American Football: Domination

Bart held his breath.

He understood well that even if the Eagles managed to recover the onside kick, it didn't guarantee a comeback. But it would grant Wentz the chance for a Hail Mary. Considering his performance on the previous drive, an in-the-zone Wentz wasn't without hope.

Everything hinged on whether the Eagles could recover the onside kick.

Eyes fixed, fully focused, Bart momentarily forgot to breathe.

Perfect!

Bart clenched his fist in quiet approval as he watched Elliott's masterfully executed onside kick. If this fifth-round rookie kicker could embarrass that overhyped No. 23, the postgame press conference would be deliciously entertaining.

But before the cheer could escape his throat, Bart's gaze followed the football rolling forward.

Agholor!

Agholor was on it. Bart's heart leaped into his throat, excitement and anticipation ready to erupt. His fists clenched tighter, and he began to raise his arms in celebration—

Oh yeah!

But before the cheer fully escaped, the cold, crushing realization hit. His joy froze midair, his breath was seized, and his mind went blank, leaving only one thought:

Damn.

A split second later, the broadcast filled with the frenzied shouts of Arrowhead Stadium. The ESPN announcer Pasch's hoarse, elated exclamation broke through the chaos, carried by a roaring tide of red as it surged out of the screen and into Bart's ears.

"Agholor!"

"Agholor!"

"Oh my God, Lance!"

"Lance swooped in at the last second and snatched the football before Agholor could secure it!"

"Lance! Lance! Lance!"

On the screen, the action flashed by in a blur. It was unclear whether Lance had full control of the ball or not, as a tidal wave of players from both teams crashed down on him and Agholor like an avalanche.

One player after another piled on.

Within moments, the scene became a towering heap of bodies.

Back in ESPN's New York studio, the room fell completely silent. Nobody paid attention to Bart, who had leapt out of his chair in jubilant anticipation only to freeze in place, fists trembling midair. All eyes were glued to the screen, waiting for the referees to untangle the chaos and deliver their ruling.

At the field-level broadcast booth, Pasch called for a replay.

"Let's take a closer look in slow motion."

"Jake Elliott's onside kick was absolutely brilliant. He controlled the trajectory, the spin, the speed, and most importantly, the placement. He gave his teammates the best possible chance to recover the ball—this was top-tier execution."

"Agholor responded with impressive agility and timing. Utilizing his teammates' blocks, he slipped through the Chiefs' coverage and launched himself at the ball. He had it. He had it! If it weren't for Lance..."

"I mean, if."

"If it weren't for Lance, this would've been a flawless onside kick attempt."

"But Lance stepped up. In the face of Elliott's precision, Lance's reaction was immediate and decisive. He disrupted Agholor's balance before the Eagles receiver could secure full control of the ball."

"Then, with a second effort, Lance claimed possession."

"This play highlights Lance's extraordinary athleticism. It's no wonder Alabama's Saban and the Chiefs' Reid were both so high on him."

"In the slow-motion replay, it's clear Lance did gain control of the ball. However, the aftermath is where the uncertainty lies. Agholor's quick recovery, coupled with the Eagles' relentless follow-up, left Lance no room to breathe. The question now is whether Lance maintained possession through the chaos or if the ball came loose."

"That's the big question mark."

"The referees are working to peel back the layers of players and assess the situation. Neither team seems confident about what's happening beneath the pile."

Finally!

One by one, the referees separated the players.

At the bottom of the heap, Lance lay curled into a tight ball, clutching the football like a newborn infant. Agholor, still refusing to give up, had a death grip on Lance and was frantically attempting to pry the ball loose, even as the referees tried to pull him away.

At last, the referees managed to separate the players.

Lance stood up.

From the nosebleed sections of Arrowhead Stadium, players appeared no larger than matchsticks. But even from that distance, it was unmistakable.

Standing tall, Lance raised his right hand high above his head.

In his grasp was the football.

The crowd erupted.

Bart collapsed back into his chair. His heart felt like it had plummeted straight to the floor and shattered into thousands of pieces. His face turned ashen.

It's over.

"Lance!"

"Lance!"

"The Kansas City Chiefs' rookie phenom, Lance, comes through once again, recovering the onside kick and extinguishing the Eagles' final comeback hopes."

"Unbelievable!"

"With the failed onside kick, the Kansas City Chiefs secure a hard-fought victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. The final score: 20–27. The Chiefs emerge victorious in a grueling contest that tested them in every way."

"Wow."

"I mean, wow. What a game! From a defensive slugfest in the first half to an explosive shootout in the second, both teams showcased their full arsenal of skills. If we see these two teams again in the postseason, no one will be surprised. This win cements the Chiefs as true contenders this season."

"To the doubters and haters—time to reconsider. The Kansas City Chiefs aren't just here to participate this year. Not even close."

Bart: "Hey! Why are you all looking at me? Stop staring! I'm not some Little Red Riding Hood here for you wolves to devour!"

This Chiefs-Eagles matchup had been unpredictable from start to finish.

Nobody foresaw the explosive drama, the thrilling plays, or the final outcome.

Both teams had been written off in various ways last season, and their offseason moves left analysts scratching their heads—

The Eagles bolstered their defense? The Chiefs drafted two running backs?

But two weeks into the season, both teams were forcing the league to take notice.

And then, there was Lance.

In just two games, he'd shattered expectations, repeatedly stepping up in moments of crisis. His athleticism, intelligence, and resilience silenced doubts about whether he could thrive outside of Alabama's dominant system.

Lance wasn't just surviving—he was thriving.

Lawson turned to Bart with a sly smile.

"So, Blair, your thoughts?"

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Powerstones?

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