the Saints' young quarterback.Dolphins at SteelersDid Not PickSteelersEd picks the Steelers to "dominate" and win by 10 or more, believing they will carry the momentum from their emotional win over the Ravens. He predicts the Steelers defense will force Tua Tagovailoa to beat them, which Ed does not think he can do.Scoreboard: Ed maintains a 5-point lead going into Week 15, with only the Packers/Broncos matchup offering a potential head-to-head swing.Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website to see even more Positive football news! Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

The podcast delves into a significant yet often overlooked aspect of American football history: the introduction of chains as a means of measuring distance on the field. The discussion centers around the Crescent Athletic Club, a pioneering team in the late 19th century that is credited with utilizing chains for the first time to mark the progress of the ball during gameplay. This innovation not only transformed the officiating of the game but also reflected a broader evolution in how football was played and understood. The conversation highlights the role of key figures, such as George Woodruff, who contributed to this advancement, and how the integration of chains streamlined the officiating process, ultimately enhancing the spectator's experience. As the hosts analyze the implications of this tool, they provide listeners with a rich narrative that intertwines historical anecdotes with the evolution of football officiating practices.Of course, this conversation originates from Tim's recent Tidbit titled: Football’s First Chains Revisited Join us at the Pigskin Dispatch website to see even more Positive football news! Don't forget to check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for additional content and the regular Football History Minute Shorts.Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well don't, because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. Do you want more football history? Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned" on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga