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.

the ten biggest chiefs regular season games, according to stevo ...

"Jane?  You say it's all over,

For you and me girl!

There's a time for love,

And a time for letting it be, baby!

Jane, you're playing a game called,

Called "hard to get" by its real name!

Making believe that you just don't feel the same?

Oh Jane!

Jane?  You're playing a game,

You can never win, girl!

You're staying away, so I'll ask you,

Where you been, baby?

Like a cat and a mouse --

From door to door, and house to house?

Don't you pretend you don't know,

What I'm talking about!

Were all those nights we spent together,

Only because you didn't know better?

I gotta know!

Jane?  You playing a game?

Playing a game?

Playing a game? ..."

-- "Jane" by Jefferson Starship.  It's a rarity folks -- both my mommy and daddy, would LOVE the theme, for this post ...

--------------------

Well, if you’re a Chiefs fan – and let’s be honest, if you’re not, what exactly attracted your attention to this site, since about 44.29% of what’s posted here, is related to the Red and Gold – if you’re a Chiefs fan, you got what you wanted on Sunday.

The Chiefs gave the raiders the business, taking them to the woodshed by a final of 31-13, and ensuring they did their part, to make the Week Sixteen game at Pittsburgh amongst the ten most important regular season games this franchise has played in the last thirty some odd years.

It’s really simple now, kids.  The season rests on this game … and then the one after it.  And the one after that. 

And so on.  Until seven straight is completed.

I noted that yesterday, leaving the stadium, when Ryan and I had what can only be described as a “high infinity”* moment – this is the first of seven straight.  Seven straight “win or else” games.  Seven straight must win contests, to ensure the season is so epically … hang on, let me do this one right.

(30 year old stevo voice) Season!  F*CKING!  On!!!!!!!!

--------------------

(*: the “high infinity”, for those of you who tragically have never seen “How I Met Your Mother”, is a high-five to shame every high five throughout eternity.  It is the “high infinity”.  And yes, we both sprinted towards the other, slammed those right hands together … and those right hands hurt worse than a thirteen year old’s right hand discovering himself for the first time.)

--------------------

It’s been at least 2006 since the Chiefs played a regular season contest as gigantic as Sunday will be, and arguably it’s 2005, since both “win to stay alive” contests in 2006 required multiple other outcomes to break our way, to reach the postseason.  2010, the Chiefs had margin for error – plenty of it.  Ditto last year.  Ditto 2003, when the Chiefs clinched a playoff berth over Thanksgiving weekend in San Diego, and clinched the division three weeks later,

Here, then, is this (not even remotely) humble blogger’s opinion, on the ten most important regular season games, the Red and Gold has played, in my lifetime.  (Which began thirty (gulp) eight years ago, come Wildcard Saturday.)

--------------------

10. Colts at Chiefs, Week Sixteen, 1996.

Outcome: Colts 24, Chiefs 19.

Result: well, personally, a profitable one, as I had wagered my dad when the Chiefs made the (idiotic) switch from Steve Bono to Dick Gannon, that the loser had to cover the winner’s Chrismukkah gift costs for 1996 (up to $200).  The wager?  I bet the 8-4 Chiefs would miss the playoffs; my dad wagered we’d make it.  The lesson?  Damned if I know; it’s the one wager I’ve won in my life, and I’ve never been more disgusted to be right.

Most folks will point to Game Seven in this list as the key defeat in 1996, and you wouldn’t be wrong, since Week Seventeen’s loss is what actually cost the Chiefs a playoff berth.  But this is the game that got away.  And was the second of (six and counting) inconsolable defeats to Indianapolis with the season on the line, over the last twenty years.

9. Titans at Chiefs, Week Sixteen, 2010.

Outcome: Chiefs 34, Titans 14.

Result: the Chiefs clinched their first playoff berth in four years, and first division title in seven.  This was the last game that counts the Chiefs would win, for nearly 300 more days, as the Chiefs would drop the finale to oakland, the Wildcard Game to Baltimore, and the first three games to open the 2011 season, before finally beating the Vikings, to end the misery.

