Dominate the Super Bowl

"... Home curse, really?"

"Haha, what's up, you're suddenly jumping on the bandwagon?"

"The whole league is talking about it; it's hard to pretend not to hear. Turn on the TV, radio, internet, it's everywhere."

"Better believe it, right? Otherwise, how do you explain Brady and Brees both having off days?"

"Shut up, stop spouting nonsense, or a rookie will come over and knock you on the head."

"Come, come, I've got an answer for you, how about it? They're old and about to be eliminated, can't keep up with the times, eventually succumb to the ravages of time, they're not aliens after all. How's that answer, isn't it more plausible?"

"You know that wasn't the point... Anyway, this year's playoffs are indeed a bit odd."

"Who remembers the last time there were three underdog victories in the Wild Card round? Since the millennium, such events shouldn't have happened often?"

"The 2010 season, when the only survivor was the National Conference's fourth seed, the Seattle Seahawks, who defeated the fifth seed, the New Orleans Saints; all other matches were won by lower-ranked teams."

"What? That close to now?"

"National Conference, sixth seed Green Bay Packers defeated third seed Philadelphia Eagles; American League, sixth seed New York Jets defeated Indianapolis Colts, and fifth seed Baltimore Ravens beat fourth seed Kansas City Chiefs."

... Uh, this.

Silence grips the room, and all sounds vanish, the air turns still—

Just then, Li Wei steps into the locker room, where the bustling noise suddenly turns mute, completely silent.

Li Wei looks baffled, glancing around, "I know you're all in awe of me, but there's really no need for such a grand welcome."

Speaking with a mock regal tone, Li Wei casually raises his right hand, signaling everyone to stand straight without further ado.

Just a joke, and a gesture relaxes the tense atmosphere in the locker room.

However, it doesn't last long.

The slight smile freezes awkwardly, and unsure expressions are exchanged, one by one showing uncertainty.

NFL has not seen lower-ranked seeds collectively causing upsets for a long time, even historically, these events are rare. The last time this happened, Kansas City Chiefs were the ones upset; and here it is again, like a cycle?

Moreover, Kansas City Chiefs are burdened with various curses, "Can't win Super Bowl in an undefeated season," "No three-peat teams in NFL history," making what should be a celebrated undefeated season and a shot at three consecutive wins into a burdensome pressure... and a curse, piling up layers of stress, expectations, and spotlight, erupting into a storm.

An unprecedented storm in NFL history, never seen before and likely never again.

It makes one inevitably overthink.

Ultimately, Kansas City Chiefs are still a young team; both the offensive and defensive groups are led by young players, representing youthful energy and liveliness, as well as lack of experience and restlessness. Amidst a storm never before seen or witnessed, their thoughts inevitably run wild.

Even Kelsey, a relatively senior player, is no exception, and Reid's coaching staff also feel uncertain.

After all, no one in the NFL has gone through it before, it's new to everyone.

In the midst of exchanged glances, no one can control their emotions, finally calling out.

"Rookie!"

All eyes turn to Hill suddenly.

Standing unexpectedly in the spotlight, Hill nervously swallows, eyeing Li Wei's calm demeanor, yet he can't help but speak.

"Rookie, home curse... do you believe in it?"

"The last time such a situation happened in the league was in 2010, when, uh, we, including us, lost to lower-ranked Baltimore Ravens."

Li Wei, "Oh."

Showing a face of sudden realization, but that's all there is. No more, no less.

"Thanks for the info. So?"

Hill, slightly anxious, "Rookie, you don't understand the league, such events are indeed rare..."

Li Wei nods lightly in agreement, "Not just football, in any professional sport, it's uncommon for high-ranked seeds to collectively fall behind."

With a lighthearted tone, he even jokes, "If I'm not mistaken, the 2015 season was even more serious, all four Wild Card games had lower-ranked upsets, indeed a spectacular season, probably noted in NFL history."

Buzz, buzz buzz.

In the locker room, glances are exchanged. The 2015 season was even rarer, all four Wild Card games had upsets?

Li Wei doesn't continue further, calmly heading into the shower room, ready to wash up.

Behind him, all players gather towards Hill, who clumsily pulls out his phone to search and verify the 2015 season.

Indeed!

The 2015 season's Wild Card games were truly chaotic—

National Conference, sixth seed Seattle Seahawks beat Minnesota Vikings, fifth seed Green Bay Packers defeated Washington Redskins.

American League, sixth seed Pittsburgh Steelers overcame the Cincinnati Bengals, fifth seed Kansas City Chiefs beat Houston Texans.

All four matches, underdog victories.

And this included Kansas City Chiefs, they were part of the successful upset.

How did they forget, that match, Kansas City Chiefs "30-0" shut out Houston Texans, with peak Watt utterly helpless.

The 2015 season, closer than 2010, more dramatic, significantly more relevant.

If there ever was a home curse, the 2015 season was its pinnacle.

"So, what happened next, what happened?"

"I know we later lost to New England Patriots, what about the other three underdog teams?"

The result, they all fell.

All four underdog teams stopped at the divisional playoffs, losing, and eventually, the 2015 conference finals were between the American League's top two seeds and the National Conference's top two seeds. So-called upsets lasted just one round.

Home curse?

Ha, just a joke.

"See, told ya."

"You're the ones obsessing."

"No, don't pretend like you're above it all."

"Get lost, don't drag me in."

"Relax, it's all good, learn from the rookie, what it means to be calm, calm!"

Lots of jokes and laughs.

In just a moment, the tense atmosphere in the Kansas City Chiefs locker room eases, jokes and banter flowing freely, showing relaxation of the taut nerves.

The dark clouds hanging over their heads suddenly vanish, the storm clears, as if never influenced by external forces.

Everything back on track.