Pigskin Dispatch

The 2025 football season is shaping up to be a compelling saga of triumph and unprecedented milestones, particularly within the New England Patriots organization, which has successfully navigated the complexities of a post-Brady era. Their current standing as the number one seed in the American Football Conference is a testament to their resilience and strategic prowess, driven by the remarkable performances of second-year quarterback Drake May. With an impressive 3,412 passing yards and 23 touchdowns under his belt, May's emergence as a leading figure in the league symbolizes a transformative period for the Patriots, who are redefining their identity on the field.

Furthermore, the landscape of rushing statistics has also undergone a significant transformation this season. Jonathan Taylor's dominance as the leading rusher with nearly 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns reflects a shift towards a new generation of running backs. The contributions of players such as James Cook and Devon Akane highlight the depth of talent present in this year's league, while Jameer Gibbs' rapid ascent in the Detroit Lions' rushing records positions him as a player to watch in the coming years, drawing connections to legendary figures in football history.

The podcast episode culminates in a celebration of remarkable athletic feats witnessed during week 13, where breathtaking receptions by players like Brock Bowers and Puka Nakua captivated audiences and reinforced the notion that the modern game continues to evolve. These moments not only serve to entertain but also to connect fans with the rich tapestry of football history, emphasizing the podcast's mission to honor the legacy of the sport while simultaneously celebrating its current evolution. Through these narratives, we aim to provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of football's past and present, highlighting the interconnectedness of historical achievements and contemporary performances.

The Great Divide: NFL Week 13 Ends Hope and Sets Up a 60-60 Showdown

The calendar turning from Thanksgiving signaled more than just the start of December; it marked the official dividing line for the 2025 NFL season. As Darin Hayes and Ed Kleese settled in for their weekly breakdown, the mood was a mix of holiday hangover, relief over fantastic games, and sober reflection on the 12 teams (a full third of the league) that, according to Ed, are now "officially done."

This sentiment—that the excitement for a third of the league's fan bases fades as they shift their focus to the NFL Draft and coaching changes—set the stage for a dramatic discussion. While the players remain locked in, fighting for jobs and contracts, Ed argues that many fans have emotionally checked out, especially in places like Cleveland where another "let’s get this over with" season is grinding to an end.

The most shocking development of Week 13, however, wasn't about the teams checking out, but one legendary special teams disaster that has already become a viral meme.

The Most Embarrassing Moment in NFL History

Amidst the discussion of the Steelers’ (Darin’s team) humiliating loss to the Bills—a loss Darin described as watching a "plane crash that continues to happen"—the conversation pivoted to the absolute low point of the weekend: the Giants kicker's now-infamous special teams gaffe.

After the Giants’ defense had already surrendered a long kick return and a 94-yard punt return touchdown, the kicker provided the capper. The consensus among the hosts was that this moment, which saw the kicker attempt a dropkick only to have the ball roll forward for a turnover, was perhaps the most embarrassing special teams play in modern NFL history. Darin summarized the debacle perfectly: “At least I’m not the Giants kicker.”

Week 13 Results: The Deadlock is Set

Despite the chaos on the field, our two prognosticators had a solid, if uneven, week, resulting in a shocking tie in their season-long head-to-head competition.

Host

Week 13 Total

Running Total

Ed Kleese 6 Points 60 Points

Darin Hayes 4 Points 60 Points

Ed’s Week 13 Breakdown (6 Points): Ed secured a solid week thanks to his Thanksgiving picks. He correctly nailed Jordan Love as the MVP of the Packers' impressive win over the Lions, a victory he noted felt controlled by Green Bay despite the close score. He earned a full two points for his "no analysis needed" pick of the Jets over the Falcons. However, he dropped points on the Black Friday game (missing the Eagles’ offensive struggles) and his bold prediction that the struggling Commanders would upset the Broncos.

Darin’s Week 13 Breakdown (4 Points): Darin managed to stay afloat, earning a bonus point by correctly predicting Joe Burrow would be the offensive MVP of the Thanksgiving night game. His biggest win was correctly taking the Texans over the Colts in what proved to be a compelling and fun game. Unfortunately, Darin took a zero for betting on his beloved Steelers to beat the Bills, admitting the team looked "tired." He also lost points predicting a Chiefs victory over the Cowboys, noting he was "more shocked... by their defense" than their inability to score.

With 50 possible points remaining in the season, both hosts are now locked in a 60-60 tie, setting up a thrilling photo finish over the next five weeks.

Week 14 Predictions: Cold Weather and Cold Shoulders

With the season turning cold, our hosts wasted no time diving into their Week 14 predictions, starting with a unanimous upset pick.

