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.

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.