I can finally once again turn on my TV on Sundays without dread. Since roughly 2006 this has been nap time for me. Now I am not buying my playoff tickets yet and there is still a lot of football left but I forgot how much fun it can be to watch a game knowing your team has at least a chance to win. Yes I am drinking my share of the Kool-Aid, but it’s been at least 4 years since I was thirsty for it so who cares. The teams in the Show-Me State, at least for the being, are relevant again and I am going to enjoy it.
Our towns Rams are 2-2 and in 1st place. Granted it’s a three-way tie and only four games in but I’ll take it. About 4 hours west on I-70 the Chiefs are also in 1st place and the NFL’s only remaining undefeated team at 3-0. St. Louis has outscored opponents by a 25 pt margin, Kansas City by 30. These records and standings probably will not withstand the tough NFL schedule ahead of both teams, but with today’s parity around the league you never know. Look at what has already taken place this season. Indy is 2-2 with loses to Houston and the Jags and the 49ers are 0-4 after being picked by everyone to win the NFC West. So I guess my point is….why not.
St. Louis and Kansas City each had a strong off-season. Both had solid drafts, Bradford & Saffold in STL and McCluster & Berry in KC, St. Louis firmed up their ownership with proven winner Stan Kroenke and KC really strengthened their coaching staff with the addition of Weis and Crennel. These are two franchises (and cities) that needed a spark, needed confidence and more importantly needed to get their fan bases behind them. Rams finally have a personality and a pulse, KC has some swagger and attitude. Sam Bradford is only 4 games in to his NFL career and is going to make mistakes, the Rams are going to lose the majority of their games this year and probably next, and KC is not going to go undefeated. Both will most likely not make the playoffs.
Yet the Rams haven’t been blacked out on TV this season and the Chiefs aren’t going anywhere. So on behalf of all fans in St. Louis and Kansas City…..THANK YOU! Thank you for making my living room couch a destination on Sunday’s again and thank you for making me care. I remember St. Louis without football…those were some very lonely Sunday’s. My love affair with the Rams is blossoming as it did 16 years ago which means no more lonely Sunday’s.
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