Week 18 Showdown: A Season of Parity, Ending in a Deadlock!

Darin Hayes welcomed listeners back to the "Pig Pen" at Pigskin Dispatch, the official portal for football history, to set the stage for the final week of the National Football League season. Joined by co-host Ed Kleese, the episode focused on the tradition of their weekly "big bowl predictions" and a look back at a truly bizarre NFL season. After a quick check-in on the weather (Darin is facing a blizzard in the Great Lakes; Ed is enjoying an overcast but warm location), the hosts dove into the meat of Week 17's results.

The State of the League: Flawed Teams and Excitement

Ed opened the discussion on Week 17 by calling the entire 2024 NFL season "weird." He argued that while fans claim they want parity, this year features too many "flawed" teams that could potentially win the Super Bowl—perhaps 10 to 12 teams—which feels "off" compared to dominant dynasties of past eras (like the 70s Steelers, Dolphins, and Raiders).

Darin countered, arguing that the unpredictability creates "spice," keeps more fan bases engaged, and confuses oddsmakers. Both hosts agreed that teams like the Eagles appear "fraudulent" this year, but the open field makes every playoff game matter.

Week 17 Results: The Parity Extends to the Pig Pen!

After 17 weeks of predictions, Darin and Ed have arrived at a spectacular and unexpected dead heat, ensuring that Week 18 will serve as the ultimate tiebreaker.

Darin Hayes

6 Points

78 Points

Successfully pegged the Seahawks victory over the Panthers (2 pts) and correctly predicted the low-scoring nature of the Eagles/Bills game (2 pts). He also gained points for the Texans and 49ers wins.

Ed Kleese

5 Points

78 Points

Also secured a win on the Seahawks game (2 pts) and earned 2 points for correctly picking the Browns win over the Steelers. Ed acknowledged he was wrong about the Rams rolling the Falcons and his "Christmas sweep" prediction.

The Score: Darin 78, Ed 78. The hosts are perfectly tied entering the final week!

Week 18 Predictions: Tiebreaker Time

With everything on the line, the hosts offered their picks for the critical games in Week 18, setting up a head-to-head battle to claim bragging rights for the regular season.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns

This matchup features two teams out of the playoff hunt, but both analysts agreed the game holds significant individual narratives.

The Storylines:

• Myles Garrett’s Record Chase:Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is seeking one final sack to potentially break the single-season record currently held by T.J. Watt and Michael Strahan. Darin believes the Browns will be actively playing to help Garrett achieve this milestone.
• Joe Burrow's Future:Darin brought up media speculation that Joe Burrow may be growing dissatisfied with the Bengals organization, adding a layer of uncertainty to his performance in a seemingly meaningless game. Ed, however, strongly dismissed this, arguing that Burrow is under contract and elite quarterbacks rarely get traded.

The Prediction:

• Darin's Pick:Bengals Win(with a caveat that Myles Garrett gets his record sack).
• Ed's Stance:Agrees Garrett likely gets the record, but doesn't see Burrow leaving Cincinnati.

Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts

This game, while not guaranteeing a division title for the Texans, allows them to finish their strong regular season with momentum.

The Storylines:

• Texans Finishing Strong:Both analysts agreed that the Texans are playing excellent football and will look to put an exclamation point on their season.
• Playoff Implications:While a division win would require a long-shot scenario (Titans beating the Jaguars), the Texans were expected to play hard regardless.

The Prediction:

• Darin & Ed's Pick:Texans Wineasily, potentially blowing out the Colts.

Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears

A classic NFC North rivalry provides the backdrop for a game with significant playoff seeding implications, particularly for the Bears.

The Storylines:

• Rivalry and Revenge:Darin expects the Lions to be "vengeful" and take out their frustrations on their arch-rivals, the Bears.
• NFC Seeding:Ed argued that the Bears have a major incentive to win: securing the two-seed to guarantee a home game against the Packers, which the Bears would prefer over facing the Rams on the road in the playoffs. Despite the incentive, Ed still believes the outcome is inevitable.

The Prediction:

• Darin & Ed's Pick:Lions Win.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens

In what was deemed the "last pick of the regular season," both analysts aligned on a crucial AFC North battle with major playoff implications.

The Storylines:

• Playoff Push & Motivation:Darin embraced a slight "conspiracy theory," suggesting the NFL might want the Aaron Rodgers-led Steelers in the playoffs for the ratings boost.
• Injury and Rest:The status of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (and other key players) was a major factor, with the assumption being that Baltimore would rest starters or play conservatively given their secure playoff position.
• Run Defense:Darin highlighted the Steelers’ improving run defense and the memory of getting "run over" by the Ravens in previous matchups.

The Prediction:

• Darin & Ed's Pick:Steelers Win.
• Darin's Specific Addendum:The Steelers defense will hold Ravens star running back Derrick Henry to 80 yards or less.

With several head-to-head agreements, the final results of Week 18 will determine who enters the postseason competition with the lead in the analysts' ongoing prediction contest.

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Mentioned in this episode:

Sports History Theme Song

This theme song was produced by Ron "Tyke" Oliver of Music Meets Sportz

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