Game: Kansas City @ Indianapolis

 

Preview: Alex Smith and the Chiefs visit Lucas Oil Stadium to take on Andrew Luck and the Colts in an AFC wild-card game. Coming into this week, the Colts have a 3-game win streak along with a 23-7 victory at Kansas City on December 22nd. The Chiefs on the other hand, they are coming into this week with two straight losses and looking to break a 7-game playoff losing streak.

The Colts are 11-5 and have only allowed 20 points in the last three games including the 23-7 victory at Kansas City.

The Colts are really hoping to have a hot streak to take them a distance in the playoffs. "I think if you check the last 6 Super Bowl winners, they got hot at the right time," Indianapolis defensive end Robert Mathis said. "That's what it's all about, getting hot at the right time."

A player to watch during today's contest is Wide Receiver T.Y. Hilton, who recorded 82 receptions, 1,083 yards, and 5 touchdowns after taking over for Wide Receiver Reggie Wayne who had a season ending injury (ACL) in week 7 against the Broncos.

The Chiefs are 11-5 and have lost two in a row. In week 17 they expect a few players to return as they look forward to break this 7-game playoff losing streak. The players expecting to return are Wide Receiver Dwayne Bowe (Concussion), Linebacker Justin Houston (dislocated elbow) and Left Tackle Braden Albert (hyperextended knee).

"It's the start of a new season, that's how the playoffs work," Reid said. "You're in the dance, as they say. It's another phase of the season. You've worked very hard as a team to get into this position. Now it's important that you exhaust yourself to make sure you're right."

A player to watch for Kansas City is running back Jamaal Charles. He recorded 259 carries, 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns, but he also is the season leader in receptions for Kansas City with 70 receptions, 693 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Spread: Pk

Prediction: I would have to take a Colts victory over the Chiefs, 24-17. The Chiefs' biggest threat is Jamaal Charles. If the Colts can shut him down, they would hold the Chiefs to little points.

Injury Report:

Chiefs

Name	Position	Injury	Wed.	Thu.	Fri.	Game Status
Albert, Branden	T	Knee	FP	FP	FP	probable
Bowe, Dwayne	WR	Concussion	FP	FP	FP	probable
Fisher, Eric	OT	Groin/Shoulder	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Hali, Tamba	LB	Knee	DNP	DNP	LP	questionable
Houston, Justin	LB	Elbow	FP	FP	FP	probable
Kush, Eric	OL	Ankle	FP	FP	FP	probable
Parker, Ron	DB	Finger/Ankle	FP	FP	FP	probable

Colts

Name	Position	Injury	Wed.	Thu.	Fri.	Game Status
Brown, Sergio	FS	Groin	FP	FP	FP	probable
Butler, Darius	CB	Quad	FP	FP	FP	probable
Davis, Vontae	CB	Groin	FP	FP	FP	probable
Franklin, Aubrayo	NT	Knee	DNP	FP	FP	questionable
Heyward-Bey, Darrius	WR	Hamstring	LP	FP	FP	probable
Jean Francois, Ricky	DT	Foot	FP	FP	FP	probable
Mathis, Robert	OLB	Rest	FP	FP	FP	probable
McGlynn, Mike	G/C	Elbow	FP	FP	FP	probable
Moala, Fili	DE	Knee	DNP	DNP	DNP	questionable
Redding, Cory	DE	Shoulder	FP	FP	FP	probable
Toler, Greg	CB	Groin	FP	FP	FP	probable
Werner, Bjoern	OLB	Ankle	FP	FP	FP	probable

Re-Opening: Brandon Sweeney Fan Page

Greetings NFL Fans and may I say, Happy New Year! I am very excited to tell all of my supporters and fans that Pro Football Hotline is now back up and running. I missed PFH very much and excited for what 2014 will hold.

I am opening PFH to be my personal fan page where I will post important updates, news, and other things containing the National Football League. This should be a great place for little tidbits and news around the NFL.

I am also excited to announce I will be creating a podcast and a YouTube channel. Both will debut in 2014 and will be weekly. More information on this will be posted soon.

Lastly, Pro Football Hotline is now looking for inspired writers. For the ones who are ready to get their start in NFL journalism, this is your place and we are looking for you. Everyone deserves their start and PFH will supply that for you.

I would be nothing if it was not for Pro Football Hotline. I have interviewed NFL players, agents, and insiders on this very blog and I know this very page has made dreams come true. So get ready everybody, because PFH is back on the scene! I encourage you to Follow me on my new Twitter @SweeneyRant and Like my Facebook Page.

It's Been a Great Ride!

NFL Fans, it is always so hard to say goodbye to something you love very deeply. Like saying goodbye to a child after watching him grow up and move on his own. Words can not describe how I feel about this website. Pro Football Hotline was a dream come true. I guess that's what you can compare this website to. My child. I've watched it grow, and I've watched it fall. I've been so excited with it and I've been mad with it. But it has made me who I am today. It has gotten me started on the right track to conquering my ultimate dreams. I am the newest member of the NFL Gridiron Gab Team. You can now check out my writings at nflgridirongab.com and steelersgab.com.

Moving forward, I just want to name the things I have been able to accomplish while being on PFH. I have met hundreds of die-hard NFL Fans and have talked to them right here on this site. This website has given me 500+ Twitter followers over three years. I have met some great people on this journey, and it finally has dipped my hand into the NFL journalism talent pool. I remember writing the articles about my cousin before and after his heart surgery and you people spread the word and we piled up so many page-views and prayers right here on this very site. You see, everything I have posted, it has been passed through by me and I had something to do with every single article. And I love that about PFH. A tear honestly comes to my eye knowing that this is the end of my company.

I have to thank the NFL Fans so much for everything you have done. I can promise you that through the 3 years PFH has been open, I have not made one penny off of this website. You guys were my money. I loved the feedback and you guys pushed me to keep working hard and keep producing high quality work. I can't thank you guys enough for what you have done. The list goes on and on. I could make this article last forever thanking each and every one of you, but there is one man I have to thank especially....

Steeler Steve himself. This is the man that got me hooked onto football and why it's still so important to me. He has been there from the beginning of Pro Football Hotline and was most likely my very first page view on this website. When the Hotline Chats were first starting on this page, several times it was just him and I chatting football. He made it to every chat on this website. Growing up he kept me out of so much trouble by just simply talking the game of football to me. He is the reason why I created this website and he is one of the greatest guys on this Earth! He is my role model and I will never be able to thank him enough for what he has done for me growing up from the website to becoming the man I am today! Thank you!

So this will be it NFL Fans. This will be Pro Football Hotline's last article. Thank you guys so much for the ride! God Bless!

Joe Flacco will be Highest Paid Player in League History

     The Baltimore Ravens and Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco, have reached a deal. The team and Flacco have been working on a new deal to keep Flacco on the team. Rumors around the league said that if Flacco didn't lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl win, then the Ravens were just going to place their franchise tag on Joe Flacco who's now the most valuable player in Super Bowl XLVII.
     The new contract will be a 6 year, $120 Million contract. Making Joe Flacco the highest paid player in NFL history. Does Joe Flacco deserve this honor? Well in his rookie contract that expired, he took his team to the playoffs every single year and leading them to the AFC Championship three times. Now he added a Super Bowl to the record. However does that make him a better quarterback than Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, or Aaron Rodgers? We will have to wait and see if he can live up to this big contract or will there be a major disappointment on the horizon for the Baltimore Ravens.