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Sunday was a good day for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs beat the Arizona Cardinals, and everyone expected that. The help they got from the Tennessee Titans was not expected.
The Titans dominated the New England Patriots. That's the Patriots' third loss, and that's about as important in Kansas City as it is in Massachusetts. With that, the Chiefs are two games clear of the Patriots, the team that posed the biggest threat to beating the Chiefs for the AFC's No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. New England has the tiebreaker due to a head-to-head win. That might not matter anymore.
The Patriots and AFC South-leading Texans each have three losses. The Pittsburgh Steelers, the AFC North Leaders, have two losses and a tie. The biggest threat to the 9-1 Chiefs getting the No. 1 seed is the Los Angeles Chargers, who are 7-2 and watching Kansas City in the AFC West. But the Chiefs already beat the Chargers on the road. Realistically, the Chargers will need to win at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 13, a Thursday night. The Chargers lost in the same spot at Kansas City last season.
This is probably the time Chiefs are tensing up, because their playoff is marked with memorable disappointments after great regular seasons. They have not won a home playoff game since 1993. And it's at least worth asking if Arrowhead Stadium in January is the ideal place for this year's Chiefs team.
Arrowhead is a great home-field advantage, perhaps the best atmosphere in the NFL. Score, score and score some more. They're third in the NFL in yards and 29th in yards allowed. And in the playoffs, scoring gets tougher. Defenses become more important. Especially outdoors in Kansas City.
Since 1971 the Chiefs have played eight home playoff games. They've averaged 16.1 points in those games, and most of them have been played in bad weather. Their highest scoring game, a famous shootout against Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts at the end of the 2003 season, also happened on the warmest day. They scored 31 points but lost on a balmy 51-degree day. Every other home playoff game has been less than 36 degrees at kickoff. A 13-3 Chiefs team got upset 10-7 by the Colts in a minus-15 degree wind chill at the end of the 1995 season. At the end of the 1997 season another 13-3 Chiefs team was beaten by the Denver Broncos in a cold (wind chill: 20 degrees) and physical game. The Chiefs have lost six home playoff games in a row. Not that what Marty Schottenheimer and Elvis Grbac went back to the present day, but it was a reminder that the No. 1 seed could have a wound and a curse for the Chiefs.
Maybe this offense is different. Patrick Mahomes has the type of arm to the Arrowhead, better than anyone the Chiefs will face. Tyreek Hill will still be better than anyone else. Kareem Hunt is effective if conditions call for a run-heavy plan. It's just that, the Chiefs fly to a No. 1 seed, you're going to hear a lot of speculation about their success. It's a question. High-scoring offenses are not always at their best in arctic conditions.
For now, the Chiefs can keep basking in the glow of a truly fun and marvelous season. They've got the best and most exciting team in the NFL. When they get to the playoffs, it's very likely they'll be the clear favorite to win the AFC. But Chiefs fans can tell you, that would not guarantee anything.
There is a lot to digest in Mark Davis' long interview with ESPN, but one important takeaway: It seems Davis is still fully behind Derek Carr. He seems to be in favor of Carr, and that is fair. Now the bigger question: Does Jon Gruden feel the same way?
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Hey, at least the Cardinals have figured out how to get David Johnson going. That should not have taken so long.
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<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "One report from Rich Cimini of ESPN on Monday said part of the reason Todd Bowles will not be fired during the season. First of all, that's embarrassing that the Jets do not have anybody who could not care for the rest of the season. Second … what? It's easy to keep you going all the time. "Data-reactid =" 45 "> One report Rich Cimini of ESPN on Monday said part of the reason Todd Bowles will not be fired during the season. First of all, that's embarrassing that the Jets do not have anybody who could not care for the rest of the season. Second … what? It seems unfair to everyone to keep you going for a while.
<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "29. San Francisco 49ers (2-8, LW: 28)"data-reactid =" 46 ">29. San Francisco 49ers (2-8, LW: 28)
Over the last two seasons it seems like the 49ers lead the NFL in soul-crushing close losses. But credit Nick Mullens for giving the 49ers a late lead and almost rallying them for a crazy win at the end. He's turning into an interesting player.
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What a day for Matt Barkley. Before Barkley was signed on Halloween, he had to wonder what his future NFL was. He failed to make two different teams in each of the two preseasons. Then on Nov. 11, he threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns in a blowout win. Who knows what happens next? It was only the second time he had started in the NFL.
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Eli Manning has had a historic career, and the closing of the day.
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The Broncos are back-to-back against two of the NFL's best teams, first at the Chargers then they host the Steelers. Either that's an opportunity for Vance Joseph and his team to change the perception of them, or things could get really ugly in Denver. We'll see how much pride they have.
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By keeping Ryan Fitzpatrick in the lineup for Week 11, after the team is practically eliminated from the playoff race, the Buccaneers are letting you know how they feel about Jameis Winston.
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Nick Chubb looks like a really good back. Do not forget, the Browns got him with the draft pick obtained for eating $ 16 million from Brock Osweiler's contract. We can argue that this is a prudent investment, but the Browns probably are not complaining.
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After the Lions beat the packers and won a road game against the Dolphins, they were 3-3. They had won three of four. Since then they've been outscored 86-45 and the closest game was a 12-point loss to the Bears. They trailed that game 34-10 after three quarters. Matt Patricia's first season started bad, looked good for a few weeks, and now seems to be a total waste.
