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Pigskin Dispatch

Darin Hayes

Get a daily glimpse at the history of American football highlighting the events, people, teams, and anniversaries that took place on the calendar day, the year, or the story that the episode centers on. The show is in lock-step with our website PigskinDispatch.com to bring football fans of all ages a refreshing and fun gridiron experience!

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  • S7 · E1622
    Today · 35 min· Video

    We Unpack the True Origins of the Redskins and Commanders

    I welcome author Mike Richman to unpack his Washington Pro Football Encyclopedia, Redskins and Commanders, the definitive history that traces the team name origins, helmet logo evolution, and the recent return of Native American imagery. Mike explains that the Redskins name arose from three factors: a move to Fenway and a link to the Red Sox, the hiring of coach Lone Star Dietz and Native players, and a 1929 silent film titled Redskin. We review the many helmet designs over time, including the spear, the single R, and the composite chief portrait that became the long‑standing logo. He highlights the book’s new material, which adds season summaries through 2025, expanded player biographies, and sidebars on events such as Sean Taylor’s death and Alex Smith’s recovery. I note that the franchise has begun restoring traditional burgundy and gold, that Redskins merchandise recently sold out to retain the trademark, and that further restoration of imagery or the name may occur with the new stadium. 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? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

    • Transcript
    • Chapters
  • S7 · E1621
    Friday · 22 min

    Revealing the NFL's Winningest and Worst Franchises Since 1970

    Professor Perry presents the definitive accounting of every NFL franchise’s wins and losses since the 1970 AFL–NFL merger, foregrounding the achievement of teams that have reached or approached the 500-win threshold. We delineate that the Pittsburgh Steelers lead the modern era with roughly 530 victories and that the Dallas Cowboys likewise sit above 500 wins, while franchises such as the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals have eclipsed approximately 500 regular-season defeats. I explain the metric of cumulative championships and win–loss totals as the principal lens, and I contextualize anomalies caused by franchise absences and historical schedule variations. We trace franchise trajectories, noting, for example, the Raiders’ temporary fall below .500 and Pittsburgh’s sustained ascendancy that places it well ahead of peers. I describe the book as an annually updated reference that compiles season-by-season records, winning percentages, and interpretive commentary, and I indicate that copies are available on Amazon with the option for author signatures. 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? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

    • Transcript
  • S7 · E1620
    Thursday · 20 min

    We Predict a Rams Bounce Back and Chiefs Control Their Game

    The central point is that we present our Week Six NFL game predictions and discuss the betting results to date. I am Darren Hayes and I am joined by Ed Cleese as we make picks both straight up and against the spread. We note that Ed leads the spread standings and has net winnings, while I have sustained losses. We give specific game calls, including Seahawks over Broncos, Texans over the Jaguars in London, and New Orleans over the Giants, and we debate several close contests. We review team form, injuries, and coaching impacts and offer cautious guidance on wagering. We invite you to visit PigskinDispatch.com for more history and analysis and we will return with further predictions next week. 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? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. We present a focused and methodical review of our Week Six prognostications and the reasoning that undergirds each selection. I recount the ledger of our season to date, noting that Ed presently leads in both straight-up and spread success and that the financial accounting we maintain has yielded divergent outcomes for our listeners depending upon whether they follow spread advice. We proceed to adjudicate each game in chronological order: Seattle at Denver, Houston in London versus Jacksonville, Chicago at Atlanta, Baltimore at Cleveland, Tennessee at Indianapolis, New England at New York, New Orleans at New York, Philadelphia at Carolina, Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay, Los Angeles Rams at Arizona, Kansas City at Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo at Las Vegas, Dallas at Green Bay, and San Francisco at Washington. I supply succinct verdicts on winners and likely covers, and we emphasize prudence where uncertainty prevails, especially in rivalry matchups and contests impacted by travel and recent emotional swings.