8. donkeys at Chiefs, Week Fourteen, 1986.

Outcome: Chiefs 37, donkeys 10.

Result: the lunacy that is me.  This is the first NFL game I remember attending.  I apologize for nothing, when it comes to my feelings for the Red and Gold, as a result of my attendance, that afternoon.

7. Chiefs at Bills, Week Seventeen, 1996.

Outcome: Bills 20, Chiefs 9.

Result: somehow, the Chiefs still almost made the playoffs, despite losing 4 of 5 (3 straight) to end the season.  All we needed was a 21 yard Morten Anderson field goal in Jacksonville, to propel the Falcons to the win over the Jaguars.  Of course he shanked it.

This game also inspired the gag-gift of a lifetime, as many Chiefs fans were giving Steve Bono jerseys as Christmas gifts that season, thanks to the Chiefs epic collapse (which wasn’t even remotely Mr. Bono’s fault).  For those of you who have noticed?  You now get the joke.  For those of you who haven’t?  Let’s just say, I don’t do anything by accident, and I don’t believe in coincidence.  The Coozie has 13 on it for a reason, and it ain’t to taunt or tempt the dark side. 

6. raiders at Chiefs, Week Sixteen, 2011.

Outcome: raiders 16, Chiefs 13 (overtime).

Result: it’s criminal, how little Chiefs fans remember of 2011.  If the Chiefs had won this contest, they’d have won the AFC West at 8-8, instead of timmy tebow and satan’s squad.  It’s not quite as criminal as firing Todd Haley for no good reason, other than our dumb f*ck of a general manager thought he knew what he was doing.  But it’s close.  Again – despise starting a quarterback who couldn’t beat out timmy tebow, despise falling to 5-8, despite firing their head coach, despise losing their best player (Jamaal Charles) in week three for the season, the 2011 Chiefs simply had to beat the raiders at home to win the AFC West.  And they failed to do it.

5. Chargers at Chiefs, Week Fifteen, 1989.

Outcome: Chargers 20, Chiefs 13.

Result: according to the official game page thingy, it was 18 degrees at kickoff.  The only way it was eighteen degrees was if there was a minus sign in front of it.  This is one of the coldest, most brutal games I’ve ever attended, and the ending didn’t help.  The Chiefs – who played like chefs most of the day – managed to get inside the San Diego 20 with a shot to tie as time wound down, only to see Steve DeBerg’s effort intercepted, to seal a playoff-less season.  Had the Chiefs won this game, they would have hosted the AFC Wild Card game two weeks later, against the Houston Oilers (who they’d already boatraced 34-0 four weeks earlier).

4. Chiefs at Steelers, Week Sixteen, 1986.

Outcome: Chiefs 24, Steelers 19.

Result: for the first time in my life, the Chiefs were playoff bound.  For the first time in my life, the Chiefs were relevant.  How, you ask, did the Chiefs manage to get in?  Simple: every effing … screw it.

Every mother f*cking point, was scored by the special teams unit.  A field goal to ensure the win?  Check.  Three extra points?  Check.  A punt return for a touchdown?  Check.  A blocked punt returned for a touchdown?  Check.  And a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown?  Check, check, check!

To those of you who doubt my loyalty to this team, the next time you see me?  Look at my left hand, between my second and third fingers.  You will see a scar, although it has faded as time has passed.  That scar?  Was earned when I literally jumped up as the Chiefs clinched the playoffs, and my hand went through the ceiling fan that was being used.  Took seven stitches to seal up.  That scar is still there, between the knuckles, twenty eight years later. 

You’re welcome.

And to think some people question if I’m really this much of a die-hard fan …

3. Chiefs at raiders, Week Seventeen, 1994.

Outcome: Chiefs 19, raiders 9.

Result: I will never forget showing up for services on Christmas Eve, and whoa!  It’s Gregg!  In the sweater the Chiefs coaches were wearing!  I didn’t even have to ask; he simply said “Dad let me open one gift early.  (Pause).  He told me which one to open.”  Well, then I guess that Santa is a semi-fictional character that continually bypasses the Casa de Stevo then!  Because who needs Santa when Gordon is on the job!

