Q: The Hotak dynasty  was an Afghan monarchy of the Ghilji Pashtuns, established in April 1709 by Mirwais Hotak after leading a successful revolution against their declining Persian Safavid overlords in the region of Loy Kandahar  in what is now southern Afghanistan. It lasted until 1738 when the founder of the Afsharid dynasty, Nader Shah Afshar, defeated Hussain Hotak during the long siege of Kandahar, and started the reestablishment of Iranian suzerainty over all regions lost decades before against the Iranian archrival, the Ottoman Empire, and the Russian Empire. At its peak, the Hotak dynasty ruled briefly over an area which is now Afghanistan, Iran, western Pakistan, and some parts of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. In 1715, Mirwais died of a natural cause and his brother Abdul Aziz succeeded the monarchy. He was quickly followed by Mahmud who ruled the empire at its largest extent for a mere three years. Following the 1729 Battle of Damghan, where Ashraf Hotak was roundly defeated by Nader Shah, Ashraf was banished to what is now southern Afghanistan with Hotak rule being confined to it. Hussain Hotak became the last ruler until he was also defeated in 1738.
How many years did these events span for?

A: 29


Q: Coming off their dominating Monday Night performance against the Ravens, the Steelers stayed at home for Round 2 of the 2007 Rust Belt series against the Cleveland Browns.  In the first quarter, Pittsburgh trailed early as Browns QB Derek Anderson completed a 4-yard TD pass to TE Kellen Winslow.  The Steelers managed to get a 28-yard field goal from kicker Jeff Reed.  In the second quarter, Cleveland increased its lead with Anderson completing a 2-yard TD pass to FB Lawrence Vickers, while Pittsburgh only managed to have Reed kick a 35-yard field goal.  Afterwards, the Browns continued their fast start with Anderson completing a 16-yard TD pass to WR Braylon Edwards.  The Steelers drove into the red zone once again but settled for a 30-yard field goal from Reed.  Both teams scored thrice in the first half; Cleveland led 21-9. In the third quarter, Pittsburgh began to come back as QB Ben Roethlisberger completed a 12-yard TD pass to WR Hines Ward for the only score of the period.  In the fourth quarter, the Steelers took the lead with Roethlisberger getting a career-best 30-yard TD run.  Cleveland WR/KR Joshua Cribbs returned the ensuing kickoff 100&#160;yards for a touchdown.  Pittsburgh on their next drive retook the lead with Roethlisberger completing a 2-yard TD pass to TE Heath Miller.  The Browns tried to force overtime with a late field goal, but kicker Phil Dawson's 53-yard attempt came up short with 6&#160;seconds left. With their ninth straight win over Cleveland, the Steelers improved to 7-2 increasing the all-time series to 57-55.
Who caught Ben Roethlisberger's longest touchdown pass?

A: Hines Ward


Q: Coming off their dominating Monday Night performance against the Ravens, the Steelers stayed at home for Round 2 of the 2007 Rust Belt series against the Cleveland Browns.  In the first quarter, Pittsburgh trailed early as Browns QB Derek Anderson completed a 4-yard TD pass to TE Kellen Winslow.  The Steelers managed to get a 28-yard field goal from kicker Jeff Reed.  In the second quarter, Cleveland increased its lead with Anderson completing a 2-yard TD pass to FB Lawrence Vickers, while Pittsburgh only managed to have Reed kick a 35-yard field goal.  Afterwards, the Browns continued their fast start with Anderson completing a 16-yard TD pass to WR Braylon Edwards.  The Steelers drove into the red zone once again but settled for a 30-yard field goal from Reed.  Both teams scored thrice in the first half; Cleveland led 21-9. In the third quarter, Pittsburgh began to come back as QB Ben Roethlisberger completed a 12-yard TD pass to WR Hines Ward for the only score of the period.  In the fourth quarter, the Steelers took the lead with Roethlisberger getting a career-best 30-yard TD run.  Cleveland WR/KR Joshua Cribbs returned the ensuing kickoff 100&#160;yards for a touchdown.  Pittsburgh on their next drive retook the lead with Roethlisberger completing a 2-yard TD pass to TE Heath Miller.  The Browns tried to force overtime with a late field goal, but kicker Phil Dawson's 53-yard attempt came up short with 6&#160;seconds left. With their ninth straight win over Cleveland, the Steelers improved to 7-2 increasing the all-time series to 57-55.
How many yards longer was the longest touchdown in the first half compared to the shortest?

A: 14


Q: Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Steelers, the Chargers went home for a Week 12 Sunday Night game with the Indianapolis Colts.  In the first quarter, San Diego trailed early as Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri made a 23-yard field goal.  In the second quarter, the 'Bolts took the lead as kicker Nate Kaeding got a 35-yard field goal, while QB Philip Rivers completed a 39-yard TD pass to WR Vincent Jackson.  Indianapolis would tie the game with QB Peyton Manning completing a 13-yard TD pass to WR Anthony Gonzalez. In the third quarter, the Colts took the lead with Manning's 1-yard TD pass to RB Dominic Rhodes.  In the fourth quarter, Indianapolis increased their lead as Vinatieri got a 38-yard field goal.  San Diego would rally to tie the game as Rivers completed a 1-yard TD pass to rookie FB Jacob Hester, while Kaeding made a 47-yard field goal.  However, the Colts came out on top as Vinatieri nailed the game-winning 51-yard field goal. With the loss, the Chargers fell to 4-7. This marked the 5th game the Chargers lost in the last 24 seconds.
Who had the longest first half field goal?

A:
Nate Kaeding