SteVo+ 3,702 Posted March 11, 2016 Knights of Andreas Part IV Based on Characters Created by: badgers Bangy Barracuda Bay BigBen07 BradyFan81 BwareDware94 Chernobyl426 DarthRaider DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F eightnine FartWaffles Favre4Ever GA_Eagle JetsFan4Life Maverick monstersofthemidway RazorStar Sarge seanbrock SteVo Thanatos19 theMileHighGuy Vin Zack_of_Steel Chapter Fifty-Five – Super Bowl XLIX The kick sails beyond the end zone, and officials spot the ball on the twenty as the Knights offense jogs onto the field. Maverick relays the first play in the huddle, a call decided four days ago, raising his voice against crowd noise. Apparently the fans will be a factor tonight. Just the way Maverick wants it. The Knights line up in a single-back, three-receiver set against Green Bay’s 3-4 defense. Maverick hands off to Jameson, who accelerates through a hole for a five-yard gain. The Knights show the same formation, then switch to shotgun. Maverick fakes an inside handoff, then throws toward the sideline for Wilkes. He catches it and runs straight into Tramon Williams, powering ahead for four yards. Third and one. Green Bay stacks the box as Maverick lines up under center, ready for a quick pass to Watson on a sideline route. Maverick takes the snap, looks right, and throws just as Watson breaks. A Packer undercuts the route and catches it. Maverick runs one stride before realizing it’s too late, and Davon House takes the ball into the end zone. “That was fast,” Harden says on a shaken Knights sideline. The offense sulks back to the bench with all eyes on their quarterback. “That’s all me,” Maverick says. “Got locked on.” “Don’t fucking do it again,” McKenzie says. Minutes later, the Knights offense starts again, down 7-0. Jameson gets a carry and surges up the middle, running into the secondary for a twelve-yard gain. “Okay,” McKenzie says to himself. “Much better.” Maverick lines up under center and motions Wilkes from right to left, leaving Johnson isolated wide right. He takes the snap, drops back, plants his feet, and sees Johnson break open toward the sideline. He throws and takes a hit. Johnson tracks the pass, but a green jersey gets in front of it. Johnson stumbles near the sideline, and a Packer runs the other way with the football again. Maverick gets back to his feet, but the corner is long gone. The stadium sounds like a Packers home game as Tramon Williams runs into the end zone, sending Knights players and coaches into a state of shock. A terrible silence falls over Knight’s End. The pre-game excitement has left the building, all hope along with it. Two weeks of build-up, and the game has been lost in a matter of minutes. The majority of fans are standing, occupying nearly every inch of the sports bar. But the frenzied gathering of Knights fans is now an awkward congregation of people, standing idly and staring into TV screens in disbelief. “Put Buchanan in!” a few fans yell, including one standing near Cooper and Sampson’s surrounded booth. Cooper agrees, but he can’t bring himself to raise his voice. “What a choke job,” he says, staring sadly at his beer. “Same route,” Sampson says, just as depressed. “Same play, same throw.” “At least we get to go home early.” The bar remains quiet during the commercial break, when a batch of unfunny advertisements fails to provide comic relief. When the game comes back, NBC reminds viewers of a famous statistic: no team has ever come back from a ten-point deficit or more to win the Super Bowl. The Knights offense huddles near the twenty, about to start their third drive of the game, already down 14-0. “Okay, boys,” Maverick says, hands on his hips. “I fucked up. I’m sorry. But I guarantee you all we still win this game. We can’t lose faith in each other. Not now. Not after everything we’ve done this year.” Maverick looks into his teammate’s eyes, not seeing the courage he was looking for. He can’t blame them, really, so he’s going to have to convince them with his arm. To his dismay, the next play call is a simple run up the middle. Jameson runs into a crowd for two yards. McKenzie calls another run play that brings up third and five, and he’s forced to pass. Terrified at the prospect of a third interception, he calls the safest play of the scripted fifteen. Maverick drops back and stares down Wilkes. He’s covered. Pressure forces him to step up. He shovels it to Bishop, who is tackled immediately for only two yards. Out come the punt teams. “Never thought I’d be so glad to see a punt,” Harden says, thankful it’s not 21-0. He paces along the sideline, toward his defensive starters. “Alright, assholes, finally time to go to work.” Lechler’s punt sails out of bounds, and fans prepare for the matchup everyone wants to see: Packers offense vs. Knights defense. Hardly anyone, of course, figured the Packers would be spotted a 14-point lead the first time Aaron Rodgers took the field. Rodgers fires left for Randall Cobb, who runs through his four-yard cushion for a five-yard gain. Eddie Lacy takes a carry up the middle and runs into a wall, going nowhere, a good sign. On third and five, Rodgers drops back as Grantzinger breaks free. Rodgers rolls out and throws it away. Harden praises his defenders as they return to the sideline, being as positive and encouraging as he can be. During and after the ensuing commercial, he goes over the three previous plays, nitpicking them to death. Suddenly, the punt teams retake the field; the Knights have gone three and out. Harden walks up to McKenzie, who is flipping through pictures frantically. “The hell’s going on, Mac?” “We’re trying, Merle.” “Try harder. Better yet, set your game plan on fire. I don’t care what it takes or how unpleasant it is.” As the first quarter ticks away, the game becomes a defensive battle, and the Packers’ 14-0 lead feels increasingly insurmountable. The Knights finally string together a couple first downs thanks to some impressive running by Jameson, crossing into Packer territory. McKenzie wants to turn Maverick loose, but he’s still scared of a poor throw. Essentially operating a west coast offense, Maverick hits receivers on quick routes, taking advantage of the cushion given by Green Bay’s secondary and neutralizing their pass rush. On a play-action pass, Clay Matthews comes free off the edge. Maverick somehow spins away, rolling to his left. Wilkes breaks downfield, and Maverick hits him in stride. The twenty-yard gain is the first quarter’s final play. On the sideline, Knights players and coaches feel the game returning to them, invigorated by the possibility of a 14-7 score. McKenzie decides it’s time to open things up as the Knights line up for first and ten. Maverick drops back, two green jerseys swarm him, and he sails a pass out of the back of the end zone that officials (luckily) don’t deem intentional grounding. More pass rush comes on second down, where Maverick rolls out before throwing it away. Word from upstairs confirms McKenzie’s fear: the Packers aren’t blitzing; they’re just dominating the Knights’ offensive tackles. The Adams/Fowler rookie pairing is a weakness that has been minimalized throughout the year, but now it’s in the process of costing the Knights a Super Bowl. Bishop is assigned as an extra blocker to help Adams with Matthews. Maverick drops back in shotgun, waiting for routes to develop downfield. Julius Peppers breaks off the edge, and Maverick has nowhere to run. He goes down for a five-yard loss, and the field goal unit comes on to attempt Los Angeles’ first points of the night. McKenzie is still processing the pass protection struggles when he remembers how poor McCabe was two weeks ago. He watches as the kicker boots a forty-three-yarder through the air and towards the uprights. It strikes the net, and officials signal it’s good. The Knights sideline celebrates for the first time, finally on the board. The teams trade punts with both defenses holding their own. The Packers’ pass rush continues to prevent Maverick from throwing anything downfield, while the Knights accomplish the same with a combination of pass rush and tight coverage. Lacy runs through a hole for his largest carry of the day, eight yards, and a first down. The Packers are near midfield, and Harden decides now is a good time. Randall and Martin inch towards the line of scrimmage, showing blitz. Rodgers calls out adjustments to his linemen, ostensibly altering the pass protection, just what Harden wants. On the snap, Randall and Martin back off, but Grantzinger and Brock swing from the edge to inside. The Packers’ offensive line spreads out, leaving Brock with a free run at Rodgers. The quarterback jukes, but Brock swats the ball out. It bounces around on the grass and into a pile of green jerseys, and the Packers recover. Though enraged the Knights didn’t recover the fumble, Harden takes advantage of the down and distance. On second and nineteen, Rodgers falls victim to another blitz, this time sacked by Luck. On third and twenty-four, James Starks takes a draw up the middle but runs into Anthrax after only one yard. The Packers punt it away. The Knights take over from their own eighteen with 6:24 left in the half, and the Packers defense relegates them to four- and five-yard gains. On third and one, Jameson punches through a wall for six yards. Two plays later, Johnson makes a third down catch in traffic, absorbing a big hit for twelve yards. Knights feel confidence returning to them, though the eleven-point deficit still looms. McKenzie makes Bishop an extra blocker again, which gives Maverick enough time to drop back and float a perfect pass to Wilkes on a post, who goes down inside the red zone, the Knights’ best field position so far. McKenzie considers his options carefully, calling a rollout on first and ten. Maverick rolls right, sees nothing but tight coverage, and plants his feet to look left. Matthews levels him, and the ball almost pops free. Penner helps Maverick to his feet, slowly, as officials spot the ball for second and sixteen. A screen to NesSmith and quick pass for Bishop get only five yards, and the field goal unit comes out again. McCabe knocks the chip shot between the uprights, and it’s 14-6, Packers. The offense celebrates the score, trying to suppress their frustration, knowing they left points on the field. Harden preps his defense for two-minute mode, and the Packers start their next drive with 2:25 left before halftime. Rodgers comes out firing, as expected, throwing immediately and letting his receivers chew through easy yardage, including Jordy Nelson’s first reception tonight. At the two-minute warning, the Packers are sixty-four yards from the end zone. The Packers open it up, taking deeper shots with Rodgers sitting behind a clean pocket. Despite some incompletions, multiple catches by Cobb get the Packers across midfield in a blink, calling their first timeout with 1:42 to go. Rodgers’ next pass lands right in front of Harden, in Cobb’s arms again, for a twenty-yard gain. Harden isn’t counting, but that’s already Cobb’s seventh reception, over a hundred yards. It was a ridiculously accurate throw, but this is turning into the Randall Cobb show. Harden decides it’s time to give Marshall some help, a tactic likely to become permanent in the second half. The Packers get in formation with the clock ticking, still more than enough time for a score, now eighteen yards from the end zone. A few short passes with another timeout in between set them up on the seven-yard line with 0:45 to go. Rodgers drops back in shotgun and Grantzinger breaks free. Rodgers spins away, rolling right, eyes focused on the end zone. Knights shift in coverage, trying to stay near their assigned receiver. Rodgers pumps, then runs toward the opposite side of the field. Brock and Luck dive for the quarterback but miss. Suddenly, Rodgers sets his feet and fires toward the end zone, where a green jersey stands alone. Flash runs for the receiver and hits him hard, but the pass is complete. It’s tight end Andrew Quarless, who leaps up from the ground as the Packers celebrate. The Knights walk off the field visibly shaken. “Go Pack Go” chants can be heard around the stadium as the extra point makes it Packers 21, Knights 6. A tense chatter fills the locker room as coaches and players enter. The shock and disappointment of the game’s opening minutes is growing into anger. Per the Super Bowl’s extravagant halftime show, the Knights have about half an hour before the second half, and they might need every minute. Harden, knowing he doesn’t have much to change, ignores his defensive subordinates and seeks out McKenzie. “Mac,” Harden says, “I don’t know what you’re planning for the second half, but for the love of God it better be something different.” “We’re looking at it, Merle,” McKenzie says. “Take it easy, coach,” Maverick says, stepping toward the crowd of coaches. “We’re making progress. Just gotta get in the end zone.” “Get out of my face, Mav,” Harden says. “I’m not talking to you.” “Oh yeah? Well that last score before halftime didn’t help, you know.” Harden feels his face go red, and he doesn’t bother restraining himself. “Didn’t help? I’ll tell you what didn’t help, asshole. Two fucking interceptions! Two touchdowns you’re nowhere close to getting back!” McKenzie steps between Harden and Maverick, but Harden presses on with the locker room silent around them. “One more interception, Mav, one more, and Max goes in!” “Bullshit.” Harden lowers his voice, still breathing heavily. “Mac, please communicate to our quarterback both how serious I am and how important it is that he throw to the guys in white jerseys, not green.” The Packers open the second half by going three and out, and the Knights take over, chipping away at Green Bay’s defense. Harden watches as McKenzie calls a nice drive, balancing pass and run plays beautifully. He’s not sure McKenzie is doing things much differently than in the first half, but at least it’s working. Out of the corner of his eye, Harden spots Rika walking around aimlessly. “Don’t you have coaching to do?” Harden says. “Secondary’s fine, coach,” Ripka says. “With Flash helping on Cobb, I don’t see any more problems. And I don’t see the use in nagging them; we need to keep things positive on at least one side of the ball.” “I know,” Harden concedes. “We just may not be able to catch up.” Both men look up at the scoreboard. Maverick fires a bullet over the middle that Johnson catches for a twenty-yard gain. Maverick gets up from the grass after taking a big hit and jogs toward the new huddle. Excitement builds in the stadium as the Knights line up for first and ten, within field goal range. Jameson takes a carry four yards up the middle. Maverick hits Wilkes on a slant for four more, and it’s third and two. Fans around the stadium make noise as McKenzie chooses his call immediately, one he and the coaches drew up at halftime. Maverick lines up in a two-back shotgun formation, the same formation Bishop has been blocking out of. But on this play, he’ll be sweeping laterally into green grass. Maverick likes what he sees and takes the snap. The Packers blitz. Maverick stares down the middle, trying to sell a long throw as blitzers break free, then dumps it off to his right. He gets