Chiefs at Raiders - Week 16 - Record: 8-7

Not much to say about this game. We slogged to a 20-9 victory. The Raiders are pretty much the 2-12 team their record indicates, committing five turnovers on the day. They don't have extraordinary skill people at any offensive position, though their go-to back-for-the-day Justin Fargas did well. But hey, their QB is young, and Randy Moss has been replaced by some alien imposter from space who merely looks like him.

Larry Johnson had another 100. I think I'd heard something about him earlier in the week criticizing the play-calling as unimaginative. Good for him. I hate to say it, but I agree with him, it is. Today we did a bit more misdirection, got lots of people involved, so that was nice to see. I really believe that Herm Edwards is a terrific coach, but sometimes it just seems that he doesn't fully take advantage of all that he has. Does anyone else feel this way?

Anyway, for what it's worth, tonight we are still in the playoff chase. Woo-hoo! We can revel in it one more night, as I'm sure we can be mathematically put-out-of-our-misery a dozen different ways tomorrow when the full slate of games are played.

As for thinking in more future-oriented terms, an announcer mentioned that guard Brian Waters was going to the Pro Bowl. Hmm. That's great. Maybe the O-line isn't as bad as it seems. Our offensive line problem may be solved by merely getting that solid left tackle.

So yeah. It all comes back around to that key question asked before the season started. Can we replace Willie Roaf? I believe the answer was an unqualified "No." But if we work hard in improving that area, we may be helped more than I thought.

Finally, it was sweet hearing Dick Vermeil do the color in tonight's NFL Network broadcast. He is such a football genius, and I know this may sound perverse but it just kills me to think if we had the defense we have today back in 2003 we'd've been utterly dominant. But what do they say? If poseys were bluebirds and wishes were popsicle sticks, or something stupid like that...

Okay, I'm done for now...