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Thursday Night Observations

I woke up this morning and accidentally caught the score before watching the game. That made me want to watch it less, and then the condensed version wasn't available for some reason, so I caught the edited highlights package. There weren't many.

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(The Ascensor da Bica tram, one block from our house after hours. Above a view of our new street.)

• The Chiefs covered as I predicted, but after seeing how it happened I realize it was dumb luck - a failed fourth-down conversion, a failed fake field goal, Derek Carr missing a wide open Amari Cooper on a deep ball that would have been an easy score, a punt return TD for Tyreek Hill, etc. It was quintessential Chiefs though, and when you take them you count on some of that going your way.

• Alex Smith played a good game, getting 10.1 YPA and throwing further down the field than usual. His 39-yard first quarter pass to Chris Conley was perfect.

• Tyreek Hill continues to be a force in fantasy with a 36-yard TD and a punt return TD. Aside from the long TD catch, however, his other five receptions were for a combined 30 yards.

• Travis Kelce's run continued with five more catches for 101 yards. He's the No. 1 TE right now in fantasy. (He also mocked punter Marquette King's celebration dance after Hill took one of his punts to the house.)

• Jeremy Maclin returned, but had only one catch for 16 yards.

• Spencer Ware had a disappointing 63 YFS and lost the short rushing TD to Charcandrick West. Oakland seemed to make it a point to stop Ware at the expense of an efficient day for Smith.

• Derek Carr had a miserable day - 117 yards passing, 2.9 YPA - and he dragged Cooper and Michael Crabtree down with him. Latavius Murray managed 103 yards rushing and a TD, making him the only remotely useful Raider.