I have to admit that I’ve been having a little trouble getting into the Christmas spirit this year. I blame it on having a real-person job. For the past four years, come December I was finishing up exams and making plans for my month of holiday freedom. I had time to bake cookies, wrap presents and actually enjoy the snow without having to shovel out my car. Now? I have to squeeze in Christmas shopping a couple days before the big day. It’s become a stressful nightmare. But if there is one thing that can get me in the mood for all things holiday, it’s an early gift. So thank you very much, Miami (picture the little Dolphin logo wearing a Santa hat instead of a helmet). Thanks for playing a great game against my Titans. Thanks for clawing back in the second half and making the game exciting. Thanks Chad Henne for that gift-wrapped interception in overtime. Thanks Greg Camarillo for your unnecessary roughness stocking stuffer. And THANK YOU FOOTBALL SANTA FOR GETTING THE TITANS BACK TO .500!!

Hit it: Rob Bironas! I’m going to preface my sentiments with this (potentially embarrassing) fact – I have an intense foot phobia. I know it’s stupid and irrational, but I can’t help it. That being said, I’ve never loved a foot so much in my life! Bironas knocked the game-winning 46-yard field goal through the uprights and gave the Titans a tiny little sliver of playoff hope. He’s really put his early-season struggles behind him, which has helped Tennessee get back into the hunt.

Quit it: Injuries! Say it aint so! Keith Bullock AND David Thornton are both out for the season. That is the absolute LAST thing this team needs right now. Keith has been one of the cornerstones of the Titans defense since he was drafted in 2000. He’s leading the team in tackles and was AFC Defensive Player of the Week last week. We’re going to need all the help we can get against the Chargers’ explosive offense next week, and now the linebacker corps will feature rookies instead of two immensely talented players. Yikes.

Hit it: Vince Young’s pocket passing! I know it may be a bit confusing, but Vince Young threw for three touchdowns on Sunday. Three! Three beautiful passes to Justin Gage and Nate Washington. VY is continuing his maturation as a player, and I’m loving every minute of it. He’s become a great player to watch, and more importantly, he keeps finding ways (with his ARM, not even his feet!) to win games with his team. Even if the Titans don’t make the playoffs this year, I would still consider this season a success, if only because it gave Vince the perfect opportunity to prove himself and grow as a quarterback.

Quit it: Chris Johnson! Only 104 yards rushing?? Not acceptable! How DARE you not reach 200 yards???

(Just kidding CJ! Great game as usual! Can’t wait to watch you break into the 2,000 club.)

Hit it: Jacksonville and Houston losing! The only thing worse than starting the season 0-6 was having to see “Tennessee Titans – last in AFC South.” I really figured the Titans would stay at the bottom of the division, but that was silly of me. Obviously the Jags and Texans would help the Titans out a bit by losing games. Now, all three teams are tied for second. Feels great as a Titans fan, but I’m sure it must sting a bit to be a Houston/Jacksonville fan (oh wait, I mean a Houston fan… Jacksonville doesn’t have any of those pesky things). Tied near the end of the season with a team that started out so terribly? HA.

Quit it: Playoff scenarios! While I love stats and lists (especially all these end of decade Best of… lists that have been coming out lately!), I detest playoff scenarios. They are confusing and intricate and awful to hear. Whenever I accidentally ask someone if their team will make the playoffs, I have to hear, “WELL, if team A loses to team B and if team C wins out and if team X ties with team F then all we have to do is win and hope that team Q beats team P…” Jibberish! All of it! Just tell me when the playoffs are here please. Thanks.