American Football: Domination

"Wow!"

"Unbelievable! Truly unbelievable! Who could have predicted we'd see something like this in a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots?"

"A pure, bulldozer-style ground game."

"In the end, Patrick Chung finally brought it to a halt. Technically, he was the final straw that stopped this muscle-to-muscle showdown."

"Even so!"

"Lance managed to push forward for another 10 yards despite the heavy defensive pressure, securing a first down in the most incredible fashion."

"Two consecutive running plays. Two consecutive first downs."

"Wow, is this really the Kansas City Chiefs we're watching?"

The broadcast booth buzzed with excitement.

Gillette Stadium erupted as well.

No tricks. No gimmicks. Just raw, primal strength on full display. It was a return to the very essence of football, igniting a visceral, electric energy.

Faces contorted with adrenaline, and roars filled the air. The scent of sweat, blood, and raw determination hung heavy as the crowd shook the stadium to its core.

But.

Safety Devin McCourty felt disoriented, his world spinning, head light, and chest tight.

He had tackled Lance. He knew he had tackled Lance. It wasn't a missed tackle this time—Lance had practically run straight into him. McCourty was already celebrating in his head, but in a blink, he was overwhelmed, crushed under a heap of bodies, and then... blank.

What happened?

Which idiot said Lance wasn't good at physical contests?

McCourty rubbed his chest, half-convinced his ribs were fractured.

Lifting his gaze, he sought answers in the eyes of his teammates, but all he saw were weary faces gasping for air.

It seemed none of them could help explain what had just happened.

"Two first-and-ten situations. Two runs. Two conversions of over 10 yards each. And just like that, the Chiefs are already at midfield."

"This version of the Kansas City Chiefs feels unfamiliar."

"During the offseason, Kansas City made no secret of its plans to revamp its ground game. But this display has surpassed even the wildest expectations."

"That's what makes the Chiefs so dangerous. With Smith delivering precise throws and Lance powering through defenders on the ground, their offense has come alive. They can attack from any position and with any approach."

"Andy Reid suddenly has a world of options at his disposal."

"So, what's next?"

Michaels was spot-on.

Even Collinsworth had to agree. He found himself struggling to predict the Chiefs' next move—a challenge Bill Belichick would undoubtedly share.

A pass? Surely, a pass.

Reid had just run the ball twice. There's no way he'd go for a third consecutive run, right?

And with the Patriots burned twice already, they'd surely tighten their run defense. Lance wouldn't have another clear path. Passing seemed like the logical choice.

Maybe a deep pass? A sneak attack downfield?

Smith wasn't known for his long-ball accuracy, but he could occasionally launch a 50-yard bomb under the right conditions. He had the fundamentals, and with time in the pocket, it wasn't impossible.

Now seemed like the perfect moment for a deep shot. Reid wouldn't miss this opportunity.

Or would he?

Could it be another run? Would Reid zig where others expected him to zag?

The speculation crackled like electricity in the air.

The fourth quarter was underway, and the tension was palpable. Every hit, every movement felt magnified. The stakes were at their peak.

Even in the broadcast booth, the pressure was almost tangible. And at Gillette Stadium, the noise was deafening as the crowd tried to rattle Smith and the Chiefs' huddle.

On the sidelines, Reid and Belichick were locked in their own battle of wits, barking into their headsets, pacing back and forth as they coordinated adjustments.

Finally—

"Set, hut!"

Smith called the snap, and the offensive and defensive lines collided like battering rams.

The Patriots' defense immediately demonstrated why they were among the league's elite:

They didn't miss a beat.

With only a four-man rush, the Patriots applied immense pressure, threatening to break through the pocket. Though they didn't manage to break containment, the wave of blue jerseys pushed inexorably toward Smith.

Meanwhile, their coverage scheme blanketed the short-passing routes, leaving Smith with no clear targets.

The brilliance of Belichick's defensive strategy came to light:

While the defensive line kept the Chiefs' blockers occupied, the linebackers attacked from the flanks, cutting into Kansas City's weak points like daggers.

It was a trap.

On the surface, the Patriots appeared to play conservatively, sticking to short-pass coverage. But in reality, they were baiting the Chiefs into thinking they had time while their linebackers closed in for the kill.

This wasn't just defense. It was a surgical strike.

Once the linebackers breached the pocket, the Chiefs would face a two-on-two scenario: Lance could block one defender, but Smith would still have to contend with the other.

Pocket movement wasn't Smith's forte. The Patriots had him cornered.

"Dammit," Smith thought as his fingers gripped the ball tighter.

This play had been designed as a quick-pass scheme, relying on speed and timing to neutralize the Patriots' pressure. Reid knew the heat was coming.

But what Reid hadn't accounted for was the sheer ferocity of the Patriots' defense.

Anger burned in the blue jerseys after being humiliated twice by the rookie running back. Their response was a show of unyielding power, reminiscent of their Super Bowl-winning shutdown of the Falcons.

This wasn't just defense anymore—it was a battle of wills, a clash of pride and momentum.

Smith's options evaporated as the walls of the pocket closed in. His experience told him to act fast, but his instincts screamed that he needed more time.

A name flashed in his mind—

Lance.

In a split second, Smith turned and found Lance.

"Lance!"

With a soft flick, Smith lobbed the ball into Lance's hands.

As the ball sailed toward him, so too did the storm.

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Powerstones?

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