Chapter 311: A Bloodless Victory
"Clap, clap, Chiefs!"
"Clap, clap, Chiefs!"
Standing amidst a roaring sea of red, Patrick Mahomes could hardly believe his eyes. He had envisioned this moment countless times—in training, in strategy meetings, in his dreams. But now, standing on the field in reality, the sights and sounds were a hundred times more vivid, a thousand times more exhilarating than he had imagined.
His heart pounded like a drum.
Mahomes, like everyone else, was caught off guard. This was a critical game against a division rival, a must-win battle to salvage the season. By all accounts, it was supposed to be a game where the starters played to the very end unless injuries forced otherwise.
Yet here he was, stepping onto the field.
His legs felt like jelly, and though excitement coursed through him, it all felt surreal, like he was floating in a dream.
"Sherlock…"
"Sherlock!"
The booming voice jolted Mahomes back to reality. He turned to see a familiar smiling face beneath a helmet.
It was Lance.
Head coach Andy Reid had noticed Mahomes' dazed expression.
Initially, Reid planned to replace the entire first-team offense and give the backups a chance. It was a perfect opportunity to prepare for the postseason, where depth becomes crucial. Mahomes had always practiced with the second unit, so the transition seemed natural.
But Reid ultimately decided to leave Lance on the field to help ease Mahomes into the game.
This small adjustment immediately paid off.
Lance gave Mahomes a firm pat on the shoulder, his expression relaxed as he asked playfully, "Well, ready to have some fun?"
Lance knew Mahomes was more than ready. The rookie had been preparing for this moment every day, itching for the chance to showcase his talent. All Lance needed to do was guide him through the transition.
As Mahomes looked into the familiar face of his teammate, he felt a surge of confidence, like finding an anchor in the storm. He broke into a wide grin.
"Let's have some fun!"
On the opposite sideline, Mack fumed. "Do you all think I'm invisible?"
It didn't matter.
No matter how much effort Mack and the Raiders' defense poured into this game, they had been battered and beaten repeatedly. Now, even against the Chiefs' second unit, they struggled to hold their ground.
With Lance serving as a distraction and Mahomes surprising everyone with his mobility—
Yes, Mahomes could run.
NFL scouts: "Wait, when did this happen?"
Coming out of college, Mahomes was touted as a pocket passer with exceptional field vision. His scouting reports didn't highlight his running ability, which he rarely showcased in college.
But in Kansas City, something had changed.
Under Reid's guidance—the same coach who had nurtured Michael Vick, the NFL's first prominent dual-threat quarterback—Mahomes had developed a new dimension to his game.
The Chiefs' offense switched gears under Mahomes, adopting a more dynamic and unpredictable approach. The Raiders' defense, already worn out, was left scrambling. Even Mack began showing signs of fatigue, unable to keep up with the new pace.
The cherry on top came when the Chiefs deployed a shotgun formation.
Mahomes dodged two would-be sacks from Mack and Bowman, showcasing remarkable poise under pressure. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a 40-yard rainbow pass that soared over half the field, landing perfectly in the hands of an uncovered Lance.
Lance casually secured the ball, turned, and jogged into the end zone for yet another touchdown.
Mahomes sprinted toward Lance, his arms raised in triumph.
"Touchdown! Rookie! Touchdown! I did it! Haha!"
Lance handed him the ball with a grin. "Your first of many. Keep it—it's a memento. I told you you were ready."
Mahomes clutched the ball like a treasure. Behind them, the rest of the second-team offense raced to celebrate, forming a line and breaking into a rendition of The Four Little Swans from Swan Lake.
It was… painful to watch.
Lance, however, had already returned to the sideline. Sitting on the bench with the other starters, he watched the spectacle unfold with a smirk, as if he were enjoying a Christmas variety show.
Travis Kelce collapsed to the ground, laughing so hard he could barely breathe.
"Wow! Another touchdown! And a 40-yard bomb, no less!"
The commentators chimed in, their voices a mix of awe and disbelief.
"Kansas City is officially in showcase mode, turning this game into a complete rout."
"And Lance? Is there anything he can't do?"
By the numbers:
Rushing: 133 yards, two touchdowns. Receiving: Two targets, two receptions, 122 yards, two touchdowns. All in just over three quarters of play.
"If Lance doesn't win AFC Offensive Player of the Week, it'll be an outrage."
By the time Lance officially checked out, Kansas City's offense was firmly in the hands of backup running backs and reserves. The defense also rotated to its second unit.
The Raiders? They refused to give up.
Returning to Oakland after conceding to the Chiefs would be unthinkable.
Marshawn Lynch finally broke through with a 24-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, breaking the Raiders' scoring drought.
But any momentum was short-lived.
Derek Carr threw a late interception, wasting another scoring opportunity. Even when the Raiders succeeded with a fake punt, it only resulted in a field goal.
The contrast was stark. The Raiders flailed about, creating noise but achieving little.
Final Score: Chiefs 44, Raiders 10.
The Chiefs ended their six-game losing streak in commanding fashion, dismantling their division rivals with a performance that sent shockwaves through the league.
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Powerstones?
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