drilled and hits the ground. Bishop breaks on his route as the ball hits him in the hands and bobbles. He tries to get it under control as a defender levels him, and the ball bounces out of bounds. As he walks back to the sideline, Maverick stares down Harden, almost hoping he tries to blame him for that one. Seconds later, Bishop searches for a quiet spot and sips some water, but it isn’t long before McKenzie fires away, addressing the entire offense. “Get it together, ladies!” he barks. “That’s enough of the careless mistakes. We’re a better team than this, and everybody knows it. Let’s start showing it!” Bishop wishes he could just find a quiet spot somewhere in this stadium and stay there until the offense’s next drive. Somewhere near the end of McKenzie’s tirade, McCabe’s field goal is good, and it’s 21-9, Packers. Harden calls plays effortlessly despite the Packers finding rhythm on offense. He can’t stop Rodgers forever no matter how good his players are, and he’s wearier of the clock than anything else, less than four minutes in the third quarter. Rodgers drops back and stares down Nelson, with Rose all over him, and fires. Rose and Nelson run along the sideline and jostle for leverage with Rose in position for an interception. Nelson tugs on Rose’s jersey, blatant offensive pass interference, so Rose can only swat at the pass. He bats it back toward the middle of the field, where Flash dives for it, getting his hands under the ball before it hits the grass. A nearby receiver touches him, down by contact, and officials signal a change of possession. The sideline comes to life around Harden as his offensive players jump up from the bench. “Somebody show me something!” he yells to them as they retake the field. “Show me something right now, goddamn it!” Harden can hear the excitement in McKenzie’s voice as he calls plays. He hopes the offense can feed off that, because another field goal isn’t going to cut it. Maverick hits a few short, safe passes for a first down. McKenzie considers those his best tactic against the Packers’ pass rush, which is still dominating. He hasn’t taken one deep shot for Watson yet, and the way the game is going, he’s not sure he ever will. He has another way of getting Watson involved, though. Banks takes a sweep toward the sideline and runs ahead for another first down, crossing midfield. Jameson takes over, and McKenzie calls his number. The running back runs behind strong interior blocking, powering through defenders five or six yards at a time. The Knights move the chains, but the clock ticks under one minute. Second and four on the Packers’ thirty-five. McKenzie picks another play from halftime, and the Knights line up in a new formation: Maverick in shotgun, Jameson and Watson in the backfield with him. Maverick takes the snap and fakes an inside handoff to Jameson. He steps right before lofting it back to his left, where Watson catches it. He waits for blocking to set up in front of him, then accelerates. His speed sends a buzz throughout the stadium and he bolts into the secondary, tries to juke a defender, and trips. He hits the ground at the nine-yard line, the closest the Knights have been to the end zone. McKenzie considers his next call as the clock hits zero, and players traverse the field for the fourth quarter. The energy on the field persists throughout the commercial break, and both teams get set for first and goal with the entire stadium on edge. Maverick studies the defense, calls out a few fake audibles, and hands off to Jameson. He runs straight ahead with Penner leading the way. Grodd crushes a linebacker, and Jameson takes off, end zone in sight. Multiple safeties close, but Jameson lowers his shoulders and powers through a massive collision at the goal line. He lands on his back in the end zone, football clutched against his chest. Touchdown, Knights. Jameson is the star among the chaotic celebration on the sideline, but Maverick is the most energetic, running maniacally, enticing the stadium crowd and screaming, “We are back, motherfuckers! We are back!” The game goes to commercial with 14:52 to go, the score Packers 21, Knights 16. After an inauspicious first half with blowout potential, Super Bowl XLIX is headed for an epic finish. Harden tries to relax as he calls plays, feeling his heart beat between snaps and stop every time Rodgers throws the football. Every play matters now. Every snap, every block, every tackle. One play will be the difference between winning and losing, and it could happen at any moment. The Packers appear more aggressive, and Harden suspects Coach McCarthy wants to air it out with his MVP quarterback to regain control. A two-score Packer lead at his juncture would, indeed, be dominant. The Knights coverage remains tight, but Rodgers still finds receivers on consecutive third downs. Harden chalks that up to a lack of pass rush, curses himself for backing down on the blitzes, and responds with force. This creates two incompletions and a stuffed Lacy run, and the Packers punt it away with 10:35 to go. Jameson takes an off-tackle carry