American Football: Domination

"...The game has only just begun, and already a problem lies before Reich."

"The AFC's No.1 seed is showing with action that their dominance this season wasn't an illusion. Even in the playoffs, they remain competitive—the defending champions aren't joking around."

"Of course, it's only the first quarter. Reich still has time to adjust. This will be another brand-new test in his coaching career."

"As predicted, this will be a shootout."

"Compared to defense, it's the two offenses that will determine the winner. The Chiefs' offense has already proven its explosiveness and consistency; now, the spotlight shifts to the Colts' offense."

"Andrew Luck—the pressure is now entirely on his shoulders. He needs points. However they come—field goal or touchdown—he needs them before this spirals further out of control."

Chatter buzzed endlessly.

7–14.

On the scoreboard, the divisional round still looked young. Anything could happen. But anyone watching knew—the momentum belonged entirely to Kansas City.

The Chiefs' offense wasn't just scoring. They held the advantage in tactics, rhythm, and energy, controlling the field as if they owned it. The score didn't reflect how lopsided the atmosphere truly was.

But—no one could ever underestimate Luck.

Back when Peyton Manning's injury left the Colts in limbo, before doctors declared him finished, the franchise had already chanted:

"The old king is dead. Long live the new king."

Luck was thrust beneath the harshest spotlight before even entering the league, cast as the heir who replaced a Hall of Fame legend many argued was the greatest ever. The pressure was immense.

Year after year, Luck staggered forward under scrutiny and criticism. And yet, separate from Manning, Luck had been excellent—one of the league's elite quarterbacks.

He had rescued the Colts from defeat more times than anyone could count. Just when the team teetered at the edge, Luck had pulled them back, seizing victory in knife-edge battles.

This moment was no stranger to him.

At only 29, with a scruffy beard but thinning hair that made him look both weathered and prematurely old, Luck bore too much weight for his age.

Expression steady, Luck strapped on his helmet and returned to the field.

The spotlight blazed. Again, it was the quarterback's show.

But—someone disagreed.

Why must the light always shine on the QB? Why only on the offense? Isn't football a team sport? Must the quarterback alone change everything? Couldn't others?

And someone rose up to prove it.

"Luck passes!"

"Targeting… Hilton!"

"Oh! Fuller! Fuller boxed him out—Hilton couldn't get the jump. They're tangled up!"

"Brilliant!"

"Fuller denies the connection! The streaky cornerback makes a spectacular defensive play!"

…

"Quick short pass!"

"Eric Ebron, the Colts' second option, secures the ball—but he's swallowed by three defenders!"

"The Chiefs' coverage of the short zone didn't waver. They closed instantly, shutting down Ebron's chance to advance."

"Clean, decisive defense."

The game was heating up. The Colts threw everything into their offense, but the Chiefs' defense suddenly braced up, blow for blow. Luck would need every ounce of poise to choose wisely.

…

"Run? No—play-action!"

"Reich calls his seventh straight pass! He's answering Reid's run-heavy series!"

"Luck scanning!"

"Pressure! The Chiefs' front collapses the pocket!"

"Danger! Luck scrambling!"

"Luck throws!"

"Wait—batted down!"

"My God! A brilliant block!"

"Chris Jones! Again!"

"Jones rose from the scrum like a giant among Hobbits, arms raised, swatting the pass. A gorgeous rejection!"

The Chiefs' defense roared.

This wasn't one man's heroics—it was an entire unit standing together.

Yes, they had underachieved all season, living off the offense's firepower. But no one could deny their will or their courage. In moments that mattered, their energy made them indispensable.

And tonight, there was no other option: they had to win—for Felix.

Then—

"The pocket collapses!"

"Blitz! The Chiefs send the heat!"

"Jones!"

"Jones again! Chris Jones shifts his approach and slips into the backfield. The Colts' protection is in shambles, and suddenly Jones is staring Luck down!"

"Danger!"

"Marlon Mack steps in to protect his QB—but Jones jukes him aside with a sharp stop-and-cut move!"

"Beautiful!"

"Jones vs. Luck! Jones relentless, Luck desperate to escape!"

"Luck! Luck! Unbelievable! Somehow, Luck launches a rainbow deep ball across the Arrowhead sky!"

"Contact! As he released, Jones hit him! But the arc holds steady—Luck with nerves of steel sends the Colts to the brink!"

"Ten yards… twenty… thirty… forty!"

"T.Y. Hilton!"

"A 43-yard bomb! Luck, from chaos, seeks redemption with Hilton for a dagger strike!"

"All pressure now on Hilton—but…"

"Incomplete!"

"The Chiefs' secondary delivers the crucial stop! They shut down Luck's bid for an instant touchdown, forcing a three-and-out! The defending champions' defense ruins Luck's show and steals the spotlight!"