American Football: Domination

The nightmare returned.

A familiar sense of déjà vu clenched the heart, suffocating.

Reid shifted his posture slightly, trying to ease the burning sensation in his chest.

It wasn't that he didn't trust his running backs, but his natural tendency leaned toward passing plays. Especially when Smith was in such a rhythm today, with an incredible 80% completion rate. The passing game was flowing seamlessly, and Smith had been excellent—

Three touchdown passes in three quarters. Stellar.

Yet, the Chiefs were still trailing.

It wasn't just the recurring memories of past nightmares at the hands of the Patriots; it was also the haunting specter of other crucial games over the past three seasons. Moments that had slipped through the cracks, still painfully vivid in Reid's memory.

It was like a demon he couldn't shake.

So, should he change the game plan? And if so, how?

The running backs.

That was the answer.

The solution had always been there. Since last year when Jamaal Charles was sidelined for the season, the need for a consistent running game was clear. Critics had called the Chiefs' draft moves crazy—picking two running backs—but Reid knew it wasn't madness. It was necessity.

Perhaps, now was the time.

Through the first three quarters, Smith's hot hand and the effort to ease the rookie running back into the game had limited their ground attack. But there was no room for hesitation now.

It was time.

This decision could lead to success or failure. But at least it was time to make the attempt. Waiting until the playoffs to test the waters would be far too late.

Reid's gaze swept across the field, landing on his players. Instantly, his eyes were drawn to Lance—

It was easy to spot him, calm and steady as ever.

Imagine this: in his first professional game, Lance had already achieved a dazzling 91-yard kickoff return touchdown. He'd been the center of attention and the hottest topic of the season opener. Then, without complaint, he had willingly stepped back into the background, letting others take the spotlight.

Another player might have been angry or at least felt some disappointment.

But not Lance.

He stayed focused, engaged, and completely dedicated to his role. Today, Smith's incredible passing accuracy was partly due to Lance's masterful job as a decoy, drawing defenders' attention. Even Belichick had been paying close attention to him.

When the lights shine on him, he seizes the moment; when the spotlight shifts, he adapts and supports.

That was leadership.

"Rookie vs. GOAT"?

Who knew? Maybe this game really would be defined by that storyline.

Reid grabbed his play sheet, shielding his mouth to keep his words private, and issued a new command.

On the field, Smith received the call through his headset, his expression steady.

Smith had always been a team-first player. Though he'd been the first overall pick in the draft, both in San Francisco and now in Kansas City, he lacked the arrogance of a golden boy.

Some said he lacked the charisma of a champion. Others argued he epitomized the team spirit of football.

Without hesitation, Smith relayed the play to his teammates.

Then, Smith exchanged a glance with Lance.

Just one look was all it took.

Smith clenched his fist and growled, "The fight is just beginning."

It was the Chiefs' first possession of the fourth quarter, first down with ten yards to go.

The offense huddled and discussed the play before lining up at the 25-yard line.

In the NFL, unlike in college, huddling before each play was standard. It allowed the team to review strategy and ensure everyone was on the same page before lining up.

Occasionally, there were exceptions—"no-huddle offenses"—where the quarterback took full command, streamlining the process to speed up the pace.

Peyton Manning had mastered the no-huddle offense during his prime in Denver, leading the Broncos to an unstoppable 2013 season.

But it wasn't a strategy for everyone. Done wrong, it could lead to disaster.

The huddle broke. Each offensive player took their position, assembling like puzzle pieces to form the offensive scheme.

Lance, too, took his place.

He lined up behind Smith in the shotgun formation. From this vantage point, he scanned the defense, taking in every detail of their alignment—

The offense was playing its move, and so was the defense.

Belichick had anticipated Smith's passing tendencies, so the Patriots' defense pressed forward. Their secondary stayed tight in the short-pass zones, creating dense coverage.

The Chiefs' passing targets were relatively concentrated, with Hill and Kelce accounting for most of the receptions. This allowed the Patriots to stick with man-to-man coverage against Hill and Kelce while using zone coverage to blanket other short-pass areas.

To counter Kansas City's flow, Belichick had ramped up the use of blitzes since the third quarter, increasing pressure on Smith while doubling down on coverage tactics.

So how could the running backs break through?

Lance analyzed. He observed. He planned. The roaring crowd noise echoed in his ears, a deafening distraction that he tuned out completely.

Then.

"Attack!"

Smith's voice cut through the chaos like a blade, igniting the play.

Helmets clashed, grunts of exertion rang out, and bodies collided in a symphony of controlled violence.

Lance took small, quick steps forward, keeping his eyes on Smith. He saw the quarterback wind up for a throw—

Play action. A fake pass.

Smith feigned a pass toward Kelce on the right side, selling the illusion perfectly. Given Smith's strong performance today, the Patriots' defense bit hard on the fake.

The blue wave shifted toward Kelce.

Then Smith pulled the ball back and turned to his left, tossing it lightly to Lance in the flat. The transition was seamless, almost too fast to follow.

The defense was caught off guard.

Lance secured the ball, holding it close to his chest. He didn't charge forward recklessly but instead assessed his surroundings, eyes locking onto a Patriots defensive end who had broken through the line and was closing in fast.

Belichick's pressure was relentless, forcing quick decisions.

The defensive end lunged toward Lance, arms outstretched—

And Lance moved.

----------

Powerstones?

For 20 advance chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates