the wild card picks

"She's all laid up in bed,
With a broken heart.
And I'm drinking Jack,
All alone in my local bar.

(And we don't know how ...)

We got into
This mad situation;
Doing things only
Out of frustration.

(Trying to make it work,
But man -- these times are hard!)

She needs me now;
But I can't seem to find the time.
I've got a new job now,
On the unemployment line.

(And we don't know how ...)

We got into this mess --
Is this God's test?
Someone help us!
'Cause we're doing our best!

(Trying to make it work,
But man -- these times are hard!)

But we're gonna start by
Drinking old cheap bottles of wine!
(And stay) Sh*t talking up all night!
Saying things we haven't for a while!

We're smiling, but we're close to tears --
'Cause even after all these years?
We just now, got the feeling?  That we're meeting?
For the first time! ..."

-- "For The First Time" by The Script.

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Last Week SU: 12-4-0.
Final SU Record: 158-98-0.

Last Week ATS: 11-5-0.
Final ATS Record: 143-102-11.

(Let's just skip the Upset of the Week stats, ok?)

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The Non-Chiefs Predictions:

* "Shane" Falcons (+5 1/2) 31, at Rams 28 (OT).  I have flipped on this one at least fifteen times since I started typing this Tuesday morning.  At least fifteen times.  I honestly believe whoever wins this game, is going to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.  And to be further honest, the ONLY reason I think the Rams might win this thing is Son of Bum.  Wade's had two weeks to prepare for this.  He tends to embarrass teams when you give him extra time to prep.  In the end, I think Matt Ryan finds a way to pull this one out of his ass.  I just have no idea how.

* at Saints 48, Panthers (+8) 45 (OT).  This is going to be real, and it is going to be spectacular.  This is going to be the funnest game to watch that (probably) has no bearing on the Chiefs whatsoever in the postseason, since the 51-45 Cardinals win in overtime in 2009 over the Packers.  I don't think either team will be able to stop the other.  I cannot wait to watch this one.

* at Jaguars (-8) 24, Bills 14.  If Shady plays, I can be talked into the upset, or at least the cover.  One of the few conservative voices I actually like, Ben Shapiro, has this segment on his podcast called "Good Trump / Bad Trump -- Which One Will We Get Today!"  Doesn't the same apply to Blake Bortles?  "Good Blake / Bad Blake -- Which One Will We Get Today!"  I think we get mediocre Blake ... which is enough to beat anything but career-day Tyrod.  Which we ain't getting.

The Chiefs Prognostication:

(stevo shuffling the sermon notes)
("the congregation" getting restless)

Allow me to open, by once again quoting the single greatest, uuh, quote, I've read about the 2016 Chiefs so far, written by Seth Keysor at Arrowhead Pride to describe how he felt after the victory over the raiders four weeks ago:

"Backs to the wall, mouths bloodied, eyes blacked, but with head unbowed and fists raised ... the Chiefs now wait for the Chargers."

Just read that quote, and then, if possible, close your eyes, and envision the scene that one simple sentence evokes in your imagination.

And once you've done that, allow me to slightly bastardize a quote from my favorite political speech of my lifetime, Al Gore's acceptance speech at the 2000 Democrat National Convention:

"Let us lift up our eyes, and see just how far and wide the (Chiefs) horizon has become!"

Because Saturday, Chiefs fans?

Let's live the chorus, to the theme for this week's post.

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Sip on those cheap bottles of wine.

Stay up sh*t talking all night.

Say things -- talk to people -- you haven't, for a while.

Smile -- and laugh -- until you're close to tears.

And then realize, after all these years?

That Saturday?  Feels like you're doing this?

For the first time.

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If you're coming Sunday, please feel free to join me and my crew, in the grassy lot north of the G30 sign.  Look for a big red bus with a green roof -- that's us.  As always, anyone and everyone who desires to be a part of our group, will be welcomed with open arms and (if requested or offered) a frosty cold one.

Show up prepared to be what you are -- a fan"atic" of the Red and Gold.  Show up prepared to sacrifice your voice ... for the opportunity to do it again, in Foxboro or The Ketchup Bottle next week.

I have no idea what the tailgating menu is.  I have no idea who all is showing up (although I know it will be a large crowd, based on texts / emails / Messengers -- we're staring 30 plus in the face at this point).

I do know this: if you come out on Saturday?

Do me one favor.  (And I don't ask for much.)

Close your eyes, when you reach your seat.  Calm your persona down.

And then open your eyes.

And see how far and wide, the Chiefs horizon has become.

And realize, you're experiencing football all over again ...

... for the first time.

* at Chiefs (-9) 34, Titans 10.