but runs into a wall of defenders for no gain, dampening the Knights’ momentum. Maverick manages to find Bishop through a massive blitz to set up third and six, but he’s forced to throw it away before anyone can get open. In a blink, the Knights defense retakes the field with 9:43 on the clock. Harden keeps up the aggression, forcing third and nine. Rodgers takes the snap and hands off to Starks, who runs through an all-out blitz and into the secondary. Schwinn tackles him near midfield, and the Packers’ side of the stadium celebrates. Meanwhile, Maverick and McKenzie prepare on the bench. The next drive is their last stand, they decide. No matter what the score is, the Knights take the field in four-down mode. An impressive Lacy run brings up second and one at midfield. Harden sighs in frustration and looks up at the clock. 8:03, 8:02, 8:01… Randall stares down Rodgers, under center, sensing a run, ready to crash the line. Rodgers takes the snap and lowers his shoulders on a sneak. Randall surges forward to fight back against the offensive push. Rodgers goes nowhere, and Martin runs in to drag him backward. Officials signal no gain, and it’s third and one. Harden sizes up the situation. He decides McCarthy won’t go for it if the Packers are denied here, so the Knights are one defensive stop away from getting the ball back. Harden calls close run defense with tight coverage on the outside, hoping for a sack if Rodgers keeps it on play-action. Rodgers lines up under center with both Lacy and Starks in the backfield. Defenders inch toward the line. Rodgers takes the snap, fakes a handoff to Lacy, and tosses it wide to Starks, running toward wide-open grass. Grantzinger sheds his block and chases the running back toward the sideline, the only defender between him and twenty yards. Starks slows and stutters, but Grantzinger lowers his shoulders and accelerates, catching Starks off guard and leveling him for a four-yard loss. Half the Knights sideline rushes onto the field to congratulate Grantzinger as both punt teams come out. Maverick fires up the offense on the sideline. The ensuing kick goes out of bounds, and the Knights offense takes the field, eighty-six yards from the end zone with 6:05 left. McKenzie operates with all three timeouts available, though still limited to short passes and rollouts. Wilkes for five yards. Johnson for three yards, out of bounds. Bishop for three yards, first down. 5:26, 5:25, 5:24… Maverick rolls out, sees nobody open, and runs ahead for five yards, going out of bounds. He drops back on second down, pressure forces him out of the pocket, and he throws it away. Third and five. Maverick drops back and tracks Johnson on a deep post corner. He feels pressure but waits, determined not to force anything. He fires just as Johnson breaks and gets hit. Johnson tiptoes near the sideline, corralling the ball and landing on the Knights sideline. Everyone in white and purple signals catch, but an official says incomplete. Harden is about to protest when his eyes hit the field. Maverick is wincing on the ground, still not on his feet. “Get up, Mav,” Harden says. “Get up.” McKenzie notices and heads for the bench. “Max!” he yells, searching until he finds #6. “Max! Warm up.” Buchanan jumps up and starts throwing passes to a trainer. A few offensive linemen help Maverick to his feet as Harden throws his challenge flag, hearing word from upstairs that Johnson got both feet down. Harden hurries toward his quarterback. “I’m fine, I’m fine,” Maverick says before any coaches or trainers can butt in. “Just landed a little weird.” The game halts with 4:45 on the clock. The referee goes under the hood, Buchanan keeps throwing passes, and trainers examine Maverick’s left shoulder area. “Just feels a little strained,” Maverick says honestly. “Not the same as before. I’m fine.” He flexes the shoulder around, wincing in pain but able to move his arm fluidly. He undergoes more examination before throwing a few passes and facing more questions. The review ends, and the referee delivers the official ruling. “After review, the receiver got both feet down, in bounds, and maintained possession as he was going to the ground. It’ll be first and ten on the forty-five-yard line. Los Angeles will not be charged a timeout.” Satisfied, Harden walks back toward the medical gathering, where Dr. Evans is now examining Maverick. “Time to go,” Harden says. “I gotta take him in, coach,” Evans says. “Could be another separation.” “In his non-throwing shoulder? I’m not concerned. How do you feel, Mav?” “I’m ready, coach,” Maverick says. “Get in there.” “Wait!” Evans says, but Maverick runs out anyway. Harden ignores him, and Evans grabs the coach’s arm. “He needs to undergo a thorough medical exam. I am a doctor, and I’m telling you, you are jeopardizing his health if you—” “And I’m the head coach, Evans. It’s the goddamn Super Bowl, now get out of my face!” Harden returns to the edge of the sideline. Play resumes with the Knights in Packers territory. Jameson takes a draw up the middle, finding a hole that closes quickly for five