"Brilliant."
Michaels regained his composure—no cheering, no shouting, no raised voice. But in that rational calm, there was even more sincerity.
"One touchdown from a cross-field bomb. One touchdown from a long ground dash. The reigning champions are showing peak form."
"Perhaps some viewers just turning on the TV might be confused by the score. They might think, 'What are the commentators talking about? Isn't this a blowout? What's so brilliant?'"
"But the flow of the game is far more intense than the scoreboard shows."
"The Pittsburgh Steelers have also shown resolve and determination. Their tactical execution on both sides clearly reflects Tomlin's preparation. They're applying real pressure and impact. So far, their performance is far from poor."
"In fact, calling it 'not poor' is an understatement—they've been excellent."
"And it's precisely Pittsburgh's excellence that highlights just how outstanding the Kansas City Chiefs are."
"This is a familiar Chiefs team—dazzling tactics still manage to surprise, and their steady offensive approach hides sharp weapons that strike when least expected."
"But this is also a different Chiefs team. Even though last postseason they showed explosive resilience under pressure, key to their Super Bowl win, now they're unleashing that explosiveness without needing any desperation or adversity."
"That's not just progress—it's transformation."
"So even with Pittsburgh performing well, the Chiefs are still two touchdowns ahead."
That's what truly impressed Michaels—
Who would've thought that with all eyes watching, the reigning champs could still deliver such a pleasant surprise?
"But this is just the start."
"With so few possessions so far, we've only seen a glimpse of what Kansas City built over the offseason. It's too soon for conclusions."
"There's still plenty of suspense."
"Is it too early to peak? How long can this level last?"
"Have they shown all their cards? Once opponents adjust and push back, how will this young team respond?"
"As intensity rises, can they keep up the pace? And if thrown off balance, how will they recover?"
"All of these questions remain. After all, we're still in the first quarter."
"But there's no doubt—the defending champions are worth watching. Their energy and spirit are a breath of fresh air."
"To be specific, they carry the confidence of champions without the arrogance. They still see themselves as a team in progress, ready to take initiative instead of just bracing for impact."
"Last season's Super Bowl MVP Lance is still hungry for victory. And already in the opening quarter, his rushing and receiving yards have both surpassed fifty. He's logged a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown—this is a dominant performance that commands attention."
"And Mahomes, now bearing the pressure of replacing Smith as the starting quarterback, is displaying youthful energy and sharp decision-making. His defensive reads and timing show the fruits of the offseason. His adjustment to the pro level has exceeded expectations."
"This mindset is something else—young, vibrant, and full of fire. Honestly, I'm really looking forward to what the Chiefs do next—really, really looking forward."
Admiration. Admiration. Still admiration.
Michaels shifted from tactical analysis to a broader view—and it was clear: the Chiefs had not only tactically outmaneuvered the Steelers, but also mentally and emotionally dominated them.
For the Steelers, the situation was grim.
Falling behind on the scoreboard is bad enough. But when you've given your all and still see no light at the end of the tunnel—that's a blow to the spirit.
Michaels hit the nail on the head—
And sure enough, the Steelers faltered again.
Roethlisberger nearly threw an interception. The passing attack was stalled once more, and even their attempts to stay competitive were flat. A quick three-and-out handed the ball back to Kansas City.
The reigning champs showed no mercy.
This time, Lance took a breather while Hunt rotated in. But Mahomes executed a perfectly balanced pass-run attack. No rush, just deliberate, solid control of the game tempo.
Finally, Mahomes connected with Kelce on a 13-yard pass for another touchdown.
"0:21."
The game had blown wide open.
Just one quarter in, the Chiefs had already pulled far ahead. Not only was the offense thriving, but even the oft-criticized defense was shining, shutting out their opponent completely.
The stadium was stunned.
Last regular season, the Chiefs and Steelers had battled to the wire. The Chiefs won, but it cost them dearly, triggering a six-game losing streak and a deep slump. The Steelers' defense had also taught Lance a brutal lesson.
A rematch this season was highly anticipated—so much so that the league had scheduled it as the season opener even before the Bell controversy broke out.
But this?
Not only disappointing—it was shocking.
The buzz started immediately—
Without Bell, the Steelers were like a tiger without fangs. Bell's role in Tomlin's strategic plans may have been even more crucial than people realized. Now, many were wondering if the Steelers regretted tagging Bell with the exclusive franchise tag two years in a row.
At home, friends and family were raising their glasses in celebration—but not Bell.
Bell sat with arms crossed, eyes locked on the screen.
On one hand, he was furious with the Steelers, wishing they'd lose every game this season.
On the other, seeing them this helpless stirred something primal in him. His competitive spirit flared—he wanted to roll up his sleeves and take on the Chiefs himself.
Conflicted.
Bell had thought he was done with Pittsburgh. After years of back-and-forth battles and emotional strain, any affection should've been worn away. But he wasn't expecting this pang of frustration.
He couldn't smile.
Still, Bell knew Tomlin.
Many believed Tomlin had kept his job for 12 years because he brought Pittsburgh a Super Bowl. But Bell knew better.
Tomlin was tough, smart, and unyielding. He handled relationships with the owner, balanced things with the GM, and on the field, he stayed calm and calculated.
Even now, in dire straits, Tomlin's resilience and composure remained a powerful unknown. And are the Steelers really this fragile?
Of course not.
Second quarter—Tomlin's counterattack begins.
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Powerstones?
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