American Football: Domination

"Wow."

"I mean, wow."

In the broadcast booth, even the seasoned commentator Pasch was at a loss for words, repeatedly uttering the same exclamation like a fool. The intensity, the back-and-forth, the tension—this was playoff football at its finest.

"The game is not over."

"Even though Henry's fumble was overturned, the Kansas City Chiefs' defense didn't let that shake them. They quickly refocused and showcased their strength and resilience."

"A sack and a stop."

"The Chiefs cleanly and decisively forced a three-and-out against the Tennessee Titans, giving Smith another chance to take the field."

"Now, with 1:48 left in regulation, the two-minute warning has already passed. Both teams still have three timeouts each. Anything can happen."

"The key is the score—'22:21.' A one-point difference. The Chiefs need only a field goal to win. The Titans' defense is under immense pressure."

"Moreover, the Titans' last punt wasn't ideal. The Chiefs will start their drive from their own 31-yard line, giving them a great chance to move into field goal range."

"It all comes down to the Chiefs' offense now."

On the Sidelines

Henry wasn't resting. Though he was frustrated and regretful, he had no time to dwell on it. His eyes were locked onto Lance.

He hadn't forgotten—it was Lance's shout that reignited the Chiefs' defensive fire. And now, Lance had earned his chance to step onto the field. This wasn't just a battle between two teams; it was also a showdown between two running backs.

Henry's heart clenched.

Both he and Lance had each dominated one half. Now, it all came down to who would shine in the clutch moments.

Kansas City's offense took the field.

Their own 31-yard line, first and ten.

Smith took a deep breath. Even as a veteran, his heart still pounded uncontrollably in moments like this.

Then, instinctively, he looked toward Lance.

As expected, Lance was grinning, as if he were out for a casual stroll.

Noticing Smith's gaze, Lance looked back, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He was ready for battle, and that energy was contagious—Smith could feel his own adrenaline surging.

"Alright then, let's get to work."

As Smith read the defense, so did Lance.

He knew it was the quarterback's job, but as a running back, understanding every offensive and defensive alignment was crucial to finding his place in the play.

The Titans' defense was in a difficult position.

They needed to stop not just a touchdown but also a first down that would put the Chiefs in field goal range. Their defensive strategy had to be precise.

While they had successfully limited Kansas City in the second half, the memory of the Chiefs' offensive dominance in the first half still lingered.

This back-and-forth made the Titans' defensive alignment particularly interesting.

Man-to-man coverage.

Lance could tell the Titans had made a bold decision. Instead of sending extra pressure on the pass rush, they packed the short-passing zones tightly, aiming to smother Smith's quick throws. They were committed to tight coverage from the Chiefs' half of the field onward, opting for an aggressive, energy-draining approach to contain Smith's comeback attempt.

Kansas City lined up in a standard shotgun formation—

Two receivers on the left, two on the right.

But a closer look revealed the nuance: tight end Kelce was positioned on the right side, strengthening that side of the formation.

Lance, too, was on the right.

So, was this a decoy?

The atmosphere tensed slightly.

Both teams were locked in a game of observation, studying each other carefully.

Among them, linebacker Orakpo was the most alert.

The Titans' defense had been inconsistent throughout the season, with their injury-riddled secondary being particularly vulnerable. Their defensive highlights came mostly from the front seven—especially the defensive line and linebackers.

Orakpo, who entered the league in 2009 and had earned four Pro Bowl selections, was never the most dominant linebacker in the NFL but was consistently respected by fans.

And this was his first playoff game.

From Washington to Tennessee, Orakpo had long awaited a chance to prove himself.

As a linebacker, reading offensive formations was second nature. He also knew his secondary was unreliable and prone to breakdowns in key moments, making his vigilance even more critical.

Then, he spotted Lance.

Wait—was this a setup?

"Set!"

Before Orakpo could fully process the thought, Smith called for the snap.

In his peripheral vision, Orakpo saw all four Chiefs receivers explode off the line, sprinting deep and pulling the Titans' coverage back. The short-passing zone suddenly opened up.

Danger!

Orakpo instantly recognized the threat and lunged toward Lance.

As soon as he moved, he saw Smith and Lance execute a fake handoff.

The ball was still in Smith's hands!

For a brief second, Orakpo hesitated—should he stay with Smith or chase Lance?

And that split second made all the difference.

Smith fired the ball.

A quick pass. Five yards.

No arc, just a straight-line missile that pulled Orakpo's focus.

Lance!

Of course, it was Lance!

At this point, anyone who still underestimated Lance's receiving ability deserved to lose.

Orakpo's heart tightened. He shuffled sideways, trying to recover—

Collision!

Kelce.

Orakpo, caught off guard, crashed straight into Kelce.

Where was Lance?

"Quick pass!"

"Beautiful! Smith fakes the handoff, delays the release, and finds Lance again!"

"Kelce's block gives Lance an open lane—Lance doesn't hesitate, cuts diagonally, and steps out of bounds before the cornerback can tackle him!"

"First down! Easy conversion, and the clock stops!"

"Wow!"

"The Chiefs' short passing game is clicking perfectly. Smith is thriving in his comfort zone, and the Titans' secondary had no answer for Lance."

"This is trouble for Tennessee."

Just as expected, Kansas City's passing attack was now fully in rhythm.

Offensive coordinator Nagy kept things simple—short passes, sideline routes, stepping out of bounds to stop the clock. Slowly but surely, the Chiefs were eating away at Tennessee's territory.

Their goal was clear: a field goal to win the game.

Nagy finally embraced the essence of Reid's intricate passing scheme. Five different targets—three receivers, a tight end, and a running back—were rotating routes fluidly. One would block, the other would catch.

This high-tempo passing approach gave the Titans' defense no time to breathe.

Step by step, the Chiefs moved forward.

In the blink of an eye, they crossed midfield without even using a timeout.

They were now on Tennessee's 40-yard line.

Field goal range was within reach!

Both teams were teetering on the edge, neither giving an inch. The atmosphere was suffocating.

Across the stadium, the tension was thick with bloodlust.

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