This was the final (for now) game the raiders played in Los Angeles.  It turned on one of the greatest brain fart interceptions you’ll ever see, as the raiders were driving for at least a field goal to tie the game at 6, with less than twenty seconds to play in the first half … before Mark Collins picked off jeff hostetler, took it to the house, and ensured the first art shell era for the raiders, was the debacle it deserved to be.

2. donkeys at Chiefs, Week Seventeen, 1992.

Outcome: Chiefs 42, satan’s squad 20.

Result: a bona fide playoff game right after Christmas.  The 8-7 donkeys at the 9-6 Chiefs; winner’s in, loser’s out.  Resulted in dan reeves’ termination as donkeys coach.  Nearly saw john elway murder dan reeves on the sideline (and, in john’s defense, he’d have 79,025 witnesses for the defense, had he done it … and I’m guessing a few former friends who were in beautiful Gering, Nebraska, at that point, would join us 79,025 witnesses, for the defense). 

This game also saw Kevin Harlan deliver one of the greatest calls of all time, after elway was stripped, sacked, and DT recovered it for a touchdown: “not even Santa Claus can save the denver broncos today!”  It had OJ Simpson at halftime saying the Chiefs had no chance if they kept pounding it with the ground game.  In his final game as a Chief?  Christian Okoye had one carry … for eight yards … and the final points, in the 42-20 woodshed beatdown.

God, how I wish this was numero uno.  How I wish this list could end on a positive, uplifting note – because seriously, what could be more positive and uplifting, what could be more unifying, than tearing the denver broncos a new one?

Well … nothing.

But I know what could be worse.

The great … “what if …” …

1. raiders at Chiefs, Week Seventeen, 1999.

Outcome: raiders 41, Chiefs 38 (overtime).

Result: I already wrote about this one.  (Note: scroll down.  It's number one for a reason.)

But I’m not sure if I’ve ever posted “the moment” that truly sealed this defeat for me, so I’ll post it now … and I apologize to “The Voice of Reason”, for what’s about to be posted … but knowing Gregg, he’ll be laughing along with all of you.

We somehow finally made it back to the apartment after this one.  We both did what we did best – grabbed a bottle and headed for our bedrooms, to lock down for the night, and cope with the defeat appropriately.  About 7pm, 7:30pm, Gregg poked his head inside my room, and simply said “you able to drive?”

Folks?  When my Voice of Reason is asking if I’m sober enough to drive him somewhere?  Yeah.

So I threw on a t-shirt, put the shoes on, grabbed my keys, and headed out into the main room.  I asked “where we going, champ?”  (Note: I probably didn’t say champ … but it seems like a Stevo-type reference to make, fifteen years out.)  His response?  “Drive.”

We wound up at the K-Mart on Shawnee Mission Parkway and Pflumm.  Gregg stormed in like a man on a mission.  I followed like … well, like a drunk Chiefs fan still staggering from the defeat that afternoon, and what it meant.  (Which, in hindsight?  Is WORSE than it was, in reality.)

I followed him back to the section with the bathroom stuff, and finally he stopped. 

In front of the scales.

Where he proceeded to grab one, stand on it, and check the poundage.

He obviously knew I had reached my “ok, explain why we’re here” moment – seriously, those of you who doubt why I refer to us as Chandler and Joey, truly didn’t know us (brantley gilbert voice) back in the day – and G’s response was an instant classic.

“(Disgusted and p*ssed off sigh).  I weigh as much as him.”

With that, Gregg grabbed the scale, and headed for the checkout counter.

By him, he meant Donnie Edwards.

There were many, great, awesome, still fond and/or hilarious moments from 2000 still to come … but the roommate, my Voice of Reason, deciding that somehow, the Chiefs losing to oakland was a reason to finally give a sh*t about his health, has to rank amongst the top of those moments.

