Well, for all practical purposes, they're officially out of the running now. Too many good teams in the AFC, and they're barely above mediocre.

It's just as well, I suppose. I'm a rather demanding fan -- I don't demand that they go to the superbowl every year, but I'm happier when I think they've got a shot at it. And this year, following them has been a lot more difficult with the wacky work and sleep schedule and the lack of TV.

Yadda, yadda, yadda... There's always next year.