Friday Morning Cup O’Chiefs
With four weeks remaining in the regular season, the AFC West is in quite a battle. It’s trying to stay out of the position as being the NFL’s worst division for the 2008 season.
After last night’s Raiders-Chargers game, the AFC West is now 17-33 on the season. That’s Darren Sproles (left) scoring a first half touchdown against the Oakland defense.
Only the Denver Broncos have a chance to finish the season with a winning record. Even with its victory last night, the best potential record in San Diego’s future is 8-8.
Despite that poor performance, the AFC West is not the worst group in the league. Right now, that distinction belongs to the NFC West, which is 15-33. Just like their western buddies in the AFC, only one NFC West team will finish the season with a winning record. Arizona can clinch the division title this Sunday with a victory.
Here’s how the eight divisions break down after last night’s action:
| Â Division | Â Record | Â
% |
Winning Records |
Losing Records |
| NFC East | 32-15-1 | .677 |
4 |
0 |
| NFC South | 32-16 | .667 |
3 |
0 |
| AFC East | 28-20 | .583 |
3 |
0 |
| AFC South | 28-20 | .583 |
2 |
2 |
| AFC North | 22-25-1 | .469 |
2 |
2 |
| NFC North | 18-30 | .375 |
1 |
2 |
| AFC West | 17-33 | .340 |
1 |
3 |
| NFC West | 15-33 | .313 |
1 |
3 |
The tightest division is the NFC South where three teams are within a game of each other with four games to play. Carolina/Tampa Bay/Atlanta have two games left between the three: this coming Monday night Tampa Bay is at Carolina and then on Sunday, December 14, the Bucs visit Atlanta.
The NFC East has the best record, but there’s a big gap between the team in first place team in the Giants and the third-place squad in Washington.
Right now, the Giants have the league’s longest winning streak at seven games. Indianapolis is next with a five-game streak. Of course Detroit has the longest losing streak this year at 12, with St. Louis next at six games.
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
Darren Sproles had a pair of touchdowns and the Chargers defense stifled the Raiders offense, as San Diego beat Oakland 34-7 in San Diego last night. Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell left the game in the first half with an injury.
Here’s the Game Center page at NFL.com for details and stats.
OPPONENT NEXT/DENVER BRONCOS
Mouthy WR Brandon Marshall says the Broncos future remains entirely in their hands, if they don’t drop it
Earlier this season the Broncos experimented with the 3-4 defense, but apparently that’s gone into mothballs.
FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY
On December 5, 1976, the Chiefs lost to the Denver Broncos 17-16 at Mile High Stadium. A fourth quarter FG by Denver’s Jim Turner gave the Broncos the victory on a cloudy and cold afternoon. Prior to that, all the scoring had come in the first half and the Chiefs held a16-14 lead after QB Mike Livingston scored on a one-yard run. Kansas City’s other TD that day came on a three-yard TD pass from Livingston to TE Walter White. Livingston finished the game 17 of 29 for 177 yards, one TD and one INT. He was sacked five times.
On December 5, 1999, the Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos 16-10 at Mile High Stadium before a crowd of 73,855 fans. The victory came to the Chiefs in the fourth quarter when Tamarick Vanover returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown. The pass for two points failed. That TD was the only score in the second half of what turned into a defensive struggle. The Chiefs only other TD came on a 10-yard pass from QB Elvis Grbac to TE Tony Gonzalez. The Kansas City defense held the Broncos to 83 yards rushing, with CB Cris Dishman picking off a pass from QB Brian Griese and CB James Hasty and DE Leslie O’Neal each getting a sack.
SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO …
Chiefs Hall of Famer DE Arthur Barry Still was born on this day in 1955 in Camden, New Jersey. Still as the second player selected in the 1978 NFL Draft, right after the Houston Oilers drafted RB Earl Campbell. He played 12 pro seasons, 10 of those with the Chiefs. That was 136 games with 992 total tackles and 73 career sacks. He was the Chiefs season MVP twice, in 1980 and 1984. Still was traded to the Buffalo Bills in 1988, and he played there for Marv Levy and defensive coordinator Walt Corey for two more seasons.
Also born on this day in 1957 was Hall of Fame WR Art Monk, who played 16 seasons with the Redskins, Jets and Eagles.