yards. Maverick looks for Watson on a quick slant and gets blindsided by Matthews for a four-yard loss. He gets up slowly as officials spot the ball for third and nine. 4:01, 4:00, 3:59… Dejected, Maverick sulks to the huddle and hears McKenzie’s play call, one he’s been anticipating. He does his best to look frustrated as the Knights break the huddle, lining up in shotgun with Wilkes and Johnson wide right. Maverick takes the snap, fakes a quick pass, and watches Wilkes go deep. He rolls right, escaping pressure, and heaves it as far as he can. Wilkes runs full speed with a corner right on him, tracking the pass. They both run towards the goal line, and Wilkes tries to time it perfectly, leaping into the air and getting both hands on the ball. He slams onto the grass, sure he’s dropped it, but the ball is still in his hands, and he sees an official running in with both arms raised. Knights 22, Packers 21. The entire offense runs toward the end zone, but Maverick sprints ahead to lead the pack, jumping on top of his receiver and bringing them both to the grass. Bedlam reigns on the sideline, where Harden holds two fingers in the air, trying desperately to communicate the call. He and McKenzie run onto the field, screaming toward the goal line at the offense, which eventually huddles up. McKenzie calls a quick pass with an option to run up the middle. Maverick gets everyone set, sees the Packers still unorganized, and hurries the snap. He fires left for Johnson, who catches the pass and dives across the goal line for the two-point conversion. The celebration reaches its peak, with the score Knights 24, Packers 21, 3:44 to go. The Knights sideline is elated, the offense especially relieved, and more than happy to hand the game over to their defense. The ensuing commercial break ends quickly, and the Knights defense looks to its head coach one last time before taking the field. “Pretty simple, men,” Harden says. “Do your job, and we win. Do your job, and we’re world champions. Get it done.” Aaron Rodgers takes the field with all three timeouts. A field goal ties the game; a touchdown takes the lead. Rodgers drops back and hits Cobb on a post, his first reception in a while. It took Green Bay longer than Harden thought to realize Cobb could still get open, just not deep. Another quick pass to Quarless moves the chains. Rodgers hurries everyone to the line and throws for Davante Adams on a screen. He gets six yards before running out of bounds. Harden has seen enough. He alters his plan to a pure pass defense, putting Brock and Martin in constant blitz mode. Rodgers drops back, swarmed by white jerseys, and spins out, somehow escaping. Eyes downfield, he fires for Cobb, who makes an acrobatic grab along the sideline. Officials signal catch, and the Packers are in Knights territory with 2:34 left. Rodgers rolls out and shovels it to Starks, who jukes through defenders for six yards. A quick handoff to Lacy gets two yards, and the Packers let the clock tick to the two-minute warning. Both teams prepare for third and one. Harden debates his call. The Packers aren’t in field goal range yet, so it’s four-down territory for them. His gut tells him play-action here, so he calls it conservative. Both teams gets set with the line of scrimmage stacked. Rodgers calls a hard count, nobody bites, and hands off to Lacy. Anthrax breaks through but misses the back, who lowers his shoulders and dives ahead for a first down. Harden spits on the grass as the Packers call timeout. Rodgers drops back, scans, then rolls out with Brock in pursuit. The quarterback runs forward and slides down for a four-yard gain. 1:43, 1:42, 1:41… Both teams hurry to the line. Rodgers fakes a spike and looks deep, but the Knights have everyone covered. He throws over the middle, threading the pass between two defenders and into Cobb’s hands for a first down. “This fucking guy,” Harden says to himself, calling the next play while accepting a truth: the Packers are in field goal range now. As much as he detests himself for it, he has to play it safe and protect the end zone. Rodgers drops back on consecutive plays, finding receivers without much yardage. The Knights hold things down over the top as the Packers burn their remaining timeouts. The drive culminates in third and three from the nineteen-yard line. Rodgers floats one to the end zone for an open Cobb, but Flash runs down the pass and bats it out of bounds. The clock freezes at 0:42 as the field goal units come out. Mason Crosby lines up for a thirty-six-yarder. Harden watches the line of scrimmage, knowing a block or miss wins the Super Bowl for the Knights. The snap is high, but after a good hold, Crosby boots it right down the middle, and half the stadium cheers. Tie game, 24-24. Maverick takes his place in the huddle, waiting for the commercial break to end. He stares at the end zone, eighty yards away, up at the clock, 38 seconds left, then into the eyes of his teammates. “Well,” Maverick says casually, “this feel familiar?” The players smile; a few of them laugh. “I told you a few hours ago we were winning this