    • Transcript
  • S7 · E1619
    Wednesday · 24 min

    NFL History is Made- Week 5 in the Rear View Mirror

    Ed Kleese joins us as we review the history-making Week 5 of the 2026 NFL season. Ed rants about his Commanders' blunder, and we enjoy the week's best moments. Of course, the Scorimangi Index score is released. 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? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

    • Transcript
  • S7 · E1618
    Tuesday · 15 min

    We Uncover the Rams' 1948 Horns and Why Few Noticed

    Timoth Brown if Football Archaeology joins me to state plainly that helmet logos were not immediate: the Los Angeles Rams painted horns on their helmets in 1948 and the change went largely unnoticed until decades later. Tim explains why early teams often put markings on the back or top of helmets and why the side logo only became standard later. We trace scattered experiments in the 1920s and 1930s, the Rams’ 1948 horns, and the slow adoption by NFL teams through the 1950s and early 1960s. We conclude that television visibility, the need for clear team identification on small black-and-white sets, and the rise of licensing and branding drove the widespread use of side helmet logos. We note that colleges delayed widespread logo use because of TV numbers and inconsistent placement until the late 1960s and 1970s. The conversation is based on Tim's recent article titled: The Horns of the Rams’ Dilemma - https://www.footballarchaeology.com/p/the-horns-of-the-rams-dilemma 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? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

    • Transcript
  • S7 · E1617
    October 9 · 18 min

    We Trace the Bears' Story from 1920 to Today

    Scott Pery and his alter ego, Professor Perry, join us to trace the Chicago Bears' history, focusing on the team's lineage since 1970, based on findings from Scott's book NFL Since 1970. Learn the amazing journey that the Bears have had in Scott's life's work of monitoring NFL teams and the W/L records since 1970. 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? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

    • Transcript
  • S7 · E1616
    October 8 · 32 min

    We Predict Key Upsets: Chargers, Jets, and Commanders

    Guest Ed Kleese and I present our Week Five 2026 NFL prediction show, focusing on our game-by-game forecasts and the current state of our records. I note that Ed holds a substantial advantage against the spread, having a hypothetical profit of $530 versus my $-940 when wagering $100 per pick. We enumerate key selections, including Dallas over Tampa Bay, Jacksonville favored in London over Philadelphia, and the Bengals to prevail in Miami, and we offer opinions on who will cover the lines. I underscore concerns about the Eagles’ faltering offense and the league’s prevailing unpredictability, which we observe can lead to rapid reversals of fortune. We identify several consequential matchups later in the week, such as 49ers at Seahawks and Bills at Rams, and we close by inviting listeners to consult pigskindispatch.com for additional analysis and to join our subsequent history and prediction segments. 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? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

    • Transcript
  • S7 · E1615
    October 7 · 23 min

    We Explain the NFL's 0‑4 Teams and Their 1976 Echoes

    We observed that five teams began the season 0-4, the first time that has occurred since 1976. Guest Ed Kleese identifies those teams as the Dolphins, Texans, Titans, Chargers, and Bucks. We also noted that the Minnesota Vikings opened 4-0 and recorded two wins without scoring a touchdown, a feat not seen since the 1934 Detroit Lions. I examined several rare score facts, including a 32–26 finish that has only happened twice in NFL history and a near-scoragami weekend. We reviewed other historical items such as the Bears earning three wins in four games with three different starting quarterbacks and the Chiefs’ early defensive anomaly of no sacks through three games. I closed by inviting listeners to join our preview and predictions for Week 5. Chapters 00:11 Ed Kleese: Week 4 NFL History (2026) 03:23 The 4–0 Teams: Vikings' Defensive Oddity & Early Surprises 08:59 The Bills in the Josh Allen Era 11:38 Night Games & NFC South Highlights 16:32 Scoregami: The Week's Rarest Final Scores 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? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. We recount a weekend of NFL history and its surprising patterns. Ed and I focus on the unusual cluster of 0-4 teams and on the 4-0 teams that have distinguished themselves. We note that five teams started 0-4, a situation last seen in 1976, and we trace the fate of those old teams to show how rare long recoveries can be. I describe the 1992 San Diego Chargers who reached the playoffs after an 0-4 start. I also examine the Vikings’ early success. We highlight defensive feats, such as the Vikings winning games without scoring touchdowns and the Detroit Lions’ 1934 shutout run. We weigh the prospects for teams like the Texans, Chargers, and Buccaneers, which were expected to do better, and we contrast them with Minnesota and Kansas City, who look balanced and dangerous. The summary emphasizes history, context, and the lessons that form from these trends.

