Happy Whatever-You-Want from all of us at American Football Spectacular! Let's have a look at the games on TV this wknd, shall we?

San Diego Chargers at the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, 12/24/2005, 10:00 AM PST

Wild Card playoff football is nothing compared to the atmosphere for two teams clawing for that last playoff spot at the end of the regular season. Truly, when it is said that "this is what it's all about;" then this, is what it is all about, son. Redemption. To overcome a season's worth of missed opportunities, to feel that sweet week of optimism between Week 17 and the Wild Card week, to slough off the looming disappointment of a season near-lost -- that chance is what these two teams will be fighting for. Hope. They're fighting to make the sun rise on their season one last time. And they'll be going at it like rats trapped in a corner to get at that fleeting opportunity. If you watch no other game this wknd, for sheer distractive entertainment value, this is the one to catch.

The Chiefs and Bolts have been traveling their path to this sort of a game all year long, neither franchise able to rise into the safely playoff-bound echelon of the AFC despite both being able to defeat the defending NFL champion New England Patriots. KC's power running game will go headlong into the Chargers' #1 rated rushing defense. San Diego's defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has been been one of the National Football League's deans of the 3-4 set for years, and what he's been able to do with his defensive personnel has been quite a stirring tale this season. Seriously, outside of vaunted rookie LB/DE Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman and crafty veteran LB Donnie Edwards, can you name any of San Diego's front seven? Can you name any of their defensive lineman? Some great work you done there, Wade.

So, for each of these franchises, they must have this game to see the sun rise on their season for one more week. Even if their playoff chances would be described with the phrase "and-get-some-help," any chance is better than knowing that you'll be home for the Wild Card wknd, and that your season was all for naught. We all want to see the sun rise on our own chances, to feel as though we will find the happiness that we seek at the end of our path.

By SFist Christopher Rogers, contributing

Your San Francisco 49ers at the St. Louis Rams, Saturday, 12/24/2005, 10:00 AM PST

Remember how your Niners snatched the victory from the Rams in this season's Week 01 match up? Hah, that was fun, wasn't it? Now in the bleak reaches of this late season game, neither team has anything really to play for. SF will play hard under Coach Nolan, and may keep it surprisingly close, but STL has a more complete team -- with some semblance of a defense and a QB from Harvard, of all places -- and should mop up our pitiably under-staffed Niners. We will be overrun, like the outer walls of the Hornburg at Helm's Deep.

And stop talking about Reggie Bush. Seriously, quit it. That won't do any good.

Your Oakland Raiders at the Denver Broncos, Saturday, 12/24/2005, 1:00 PM PST

Unkind. This is the sort of matchup that makes Denver Head Coach Mike Shanahan smile that pained gerbil grin of his beneath haunted eyes. Shanny will certainly never forgive His Al-ness for excommunicating him from Raider Nation, and with Denver amongst the top AFC squads this year, Oakland can expect the Broncos to show no mercy. O Raider Nation, turn your eyes from this game, it's only gonna hurt. Avert your eyes.

Chicago Bears at the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, 12/25/2005, 2:00 PM PST

A cold weather football purist's dream match up on Christmas. But you have to listen to the announcers talk about how great Brett Favre is the whole time. Sigh.

Chicago's finesse-ish yet powerful Cover 2 defense will make brutally short work of the Packers, who just put their twelfth running back on the injured reserve list. Like tossing bacon to a family pet, the Green Bay offense will be wolfed down by Lovie's defense. Perhaps you'll still be in your PJs at that point in the day.

Minnesota Vikings at the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, 12/25/2005, 5:30 PM PST

Both the Vikes and the Ravens have been flailing around all year long, for different reasons. The Ravens have been a mess on the field, while MIN has been horrible both on and off the gridiron.

Yet both teams have been hitting their stride in recent weeks. BAL blew out Green Bay on Monday Night Football with Cal alum Kyle Boller looking like an actual quarterback, and the Vikings have been tearing through the league (and lowered expectations) since installing perfectionistic QB Brad Johnson. Now Minnesota has an outside shot at a playoff slot, and Baltimore -- if only to keep Head Coach Brian Billick's job -- will
rise to meet them.

New England Patriots at the New York Jets, Monday, 12/26/2005 6:00 PM PST

Yeah, I hope you're not working retail today.

All this talk about the Jets' Head Coach Herm Edwards' job security is hooey. He's a fine coach whose team has been decimated by injury all season long. It is a shame. And it's also a shame that his franchise won't be able to stand a chance against the Patriots on Monday night.

Typically, New England is peaking at the right time. They're getting key guys back from injury like RB "Clock Killin'" Corey Dillon and defensive lineman Richard Seymour, who is a beast if you use him in Madden 2006.

Anyways, it's a sad way to see Monday Night Football go out this year, but there it is. The Jets will be fine next year, as long as they don't listen to the nattering of the New York media and do something silly with their front office.

Seasonal Greetings to all y'all from American Football Spectacular! May you get what you're looking for, whether it's a late season win, a pair of new socks, or a moment's peace.

What do we want for Christmas, you say? Well! We're flattered you asked! If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, we want you to tape or TiVo the American football games that you were meaning to watch this weekend, and instead use that time to help out in the effort to find Jerry Tang. As you may know from reading SFist, he has been missing since November 29. Print some posters from the PDFs and hit up your area. You can help find him, and this Christmas wknd, we want you to help pitch in with the effort. It'd be very nice of you, thanks.

Next time on your American Football Spectacular: Recalling what happened over the wknd, some bowl previews, and you didn't drink the last of the egg nog yet, did you?