American Football: Domination

Unbelievable. Even after witnessing it firsthand, it was hard to fathom—100% third-down conversion.

It was outrageous, unacceptable. It meant they hadn't managed to clamp down on the game.

The intensity was there.

The quality was there.

But in critical moments, they faltered, and that kind of collapse was demoralizing.

New England's defensive unit, red-faced and panting heavily, looked like a ravenous wolf pack, their eyes burning with the need to prove themselves. They were desperate to stop Kansas City's momentum. And then they saw him.

Number 23.

Finally, their long-awaited moment to redeem themselves was here.

If Kareem Hunt had been mixing things up by playing dual roles as a running back and receiver, creating unpredictable offensive schemes that disoriented New England's defense, Lance was something else entirely. His ground-and-pound rushing style had shredded their defensive line, and they needed to take back control.

One by one, they braced themselves.

Lance subbed in for Hunt, and even without words, you could feel Hunt's dissatisfaction.

Hunt had been performing well. Though the ground game hadn't fully clicked, he had proven his versatility as a receiver, an edge in his competition with Lance. He wanted to stay on the field, to keep pushing, to contribute.

But Andy Reid had other plans—rotating his running backs both for tactical variation and to keep them fresh. Hunt could do little but fume.

He shot Lance a glare as he exited the field: You better not screw this up.

Lance caught the look. His smile curved upward.

Perfect.

The entire Gillette Stadium already had its eyes fixed on him. What was one more rival to deal with?

In truth, Hunt's performance had been a wake-up call for Lance. The competition between them wasn't just healthy—it was necessary. It kept him on edge and motivated to stay ahead. Lance had no plans to relinquish his hold on the lead role.

From the moment he stepped onto the field, Lance could feel the weight of every defensive player's gaze. The tension was thick, the air charged. New England's defense, nursing a grudge and fresh determination, was ready to unload every ounce of their pent-up frustration on him.

No problem.

Lance remained calm—because he wasn't the play's focus. He was bait.

Bill Belichick was a master tactician, but Andy Reid wasn't far behind.

Reid had read the emotional temperature on the field. The Patriots' defense was on edge, their focus razor-sharp, but also volatile from exhaustion and frustration. Reid planned to exploit that emotional volatility, using Lance as a decoy to create openings for a passing play.

Deep down, Reid still trusted passing more than rushing.

1st and 10.

At the snap, Alex Smith faked a handoff to Lance, selling the run perfectly. The defense bit hard, converging on Lance, while Smith retreated into the pocket, scanning the field.

It was all part of Reid's design.

Lance played his role as bait to perfection, throwing the defense into disarray and giving Smith just enough time to take aim downfield.

Smith loaded up and unleashed a cannon of a pass—a 40-yard parabola streaking toward the end zone, aiming to land a knockout blow.

Gasps echoed through Gillette Stadium, the collective intake of breath loud enough to be heard over the din. Even the commentators fell silent in shock.

It was a beautifully designed play, an ambush that caught everyone off guard.

But.

The Patriots had Devin McCourty.

The veteran safety, a cornerstone of New England's defense, held his ground in the end zone. Tracking the ball like a heat-seeking missile, McCourty surged forward, arriving just in time to swat the pass away. Clean. Powerful.

Pandemonium.

The stadium erupted, the crowd roaring in relief. McCourty had saved the day.

Had Kansas City scored there, it might have spelled disaster for the Patriots in the fourth quarter. McCourty's decisive intervention was nothing short of life-saving.

Riding that wave of momentum, New England's defense finally found its footing.

On the next play, a six-man blitz swarmed Smith in the pocket. Linebacker James Harrison, the 38-year-old veteran, broke through the offensive line and delivered a ferocious sack.

Gillette Stadium exploded.

Finally, they had stopped the Chiefs in their tracks.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Kansas City's seemingly unstoppable offense hit a wall. Harrison celebrated with a victory dance, the Patriots' defense feeding off the energy of the crowd.

3rd and 16.

New England was on the verge of forcing a three-and-out.

The situation was stacked in their favor.

Conventional wisdom dictated that Kansas City would pass. A third-and-long scenario demanded a medium-to-long throw to convert, and that's what the defense was preparing for.

Even if the Chiefs attempted to run the ball, they'd have to gain a full 16 yards to move the chains. The defense had plenty of room to maneuver, making a rushing play relatively low-risk.

In short, the odds heavily favored the Patriots.

The Chiefs had converted three third downs earlier in the game, but surely this streak wouldn't continue.

"Defense!"

"Defense!"

"Defense!"

The crowd's chants were deafening, a tidal wave of sound that made it nearly impossible for Smith to issue clear instructions. He resorted to shouting and gesturing frantically to relay the play.

From the commentary booth, Michaels speculated, "So, what does Reid have in store for us this time? Three-for-three on third downs is already a feat, but this? This is a much tougher ask."

"Two of those conversions came from passes to Kelce, and one to Hunt," he continued. "Reid's creativity in tight spaces has been remarkable, but a third-and-16? That's a whole different beast."

"Could Reid take the gamble and give the ball to a running back?" Michaels mused aloud.

Collinsworth chuckled. "Michaels, come on. That's Andy Reid we're talking about. Running the ball here? No chance. This isn't Pete Carroll betting on Beast Mode, and it's certainly not Adrian Peterson back there.

"Honestly? My money's on a deep pass to Hill. They tried it on first down. Why not try again?"

As the commentators debated, the play unfolded on the field.

"Set!"

Smith barked the snap count, then stepped back, scanning the field.

It was... a passing play.

Or so it seemed.

Everyone expected the ball to go to Hill or Kelce. But then, Smith handed it off.

To Lance.

What?!

The Gillette Stadium crowd collectively gasped, and even the commentators were stunned.

"Oh my god! Reid handed it to the rookie?!"

Lance.

The spotlight was his once again.

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Powerstones?

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