Chapter 281: Game-Winning Touchdown
BAM!
A solid, bone-crushing force barreled into Lance like a bullet train.
It was TJ Watt.
He had timed his charge perfectly, catching Lance from his blind side. With a surge of power, Watt wrapped him up, locking in the tackle.
But Lance was ready.
Step one: Absorb the impact with his back.
Step two: Don't passively take the hit—push forward, keep driving toward the end zone.
Step three: Dig in.
Lance planted his foot and pushed off with all his strength. Muscles rippled, tendons strained, and the raw power deep in his core erupted. Not only did he absorb Watt's hit, but he pushed back, adding momentum to his own advance.
"Aaaah!"
That's the beauty of Andy Reid's strategy.
Reid knew a Hail Mary was a long shot. The Chiefs' starting position was terrible, Smith's arm strength wasn't reliable for a deep bomb, and Kansas City's receivers were locked down all night.
Instead, Reid had crafted a different plan.
Using Kareem Hunt as a decoy, he placed his faith in Lance's unique ability to create something out of nothing. It was an unconventional approach, but Reid believed Lance could make it work.
Even though TJ Watt had stumbled onto the plan by sheer instinct, Reid had counted on Lance's improvisation to turn the tide.
The stadium fell into a stunned silence.
Including Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell.
Including the ESPN studio, where Lawson and Bart sat frozen.
Including the fans gathered at the Old Oak Tavern, holding their breath as if time itself had stopped.
Eight seconds left.
Lance pushed. Watt pushed back.
They collided again, shoulders clashing with raw, animal force.
And then—
BOOM.
Lance's shoulder dipped, and with a powerful shove, he tossed Watt aside like a rag doll. The 252-pound linebacker hit the ground with a thud, completely overpowered.
"Aaaah!"
Lance stumbled. His legs wobbled. His body pitched forward, nearly collapsing from the effort.
But he caught himself.
Hand to the ground. Push. Drive.
He straightened up and surged ahead.
Thirty-yard line.
The end zone was still far away. But Lance wasn't done.
The Arrowhead crowd erupted into frenzied cheers.
"Fly! Fly!"
Fans jumped out of their seats, screaming at the top of their lungs, their voices blending into a deafening roar.
In the ESPN studio, Pasch stood up, unable to contain himself.
Bart's face went pale, his smile frozen in place. His hands trembled as he clenched them into fists.
Lawson noticed Bart's expression and recoiled in shock.
But Bart didn't care.
His mind screamed one desperate plea: "Stop him! Somebody stop him!"
Lance's feet blurred as he broke into a sprint, leaving chaos in his wake.
Twenty-five yards.
Twenty yards.
Finally, a white jersey appeared—Mike Mitchell.
The rest of the Steelers' defense was tied up in the chaos near midfield. Only Mitchell remained, rushing in like a charging bull, eyes locked on Lance with deadly intent.
Bart's heart restarted.
Pittsburgh still had a chance.
If Mitchell could stop Lance, if they could force a fumble, the Steelers could still win. Bart clung to that hope like a drowning man to a life raft.
Mitchell braced himself.
Lance zigzagged left, then right. Mitchell stayed with him.
A third feint—left again.
Mitchell lunged, ready to strike.
But Lance didn't dodge.
Instead, he raised his left arm.
Straight-arm block!
Lance planted his hand on Mitchell's right shoulder and shoved.
The combined force of Lance's momentum, speed, and strength sent Mitchell flying backward like a rag doll.
Mitchell's helmet hit the turf with a sickening thud.
Bart gasped. "No! No!"
Lance kept going.
Fifteen yards.
Ahead, the Steelers' last line of defense awaited—a tangled wall of white and red jerseys clustered near the end zone.
There was Sean Davis.
There was Joe Haden.
Both defenders broke free from their blockers, charging toward Lance with murderous intent.
Lance was running on fumes. His legs burned. His lungs screamed. But he kept going, refusing to slow down.
And then—
He cut to the sideline.
"Edgewalker!" Hilton recognized the move instantly.
The safety bolted toward Lance, determined to cut him off.
Collision.
Lance's feet tangled. His momentum stalled. He stumbled, nearly losing balance.
Hilton wrapped him up in a desperate tackle.
Bart's heart soared. "Yes! Yes! Tackle him! Strip the ball!"
But Lance wasn't done.
With Hilton clinging to him, Lance planted his foot and spun.
A full 180-degree rotation.
Hilton held on for dear life, but the force of Lance's spin pulled them both off balance. The centrifugal force wrenched Hilton's grip loose.
And then—
Lance was free.
One final step.
Touchdown.
The ball crossed the plane.
The clock froze at 00:01.
Game over.