And on December 5, 1947, Jim Plunkett was born in California. He played 15 seasons in the league with the Patriots, 49ers and Raiders.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
The legal action filed by Vikings DTs Kevin and Pat Williams will be heard Friday morning in a federal courtroom in Minneapolis. So will the legal action filed by the NFL Players Association.
Doesn’t anybody stay retired anymore in the NFL; LB Junior Seau is in New England on Friday, talking to the Patriots about coming back and playing the final four games.
No Chiefs fan could feel sorry for himself/herself after witnessing the pathetic Raiders performance last night.
Certainly the Chiefs have lost games this season by similar scores, but they never displayed the nonchalance I saw from Oakland last night. Many of the Oakland players, including the starting QB, give the impression that winning just isn’t that important to them. (“Just get paid, baby!”)
There’s a definite air of malaise about the Raiders. It’s difficult to imagine them improving significantly without some kind of top-to-bottom organizational purge. At the very least their roster needs to be blown up, Herm Edwards-style. Maybe the Chiefs could get a couple linebackers out of the deal.
ILChiefsFan
The Raiders would have to start with thier owner AD, that team needs to be sold and moved back to LA before we will have to worry about them any time soon.
Agreed MenInRed. Al Davis is the biggest reason (I’d say 95%) of why that team is so bad. How can they give McFadden just 1 rush attempt? Why did they draft him to begin with? As bad as it’s been here in KC at times this year, at least we know our team is in better shape than that.
I agree that AD is responsible for the rot in that organization. Just the same, for whatever reason, when I look at the Raiders I see maybe 6-8 players that I’d want on my team.
AFC West ‘not’ the AFC Worst? No doubt in some ways or many nod toward the greatness be – one Herm Edwards theMore tribute to Herm Edwards.
That he is doing so with a roster his far less talented AND experienced than his counterparts division foes be the true measure the man. The W/L record? Balderdash! Sassafras, & yes, e’en sarsaparilla too! Happenstance tho? No, ne’er.
Not e’er.
Keep up the great work Coach Edwards. ALL of KC is behind you and we know that you will lead us back to glory and another great draft very soon now.
FOR NOW, both Clark Hunt & Rin Tin Tin have RE-affirmed Herm’s The Man!
PS- Never forget to but remember, that there are always two sides the coin, perspective otherwise too. And paradox: for, just as southern Nebraska be greater north than northern Kansas so eastern Kansas be more due west than western Missouri.
So what you may say? Say Hey – Willie Mays! So, it is written – so, it is, so it will be…’so’ it shall have been.
Oakland’s Raiders be south the border .500 just as my Chiefs…and yet, the Chiefs be a farther piece down the road just to the naked eye – aye -that one leads toward the road back home by way providence- not Rhode Island so much, no – much as rescue from ‘Gilligan’s’ that be from whence came they afore. The road this now on will have less twist, less turns- oh, and yes too… less heartburns. Redemption be nigh on, doth appear.
Rin wouldn’t ever act, write or pretentiously… just don’t have it in me.
Go Chiefs? Go! Go I say!
Bob
Now, a more serious question…truly. Have always wondered more so now, circa 2008 than even afore, having but the remnants rear view mirror college disasters past like a Marshall et al among other for reference – what would happen – how would it play out if such disaster that were to befall KC or any other NFL team? Same question would apply toward MLB, NBA, NHL, etc.
Fortunately hasn’t happened NFL to date, but has NCAA for example. Hopefully never will, but must be considered for is in the realm possibility.
Is there a ‘disaster plan’ in effect as it were? How would the scheduling be affected, beyond the fact one team wouldn’t be there to season’s fini?Likely too an expansion draft of sorts to restock the team the year aft probably.
Just in general if you know:
a) Is such a plan in effect?
b) Any particulars you are aware of & can share?
c) Tiebreakers as such not referenced under the commonly available NFL literature you know of?
d)Piggyback on NCAA response to said at any?
Great site – great blog – great job by you…Bob. Unintentional rhyming an affliction to be shared as such…
The object of the chiefs exercise is not to be better than the Oakland raiders, guys. It is supposed to be make the playoffs and once in a while a superbowl. Who care about the raiders? If they are the worst in the history of football for ever, I would suggest the chiefs should maybe aim a little higher.