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Like it or love it, Chiefs fans, Sunday is going to rank somewhere on this list, come next year.

I only hope and pray, it ranks below next Sunday, when this ranking has to be updated.

I’m not sure how much I’ll post this week.  For the record, I’m heading south to watch this game – I’m headed down to Ray and Ana’s, to watch this one with my Second Parents’ former neighbors Joyce and Jerry, and Ray (Joyce’s brother) and Ana, a few miles south of lovely (and I’m told it’s lovely; I have no intention to find out for myself) lovely Clinton, Missouri.  If you want to head down for one fun party, you know how to reach me.  We’re leaving around 9ish from the Bus Barn.

Just be warned: Ana is the biggest Steelers fan you’ll ever meet.  She’s also a great friend … and yeah, the Sunday Nighter four years ago?  She’s the friend who helped ensure I wasn’t puking solely from the flu.

I can’t wait to burn one down with her on Sunday … and watch the Chiefs burn the Steelers season down, while saving their own …

week eight: all or nothing

“When I first saw you standing there, you know,
It was a little hard not to stare.
So nervous when I drove you home, I know,
Being apart’s a little hard to bear.

Sent some flowers to your work, in hopes
That I could have you in my arms again.
We kissed that night before I left, and still know,
It was something I can never forget.

You’ve got all that I need …

We’re looking at all or nothing,
Babe’s it’s you and I (with you)
I know that I’m good for something,
So let’s go and give it a try (we’ve got)
Our backs against the ocean –
It’s just us against the world!
Looking at all or nothing, babe it’s you and I –
All or nothing, babe it’s you and I …”

“All or Nothing” by Theory of a Deadman.

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Last Week ATS: 8-5-0.
Season to Date ATS: 49-37-4.

Last Week SU: 8-5-0.
Season to Date SU: 49-41-0.

Last Week Upset / Week: FINALLY!
Season to Date Upset / Week ATS: 4-3-0.
Season to Date Upset / Week SU: 1-6.
This Week’s Upset / Week: Jaguars (+10) over Texans. Hey, I called last week’s upset win over Baltimore. I believe in Blaine Gabbert! Actually that’s a lie – I DO NOT believe in the Houston Texans whatsoever …

The Non-Chiefs Predictions:

* at Titans (-10) 24, Colts 3. OK, I’ll ask it: does this mean alleged all-time great peyton manning is this year’s NFL MVP? I’d seriously be tempted to cast a vote for him at this point.

* at Seahawks (+1) 23, Bengals 20. Complete coin flip.

* at 49ers (-9 ½) 34, Browns 14. The 49ers of 2011 are who I thought the 49ers of 2010 would be.

* at Panthers (-3 ½) 26, Vikings 14. As a “progressive Democrat”**, I hesitate to ask this … but was Rush right about Donovan McNabb eight years ago?

* Jaguars (+10) 21, at Texans 17. Suddenly, the AFC South gets very, very interesting.

* at Bills (-5 ½) 45, Redskins 3. There’s no bigger backer of Chan Gailey than me. Then again, there’s no bigger supporter of Herm Edwards than me. So every so often, I can be wr … wr … wr … possibly incorrect.

* at Giants 3, Dolphins (+10 ½) 2. Your “Good Times Game O’ The Week!” And I would not only choose a three hour “Good Times” marathon over this game, I’d PAY for said marathon to be on my television instead of this craptacular matchup.

* at Ravens (-14) 31, Cardinals 3. Say what you want about Matt Cassel … at least we didn’t trade for Kevin Kolb. Or sign Donovan McNabb. Or give up a number one AND either a one or a two for Carson Palmer.

* Saints 34, at Rams (+14) 31. The Rams last stand. They’ll come up just short.

* Patriots (-2 ½) 35, at Steelers 24. If this is a rematch in three months, I’d probably bet the exact opposite.