Pigskin Daily History Dispatch: Week 14 Bold Predictions

Here is a summary of the Week 14 predictions made by Ed Kleese and Darin Hayes, followed by the remainder of their conversation.

Ed Kleese - Week 14 Predictions (10 Points Available)

-Jets vs. Dolphins Jets Win. No analysis necessary. Based partly on the cold weather factor affecting Miami. Unanimous Upset Pick.

-Bengals vs. Bills Bills Win. Bills offense scores 31 or more points against the Bengals' inconsistent defense. Bills score 31+ points.

-Titans vs. Browns Titans Win. Upset based on public betting (The "public is loaded up" on the Browns). Upset pick over the favored Browns.

-Rams vs. Cardinals Rams Win by 10 or more points. Predicts an "easy breezy win" as the Cardinals officially check out. Double-digit blowout (10+ point victory).

-Packers vs. Bears Packers Win by 10 or more points. Predicts the Packers will control the game and take control of the division. Double-digit blowout (10+ point victory).

Darin Hayes - Week 14 Predictions (10 Points Available)

-Jets vs. Dolphins ~ Jets Win, squashing the Dolphins for their biggest win of the season. Unanimous Upset Pick.

-Bengals vs. Bills ~ Bengals Win in a shootout (e.g., 35-31 or 38-35). Joe Burrow exposes the Bills' inconsistent defense. Bengals win with a high score (35+).

-Lions vs. Cowboys Cowboys Win in a shootout, with Dak Prescott tossing four touchdowns. Dak Prescott throws 4 TDs.

-Packers vs. Bears Packers Win, stopping the Bears streak, aided by Parsons having a three-sack game. Persen achieves 3 sacks.

-Chiefs vs. Texans Chiefs Win by seven points. Believes the Chiefs' talent and coaching staff will "figure it out." Chiefs win by exactly 7 points.

Sweating it Out: The Shocking Conditioning Secrets of 1923 Football

We often think of football conditioning as a precise science of hydration, nutrition, and tailored strength programs. But a century ago, the rules of getting in shape were dramatically different. Darin Hayes of Pigskin Dispatch recently dove into the past with Timothy Brown of Football Archaeology to explore an article from the 1923 season, revealing the bizarre, and sometimes dangerous, training philosophies that shaped early gridiron stars.

Old 98: The Golden Boy Who Fell From the Sky (Twice)

In the late 1930s, the name Tom Harmon was synonymous with unstoppable American athletic prowess. The University of Michigan’s single-wing tailback, number 98, was more than just a college football player; he was a phenomenon, the “Golden Boy” of the gridiron. He shattered records, won the Heisman Trophy in 1940, and famously earned a standing ovation from the rival Ohio State crowd in his final game—a show of respect so rare it remains legendary.

In 1941, Harmon was the first overall pick in the NFL draft and even starred in a movie about his own life. The world was his, but as the United States plunged into World War II, Harmon put his celebrity and professional career on hold, trading his football helmet for a pilot’s cap in the U.S. Army Air Force. The man who seemed invincible on the field was heading into a war where no one was.

Crash 1: The Jungle Ordeal

Tom Harmon’s first brush with death didn't come in a dogfight against enemy planes, but against the raw, unyielding power of nature.

By April 1943, Lieutenant Harmon was piloting a B-25 Mitchell bomber, fittingly nicknamed Old 98 after his famous jersey number. While flying through a brutal tropical storm over the dense jungles of Dutch Guiana in South America, disaster struck. The storm’s violence was so extreme that it tore the right wing clean off the aircraft, sending the bomber into a catastrophic, deadly spin.

Harmon desperately screamed for his six crew members to bail out, but with the plane plummeting, he knew he had only seconds to save himself. He fumbled for his parachute cord, leaped out, and blacked out.

He awoke to find himself dangling from a tree, just yards from the burning wreckage. He was the sole survivor.

For four agonizing days, Harmon, the former All-American, became a castaway. He battled through razor-sharp grasses, dodged crocodiles, and trudged through miles of murky, dark swamps, surviving on swamp water and meager rations. He later credited his legendary “football legs” with carrying him through the nearly impassable terrain. Exhausted and believing he couldn't take another step, he finally collapsed. It was then, at the brink of death, that he was found by local natives who guided him to safety via dugout canoe.

He eventually reached an American army base where he made a simple, relieved phone call to his parents: "I'm not hurt." He had survived a fiery crash and five days alone in the jungle. But his war was far from over.

Crash 2: Fire, Zeros, and the Chinese Underground

After recovering from his ordeal, Harmon transferred to the 449th Fighter Squadron in the China-Burma-India Theater, where he trained to fly the P-38 Lightning, a fast, twin-tailed fighter. Again, his signature number 98 was painted on the side.

