KC Chiefs < Oakland Raiders; and it's Birthday Tiiiiiiime

It's taken some time, but the Ravens seem to have finally began to impose their will on the measly Chiefs.  After an early 41-yard jaunt to pay dirt for Jamaal Charles, not much has gone right for the AFC West champs.

The Chiefs were +9 this  year, but today, for some reason (inexperience in the playoffs) they're -2 (2 takeaways, 4 turnovers).  Cassel has two interceptions.  Charles and McCluster both have lost a fumble.  Three of their 8 possessions so far have ended in a turnover and one more ended on downs.  They've mustered up only 37 yards in the third quarter. 

Meanwhile, the Purple People Eaters have scored on 3 straight possessions, and are knocking on the door step of making it four in a row.  2nd & 4 at the KC four yard line.  TD Baltimore.  Anquan Boldin - dude's a beast.  Wacco Flacco is playing out of his mind too - 245 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Only thing that worries me is their running game is nonexistent.  Gotta get Ray Rice going downhill if they expect to keep playing past next weekend.

23-7 Baltimore.  Might as well get some things done before the Packers and Eagles start, this one's all but over.  Baltimore at Pittsburgh next week is going to be some bloodbath.  Let's go Ravens!

Silver & Black would have represented the AFC West better than the bumbling, stumbling, fumbling Chiefs.  Maybe they got too much of that KC BBQ sauce on their fingers.

Here's a feature I haven't spoken on in a while - one that was a regular in the repertoire last year - my birthday roll call.  Happy birthday to Kate Middleton, the fiancée of Prince William of Wales.  Her last one as a single woman, I'm sure she's on lockdown.  Maybe they'll let her family come to the castle once in a while, just to say hi.

On the sports side of things, Packers great Bart Starr is 77 years old today.  He helped lead the Packers to five Super Bowl titles - including being MVP of Super Bowl I and II.  The former 17th round pick (200th overall) was one of five HOF'ers in the 1956 NFL Draft.  Happy birthday Bart Starr.  I'm sure Aaron Rodgers is making you proud like his predecessor Brett Favre didn't.  Go Pack!

Time to take off, this game's almost over.  Marist leads Manhattan 61-55 with 1:28 left.  Both teams are struggling this year, looks like the Jaspers are hurting a little more.  They travel to Florida after the game to take on FAU on Tuesday in a rescheduled game (snow wiped out travel the first time they were supposed to fly down).

Bye!

Playoff Season

The NFL Playoffs are officially upon us.  Last night the final team was anointed postseason bound - the 7-9 Seattle Seahawks - following a less than stellar 16-6 win over the drop-happy Rams.  Hey, Danario, catch the damn ball.  Fells, you too.  Bums.  At least an 8-8 team is justifiable.  7-9 is a joke.

Here's a little rundown of the match-ups this weekend in the NFL.

Jets v. Colts - There are some good match ups in the first round, including the Colts hosting God's team, the Jets (the Jets are 2-1 in the playoffs against the Colts).  The Colts ended the Jets season last year with a 30-17 win at Lucas Oil Stadium.  Peyton Manning always seems to rally his troops, regardless who's out there.  The Colts are at home, laying three points.  They've won four straight heading into this match up, and I  like the Colts.  Plus, I'm kind of hating on the Jets because everyone thinks they're God's gift to football.

Packers v. Eagles - The Packers got in on an interception from Nick Collins with just seconds left against the Bears, to seal a 10-3 win at Lambeau, and a postseason berth.  They'll travel East to take on Michael Vick, err...Kevin Kolb and the Eagles.  The Cowboys took down Philadelpia yesterday, so the Eagles aren't exactly rolling, having lost their last 2 games (both at home).  Luckily for them, the Packers are only 3-5 on the road this season.  The Eagles need to find their offense if they're gonna have a chance - problem is, the Packers let up an NFC low 240 points all season (PIT led the NFL with 232 points allowed).  I like the Packers in this one - they showed off their electric offense against the Giants (who I'll decline comment on) and their stellar defense against the Bears.  The Pack is +2.5 points, and I'll take them in this one.

Saints v. Seahawks - Really, this one shouldn't even be close.  The Seahawks got in because the Rams couldn't catch the damn ball.  They're 1-2 against playoff teams and 6-7 against everyone else.  Their defense is suspect at best (25.4 PPG) and their offense (19.4 PPG) is bad.  The Seahawks were outscored by 97 points this season, the worst differential EVER by a playoff team.  The Saints, well, they've won 7 of their last 9 games.  Their defense is stout (19.2 PPG) and their offense is pretty decent (24 PPG), led by a guy named Drew Brees who threw for 4,620 yards this year.  Let's compare:  Brees - 4,620 yards.  Seattle Seahawks - 5,080 yards.  The entire Seahawks team only outgained Brees by 460 yards.  Think about that.  Saints giving ten points and I think they'll cover easily.  But it depends which Saints team shows up - the one who lost to the Browns or the one who stifled the Steelers 20-10.

Ravens v. Chiefs - Baltimore heads in having won 4 straight - two on their offense, two on their defense.  They're finally a well-oiled maching on both sides of the ball.  Wacco Flacco had a great season and their running game (Ray Rice) is a beast (1,220 rushing, 556 receiving).  They got the X-factor in Anquan Boldin and a defense that speaks for itself.  The Chiefs, well, let's just say my Raiders beat up on them twice - 23-20 and 31-10.  KC comes in playing some decent football, and surprisingly, they have some weapons.  Matt Cassel is finally showing fans in KC why they got him from NE (3,116 yards, 27 TD, 7 INT).  Jamaal Charles (1,467 yards) and Thomas Jones (896 yards) are also key factors why they Chiefs have a chance - besides the fact that they're 7-1 at Arrowhead - their running game was #1 in the NFL.  In a ball control game, the running game always plays a major factor.  Baltimore is -2.5.  I like the Chiefs in this one though.

Those are this weekends games, and who knows how much I will actually watch - there's basketball games both days this weekend - talk about being sour.  The game on Sunday is at 2pm though, so I should be able to catch the Packers/Eagles game.

Now I am going to head over to iTunes and listen to the new release from GlassJAw, Our Color Green EP.  It's only available for digital download, so I may be forced to wait until I get home to purchase this beast.  Based on what I heard the other night, these five tracks should rock and roll.

KC Chiefs McCluster Rap

Funny that he did this - albeit a while ago - but it makes sense.  And his Chiefs are in first place in the AFC West.  He only has 1 TD.  Either way.