American Football: Domination

First-down run.

Second-down run.

So, facing third-and-eight—of course, it had to be a pass.

Kansas City was ready.

"Attack!"

The moment Bortles called for the snap, Revis tensed, his feet moving in small, controlled steps as he retreated.

He didn't recklessly press up on wide receiver Hurns.

He didn't get distracted by tight end Marcedes Lewis closing in.

His focus was absolute.

Immediately, Revis noticed Kansas City's defensive front surging forward—

A blitz.

Like a game of chess or Go—

If your opponent sees through your tactics, you're exposed. No matter how well-designed the play is, it becomes useless.

That was Jacksonville's reality.

Kansas City had already cracked the code—

Meaning they attacked first.

A five-man blitz disrupting Bortles' rhythm.

"RIP."

Houston exploded into the backfield, hunting Bortles like a predator.

But—

Jacksonville had a countermeasure.

Fournette.

He really didn't want to deal with Houston.

But he had no choice.

Even if his entire soul protested, he had to stand his ground.

They collided head-on.

Fournette staggered back—his nose suddenly felt hot.

Wait—was that blood?

And Houston—

Didn't even lose balance.

He split his legs wide, stepping OVER Fournette like an afterimage, and kept charging forward.

Fournette: Why am I the one who always gets wrecked?

Still—

Fournette's block bought Bortles just enough time.

Houston arrived a half-second too late—

And Bortles got the pass off.

The football arced high—

Revis: Oh? You're trying to 2v1 an old man?

It was obvious.

Hurns and Lewis were double-teaming Revis.

Trying to force him into a no-win situation.

Even though Jacksonville's overall offensive plan had been exposed, they still had tricks in their play design.

That's why they had dropped 45 points on Pittsburgh last week.

Revis—

Didn't panic.

This was where experience made the difference.

A quick glance at Hurns.

A quick glance at Lewis.

He knew his positioning perfectly.

Then—

He moved.

Quick, precise lateral steps.

Hurns closed in, trying to pin him down, but—

Hurns wasn't looking at the football.

Meaning—

The actual target was Lewis.

A tight end already had a size advantage over a cornerback—

And Revis had lost some weight over the past two years.

Revis knew this.

And his expression didn't change.

His eyes barely flicked toward Lewis.

But his attention stayed locked on Hurns.

Before Hurns could initiate contact—

Revis jumped first.

A full extension.

In a 2v1 situation—

It was the cornerback who jumped first.

"Oh no! Revis jumped too early!"

Wait—did he?

Revis—

Soared like a fish leaping upstream.

His back arched into a crescent moon shape.

His hand reached out—

Right into the football's descent path.

A pick?

No—

It was too early. He couldn't reach.

But—

His fingertips—grazed the ball.

Not enough to deflect it.

But enough to disrupt its flight ever so slightly.

Revis held his breath.

And let gravity take over.

Lewis was celebrating too early.

The ball was still on track to reach him.

Even though Revis tipped it, the effect wasn't huge.

He just had to lean back a bit, and he could still make the catch.

But—

Before he could fully adjust—

Revis came crashing down.

Lewis: Wait—huh?

Before he could react—

Hurns slammed into Revis.

The combined force of both hits collapsed onto Lewis.

Lewis: ???

His fingertips touched the ball for one second—

Then—

The world flipped.

"OH!"

"Bortles tried to challenge Revis again—this time with a tight end-wide receiver combo to trap him!"

"Revis—!"

"OH MY GOD—REVIS!"

"THE PASS IS INCOMPLETE!"

"Revis just took on a 2v1 and broke up the pass! HOW?!"

Step by step.

Kansas City was taking over.

And now—

Jacksonville's biggest flaw was showing.

Experience.

This had been discussed before.

As the playoffs progressed, experience mattered more and more.

But with the Steelers and Patriots already eliminated, Jacksonville had become the AFC's frontrunner.

No one expected Kansas City to give them this much trouble.

"Football is a team sport. You need an entire unit to win."

"But right now—Jacksonville needs a leader to step up."

"Someone to pull the team together. Someone to ignite their fight."

"Just like Kansas City had."

"When the game was stuck—when things weren't moving—Lance stepped up."

"He was the one who broke the deadlock."

"He was the one who flipped the momentum."

"And now—"

"Jacksonville's defense needs to hold out until halftime."

"They need to survive and reset."

And Jacksonville knew this.

Their defense stepped up—

Finally stabilizing the situation.

Even as their offense collapsed, their defense held the line.

Kansas City's final drive of the first half—

Sacksonville finally showed its teeth.

They didn't get a sack.

But—

The pressure was overwhelming.

Two big hits on Smith.

One pass deflection.

One disrupted throwing lane.

The defensive line—

Roared to life.

Kansas City still managed to grind their way across midfield—

But this time—

They didn't break through.

For the first time in the entire second quarter—

The Chiefs failed to score.

A seed of doubt was planted.

A question left unanswered.

But—

The first half wasn't over yet.

"HARRISON! HARRISON!"

Kelce started the chant.

Lance joined in.

The entire Kansas City sideline cheered.

The kicker—

Harrison Butker—stepped onto the field.

This—

Would be a 57-yard field goal attempt.

The longest of his career.

In the regular season, he had hit from 53 yards.

But don't underestimate the difference between 53 and 57.

Once a kick goes past 55, it enters a different level of difficulty.

And this—

Was the playoffs.

The pressure was suffocating.

The last play of the first half—

All eyes on Butker.

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Powerstones?

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