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There are a few teams that fall into the "most disappointing" category, but the Jaguars have a case for the No. 1 spot. They are in the last place of the AFC South and have at least 6-1 to have a shot at the playoffs. Coach Doug Marrone has done a poor job this season.
<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "21. Miami Dolphins (5-5, LW: 20)"data-reactid =" 66 ">21. Miami Dolphins (5-5, LW: 20)
<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "According to Niners NationFrank Gore passed 500 rushing yards for the 14th straight season, an NFL record. While Gore's playing more than Kenyan Drake remains endlessly confusing, Gore's career has been absolutely incredible. "Data-reactid =" 67 ">According to Niners NationFrank Gore passed 500 rushing yards for the 14th straight season, an NFL record. While Gore playing more than Kenyan Drake remains endlessly confusing, Gore's career has been absolutely incredible.
<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "20. Atlanta Falcons (4-5, LW: 14)"data-reactid =" 68 ">20. Atlanta Falcons (4-5, LW: 14)
Well, that Falcons surge was fun for a moment. Sunday to Cleveland. The Falcons will still be a tough place to stay.
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Given what we've seen from the Bengals at their worst, it seems crazy they're 5-4. They've been outscored by 53 points this season. The 4-5 Ravens have outscored their opponents by 53, at 106-point difference between the second- and third-place teams in the AFC North. The Bengals are a mess and they will help you, it's hard to see them making a real playoff push. That embarrassment against the Saints was telling.
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The NFL's best story is not enough, strangely, Andrew Luck's comeback. Has everyone forgotten more than a year-and-a-half of speculation over whether Luck would ever be the same? He's back to a Pro Bowl level.
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Joe Flacco's hip injury could open the way to Lamar Jackson to start, and is that the worst thing? The Ravens need some kind of spark. Maybe starting Jackson would provide one.
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I want to keep the Rams off the field, and the Seahawks are running the ball well lately. I still can not really understand an offensive game plan that centers around minimizing Russell Wilson. Wilson had eight attempts and 39 passing yards in the first half on Sunday against a Rams defense that got torched by Drew Brees the week before. Wilson is one of the best players in the NFL, not a game manager.
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The Eagles have not looked right all season. The cluster injuries at home are a real concern, and I'm not sure how they overcome this week at the Saints. But they're probably going to pull up some upsets if they're going to make the playoffs.
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Leighton Vander Esch looks like a really good first-round pick. Since Sean Lee can not stay healthy, it was important for the Cowboys to think about the future (knowing he'd be lucky to have a rookie too when Lee was hurt). The Cowboys may have had other needs on offense, but they have landed a good player.
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Up and down we go. The Titans looked good grinding out tough early wins, were miserable for a stretch, then won at Dallas and blasted the Patriots in the span of seven days. You figure out what's coming next.
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Nobody believes in the Redskins, and they've given people plenty of reason for skepticism. But they keep picking up wins, getting one on Sunday when they practically had no offensive line. The Eagles are reeling, the Cowboys are 4-5 and offensively challenged … at what point do we just have to admit the Redskins are the favorites in the NFC East?
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On Thursday night the Packers play at Seattle, then in Week 12 they play at Minnesota. That's a tough stretch but the packers need to make something happen. Having Aaron Jones (145 yards rushing, two touchdowns) becoming a serious difference maker in the offense can not hurt.
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The Titans' win was not great news for the Texans. Tennessee already has a win over Houston and is just a game back. It should be an interesting race in that division.
<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "9. Carolina Panthers (6-3, LW: 6)"data-reactid =" 94 ">9. Carolina Panthers (6-3, LW: 6)
I think the Panthers are a quality team. But good teams usually do not get out of the stadium like they did last Thursday night. I guess we just chalk it up to the time of the day. But it was concerning.
<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "8. Chicago Bears (6-3, LW: 10)"data-reactid =" 96 ">8. Chicago Bears (6-3, LW: 10)
The Bears allow the lowest rating in the NFL, at 79.8. Mitchell Trubisky has a rating of 101.6 and the Bears offense ranks in this category. Passing the ball efficiently and keeping the opponent doing so is a pretty good way to build a first-place team.
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Who would have thought that Minnesota's game on Sunday at Chicago might be the biggest in the NFC North this season? That's a good Sunday night matchup.
<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "6. New England Patriots (7-3, LW: 4)"data-reactid =" 104 ">6. New England Patriots (7-3, LW: 4)
In every key stats, Tom Brady 's numbers are down: yards, completion percentage, steals, touchdowns, yards per attempt, pass rating. He is still very much in control, obviously, but this is one of the most important things in his life.
<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "5. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2-1, LW: 7)"data-reactid =" 106 ">5. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2-1, LW: 7)
Weird things happen on Thursday nights, a good goal Panthers team 52-21 is a sign the Steelers are in full stride. They're going to be happy to watch the rest of the way.
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The knock on Melvin Gordon before this season was not very efficient. He has taken his yards from 3.9 last season to 5.4 this season. Gordon also has 11 touchdowns in eight games. He has blossomed into a star.
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Cooper Kupp's ACL injury is a big blow. The Rams average. Los Angeles has a lot of good players but they'll miss Kupp. It's hard to replace what he can do.
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I can not imagine what the Saints believe they're getting from Brandon Marshall. Over his last 26 games, Marshall has 1,078 yards and four touchdowns. He's 34 and this will be his fourth team in three seasons. Seems like a weird addition.
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Chiefs-Rams in Mexico City is going to be incredible.
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<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Frank Schwab is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
Follow @YahooSchwab"data-reactid =" 117 ">Frank Schwab is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
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