game, and we’re winning it right here. Now, listen, we may only have three throws, and we gotta hit all of ‘em. Don’t overthink anything. Catch the ball; get out of bounds if you can. Sideline’s calling timeouts. Everybody ready?” “Just make sure you throw to the white jerseys, Mav,” Wilkes says. “Thanks, asshole. Let’s do it.” The Knights line up in formation with fans on their feet. Most players on the sidelines rest, preparing for a fifth quarter, except McCabe, warming up for a potential game-winning kick. Maverick drops back and stares down Watson. He fires as he breaks toward the sideline. Watson catches it, drags his feet against the grass, and stumbles out of bounds. Catch, eight-yard gain. 0:32. Maverick drops back and fakes a sideline throw to Johnson. The corner bites. Maverick steps up and fires, hitting Johnson in stride. Johnson runs over the middle and goes down with defenders closing. Harden calls timeout. The clock stops at 0:23 with the Knights on the forty, ten yards from midfield. Maverick lines up in shotgun, wanting Wilkes on a deep pass to end it here. But the Packers show blitz, so he audibles. He takes the snap and throws for Wilkes on a comeback route. Wilkes catches it and gets hit in bounds. He lowers his body and muscles forward, diving out of bounds after ten yards. 0:13. Fans around the stadium rise from their seats. The Packers secondary backs up, ready for a Hail Mary. McKenzie isn’t planning one, still one timeout left. Maverick drops back and looks to Wilkes—covered. Johnson—pressure blocks his view. He shifts right and steps up, surrounded. He sees Bishop over the middle with Packers nearby. Out of time, Maverick plants both feet and fires as hard as he can, tackled as he lets it go. Bishop jumps for the pass, catches it against his stomach, and gets crushed, flipping through the air. His helmet smacks against the grass, and the stadium goes still. The nearest official runs in and makes his ruling quickly: completed catch. First down on the thirty-five. The crowd roars for the monumental play. Players scramble on the field, some getting in formation, some rushing toward Bishop. Harden holds up his arms, walking towards an official with his eyes on the clock. 0:05, 0:04, 0:03— Harden calls timeout and lets out a deep breath. The offense jogs back to the sideline with a woozy Bishop in tow. The tight end’s smile is visible through his facemask as a crowd gathers around him. Noah McCabe runs onto the field, and the gravity of the situation subdues the celebration. Players compose themselves for what will be the final play of regulation, a fifty-two-yard kick. Everyone in the stadium stands, including the Knights’ executive suite. Phillips, especially, is aware of McCabe’s inconsistent season. He has, though, made three field goals tonight. Can he make one more? Players take a knee on the edge of the sideline and lock elbows, some fixated on the field, some bowing their heads in prayer. “C’mon, Noah. C’mon, Noah.” “One more kick, baby! One more and we win!” “Right down the middle, Noah!” Officials wind the play clock and McCabe lines up for the kick. Penner snaps the ball back to Buchanan, who plants it against the grass, laces out. The Packers surge for a block and McCabe boots it into the air. “Good snap.” “Nice kick, get up there, get up there…” “C’mon, that’s going through! That’s going through!” “No, don’t hook!” “Shit, he missed it.” “That’s good! GOOD! GOOD!” “YEAH!!!” The sideline’s view of the officials raising their arms becomes obstructed by a wave of white jerseys sprinting onto the field. Adrenaline and euphoria propel players into a stampede. Harden is disoriented with everything around him, still checking the field for any flags or sign the play was nullified. But nobody stops the mass of people rushing the field. Purple confetti falls from overhead. Harden has too many thoughts to be led by them, finding his way toward midfield thanks to security practically shoving him there. Only after shaking McCarthy’s hand does he realize he’s doused in Gatorade. Knight’s End launches into hysteria, with fans celebrating louder than they ever have in Los Angeles. Liquid flies into the air. Plates of food fall onto the floor. People run around in every direction. Cooper and Sampson lose each other temporarily amidst the chaos, but they soon reconnect with a manly, celebratory embrace. Cooper gets a thought, and he’s had far too much beer to reconsider it. “Hold this!” he says to Sampson, removing and handing over his Jameson jersey. “What?!” Sampson wonders where he’s going, but Cooper can only hear screams of celebration as he runs out into the street, shedding his clothes. Fireworks go off in the distance as Jay Cooper sprints naked down the streets of downtown Los Angeles. Players walk on the confetti-littered field, Super Bowl Champion hats on their heads. Wayne Schneider, Chance Phillips, and Merle Harden take their position at the podium, waiting for the ceremony to begin. Someone speaks over the stadium’s intercom, introducing Super Bowl XXXIV MVP Kurt Warner, who stands at the