    • Transcript
  • S7 · E1614
    October 6 · 16 min· Video

    Remembering the Lost 1893 West Point Night Game at the Chicago World's Fair

    We recount the remarkable 1893 contest between the United States Military Academy and the Chicago Athletic Club, an early and consequential night and indoor football game staged amid the illuminations of the Columbian Exposition. I explain that West Point cadets encamped on the fairgrounds for weeks and that the match was played in the stock pavilion beneath electric lights, rendering it one of the earliest documented contests conducted under artificial illumination. We describe how the Chicago Athletic Club, composed largely of accomplished former college players, prevailed, and how Coach Bliss—recently engaged by West Point—astonishingly entered the second half for Chicago and scored against the cadets. I situate the game within the broader milieu of the World's Fair, noting that the exposition’s technological innovations and transient architectural fabric provided an extraordinary backdrop for experiments in evening play. We underscore that the affair exemplifies the idiosyncratic practices of late-nineteenth-century sport—temporary venues, tan-bark surfaces, and ad hoc rosters—and that its preservation enriches our understanding of the early evolution of American football. The conversation is based on Tim's recent article titled: The 1893 West Point-Chicago AC Night Game - https://www.footballarchaeology.com/p/todays-tidbit-the-1893-west-point ⏰ Timecodes ⏰ 00:07 Football at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair 04:11 Scheduling the 1893 West Point–Chicago AC Night Game 05:23 The Chicago AC Game — Coach Bliss Plays Against West Point 09:40 Chicago World's Fair: Innovations That Shaped Today 11:59 How to Read More: Subscribe to FootballArchaeology.com Do you want more football history? Grab a copy of our Award-Winning book, "The World's Greatest Pro Gridiron Team: The 1903 Franklin All-Stars" at https://amzn.to/4rG6uVe 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? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

    • Transcript
  • S7 · E1613
    October 5 · 32 min

    We Explore Why the Giants Once Played at the Yale Bowl

    I am joined in the episode by podcast Joe Santos as he recounts how the New York Giants were displaced from Yankee Stadium and forced to play their home games at the Yale Bowl in New Haven. We explain that the move resulted from lease complications and urgent renovations that closed Yankee Stadium. I describe the practical problems that followed, including long fan travel, split team operations, and inadequate facilities at the Yale Bowl. We discuss the public and political backlash, the financial consequences, and the effect on team performance. I draw on archival research and interviews to show how this episode of homelessness shaped both the franchise and its supporters. We also note related work on early Patriots history and my continuing efforts to preserve NFL history. You can find Joe's podcast New York Giants Without a Home on the Sports History Network or your favorite podcast provider. 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? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