On October 30, 1943, while escorting bombers over the Yangtze River in Japanese-occupied China, Harmon’s squadron was ambushed by Japanese Zero fighters. Harmon, showing the same aggressive instinct he displayed on the field, managed to shoot down two enemy planes. But in the thick of the dogfight, his own P-38 was critically hit. The cockpit erupted in flames.

His famous legs were literally on fire. Frantically beating the flames, he popped the canopy and was violently sucked out of the disintegrating aircraft. He yanked his ripcord and was yanked into the open sky, now a helpless target for the remaining enemy fighters. As they strafed his position, Harmon played dead and plunged into a lake below, hiding beneath the parachute silk until the enemy planes departed.

Severely burned, wounded, and deep behind enemy lines, Harmon was reported missing in action for the second time. For 32 terrifying days, the American hero was gone.

But once again, a miracle unfolded. Harmon was rescued by Chinese guerrilla fighters. His journey back to safety became an unbelievable ordeal that required an immense feat of human endurance. His burns became infected, and he was too weak to walk, forcing his Chinese rescuers—the real heroes of this chapter—to carry him on a stretcher for hundreds of miles over mountain trails and through Japanese lines. This clandestine operation was the Chinese version of the American Underground Railroad.

Finally, at the end of November 1943, news broke: Tom Harmon had cheated death again. He was safe. For his extraordinary valor and refusal to surrender, he was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.

The Silk That Saved Him

When Harmon returned from the war, the physical toll of his crashes was immense. His legendary speed was gone, and after two injury-plagued seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, he retired from professional football. He then began the broadcasting career he always wanted, and for decades, his voice was as famous as his legs had once been.

Perhaps the most enduring symbol of his unbelievable survival came on his wedding day. He married actress Elyse Knox, and for her wedding gown, he gave her the very silk parachute that had carried him out of the burning sky over China. His mother-in-law carefully took the fabric, working around the tears and bullet holes, fashioning it into his bride's dress.

The same fabric that saved the Golden Boy became a symbol of a new beginning, a testament to a hero who fell from the sky twice and simply refused to be broken. From that marriage came three children, including the actor Mark Harmon. Tom Harmon passed away in 1990, but his legacy endures as a powerful reminder that true strength isn't about being invincible—it’s about getting back up, no matter how far you've fallen.

A Silent Thanksgiving and the Power of Nostalgia: Week 13 NFL Picks

Welcome to the Pig Pen for our special Thanksgiving week edition of Big, Bold Predictions! The NFL schedule is bursting at the seams this week with games spread across four days—Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Monday—meaning no bye weeks and a full slate of football to digest alongside your holiday feast.

Hosts Darin Hayes and Ed Kleese checked in to review the tumultuous results of Week 12 and lay out their choices for Week 13, including the highly anticipated Thanksgiving MVP bonus picks. Before diving into the scores, Ed took a poignant detour down memory lane, reflecting on the shared cultural experience of Thanksgiving Day football, forever tied to the unmistakable voices of John Madden and Pat Summerall. Though Ed humorously recalled one infamous "Silent Thanksgiving" ruined by a 2002 Commanders loss to the Cowboys, the overall reverence for the holiday tradition—of family, food, and the gridiron—was clear.

Week 12 Review: Darin Extends His Lead

Despite both hosts admitting to a generally poor Week 12 performance, the race for the season title tightened, with Darin managing to extend his narrow lead.

Darin & Ed

Bills over Texans

Texans won

0

Both hosts missed the Texans' dominant defensive performance (8 sacks).

_________________

Darin & Ed

Cardinals over Jaguars (Upset)

Jaguars won

0

Cardinals committed 4 turnovers but still lost, sinking both hosts.

________________

Darin & Ed

 Cowboys over Eagles (Upset)

Cowboys won

2

Both hosts correctly predicted the Cowboys’ second-half defensive shutout.

__________________

Darin Only

Chiefs win by 7+ vs. Colts

Chiefs won by 6

1 point

Chiefs won but missed the margin by one point, earning Darin partial credit.

_________________

Darin Only

Bucs over Rams

Rams won big

0 points

The Rams dominated, proving Darin wrong on the late-season surge.

__________________________

Ed Only

Seahawks win by 20+ vs. Titans

Seahawks won by 6

0 points

Ed's bullish pick failed to reach the 20-point margin.

______________

Ed Only

Steelers over Bears

Bears won

0 points

Steelers lost, leaving Ed stuck on 2 points for the week.