* at tebows (+3) 24, Lions 23. If ANYONE shows up for the donkeys tailgate on November 13th in ANY tim tebow gear, and I don’t care if its from Florida or denver, you’re getting forcibly evicted and possibly spat on. That man is my most hated player to wear a donkeys jersey since number 7 was roo-eening my 21st birthday. And I hate him for the same reason that I cannot wait to whiz on john elway’s gravestone someday: all the guy does is win.

* Cowboys (+2 ½) 27, at Eagles 21. Road team usually wins in this matchup. That, and even with two weeks to prepare, do you really trust “Fat” Andy Reid to fix that defense?

(**: look it, I know conservatives love to lump anyone who’s not one of them into the “liberal” category, but I am not a liberal. I am a Clinton Democrat, a Southern Democrat so to speak. I’m a hawk on foreign policy. I don’t give a damn about gun control, both extremes are freaking insane. And I am not pro-choice. So how a pro-war, anti-abortion, don’t care about firearms person can be a “liberal”, I have no idea, hence the term “progressive”. Oh, and the Occupy people? Need to get jobs, take a shower, and stop demanding more of my money to finance their lazy asses. And stop defecating on cop cars, it’s disgusting. Although toke up and screw in public all you want Occupy people -- in that regard you’re living the dream …)

The Chiefs Prognostication:

This, quite simply, is THE biggest regular season game the Chiefs have played since January 2nd, 2000. You might recall that day – it is the single greatest sports “what if” in my life, to this day.

raiders 41, Chiefs 38, in overtime.

With that defeat, for all intents and purposes, the “Good Times” came to an end. It was a defeat the Chiefs, to this day, have still never really recovered from. It was all there for the taking – an AFC West divisional championship, an unlikely run through the playoffs, a Show Me State Super Bowl. And the Chiefs whizzed it away, as only they could – blowing a 17-0 lead, allowing a 5th down conversion for a touchdown, the most accurate kicker in the league missing a 45 yard field goal as time expired, and then sending the overtime kickoff out of bounds, putting the raiders instantly in field goal range, which they didn’t waste.

Twelve years later, that game still haunts me.

Which brings me to Monday. This isn’t hyperbole, this isn’t a ridiculous verbal fellation of the situation, it’s reality, and it is this – the fate of the Chiefs season, and possibly the entire franchise for the next 3 to 4 years, rides on the outcome of Monday night’s contest.

If the Chiefs lose, we will know three things on the depressing walk back to the car:

1. The season is over. There’s no other way to put it – the Chiefs CANNOT fall 2 ½ behind San Diego with nine to play, and recover. It’s a trap the Chargers fell into last year, sliding 2 ½ back in week eight. They never drew closer than a game out. And we won’t either.

2. The Matt Cassel era is over. Dead, buried, finished. If the Chiefs lose this game, there is not ONE legitimate reason to continue to start Cassel under center. If the Chiefs lose this game, he is done as the Chiefs quarterback, and the decision should immediately be made to start Ricky Stanzi, see what we’ve got in him for the rest of the way, and tank this season as much as possible.

3. The Todd Haley era is on life support. For what its worth, I completely believe Nick Wright, that Scott Pioli was prepared to fire Todd Haley if we had lost to the Colts. Look it, its obvious that Coach Haley and Scott Pioli don’t get along. Which is fine – Carl and Marty hated each other the last six, seven years they co-existed here, and made it work, because each recognized that the other made them better at their job. With a season-crushing defeat on Monday night, I believe Pioli will scapegoat his coach when this season is over, and go in a new direction. And if he does, it’s the WORST mistake he can possibly make, even worse than passing on Ryan Mallett last April not once, not twice, but three times – three mistakes I still haven’t forgiven him for.

But with a win on Monday night? Here’s what would IMMEDIATELY be true:

1. The Chiefs would be in a three way tie with oakland and San Diego at 4-3. (And I believe denver would stand one game back at 3-4, but essentially drawing dead, having already lost two divisional home games. They switched to tebow one game too late.)

