A.F.C. Update

Last night, the (11-3) Baltimore Ravens took a step, likely a major one, toward being the A.F.C. “1” seed, with a (23-7) win at Jacksonville, vs the (8-6) Jaguars, who after a third straight loss, are in a 3 way tie with Houston (Texans) and Indianapolis, the former a winner by 3 points, for the AFC South lead with (sorry) three weeks/games remaining.

Miami (Dolphins) is (10-4) after a (30-0) win vs the Jets.

The Ravens face the top rated S.F. 49ers, on the road, before hosting the ‘Phins in the penultimate week.

Do not count out defending Super Bowl champion (9-5) Kansas City (Chiefs), in its bid for a chance to host the AFC Title Game/NFL “semi” (semi decent was said as) for an incredible 6th straight season.

The Chiefs host the Raiders on Christmas Day, a day that ought to be no NFL play, which was the case after Miami 2 overtimed K.C. on Christmas Day 1971, at venerable Municipal Stadium (Curt Gowdy talked often about the fans picking up their seat cushions and filing out, all but silently, after Garo Yepremian, once a tiemaker, broke the long in effect tie, booting a field goal that sent Miami to a home “semi” vs the Colts, which they won before Dallas finally won “The Big One” vs them in the subsequent Super Bowl), followed by a home tilt vs (8-6) Cincinnati (Bengals), before closing at the (5-9) Chargers.

One other game/update as the (9-5) Cleveland Browns came from 2 touchdowns down to FG the (5-9) Chicago Bears.

Two of the greatest NFL players, each at the very top or at worst so very close in the offensive and defensive categories, that died in 2023, Jim Brown and Dick Butkus, are honored as “Cleve” players wear Jim’s #32 on their uniform, while “Chi” players honor the great Butkus, with #51, adorning their uniforms.

I end this my apparent 4,500th post, with video of the conclusion of that December 25, 1971 Miami “div round” win at Kansas City.

Rick Weaver, long the voice of the Dolphins, is doing the play by play.

He told his one time football analyst partner, Hank Goldberg, himself like Weaver, a talented broadcaster, talk all you want between plays, but when they break the huddle–“shut up.”