Good morning Chiefs fans! It took two days longer than expected, but I finally got home yesterday. Thanks to Joel for covering for me! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. Chew slowly, it's the last one you get this year. Tomorrow's post might be late, since I'll be ringing in the New Year in Manhattan tonight (not Times Square). It's been a great year to be a Chiefs fan, and I'm looking forward to kicking off the new one with a win against the Raiders and some playoffs. Happy New Year, friends. Be safe.

The Chiefs started winning this season, and occasionally it felt like the old days again. That Monday night game to start the season was packed, and the people inside were loud and cranky. But even after the team’s best start in seven years, the enthusiasm was muffled after a few weeks.

But one thing didn’t change: the Chiefs’ comfort in their home stadium. Haley moved Friday practices to Arrowhead to further enhance that comfort — studying where you take the test, Haley has called it — and, sure enough, the Chiefs keep winning there.

It might not be perfect, but Kansas City again possesses a home-field advantage.

"It’s really critical," Haley said, "if you want to be a good team, year in and year out, and a team that has a chance to play in big games."

Chiefs slowly restoring Arrowhead atmosphere from KC Star

With Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Andy Studebaker paving the way for the return unit and Tennessee Titans corner Pete Ittersagen streaking down the opposite side in hot pursuit of the ball carrier, NFL history is made - even if very few people realize it.

Studebaker - a sixth round draft pick in 2008 from Wheaton College - and Ittersagen - a rookie free agent in 2009, also out of Wheaton - are unofficially the first pair of former Division III teammates to share an NFL field in 24 years.

Wheaton College Alums Face Off on NFL Field from Wheaton Patch

KC Star Photo Gallery: KC Chiefs season review

The Raiders have the reputation of being quitters, but that isn’t always accurate when it comes to the season’s final game. Longtime Chiefs fans will recall Oakland coming to Kansas City for the final game of the 1999 season and rallying for an overtime win. That game dropped the Chiefs to 9-7 and cost them the AFC West championship and a playoff spot.

In more recent times, 2008, the Raiders trekked across the country and won at Tampa Bay, knocking the Bucs from a playoff spot.

So don’t expect the Raiders to necessarily mail it in Sunday against the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

Chiefs notebook | No blackout for Oakland, playoff games from KC Star

The Raiders claim ownership of the AFC West after winning their first five divisional games this season, but the Kansas City Chiefs own the bragging rights as division champions.

Whereas both teams have every right to feel good about their impressive turnarounds from last season, it's the Chiefs who are headed to the playoffs.

Raiders have owned AFC West opponents, but Chiefs won division from The San Jose Mercury News

McFadden said he went out and "ran around'' at practice, but on the official report he was listed as not having practiced.

"I have full intentions of going out and playing so I'll see how it goes,'' McFadden said.

Defensive tackle Richard Seymour did not practice and will be a game time decision. Right tackle Langston Walker was limited, saying he made it through 95 percent of practice before he had a "miniscule'' headache.

McFadden thinks turf toe not as bad as ‘08 from he Oakland Tribune

Kansas City Chiefs fans, you may want to skip this Xtranormal-style video. The video, titled "Kansas City Chiefs Fan talking with Sane Person," might just burst your bubble with its aggressive debunking of Chiefs fans' Super Bowl hopes.

Video hates on the Chiefs' playoff prospects: 'Talking to a Chiefs fan is useless. They have delusions of grandeur' from The Pitch

Kansas City, Casey Wiegmann, center: Wiegmann has played more than 10,000 consecutive snaps dating back to [2001]. Perhaps not all the Chiefs will play the entire game against Oakland in preparation for the playoffs, but I'm sure we'll get a look at the underrated Iron Man.

One player to watch from ESPN

The National 9/11 Flag will arrive in Kansas City and be featured during pre-game ceremonies for the Chiefs-Raiders game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 2, 2011 at 12 noon.

Forty Greensburg, Kansas tornado survivors and friends of the National 9/11 Flag will carry the 30-foot flag to the center of the field for the National Anthem. 

The National 9/11 Flag is the largest American flag to survive the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. It is our generation's Star-Spangled Banner.

Greensburg 9/11 flag to be at Sunday's Chiefs game from Kiowa County Signal

The Chiefs can improve their seed and cap off an 8-0 season against the Raiders. Kansas City also has a chance to get Jamaal Charles the rushing title.

Charles (1,380 yards) trails Houston's Arian Foster (1,436) by 56 yards heading into the season's final week. This is the league's most coveted single-season honor, and Charles said Wednesday he expects a full workload.

Milestones: Charles' last charge from Sporting News

Oakland at Kansas City:The Chiefs have already clinched the AFC West courtesy of the best one-year turnaround in team history. It's a byproduct of one of the best drafts in team history, which netted safety Eric Berry (a Pro Bowl snub), slot WR/RS Dexter McCluster (electrifying when healthy), TE Tony Moeaki (solid starter), CB Javier Arenas (promising nickel back), and safety Kendrick Lewis (emerging #3 safety). Guard Jon Asamoah is the top interior reserve, and they've gotten contributions from undrafted rookies as well.

Football Meteorology for Week 17 from Real GM Football