2. The Chiefs would also draw to within a game for a wildcard berth, trailing the Bills and Ravens by a game, and being tied with their AFC West foes and the Jets (who we still play). And

3. For all intents and purposes, however, the Chiefs would be the OVERWHELMING favorites to win the AFC West, because of how they arrived at their 4-3 mark, versus the raiders and Chargers. Here is how each team would have gotten to 4-3:

Chargers: W vs Vikings, L at Patriots, W vs Chiefs, W vs Dolphins, W at broncos, L at Jets, L at Chiefs.

raiders: W at broncos, L at Bills, W vs Jets, L vs Patriots, W at Texans, W vs Browns, L vs Chiefs.

Chiefs: L vs Bills, L at Lions, L at Chargers, W vs Vikings, W at Colts, W at raiders, W vs Chargers.

What instantly jumps out at you about San Diego’s 4-3 record, should be that of the four “layup” wins both KC and San Diego had entering the season, the Chargers have already won three of them … while the Chiefs haven’t played ANY of the three games against Miami and denver yet (we have beaten Minnesota at home).

And as for oakland? They’ve had two of their “layup” wins as well, against the broncos and the Browns. However, they play the opposite non-divisional schedule of the Chiefs and Chargers. So while KC and San Diego get a home crowd to help them against Green Bay, oakland has to travel to Green Bay. (They also have to travel to Minnesota, which could be dicey, versus beating an awful McNabb led Vikings team at home).

And oh yeah, that Chargers / Packers game? Is next Sunday, on a short week … and followed up by an EXTREMELY short week, as the raiders and Chargers open the Thursday night football schedule.

The Chiefs next two after this one? Winless Miami, followed by “The Game I Live For” against the hated, despised, reviled denver tebows.

The Chiefs? It is extremely likely we will be one clear of both San Diego and oakland, and possibly two clear of at least one of them, if we win this game Monday night, when we roll into Foxboro to face the likely one seed in the AFC, the Patriots, three weeks from Monday.

To win this game Monday night, is going to require a lot. Let’s be honest – the Chargers are favored for a reason, and it’s a credible and valid one. They have more available talent to throw onto the field of play in four days. They have the better quarterback. At this moment, they have the better running game. They have a difference maker returning at tight end. And their defense is pretty solid.

What they don’t have … is us. The Arrowhead crowd. And I firmly believe we will win this game, and yes, I used the term “we”, because as Chiefs fans we know – no team gets more mileage out of its home crowd than our guys do. (denver used to, but thank God they screwed up with the new stadium and destroyed their incredible home field advantage.)

There’s a reason why teams are intimidated to play here. Because we’re loud. Because we’re passionate. Because we genuinely believe we can make the difference between winning and losing. And we believe that for good reason – because we have made the difference between winning and losing so many times, that we can will this team to an upset victory.

Even at our lowest point as a franchise, the fanbase willed this team to victories it had no business winning. We upset the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers in 2009. We beat an unbeaten (at the time) broncos team in 2008, a loss that ultimately cost denver a playoff berth, and shanarat his job.

And we did it a year ago against these guys. In a freaking monsoon, 70,000 plus of us stood and yelled as one, long after Monday turned into Tuesday. The Chiefs that night … we sucked folks. We freaking stunk up the joint. And yet, with under a minute to play, the Chiefs held the lead, the Chargers had goal to go, and only one thing made the difference between winning (and jump-starting an amazing division winning season) and losing (and being exactly what we’d been for the three previous years: sh*tty.)

And that something was us, the fanbase.

Monday night, I’m asking you, I’m begging you, I’m pleading with you, if you give even 2/1000ths of a sh*t about this team, don’t go to your lame Halloween party. Send the kids trick or treating with random strangers. You have a job and a duty to do as a self-described Chiefs fan, and that job and duty is to land your ass inside Arrowhead, ready to scream for three hours, longer if necessary, and somehow will this team to a victory it probably isn’t good enough to earn on its own.

I don’t know about you, but I kind of dig seasons that come out of nowhere. I mean, I loved the hell out of 2003 along with every other Chiefs fan … but there’s a reason why 1995 is my favorite Chiefs season of all time. That 1995 team had maybe six win talent. Seven if everything broke right.