“The object of the chiefs exercise is not to be better than the Oakland raiders, guys.”
Absolutely, tm1946. All the same, there’s nothing wrong with talking about other teams, especially division rivals, once in while. After all, these are the teams the Chiefs will have to beat in the future to make the playoffs.
To Carl ( Riney – Tiney ) While reading your blog I was wondering, are ( we ) the readers suppose to enjoy your Wit. You must personally think it is quite funny. While if my team or business was failing,I would think you would have more important things to do. What us chiefs fans would much rather see on this blog from you is your insight, into the decision that have-well be done . I was also wondering how does it feels to have & approval rating like Bush the outgoing president.Do you feel that it is a good thing Bush is leaving office,like the rest of the country.Can you equate that with your own job approval ? As with old food their comes a time to throw it out, your time has come. Sign Just A Fan
jt says:
“To Carl”
- Rufus will- oops!, I mean Rin will pass it on to him…
“( Riney – Tiney )”
- yes jay-tee hatey?
“While reading your blog I was wondering”
- yes, my insights do give cause nee pause for thought…
“are ( we ) the readers”
- appears you are, but- well, if you’re not certain…
“suppose to”
- good, we’ve consensus then…
“enjoy your Wit.”
- thank you, as do I and these many, many who comment about it/me daily…again, thank you. It’s faithful readers & commentators like you who’ve made me #1 on the best-seller list i.e., readership. It’s lonely at the top – no doubt, yet, talent does as it can- mine genius as it must.
“You must personally think it is quite funny.”
- well, I have received those exact sentiments from other bloggers…thing is, and this is the really funny part, I’m not trying to be. Tin is just naturally a whoopee cushion. Quite a bonus considering Rin posts his thoughts memories his going back to 1963 when I first began following the Chiefs. It’s a gift … shant give it back, rather, will continue to share it because…I’m that kind of mans best friend. Neighborly don’t you know… neighbor.
“While if my team or business was failing,I would think you would have more important things to do.”
- well, you probably voted for the guy – what’s his name, O’Cedar? Don’t blame Rin for the fact your business is utter failure…there always be panhandling, as you already know. Least Rin can bring some cheer to your bad year via his rapier wit herein, as you embrace.
“What us chiefs fans would much rather see on this blog from you is your insight, into the decision that have-well be done .”
- speaking for all of them are you? That’s what be refered to as a boarding house ‘reach’ in the parlance…ever considered sticking with a nice club soda rather than the fine wine that be Rin? Exits & busses thereby leaving locale 24/7/365 – oh do give it a try, won’t you? No one will miss you, really. Now then, don’t but whine about the latter refreshment – imbibe the former or, don’t go away mad, just .. ….
“I was also wondering how does it feels to have & approval rating like Bush the outgoing president.”
- see, Rin was right – you did vote for the wrong candidate…
“Do you feel that it is a good thing Bush is leaving office,like the rest of the country.”
- oh, so now you want Rin’s take – you sound like yet another Democratic government entitlement nee handout program applicant… take a guess regards Rin’s propensity to coddle malcontents.
“Can you equate that with your own job approval ?”
- well, when I was President back in (inaudible), during my first term…
“As with old food their comes a time to throw it out”
- is this where the moral your story comes in? Is this the big finish yours that no one is really looking forward to? OK then…(drum roll)…
“your time has come.”
-
“Sign Just A Fan”
- so, not only your eyesight but too your hearing is going on the fritz?
Well, little be it for Rin to leave a fellow KC Chiefs fan in a lurch even whence they obviously be in one…you did ‘rang’ me you know. Why this gratis compassion Rin toward you? Well, because it’s a Democratic thing to do – alas, as Rin be but an Independent – as in thinker – persevere.
Go Chiefs!
heh heh heh
“your time has come.”Â
- and the silence was defeaning for, like a tree that falls in a forest uninhabited, so too jt’s affirmation… by anyone, nee no one (rim shot – cymbal crash!)
I can’t believe jt read the whole thing…again. Hey Mikey (jt) – hey mikey (jt)!
lol….
Hee, tee hee