edge of the crowd, holding the Vincent Lombardi Trophy. Knights players inch toward Warner’s walking path as he carries football’s championship relic toward the podium, reaching out to touch it as Warner makes his way to the podium. Commissioner Goodell takes the microphone and talks, but the players aren’t listening. They stare at the crowd, at the stadium around them, at the small details they never have time to appreciate, or never care to. They want to remember every piece of this moment forever. As they wait their turn to hold the precious trophy, players shake hands and hug each other repeatedly, wading through a crowd of players, friends, parents, wives, sons, and daughters. Schneider gets the trophy first, delivers a spiel about returning glory to Los Angeles, and hands it to Phillips, who speaks briefly, trying to focus more on the fact that he’s holding the Lombardi Trophy in his hands, that he is the GM of a Super Bowl winning team. His next duty is to hand the trophy off to Super Bowl XLIX MVP Jonathan Maverick, who—while taking playful jabs about his two-interception performance—carries it down the stairs and onto the field. He hands it off, and the Knights of Andreas take turns holding the Lombardi Trophy and hoisting it into the air. 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted March 11, 2016 Of course Bishop would get the last catch of the game, that's poetic justice right there. Knights making history folks! Time for half the team to retire into the sunset and the other half gets poached by like the Jags and shit! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted March 11, 2016 The KNIGHTSSSSSS win! Thanks for writing this, Steven. A great ending to a great Part 4. Can't wait to see what's next. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted March 12, 2016 I feel like the two interception performance is going to fuel the brass' idea to trade Mav to keep everyone else. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted March 12, 2016 Brilliant as always, my friend. I feel like the two interception performance is going to fuel the brass' idea to trade Mav to keep everyone else. Everybody is expendable when you have a fantastic foundation in place. I don't like the idea of trading him, either, but I like to think Phillips is savvy enough to strike a deal that isn't completely crippling. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted March 12, 2016 Sorry Stevo that I haven't been following at all. Just know that it doesn't mean I don't appreciate your time and effort entertaining the good people of TGP. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cherry 1,302 Posted March 12, 2016 McCabe you slimy piece of shit, shanking kicks all year then nailing this one. Time to celebrate boys And by that I mean go on sportscenter and shit-talk Rod's legacy. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted March 12, 2016 I feel like the two interception performance is going to fuel the brass' idea to trade Mav to keep everyone else. That idea will certainly be a focal point of the coming offseason. And while I don't have a single word written yet, I can tell you Part V will begin just days after Super Bowl XLIX so we can see some of the offseason process (as we did in Part II). That's months away, though. For now, we get to enjoy this victory for a bit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zack_of_Steel+ 3,014 Posted March 16, 2016 I thought for sure that shit was going to OT. Now it's time to repeat at home next season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theMileHighGuy 656 Posted July 19, 2016 Took tonight and binge-watched the final 12 chapters of this season. What a ride I thought the way you captured the game sequences this season was particularly engaging. I really liked the MNF game and thought Gruden and Tirico were captured really well, that was an interesting way to portray it. Made it feel more real than through the eyes of a generic narrator if that makes any sense. That said, the AFCCG was legitimately intense - really thought that one could go either way. Some of my favorite parts of the season were the inclusion of the real-life sports shows, again making the whole thing feel more real. I thought the final scenes describing the celebration were particularly beautifully written, gg. I loved Maverick going upside D-Jam's head and setting him straight. I knew D-Jam would check out once it became a run-first offense. It was cool to see them go back to work though when he got back. I'd like to think they share a fair respect for each other. Can't wait to see where it goes from here. Sucked watching some of my favorite players get sniped after the Broncos won the SB, and it will be hard when it inevitably happens here. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted July 19, 2016 I was on TGP last night and kept seeing the rep points for each chapter, every 20 minutes or so, thinking, "Is he gonna binge this all the way to the end?" Thanks for (finally) reading, MHG. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