    • Transcript
  • S7 · E1612
    October 3 · 13 min· Video

    The Story of John Heisman and Pop Warner's Deception Feud

    Deception in football drove major rule changes, including the banning of a play that hid the ball under a player’s jersey. I recount how John Heisman and Pop Warner each claimed and traded that play for decades. We describe Heisman’s hidden-ball tactic at Auburn and Warner’s elastic garment trick at Carlisle that compelled rulemakers to act. I narrate the rivalry moments that followed, from Heisman’s 222–0 rout of Cumberland to Warner’s 32–0 victory with Pitt. We explain how both coaches also promoted legal innovations, such as the forward pass and the jump shift, which were later constrained. I conclude that their ingenuity reshaped the sport and that the rule book ultimately outlawed their most extreme devices. 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? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. I recount the rivalry between John Heisman and Pop Warner as a contest of invention, tactic, and consequence. I describe how both men embraced deception as a means to victory and how their experiments altered the game. I trace Heisman’s career across Auburn, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Penn, and Rice, and Warner’s path from Cornell to Carlisle and Pittsburgh. I explain concrete plays: the hiding of the ball under the jersey, the elastic seam devices Warner used, and Heisman’s advocacy for the forward pass. I note specific meetings between the two men, including the 1895 Auburn–Georgia clash and later encounters in Pittsburgh, and I emphasize how those games produced strategies that confounded opponents and prompted rule changes. I reflect on the institutional response to their innovations. I note the formal ban in 1910 on the disguised-ball play and the later restrictions that limited shifting and motion, such as the rule permitting only one man in motion. I describe how Heisman’s legal mind pushed for rule reform while Warner’s creative offense, exemplified by the single wing and pre-snap shifts, forced the sport to codify limits. I close by situating their legacy: they expanded the tactical vocabulary of football and compelled authorities to adapt the rules in order to preserve a balance between creativity and fair play.

    • Transcript
  • S7 · E1611
    October 2 · 17 min

    Chronicle Review of Al Davis and the Raiders' Legacy

    Guest historian Scott Perry explores Raiders history. He examines the Raiders as the Broncos’ chief rival and traces the franchise’s rise to multiple championships and its prolonged decline since 2002. I recount the team’s origin in Oakland, the impact of Al Davis, and the Super Bowl titles in 1976, 1980, and 1983. We describe pivotal games and moments that shaped the rivalry with Denver and influenced NFL history. I document the post-2002 downturn, noting only two winning seasons and sustained mediocrity thereafter. We also discuss my book that ranks teams by winning percentage since the 1970 merger and provides detailed team histories. I direct listeners to our website and show notes for further information and resources. Scott frames the conversation around his book, NFL Since 1970, which provides a visual record of franchise standings. 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? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

    • Transcript
  • S7 · E1610
    October 1 · 30 min

    Complete Week 4 NFL Predictions

    We present our Week 4 NFL predictions and emphasize that the league remains highly unpredictable. I and my colleague provide both straight-up and against-the-spread picks and note how our early results have diverged. We highlight the Thursday night Steelers–Browns game as an important primetime contest and offer split views on the outcome. Guest-host Ed Kleese joins us once again to help identify the Jaguars–Bengals matchup as an early-season bellwether for AFC contention. We discuss concerns about quarterback injuries, especially Jaden Daniels’s elbow issue, and we explain how such injuries shape team strategy. We conclude with specific game choices, acknowledge considerable uncertainty, and invite listeners to compare our picks next week. 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? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

    • Transcript
  • S7 · E1609
    September 30 · 19 min

    We Review Teams in Trouble and Those Making History in Week Three

    I state that week three of the 2026 NFL season produced several historical moments and notable upsets. We recount a rare primetime home collapse by the Packers and note that the Texans and Chargers sit at 0–3 despite historical examples of teams recovering from similar starts. I describe the Cowboys’ critical late-game time management error when they elected a touchback and failed to remove clock time. We note Denver’s back-to-back comeback wins from double-digit second half deficits and Washington scoring twenty points off turnovers for the first time in twenty-one years. I highlight that the Raiders and Saints tied the all-time mark for tight end touchdowns in a game and that Jameer Gibbs passed Billy Sims for second in franchise rushing touchdowns. We conclude that these events will shape narratives heading into week four and that we will present our week four picks tomorrow. 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? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

