Kylie is of course a Steelers fan, but she was entertained by the Colts most of this season (the part of the season after she was born, that is). I think it was the no-huddle offense that fascinated her, probably because there was less down time in their games. But the Colts took most of the game to get it going today against the unrelenting Steelers, and it was too little and too late. The 21-18 loss bounced the Colts, who a month ago had designs on an undefeated season, out of the playoffs. The Steelers will move on, as will the Panthers, who have now beaten teams from the nation’s top two cities, New York and Chicago, in consecutive weeks. That can’t make the TV execs and NFL powers very happy, but too bad. The Panthers earned every bit of their 29-21 win over the Bears, and might have even made a believer out of Kylie (though she doubts they can win in noisy Seattle without DeShaun Foster, whose broken ankle will most likely keep him from playing next week).

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One year ago: Above Average
"It would work, but no one has the imagination to put it into action, and I don’t have the courage to press the issue."

Two years ago: Dislodged
"It's like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and then falling down a mineshaft. It would be nice to get to the light, but first I have to crawl out of this black hole."

Three years ago: Taking the Wheel
"By the end of the day I was signing anything they put in front of me. I might have signed up for conga lessons or floormat-of-the-month club. But I drove home in my new Ion 3."

Four years ago: Understated
"I finished Arizona today. It's satisfying to cross an entire state off my to-do list."

Five years ago: Flying Low
"It's a dream to believe that one person could make that much difference, but I know it's possible, because such a man lived among us once. It's up to us to keep the dream alive."

Six years ago: That Smell
"And seeing bodies dropping by the side of the New Jersey Turnpike got a big laugh every time. Every time."