That team won on guts, courage, and the backbone of the League’s best fanbase. I know it’s been sixteen years, but I still recall moments from that season like it happened an hour ago. Steve Bono not only rumbling 76 yards untouched on a bootleg for a touchdown … but leading not one, not two, but THREE straight come-from-behind to win in overtime home comebacks – from down 14 to the Giants with 5 minutes to play, down 14 to the raiders with 7 minutes to play, and down 7 to the team we face Monday night with 1:12 on the clock, 88 yards away, with no timeouts.

That Monday night in October, was my favorite game, from my favorite season. And after Bono calmly, coolly directed the Chiefs those 88 yards with seven seconds to spare, hitting Derrick Walker with a 19 yard touchdown pass to tie the score, well, it makes sense that my favorite game from my favorite season, would yield ...

My favorite play of all time.

(al michaels) the rookie Vanover …
(frank gifford) boy did he loft that one …
(al michaels) he fields at the fourteen yard line …
(frank gifford) Uh Oh!!!
(al michaels) Vanover … up past the thirty!
(frank gifford) HE’S GONE!
(al michaels) Vanover is almost gone and now … he … is … OFFICIALLY GONE!
(dan dierdorf) NO FLAGS!
(frank gifford) We’ve been talking about him all night –
(dan dierdorf) NO FLAGS! THIS GAME’S OVER!!!

What gets lost, what gets overlooked, in the replay of this call, is three fold:

1. It is the first, and to this date the only, punt return in overtime for a touchdown in NFL history. It had NEVER happened before in the prior 76 years of the NFL’s existence … and it has never occurred again in the sixteen years since.

2. The single loudest moment in Arrowhead history, is the moment when Al Michaels notes “officially gone!” It is not POSSIBLE to put into words how LOUD Arrowhead got at that moment, slightly after midnight on a Tuesday morning. As loud as Tuesday Morning Football was last year? It was NOTHING compared to that night. Because

3. NOBODY had left. And nobody did for a while afterwards.

Monday night, we once again face our hated divisional rivals, on a Monday night, at the loudest stadium in the NFL. Last year was certainly memorable – we saw long touchdown runs, a punt return for a touchdown, and an epic goalline stand that launched the Chiefs to a division championship.

Sixteen years ago was certainly memorable – an epic goalline stand inside the two minute warning to hold San Diego to three, an 80 plus yard touchdown drive to tie, and a play never before seen or since replicated in the history of the league for the win.

I have no idea what we’re going to see Monday night. But I know this – I ain’t missing it. And I hope you won’t either. If you need a place to tailgate, we’re welcoming anyone and everyone rooting for the Red and Gold. The menu is Charger Chicken and whatever side dishes folks bring. (And LOTS of “liquid refreshment” to “properly medicate” the vocal chords before hand.) We’ll be there when the gates open. We’ll save you however many spots you need to park, just let us know.

Let me close with this. Twenty one years ago, the biggest underdog in sports history took the ice, against its hated “rival”, with the eyes of the nation upon it. In possibly the greatest pregame speech every delivered, US Hockey coach Herb Brooks opened as subtly as possible.

“Great moments can only arise from great opportunity. And that is what you have here tonight gentlemen. One game. If we played them ten times, they’d win nine. But not this game, gentlemen. NOT tonight.

“Tonight, you are the greatest hockey team in the world. This is YOUR time! Their time? Is over! They’re done, they’re finished. I’m sick of hearing about how great a team the Soviets have. F*CK THEM! It’s your time now. Go out there and EARN this!”

Monday night, the Chargers dominance on this division is over. It’s finished. I’m sick and tired of hearing about all the talent the Chargers have. F*CK THEM! Monday night, the Chiefs will earn this win. They will earn their way back into the thick of the AFC playoff race. And hopefully, they’ll earn it with you in the stands, cheering, urging them to this victory that they have EARNED the opportunity to gain.

At Chiefs (+3 ½) 29, Chargers 23.