    • Transcript
  • S7 · E1608
    September 29 · 16 min· Video

    We Discuss How Pop Warner Shaped the Forward Pass and Modern Offense

    Pop Warner predicted the single wing would return and that the T formation would disappear, and we open by examining that claim from his 1950 interview. I speak with historian Timothy P. Brown to place Warner’s forecast in historical context and to explain how his innovations, including early use of the forward pass, influenced the game. We describe how Warner built his schemes around singular athletes like Jim Thorpe and Ernie Nevers and why many teams could not sustain those formations. I acknowledge that the T formation instead became dominant for decades, yet note that modern schemes such as the Wildcat, zone read, and RPO show echoes of single wing concepts. We invite listeners to explore footballarchaeology.com for more research and to consider how older strategies reappear in new forms. The conversation is based on Tim's recent article titled: Pop Warner Looks Forward and Back - https://www.footballarchaeology.com/p/todays-tidbit-pop-warner-looks-forward ⏰ Timecodes ⏰ 00:11 Pop Warner's Bold Prediction: The T Formation's Future 00:23 Digging into the Gridiron Archives — Timothy Brown on Pop Warner 03:43 Pop Warner — Innovator of the Forward Pass and Single Wing 07:17 Warner, Grantland Rice, and the Single-Wing Revival 09:15 Evolution of the Quarterback: From Drop-Back Stars to Mobile Playmakers 12:41 Antiquated Offenses and Where to Find Tim's Tidbits Do you want more football history? Grab a copy of our Award-Winning book, "The World's Greatest Pro Gridiron Team: The 1903 Franklin All-Stars" at https://amzn.to/4rG6uVe 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? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

    • Transcript
  • S7 · E1607
    September 26 · 28 min

    We Remember the Underdog 1976 Pitt Panthers & the Sugar Bowl Triumph

    We present the 1976 Pittsburgh Panthers as national champions and a remarkable, rapid rebuild under coach Johnny Majors, led by Heisman winner Tony Dorsett. I speak with author David Finoli about his book, 1976 National Champion Pitt Panthers: Miracle on Cardiac Hill. We recount the team’s rise from a one‑win program to national prominence and the key games that secured the title. I describe the team’s balanced strengths, including a dominant rushing attack, fast and cohesive defense, and resilient coaching. We reflect on the season’s lasting impact on Pittsburgh and college football. I direct listeners to the show notes for links to the book and additional resources. 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? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website. I recount the arc of the 1976 Pitt Panthers as a deliberate and methodical recovery from institutional neglect to national acclaim. I describe how John Majors arrived to a moribund program and set the cultural and structural groundwork that permitted dramatic recruitment and development. I emphasize Tony Dorsett’s prodigious rushing, the adaptive quarterbacking from Matt Kavanaugh to walk‑on Tommy Usick, and a defense led by Al Romano, Bob Jury and others that neutralized elite opponents. I trace the season through signature victories at Notre Dame and Penn State and conclude with the decisive Sugar Bowl performance against Georgia. I underscore that the championship was not the consequence of transient stars alone but of coaching, institutional investment, local talent cultivation, and sustained discipline. I also note the wider social resonance in Pittsburgh and how the team reanimated local fandom and produced a persistent legacy for the program.

    • Transcript
  • S7 · E1606
    September 25 · 15 min

    We Chronicle the Oilers' Rise, Falls, and Enduring Legacy

    Join us as Scott Perry returns to the podcast for a deep dive into the fascinating history of the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans. Scott argues that despite the move from Texas to Tennessee, the franchise possesses an unbroken identity that shapes everything we see on the field today. Scott frames the conversation around his book, NFL Since 1970, which provides a visual record of franchise standings. We trace the journey from the pre-merger roots and early AFL glory days—including the costly release of George Blanda—through the turbulent post-merger decades. From the agonizing late-70s playoff battles against Pittsburgh and the high-flying Warren Moon era to the devastating 1993 Buffalo comeback and the magical run to Super Bowl XXXIV, every era has left its mark. The conversation also covers modern milestones, such as the 2019 playoff upset in Foxborough that signaled the end of Tom Brady's Patriots career, alongside the ongoing evolution of team culture, coaching, and aesthetics (including the beloved "Love You Blue" throwbacks). Key Highlights Franchise Continuity: Why the Oilers and Titans story is one continuous, connected narrative. Historical Turning Points: Examining the impact of pivotal personnel choices like letting George Blanda go. Heartbreak and Triumph: Revisiting the highs of the Warren Moon years and Super Bowl XXXIV alongside the lows of the 1993 Buffalo collapse. Modern Eras: Breaking down the 2019 New England playoff stunner and recent shifts in team identity. Aesthetic Heritage: How modern uniform updates and helmet designs reconnect fans to the "Love You Blue" era. Featured Book: Scott introduces his comprehensive compendium, NFL Since 1970, which contextualizes these moments within the wider post-merger landscape. Note: Check out the show notes below for links to Scott Perry's book, NFL Since 1970, and archival artifacts mentioned in this episode! Make sure to check out Scott's web pages at https://nflsince1970.com/ 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? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

