AFC WEST CHAMPIONS!!!

Today, the Chiefs celebrate their first AFC West championship since 2003!

Not only did the Chiefs handle the Titans today but the Chargers did the unthinkable: lost. And not only did they lose 34-20, but they did it to the 3-11 (going in to the game) Bengals. The same Bengals that were without their two starting wide receivers: Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco.

And with the result of today, there is one person to thank (no not God although I have done it several times already): Pete Carroll.

Ed Reinke/AP Photo

What does the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks have to do with the Chiefs AFC West championship? He recruited Matt Cassel and Carson Palmer. Carson Palmer is the quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals. Although the former Heisman winner had been struggling all year, he had a great day with his lesser known receivers. Completing 16-21 for 269 yards, 4 touchdowns and a 157.2 qb rating; he outplayed the Chargers defense all day.


Palmer certainly did a big favor for Matt Cassel: his college team mate, his good friend, and the guy he was best man for at the wedding. Not that the Chiefs were relying on a Chargers loss, but it is good to wrap up the division a week early and not have to worry about a Raiders upset next week.

Palmer didn't do it on his own, 124 of his yards and 2 of his touchdowns went to Jerome Simpson, an unknown receiver who got playing time this week because of the injury to Ochocinco. Cincinnati had 102 yards rushing and forced two San Diego turnovers.

Holding San Diego to 64 rushing yards (Mike Tolbert was carted off the field early on) and Rivers to one touchdown and 256 yards passing was huge. Cincinnati had the pride (that had been lacking for much of the year) to never give in; the pride to not let their play reflect their record; the pride to go out their and beat a team that couldn't afford to lose.

Thank you Cincinnati. This officially makes up for you destroying Trent Green.