The Jacksonville Jaguars finally opted for a pass on third-and-twelve.
However—
During the regular season, the Jaguars had only completed 21 passing touchdowns, ranking 22nd in the league, while also throwing 13 interceptions, tied for eighth-most.
It was clear that Bortles was not the kind of quarterback who could single-handedly lead his team to victory.
Just before the playoffs, ESPN published an article titled, "Seven Quarterbacks Who Are Available and Could Replace Bortles Right Now." It was obvious—they did not believe in Bortles' ability to lead Jacksonville to the next level. They saw replacing him as an urgent priority.
The real kicker?
Jalen Ramsey liked the article.
And it made the news. The entire league knew about it.
And once again, here they were.
As Bortles dropped back, he showed no pump fake, no defensive read—he exposed his intended target and play design almost immediately:
Allen Hurns—the only receiver in the playoffs this season to post back-to-back 60+ yard receiving performances.
The only surprise? Instead of opting for a short pass, the Jaguars took a bold gamble, unexpectedly going for a 15-yard intermediate throw to get the job done in one play.
Unfortunately for them, Revis saw right through it.
Step for step, Revis locked onto Hurns from the moment he took off.
Yes, he wasn't as physically dominant as before, slowed by age and injuries. But on the playoff stage, Revis had found new life. And in front of Ramsey, he seemed to rediscover his old fire.
They called him "The Island King" for a reason—because he ruled his territory with absolute control.
From start to finish, Revis used his experience to position himself perfectly. As soon as Bortles released the ball, Revis leaped ahead of Hurns, timing it to perfection.
Then—
Interception.
Revis plucked the ball out of the air over Hurns' head, claiming possession before the receiver even had a chance to react.
Smooth. Effortless.
In the previous Wild Card round, Revis had given a glimpse of his resurgent form. Now, in the AFC Championship, he fully reasserted his dominance as a lockdown corner.
If not for Hurns realizing the disaster unfolding before him and immediately tackling Revis to the ground, the veteran might have even returned the interception for more yards.
Three-and-out!
"...The balance has been broken."
"The momentum now belongs to the Kansas City Chiefs. This is the biggest transformation the team has undergone this season—their ability to strike in pivotal moments."
"The Jaguars' special teams had executed a perfect punt, pinning the Chiefs deep in their own territory. But instead of collapsing under pressure, the Chiefs turned the tables. They capitalized on Jacksonville's aggressive desperation, found the cracks, and struck with precision."
"A 103-yard rushing touchdown. A game-changing interception. All of this happened in less than three minutes, yet the Jaguars already look shaken, struggling to keep up with the pace."
Romo immediately saw the underlying issue. Even though sports analysts often talked about how quickly games could shift, witnessing the momentum swing unfold in real-time was still stunning.
Nance agreed.
"It all started with Lance's miraculous rushing touchdown. When we talk about the Chiefs' evolution this season, there's no doubt—Lance is the catalyst at the heart of it all."
"Now, the balance of the AFC Championship has been disrupted."
"But."
"The Jaguars' greatest strength is their stability. Whether it's their methodical ground attack or their defensive toughness, these are the qualities that have allowed them to survive the fierce competition of the postseason."
"Right now, the Chiefs are looking to press their advantage. Meanwhile, the Jaguars must rely on their defense to regain their footing."
"The outcome of this game might hinge on what happens in the next few minutes."
"Oh, the Chiefs are sending in their No. 2 running back, Hunt. Could this be the Jaguars' opportunity?"
As Nance noted, Hunt was entering the game—
Lance needed a breather.
From his rushing touchdown to the Jaguars' quick three-and-out, everything had happened so fast that Lance hadn't even had time to take a sip of water before the Chiefs' offense was back on the field.
Lance was ready to go, though. His focus never wavered—he grabbed his helmet, prepared to take the field again.
But Andy Reid had other plans.
Pressing the advantage was crucial, but Reid always played the long game. This was only the second quarter—there was still an entire second half to consider. He wasn't going to burn through his best asset too early.
Besides, the Jaguars' defense was furious and ready to respond. The next few plays would be even more intense, and Reid wanted to send a fresh, powerful Hunt in to challenge them head-on.
Smart coaching.
And so, Hunt stepped in.
All season long, Hunt had been watching Lance with unwavering intensity, always looking for his chance. He had his sights set on the starting job.
Every time he got on the field, he gave it everything he had.
This time was no different.
On one side, the Jaguars fought to turn the game back in their favor.
On the other, the Chiefs aimed to extend their lead and break the game wide open.
The battle was about to get even more heated.
Thanks to Revis' interception, the Chiefs started their drive at Jacksonville's 40-yard line. Just one first down would put them in field goal range—but the Chiefs weren't thinking about field goals. They wanted a touchdown.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars' defense was desperate to minimize the damage, aiming to force a three-and-out in return.
The intensity was off the charts.
This was precisely why Reid sent Hunt in.
First-and-ten, the Chiefs ran a misdirection pass play.
Kelce and Hill drew attention, Smith dumped it off to Hunt on a short pass, and with his teammates clearing the way, Hunt surged forward.
Nine yards!
Right out of the gate, the Chiefs caught Jacksonville off guard with a dazzling passing play, maximizing their offensive strengths and avoiding direct clashes with the Jaguars' top-tier cornerbacks.
But Jacksonville adjusted fast.
On second-and-one, the Jaguars sent a five-man blitz, ripping through the offensive line and collapsing the pocket. Smith barely escaped a sack, flipping the ball to Hunt at the last second.
Hunt tried to power through—only to be swallowed up by defensive end Calais Campbell, brought down instantly.
Loss of two yards.
The Jaguars' relentless, layered defense showed its strength once again, holding the line with precision.
So—was it time for Lance to come back in?
No.
Reid kept his eyes on the bigger picture. He wasn't going all-in just yet.
On one hand, kicker Butker was warming up on the sidelines.
On the other, Smith handed the ball off to Hunt once more.
And this time, Hunt delivered!
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Powerstones?
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