Beep, beep, beep!
The final whistle blew. The Kansas City Chiefs triumphed at home, defeating the visiting San Francisco 49ers, 27–17, to claim victory in their first preseason game.
In a game focused on testing strategies and evaluating players, the result wasn't the main point. Lance played only one quarter, but his dazzling 101-yard rushing performance—including a breathtaking touchdown—gave fans a glimpse of his ability to handle the intensity of the professional stage.
Like Lance, Patrick Mahomes only played a half before being replaced by the backup quarterbacks. The Chiefs currently had five quarterbacks and eight running backs on their roster. By the end of the preseason, significant cuts would have to be made. Even backups were under scrutiny.
Last season, the Chiefs' lack of depth at running back was exposed when Jamaal Charles went down with an injury. Andy Reid was determined not to let that happen again.
After the game, Missouri's local media erupted in celebration.
Lance. Mahomes.
The Chiefs had paid a steep price to trade up for their two top-tier rookies in the draft. These two weren't just about immediate performance—they represented the team's future. Now, both rookies had put on impressive debuts, quieting doubts and exciting fans and media alike.
Lance's standout performance also lit a competitive fire in rookie running back Kareem Hunt. Determined not to be overshadowed, Hunt delivered a similarly stellar showing, making a strong case for himself. Together, they showcased Kansas City's depth in the backfield, silencing critics who questioned the selection of two running backs in one draft.
The Chiefs' running game was suddenly a talking point, drawing applause for its depth and tactical versatility.
However, the reaction outside Missouri was far more subdued.
"It's just one game."
"Before you start hyping him up, have you seen Fournette and McCaffrey's performances?"
"Calm down. They beat the 49ers, who aren't exactly defensive juggernauts. Don't overreact."
"Sure, Lance looked good. But was it that good? Like, third-overall-pick good?"
"Let's wait and see. Don't set him up to fail with unrealistic expectations."
The skeptics wasted no time throwing cold water on the celebration.
Some argued that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and league executives were pushing Lance's narrative to expand into Asian markets, exaggerating his talent as part of a calculated PR campaign. They likened it to painting Lance as a savior of the sport, which felt condescending to many football purists.
It wasn't long before these voices were seemingly vindicated.
In the second preseason game, the Chiefs traveled to Cincinnati to face the Bengals. This time, Kansas City's offense sputtered.
Lance, once again, only played one quarter, this time pairing with veteran quarterback Alex Smith.
Smith was still finding his rhythm, and Reid focused on testing the team's short-passing game. The strategy kept the offense limited to short-yardage situations, creating a frustrating, conservative game plan.
The Bengals' defense excelled at regional coverage, combining tactical discipline with physical intensity to smother the Chiefs. Every yard gained felt like a battle in the trenches.
Lance found himself stonewalled.
For the first time, he experienced the sheer physicality of the NFL. The Bengals' defense elevated the game to a whole new level, neutralizing his speed and repeatedly forcing him into dead ends. The game was a slog for everyone involved.
Final Score: 12–30.
Kansas City suffered a resounding defeat.
The jubilation following the first game vanished. Suddenly, the Chiefs' weaknesses were laid bare, giving national media plenty to dissect.
"We called it…"
That phrase became the refrain as one "expert" after another emerged to say they had seen this coming all along. They pointed out the stark difference between college and pro football—its heightened physicality, tactical complexity, and relentless competition.
"No disrespect to Lance, but all rookies are garbage."
"He was hyped as the next big thing, and look what happened. Instant reality check."
"One decent game, and they were ready to crown him. The next step was probably punching Brady and stomping on Manning, huh?"
"Great players aren't made overnight. Wake up, Kansas City!"
"The NFL's first-ever Asian first-rounder has a long road ahead."
The preseason wasn't even halfway over, yet every move by Lance and the Chiefs became a headline.
Winning? Big news.Losing? Even bigger news.
Amid the noise, many ignored one key fact:
In both games, Lance had only played one quarter. His role in the team's success—or failure—was proportionally small. As a running back, he wasn't even the focal point of the offense; that burden fell on the quarterback.
But none of that mattered. Lance was the story.
His mere presence guaranteed clicks, likes, and eyeballs. Everyone wanted a piece of the pie.
In just two weeks, Lance went from a draft story to the face of the NFL preseason. Programs like Inside the NFL and Countdown to Kickoff devoted multiple segments to him, each filled with heated debates and opinions.
This was heat.
And Roger Goodell?
The commissioner didn't even try to hide his satisfaction. Every headline, every social media post, every debate proved his gamble had paid off.
"Let the haters hate," he thought. Hate generates clicks too.
With Lance alone, the preseason's buzz was rivaling last season's playoff discussions.
Perfect. Absolutely perfect.
The madness reached such a fever pitch that even players weren't immune. Lance became the locker-room topic du jour.
Not even the league's top star, Tom Brady, was exempt.
After a game, the first question Brady faced in his press conference had nothing to do with him.
"Tom, what do you think about Lance's performance?"
Brady blinked, momentarily stunned.
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Powerstones?
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"Huh?"