NFL Update:

• Everything is up to date in KC, as the Chiefs do what they typically do and bow out in majorly disappointing fashion after raising so many expectations during the regular year. It did take them way too long to put their game face on, but once Mahomes got going, there was no stopping him. Unfortunately, this game seems to strongly suggest they’ll never take that next step with Andy “I like to read my play chart/as opposed to watching the game” Reid. The big red tomato is destined to forever playing ketchup with Belichick, who yet again coached him into a cramped corner. What was with the ultra conservative play calling for nearly a half, the refusal to make adjustments at the end of the game to cover Edelman and Gronk on those crossing patterns over the middle, or the unwillingness to make anything other than a token attempt to score a TD at the end of regulation. But the his biggest screw up was sitting on those 3 timeouts in OT, with Brady marching inexorably toward a winning TD, and the Chiefs’ exhausted defense in need of a serious blow. Sometimes the best time outs are those taken when you don’t have the ball, and when Burkhead rammed the ball over the goal line to put KC out of its misery, those game breaks went unused and wasted. #Chiefs #Patriots
• My how the worm turned today in the Superdome, as the Rams came back from legally dead status to shock the Saints (who were probably booking their Super Bowl reservations). Yes, there was a blown call that changed everything, but let’s remember what the Rams did to get to that point … their D-line played huge, they did a great job stopping the Saints running game, and Goff and Co. showed maturity and poise in making the big plays/executing when they had to. This young team grew a ton in the last 15 minutes and into OT, and they deserve to move on. As for the Saints, they’ve had plenty of help all year long from the refs, so what goes around comes around. And let’s give a big pat on the back to Greg Z., whose big foot was the difference maker at the end. #Rams #Saints

NFL Update:

• Rams may have sputtered a bit to end the season, but they started the playoffs focused and out for blood, bulling their way to a convincing 8-pt win over the Cowboys. The tandem of Anderson and Gurley ran over and through what had been touted as a stout Dallas defense, and Goff did the rest with an excellent job running plays and connecting with his receivers. Give the NFC East champions credit for growing as a team throughout the year and perhaps setting the foundation for a more dominant campaign in 2019, but for now, LA is making the headlines and moves on the NFC Championship round with no reason but to be brimming with confidence. #Cowboys #Rams
• Colts get hit with a haymaker right right from the start in form of not only the amazing right arm of Mahomes, but also some very inspired Chiefs defense. Yes, the Chiefs’ defense. After an impressive run to end the season, Frank Reich needs to take a hard look at a still suspect defense, which was terribly porous down the middle of the field. And Andrew Luck needs some smelling salts, Viagra or something to give his passes more punch and his approach a little more bite. Today’s exhibition was completely uninspiring. #Chiefs #Colts

NFL Update:

• Cowboys mount and stuff Seahawks with a bruising performance by Zeke and some timely, clutch moments from Dak. In a year that many cite as one of his finest displays of coaching prowess, Petey C. was curiously asleep at the wheel, particularly when it came to the offensive play calling. Seattle mindlessly ran again and again into a brick wall at AT&T, getting its wake up call with two minutes left, when it was a classic case of too little, too late. And what was with that idiotic drop kick/onside kick to end the game by Dickson. Leave that junk in the Aussie rules league, please! #Cowboys #Seahawks
• Colts are thanking their lucky stars they have Luck; Texans take a serious punch on the chin and will have a nice long off season to figure out why they were knocked so woozy. The bottom line is that Watson is by no means a polished, seasoned product and has a ton of growing up to do. He doesn’t read defenses well enough and telegraphs his throws. Today, he was also consistently off target, and there wasn’t much in the way of perimeter options with his No. 1 option, Hopkins, neutralized. KC had better be ready, as Luck showed what he can do to them in that wild 45-44 game a few years back. Congratulations to Frank Reich for engineering a pretty amazing recovery this year. #Colts #Texans

• Backs against the wall, Ravens play like there was no tomorrow and most likely kill any Charger chances for the AFC West title; in the process, Baltimore also turns the table on the Steelers for the AFC North crown, as Pittsburgh now faces a must-win situation Sunday in New Orleans (with a loss very likely throwing them out of the playoff hunt entirely). #Ravens #Chargers
• Ti-tans stay firmly embedded in the playoff convo with a critical home victory over the hard luck Skins that was not as easy as the final score indicated. Blaine Gabby Gabbert finally let his passing do the talking with a huge 2-yard TD to his ace in the hole, MyCole, and the Tennessee defense iced and Indian burial a few minutes later with an interception of journeyman J. Johnson. #Titans #Redskins

https://www.facebook.com/ChabDog/

NFL Update:

• On what may forever be known as Brady liberation day, Steelers free themselves from the yoke of NE’s oppression with a very satisfying home victory and go a long way toward clearing the way for a division title and/or playoff berth. Who knew that RB fill-in Samuels would look so smooth and be so effective, or that Boswell would come through when it looked so dark and foreboding in the waning minutes. This was a total team effort, including much better play in all phases of the defense, aside from a miscue in the opening minutes. The Patriots may indeed be slapping themselves silly down the road in the playoffs, when they realize they had the chance to kill Pittsburgh … and couldn’t do it. #Patriots #Steelers
• Surprisingly sturdy Colts beat Dallas at their own game by grinding out a very important victory. Dallas seemed to lack intensity and focus all day, and now has more work to do if it seeks to win the division that talent forgot .. the NFC Least. #Cowboys #Colts
• Ghastly OT loss for the shocked Seahawks, who could have greatly simplified their life by taking care of business. Now Seattle must go home, dress its wounds and stitch together a major upset against the Chiefs. #Seahawks #FortyNiners
• Tampa finds out how frustrating it is to track down Action Jackson; Ravens continue breathing down the necks of the Steelers, but time is running out. #Ravens #Buccaneers
• Tennessee still has its tentacles firmly on a wild card berth with Henry having another huge day. #Titans #Giants
• Bengals don’t look resigned to another humiliating season after chest pumping performance by an inspired Joe Mixon. As for the Raiders, it’s unfortunately a return to disappointing normalcy after having occasion to celebrate last week at O.Co. #Raiders #Bengals
• Redskins overcome their injured QB snag and rise to the occasion with a late fully of points that wrecks the Jags. #Redskins #Jaguars
• Lazy Lions fall asleep in Orchard Park and wake up with a 1-point loss after Prater can’t produce from 48. #Lions #Bills
• Atlanta’s offense finally gets off the ground against the dead duck Cardinals. #Cardinals #Falcons
• Dolphins’ playoff goose was essentially cooked today in Minnesota, as Dalvin ran wild and Ryan was reeled in time and time again by the Purple People Eaters. #Dolphins #Vikings
• Nick Foles returns to give the Eagles their much needed mojo back, while the Rams continue to moon walk into the playoffs … boy are their prospects cratering! #Rams #Eagles

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NFL Update:

• Chiefs choke away a two TD lead at home and now find themselves caught in a very precarious tussle for the top spot in the AFC West. The consequences for a loss next week in Seattle could be serious — no first round bye and a playoff game on the road. Quite a rude awakening for a team that was possibly looking at a home field pass throughout the AFC proceedings. How’d it happen? The Chargers cleaned up their act on defense, and Philip Rivers worked his typical, middle of the field magic (with a focus tonight on emerging star Mike Williams). Nobody squeezes in the soft, timing passes better than the LAC QB, and the Chiefs never took that play away. And this team seems to be taking on the rough and tumble, no nonsense personality of Coach Lynn. This could well be the year for the long suffering Chargers. Who’s really standing in their way? New England? #Chargers #Chiefs