American Football: Domination

Bart knew there was no turning back—

Carrying the banner of "anti-Lance" all by himself, battling alone to call the league's only undefeated team a fraud... Do you know how much pressure that brings?

The hormonal imbalance had led to breakouts on his scalp and back, which didn't even warrant mention. Waking up to see clumps of hair on his pillow? He felt like dying!

This life was pure torment.

Now, it was all or nothing.

If he succeeded, he would be the one who uncovered the truth of the league. If he failed... no, no, that couldn't happen. He believed in the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Head held high, chest out, spine straight.

Bart met everyone's gaze and issued his final proclamation with unshakeable confidence.

"The Pittsburgh Steelers can and will defeat the Kansas City Chiefs. This season, they've already proven themselves."

"Incredibly, they're becoming a team that wins on offense. With Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le'Veon Bell, they have a roster any team would envy."

"Yet the Steelers' defensive spirit remains intact. Anyone underestimating this defense will pay the price."

"They boast the league's most efficient and toughest cornerback duo in Mike Hilton and Joe Haden, who have given quarterbacks like Joe Flacco and Mitchell Trubisky nightmares in recent weeks."

"And the Steelers' defensive hopes rest with Cameron Heyward. This veteran defensive end, who had a career-best season last year, has maintained his dominance this season. He's a nightmare for every quarterback and running back."

"Plus, don't forget this year's first-round pick at the 30th spot, linebacker T.J. Watt. Yes, another Watt—the younger brother of Houston Texans' superstar defensive end J.J. Watt. T.J. became the Steelers' first rookie linebacker to start since 1988, proving he's no less formidable than his brother."

"Heyward's tackles and Watt's coverage guarantee the Steelers' defensive efficiency. It may not always look pretty, but they get the job done."

"Undoubtedly, they'll provide a stern test for the Kansas City Chiefs' offense."

"Lance."

"Of course, how could we forget Lance?"

"Clearly, Lance dodged a bullet last week by avoiding a direct showdown with J.J. Watt. But this week, he'll face Heyward and T.J. Watt. This is a matchup everyone must watch."

Bart went on and on, his words flowing like a river. For the first time in a month of being out of sorts and suffering repeated blows, he finally found his stride. After being repeatedly slapped in the face by Lance's performances, this was his chance—

Bart firmly believed that the Steelers could defeat the Chiefs and teach Lance a lesson.

Even imagining the outcome made Bart uncontrollably ecstatic.

"Just a few weeks ago, we talked about this: Lance's focus has already strayed. He's lost himself in the glitz and glamor of fame, though it hasn't shown itself yet."

"Look, the tabloids are flooded with stories about him. The season is still ongoing, but his mind isn't in the game anymore. He's going to learn the hard way."

Nike: Tabloids? Who are you calling tabloids? You're the tabloid! Your whole family is tabloid material!

In the studio, Lawson looked at Bart's pained expression of regret. He couldn't help but think Bart was just jealous of Lance's $3.5 million annual endorsement deal. To achieve that at such a young age had to sting.

Bart continued his tirade.

"When discussing Lance, people often compare him to Adrian Peterson. But now, Lance has the chance to learn from another elite running back."

"Le'Veon Bell will show Lance what it means to be a top-tier running back. By the end of the game, Lance should have learned a lot."

"He should seize the opportunity because chances like this are rare."

"Good luck!"

Bart declared emphatically, his voice carrying through the cameras.

Of course, Bart had countless reasons for his confidence—

Heyward and Watt were one reason. Bell was another.

Drafted in the second round at pick 48 in 2013, running back Le'Veon Bell was undoubtedly one of the league's hottest stars.

Bell wasn't the fastest, the strongest, or the most physically dominant. Yet, for the past three seasons, he was widely considered the best running back in the league.

Bell's running style was unique. He didn't fit into any traditional scheme or follow a coach's instructions. Instead, he operated on instinct, earning him a distinctive nickname from fans:

Stop, Look, Go.

Like standing at a traffic light, Bell wouldn't accelerate immediately after taking the ball. Instead, he would stop, survey the field, and look for an opening before making his move.

He didn't need offensive linemen to create blocks, nor did he rely heavily on teammates to clear a path. His keen instincts allowed him to find his way through defenses, making him an anomaly.

Over the past three seasons, Bell was voted the league's best running back by his peers and received countless accolades, including Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors.

Last year, in what was supposed to be his contract year, Bell asked for a massive contract. The Steelers were unwilling to meet his demands, so they placed the franchise tag on him instead—

The franchise tag allowed teams to retain key free agents while avoiding exceeding the league's hard salary cap. It guaranteed Bell a one-year deal worth no less than the average salary of the league's top five running backs or 120% of his previous year's salary, whichever was higher.

This meant Bell was once again playing on a contract year for the second consecutive season.

So far this season, Bell continued to prove his worth, solidifying his place as one of the league's most dominant running backs.

In the 2017 rushing leaderboard, Lance ranked first, with Bell close behind in second. Both were in stellar form.

From offense to defense, this game promised to be a thrilling showdown. Bart had every reason to believe it would be a turning point.

And he was right.

12:10.

Visitors first, hosts second.

With 6:13 left in the game, the Steelers had possession, just six minutes away from breaking the Chiefs' undefeated streak.

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Powerstones?

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