PHILADELPHIA — The song goes, "'Tis the season to be jolly."

The song is only half right.

'Tis certainly the season to be jolly, but only if your fantasy football team is in the playoffs. And if that team has Larry Johnson on it, then 'tis the season to be downright giddy.

Anyone who had Johnson last year probably knows by heart his rushing totals over the Chiefs' final five games: 140, 143, 167, 131 and 201. He also mixed in 11 touchdown runs and his only TD catch of the year; all during the most crucial stretch of the fantasy football season.

This year, Johnson has 1,202 yards and 15 total touchdowns. He's also strung together consecutive 150-yard games as the Chiefs' running game takes on the look of a locomotive.

There is a thought, however, that the Chiefs are overworking Johnson. He's averaging 26 carries per game and has toted the ball 31 and 34 times the last two contests. Chiefs coach Herm Edwards doesn't care.

"I'm not going to wear him out," Edwards said. "That's what good runners want. They want the ball. Larry Johnson is not hurting. Larry Johnson is going to carry the football. ... It's not like he's walking around here saying he's carrying the ball too much. He's carrying the ball 30 times a game. Big deal."

The Chiefs have some challenges ahead, including games against San Diego, Baltimore and Jacksonville. All have run defenses ranked in the NFL's top 10.

"We're going to try to run the football," Edwards continued. "I believe in running, and I believe when you say you're a physical team, you have to run the ball. Two things always come to mind: You throw passes to score, and you run to win. That's always been my mind-set."

Fa-la-la-la-la La-la-la-la

Vanderjagt ruleWe have a rule in our league that fines owners for having players on bye in their active lineup. It does not address guys who have been cut and are no longer in football, such as recently released Cowboys kicker Mike Vanderjagt.That loophole will be closed next year. But some commissioners, especially those with leagues whose drop/add deadline has passed, could have a problem on their hands now.There's no sympathy for Vanderjagt owners who are stuck without a kicker. However, there's bound to be Vanderjagt owners out of the playoff hunt, but still in position to play spoiler. Hopefully, they can (and do) fill the void left by Vanderjagt's departure. Otherwise, teams will be playing shorthanded during the most important time of the year.Just one more thing for commishes to ruminate over.

Wayback machineIn honor of Denver rookie quarterback Jay Cutler's first NFL start, we unearthed this John Elway quote from his debut on Sept. 4, 1983."The statistics make it look like I played bad, but I did everything I could. I'm still not throwing real well, because I'm worried about making a mistake."Elway went 1-for-8 for 14 yards against Pittsburgh before getting knocked out with an elbow injury. He also fumbled once, was sacked four times and even drew in an intentional grounding penalty. Veteran Steve DeBerg was able to clean up the mess and lead Denver to a 14-10 win.Good luck, Jay.

Stuff to consider• If you are considering grabbing Cutler, please note that Denver does have some favorable matchups left. The remaining schedule: home against Seattle, at San Diego, at Arizona, home against Cincinnati and San Francisco.• When Shawne Merriman went out on his steroid suspension, the Chargers were second in total defense. After four games without their stud linebacker, they've slipped to ninth. San Diego is at Buffalo this week.• Keeper leaguers should note the progress — if there is any — of Raiders running back Justin Fargas. He'll be Oakland's primary back from here on out and, more important, will be an unrestricted free agent at season's end.• Through 11 games in 1984, Dan Marino had 3,340 passing yards on his way to a record 5,084. Through 11 games this year, Saints quarterback Drew Brees has 3,463 passing yards and is on pace for 5,037. Marino also had 30 touchdown passes at this point, compared with 19 for Brees.