Sports History Network

In 1982, Mark Henderson drove his John Deere out onto the turf to clear a spot for New England kicker John Smith to kick the game winning field goal.

In 2002, high school phenom LeBron James made his TV debut as ESPN2 broadcast his high school game.

In 1978, Boston Celtics player/coach Dave Cowens first fouled out as a player and then was ejected as the coach.

In 1965, Chicago Bears rookie Gale Sayers scored 6 touchdowns in a variety of ways in a 61-20 win of San Francisco.

In 1968, tennis pioneer Arthur Ashe became the first black man to be ranked number one in the world.

In 1959, Jack Brabham ran out of fuel and had to push his car over the finish line. He finished fourth and won the championship.

And in 2022, college football coach Mike Leach passed away. Here's the audio to his 2017 press conference talking about the college playoffs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_nuMEtwUW4

In 1938, the New York Giants became the first franchise to win multiple championships.

In 1977, the Tampa Bay Buccaneerrs won their first ever game.

In 1985, the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks combined to score 21 goals.

In 1981, Muhammad Ali fought his fight, losing in a decision to Trevor Berbick.

In 1951, Joe DiMaggio retired.

In 2002, Michael Jordan playing for the Washington Wizards played against Scottie Pippen and the Portland Trailblazers.

In 1971, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored 55 and pulled 17 boards in a win against Boston. It was highest point output in a game in his career.

In 1971, the New York Mets traded pitcher Nolan Ryan to the California Angels for shortstop Jim Fregosi.

In 2002, the Texas Rangers signed Alex Rodriguez to a 10-year, $252 million deal.

In 1989, New York Giant Gary Reasons came up with 'the Hit' against Denver to keep the Broncos off the scoreboard.

In 2017, Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger completed 44 passes for 506 yards, his third 500+ yard passing game of his career, the first to do it.

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.

Week 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.

CompetitorCorrect 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 Points

Darin struggled, losing his Thursday night pick (Cowboys) and his commitment to the Jets, managing only partial points on the Packers and Bengals games.

Darin 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.

Ed 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.

Current Status (Week 14 Standings)

Ed's Projection

Analysis

AFC North Winner (PIT)

STAYS

Ed 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 OUT

Ed 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 OUT

Ed correctly guesses that the Chargers (LAC) will be the Wild Card team to drop.

Team to Replace JAX

Kansas 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.

Current Status (Week 14 Standings)

Ed's Projection

Analysis

NFC West Winner (LAR)

FALLS TO WILD CARD

Ed 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)

STAYS

Darin 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 OUT

Ed 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.

Darin 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.

Matchup

Darin's Pick

Ed's Pick

Consensus/Analysis

Ravens at Bengals

Ravens

Did Not Pick

Darin picks a Ravens rebound win, citing Lamar Jackson’s running game and a motivated team coming off a controversial loss.

Chiefs at Chargers

Chiefs

Chiefs

Consensus. 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 Patriots

Bills

Bills

Consensus. 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 Broncos

Broncos

Packers

Head-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 Rams

Did Not Pick

Lions (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 Panthers

Panthers

Did Not Pick

Darin picks the Panthers to win by 10 or more, believing their defense is "stingy enough" to trouble the Saints' young quarterback.

Dolphins at Steelers

Did Not Pick

Steelers

Ed 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.

Larry Bird pulled out a performance for the ages in Game 5 of the first round of the 1991 NBA Playoffs. He suffered an injury to his face, but still found a way to perform.

CREDITS

Rick Loayza: Head researcher, writer, and voice

Jacob Loayza: Editor, producer, and publisher

MUSIC

"Rap Beat" by MaverickMyers

"Horizons" by Roa

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Yesterday's Sports is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

The Atlanta Falcons joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1966. Like most expansion teams, they struggled during their first five seasons, winning only 16 of 70 games. They recorded their first winning season in 1971, finishing 7–6–1, and followed that with a 7–7 record in 1972.

The first game of the 1973 season couldn't have gone any better for the Falcons, as they blew out the Saints 62–7. It was the third biggest blowout in NFL history up to that point, and still ranks in the top six all-time as of 2025......

You can read the full blog post here.

YESTERDAY'S SPORTS BACKGROUND

Host Mark Morthier grew up in New Jersey just across the river from New York City during the 1970s, a great time for sports in the area. He relives great moments from this time and beyond, focusing on football, baseball, basketball, and boxing. You may even see a little Olympic Weightlifting in the mix, as Mark competed for eight years. See Mark's book below.

No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training: A Guide For People With Limited Time

Running Wild: (Growing Up In The 1970s)

In 2018, the Miami Dolphins pulled off a two-lateral final play to stun the New England Patriots.

In 1984, LA Rams running back Eric Dickerson broke OJ Simpson's single season rushing record.

In 1934, the 5-foot, 140 pound equipment guy for the New York Giants was the biggest man on the field after finding nine pairs of sneakers.

In 2001, Notre Dame hired George O'Leary as their coach. His tenure lasted five days.

In 1977, LA Laker Kermit Washington punched Houston Rocket Rudy Tomjanovich during a game, nearly killing him. That moment affected both players negatively for the rest of their careers.

In 1935, University of Chicago running back Jay Berwanger won the first ever Heisman awarded.

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

In 2013, a huge snow storm blanketed several NFL cities in snow, making for some interesting games. Detroit at Philadelphia, Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay, Kansas City Chiefs at Washington, Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh, and then the Minnesota Vikings and the Baltimore Ravens played a wild final 2:05.

In 1940, the Chicago Bears leveled a good amount of fury against the Washington Redskins with their 73-0 win.

In 1961, Wilt Chamberlain scored 78 points for the single game scoring record. It was a prelude for what he would do four months later.

The 2025 College Football Playoff brackets have been officially announced, revealing a landscape fraught with both excitement and controversy. The selection process has stirred considerable debate, particularly regarding the inclusion of certain teams over others, leading us to question the criteria employed for such significant decisions. Specifically, we shall delve into the implications of Indiana's remarkable ascendance to the top seed, juxtaposed against the exclusion of notable contenders such as Notre Dame and Texas. Furthermore, we will explore potential remedies to the inconsistencies inherent in conference championship selections, which may have contributed to the current dilemmas faced by the playoff system. Join us as we navigate these critical issues and reflect on the rich history of college football in this inaugural installment of our series.

The recent announcement regarding the 2025 College Football Playoff brackets has elicited a plethora of discussions and considerations within the realm of collegiate athletics. As the playoffs approach, the selection of teams has not only spotlighted the remarkable achievements of certain universities, such as Indiana's historic victory over Ohio State, but has also ignited debates surrounding the criteria for selection and the implications of conference championships. The emergence of Indiana as a top contender is particularly noteworthy. Under the astute guidance of head coach Kurt Signetti, the Hoosiers have transformed their program from obscurity to prominence, culminating in their first Big Ten championship since the 1980s. This victory, alongside similar triumphs from Georgia and Texas Tech, raises questions about the fairness and transparency of the playoff selection process. The absence of traditional powerhouses like Notre Dame and Vanderbilt, despite their commendable records, further complicates the narrative, suggesting that the current system may inadvertently favor certain conferences over others, thereby compromising the integrity of the playoffs. Consequently, as we delve deeper into the intricacies of this year's playoff structure, we must critically examine the existing framework and consider potential reforms that could enhance the competitiveness and inclusiveness of the postseason.