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  • S7 · E1605
    September 24 · 16 min

    We Predict Week 3 NFL Winners and Covers

    Ed Kleese joins us once again as we present predictions for Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season and provide picks both straight up and against the point spread. I am 21- 11 straight up, and Ed leads 18- 14 against the spread. We proceed game by game and discuss our differing views on several key matchups. Notable disagreements include Bills versus Chargers and Rams versus Broncos. We favor teams such as the 49ers, Chiefs, Saints, and Vikings to cover their spreads. Visit pigskindispatch.com and the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel for the full discussion and our detailed picks. 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? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

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  • S7 · E1604
    September 23 · 19 min

    We Summarize Week 2 NFL History and Scorigami Results; The Birth of the "Scoregasm"

    Week two of the 2026 NFL season was manifestly momentous and historically significant, and we convey that central observation without equivocation. I was joined by Ed Kleese as we cataloged an array of notable milestones, among them Devin Lloyd’s exceedingly rare single-game compilation of a sack, multiple interceptions, and a touchdown; Patrick Mahomes’ ascension to an 8–0 mark in regular-season overtime contests, thereby establishing a new NFL benchmark; and the fact that no new Scorigami was recorded this week, with 41–31 (Buffalo over Detroit) registering as the rarest final score. The origin of the "Scoregasm" comes to life here, in a story from Ed you don't want to miss! We examined franchise-specific anomalies and streaks, including the Panthers’ defensive resurgence, the Steelers’ prolonged difficulties in Foxborough since the Brady era, Dak Prescott’s record-tying dominance in AT&T Stadium against NFC East opponents, and the Browns’ emerging rookie Denzel Boston entering the record books with successive long touchdown receptions. We further observed that the Packers–Jets 20–17 result remains the most prevalent final score in league annals, now occurring for the 303rd time, and that our week-two Scorigami ME index registered a 73.18. I invite the audience to regard these developments as substantive contributions to the evolving ledger of football history, and we will continue to preserve and expound upon such records in subsequent discussions. 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? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

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  • S7 · E1603
    September 22 · 15 min· Video

    Chronicle of Army's Triple Championship and Historic Wins

    We highlight Army’s back-to-back Heisman winners, Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis, as the central subject. We explain how their teams dominated college football during World War II and in the immediate postwar years. We note that the 1944 team went 9-0 and won a national title while holding opponents to seven points or fewer, and that the 1945 team produced lopsided wins such as 48-0 over Notre Dame and 61-0 over Penn. We describe their complementary styles, with Davis running a quick sweep and Blanchard using a counter out of a full house T. We credit Colonel Earl H. Blake as their coach and explain how Army’s service academy status helped attract talent during the war. We point listeners to footballarchaeology.com for play diagrams and further detail. We invite readers to visit pigskindispatch.com for more positive football history. 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? Test your Gridiron Knowledge, we feed you Daily with our new FREE activity, The Pigskin Trivia Drive. Grab a copy of our latest book, "Marooned," on the 1925 Pottsville Maroons NFL franchise saga. *OR* Grab a copy of our book on Western Pennsylvania football history, "World's Greatest Gridiron Team" on the 1903 Franklin All-Stars Drop us a line at PigskinDispatch@gmail .com and check out and subscribe to the Pigskin Dispatch YouTube channel. Contact us directly at PigskinDispatch@Gmail.com Miss our football by the day of the year podcasts, well, don't because they can still be found at the Pigskin Dispatch website.

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Showing 1–20 of 57 episodes