Week 12 Score:

• Darin Hayes: 3 Points
• Ed Kleese: 2 Points

Season Standings: The Race is Neck-and-Neck

The difference remains razor-thin heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

Total Season Points (Week 12 Complete)

Darin Hayes: 56 Points

Ed Kleese: 54 Points

Darin maintains a two-point advantage, but with three bonus picks available this week, the lead is very much in jeopardy.

Week 13 Bonus Picks: Thanksgiving MVP

For Week 13, Darin and Ed introduced three bonus picks: selecting the MVP of each of the three Thanksgiving Day games, worth three extra points apiece.

Game 1: Lions vs. Packers

• Darin’s MVP Pick:Jameer Gibbs(Lions RB)
• Darin is betting on the Lions' versatile running back to break out in the traditional early slot.
• Ed’s MVP Pick:Jordan Love(Packers QB)
• Ed believes Love, who has been shaky all year, will have a pivotal breakout game, leading the Packers to a late comeback victory.

Game 2: Chiefs vs. Cowboys

• Darin’s MVP Pick:Nick Bolton(Chiefs LB)
• Darin picks a defender, believing the Chiefs’ middle linebacker will have a big performance helping shut down the explosive Cowboys offense.
• Ed’s MVP Pick:George Pickens & CeeDee Lamb(Cowboys Receivers - Shared Award)
• Ed anticipates the Cowboys' receiving corps to dominate, sharing the MVP award on their home turf in Dallas.

Game 3: Bengals vs. Ravens (Late Game)

• Darin’s MVP Pick:Joe Burrow(Bengals QB)
• Darin expects Burrow to return from his minor injury with little rust and carry the Bengals to a win over their AFC North rivals.
• Ed’s MVP Pick:Derrick Henry(RB)
• Ed is betting on a running back to exploit the opposing defense, declaring Henry will simply "run them over" on a chilly Thanksgiving night in Baltimore.

Week 13 Standard Picks

Here are the complete Week 13 Standard Picks:

Darin

 Chiefs over   Cowboys

KC vs. DAL

Darin believes the KC defense will be the hero, holding Dallas to 27 points or less, while Mahomes scores enough to secure the win. He also cites historical animosity from the "Dallas Texans" era.

Darin

 Bengals over  Ravens

CIN vs. BAL

Darin expects Joe Burrow to shake off injury concerns and lead a high-scoring Bengals offense (potentially 38-35) past the Ravens, despite Baltimore's strong running game.

Darin  

Eagles over Bears

PHI vs. CHI

Darin agrees with Ed that the Bears' win streak ends. He highlights weather as a major disruptive factor for the Bears' precision passing game, favoring the Eagles' run-heavy approach with Hurts and Barkley.

Darin 

Steelers over Bills

PIT vs. BUF

Darin makes a bold pick for his Steelers, citing key injuries on the Bills' offensive line (both tackles potentially out) which will allow Pittsburgh's pass rush to keep Josh Allen under siege. He believes the Steelers pull out the home win.

Darin

Texans over Colts

HOU vs. IND

Darin sees the Texans on the rise and the Colts' armor showing "chinks" recently. He picks the Texans to take out the Colts by a score of seven points or less.

___________________

Ed

Packers over Lions (Upset)

GB vs. DET

Ed is picking against the Lions, believing they are "just not that great anymore." He thinks Jordan Love is due for a big game and will lead the Packers to a close victory on Thanksgiving.

Ed

Ravens over Bengals

BAL vs. CIN

Ed hints strongly at this pick, reinforcing his Derrick Henry MVP pick. He believes the Ravens' running attack will dominate the Bengals' "porous" defense.

Ed

Eagles over Bears

PHI vs. CHI

Ed believes the Bears' luck runs out on Black Friday. While he isn't bullish on the Eagles' offense, he thinks their defense will "bottle up" Caleb and the Bears, holding them to 17 points or fewer.

Ed

Bills over Steelers

BUF vs. PIT

Ed agrees the game will be close, but ultimately believes Josh Allen will bounce back and lead a late, final-drive victory in Pittsburgh, though the Steelers will cover the spread.

Ed

Jets over Falcons (Upset)

NYJ vs. ATL

Ed sees the Jets playing hard and being a more "competent professional offense" with Tyrod Taylor. He acknowledges it will be an "ugly game that nobody watches," but predicts the Jets pull off the minor upset.

What’s Next?

With a jam-packed schedule and nine total points up for grabs this week, Thanksgiving promises to be one of the most consequential weeks of the year for Darin and Ed. Will Darin hold onto his narrow 56-54 lead, or will Ed use the bonus points to finally take the season lead? Tune in next week for the dramatic results!