Knights of Andreas 3.10: The Enemy of My Enemy

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Knights of Andreas

Part III

Based on Characters Created by:

badgers

Bangy

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Vin

Zack_of_Steel

 

Chapter Thirty-Six – The Enemy of My Enemy

 

Chargers fans get loud as Maverick lines up under center for third and goal. The formation and defense are right where he wants them, so he raises his arms, egging on the crowd some more. They gladly scream louder, their team needing a stop in the game’s biggest play so far. It’s 17-6, Knights, 0:28 to go in the first half.

 

Maverick fakes a handoff to Jameson and rolls right. The receivers run with him, but the Chargers have everything covered. Linemen break free on the rush, preventing Maverick from reaching the end zone himself. He throws the ball across his body, back toward the left side of the end zone. Out of nowhere, Bishop emerges open and catches the pass easily, silencing the crowd.

 

Maverick walks back to the sideline and gazes toward the enemy’s side of the field. He finds Phillip Rivers and stares him down. Rivers stares back, eventually shouting something Maverick can’t hear, not that he wants to anyway. He just points up at the scoreboard, which, after the extra point, says Knights 24, Chargers 6.

 

 

 

As the Knight’s End televisions show players jogging to the locker room for halftime, Cooper and Sampson push away on their phones, checking for scores around the league, as well as their fantasy football leagues (both have one team in its league’s championship).

 

“What was that Colts/Chiefs score again?” Sampson asks.

 

“23-7,” Cooper says. “That also means Indy clinches the South, right?”

 

Sampson: “Nah, they had it clinched already. Dog shit division.”

 

Cooper: “I never realized until today that the Chiefs are collapsing. Four out of six, they’ve lost.”

 

Sampson: “Thank God. We’d already be out otherwise. Any more good news with Baltimore?”

 

Cooper: “Yes. Patriots up 17-0 at the half.”

 

Sampson: “Outstanding. So everything’s falling into place.”

 

Cooper: “As long as we don’t blow it.”

 

Sampson: “I doubt it. I’m more concerned with how feisty it’s been. Think we’ll get a fight in the second half?”

 

Cooper: “One can only hope.”

 

 

 

The Knights come out for the second half with Coach Harden’s halftime message engrained in their heads: discipline, discipline, discipline.

 

The Chargers get the ball first. Harden radios plays for his defense, occasionally looking across the field at Caden Daniel. The two play-callers may have had a back-and-forth, evenly matched battle earlier this year, but Harden is decidedly winning this round. The Knights got a couple good hits on Rivers early, and he’s looked shaky ever since.

 

Daniel displays patience, maintaining balance and keeping things simple. A few key third down passes by Rivers get the drive into field goal range, where it stalls and Nick Novak kicks his third field goal of the day. 24-9, Knights.

 

The Knights take over, facing defensive adjustments to counter a spectacular first half. With a run-first plan, Maverick gets little opportunities to pass, but when he does, he enjoys the presence of new slot receiver Joseph Watson, who Coach Everett says will retain the slot position when Johnson returns next week. Watson is very raw in route running, but he’s probably the Knights’ fastest receiver, and Maverick’s not about to argue with another deep threat. The offense could be unstoppable today with a healthy number two receiver. Instead, Larkhill has been his usual unproductive self.

 

On the sideline, an unpadded Alex Johnson stands amongst his teammates with a brace on his knee, courtesy of last week’s hyperextension. He’s thankful it wasn’t something severe, and the doctors tell him he should start next week for the regular season’s final game.

 

The Knights’ drive stalls and the Chargers get the ball back. The play calls are more aggressive, and Rivers puts together a drive that results in another field goal. The score now narrowed to 24-12, Harden starts screaming up and down the sideline. The offense responds with an efficient drive that takes the game into the fourth quarter and finishes with a twelve-yard Jaxson touchdown catch.

 

On the ensuing Chargers drive, Rose forces a fumble that the Knights recover. A few minutes later, they add a field goal, extending the lead to 34-12 with less than ten minutes remaining and sending many Chargers fans home.

 

With a lopsided score in a divisional rivalry game, things seem ripe for fights, but too much is at stake with week 17 looming and both wild-card spots up for grabs. The Chargers have higher priorities—and so do the Knights.

 

Neither team scores before the clock runs out, and the Knights win, advancing to 9-6, clinching their first winning season in Los Angeles. Harden walks toward midfield to shake hands with Daniel.

 

“Good game, Merle,” Daniel says.

 

“Good game, coach.”

 

“Maybe we’ll see you again in a couple weeks.”

 

“Maybe we will.”

 

 

 

With one week to go, the entire playoff picture is finally boiled down to one round of if-then scenarios. And in the AFC, five of six playoff spots have already been taken.

 

New England and Indianapolis had already clinched the East and South, and yesterday, Cincinnati and Denver clinched the North and West, so all four division winners are locked in. San Diego (10-5) also clinched a playoff berth, and Baltimore was eliminated, leaving Kansas City (10-5) and Los Angeles (9-6) to fight for the final wild-card spot.

 

Since all three wild card contenders are in the West, divisional tiebreakers will be used. The Chargers are 4-1 in divisional games; both the Chiefs and Knights are 2-3. So even if the Knights end up tied with San Diego, they lose the tiebreaker. They need to tie with Kansas City, in which case the first tiebreaker is head-to-head (each won a game against each other this season), and the second is divisional record (the Knights would theoretically be 3-3 and the Chiefs 2-4).

 

To make the playoffs, the Knights must beat the Broncos, and the Chargers must beat the Chiefs. Both games are scheduled for 1:25pm Pacific time on Sunday, and neither gets flexed to primetime.

 

In his Monday afternoon press conference, Chargers head coach Caden Daniel insists his team will play all starters this week despite having a playoff berth clinched.

 

When Broncos head coach John Fox is asked about resting his starters if New England wins on Sunday (which would clinch home-field for the Patriots and lock the Broncos into the #2 seed), Fox says, “We’ll consider it.”

 

 

 

Monday afternoon, while his positional coaches are watching film and constructing their game plan for the Broncos, Harden heads upstairs for a meeting with the front office. These late-season meetings were always a nuisance unfortunately made tolerable by the Knights’ elimination from the playoffs. But finally, the Knights are fighting for a postseason berth, and Harden can’t wait to head back to the film room.

 

“We’ll keep this brief,” Schneider says, “since I’m sure you’ve got work to do, coach.” Harden nods. “Gentlemen, we’ve put together a hell of a run these last few weeks. Coach Harden, that’s a credit to you. No matter what happens this week, I think we can all agree we’ve made tremendous strides this year, and we have a playoff caliber team. So tell me how we’re going to make it better.”

 

Phillips looks to DeMartine, who passes out bound packets of paper to everyone at the table.

 

“This is a list of all impending free agents on the roster,” DeMartine says. “Obviously, our focus is on starters, so it includes projected contract figures based on market value, dialogue with agents, and which teams would theoretically be interested. Based on conversations we’ve had, our top priorities are Veldheer, Penner, and Luck, in no particular order.”

 

Schneider: “Chance?”

 

Phillips: “Veldheer and Luck have the same story. Their agents haven’t said it directly, but it looks like they want to hit the market to maximize value. I wouldn’t bank on a hometown discount in either case. Penner’s agent, strangely, insists on no dialogue and no numbers exchanged whatsoever until the season’s over. I’m not necessarily worried about that; Penner’s an old school guy, probably just doesn’t want to negotiate in-season.”

 

Schneider: “So what are our chances of keeping all three?”

 

Phillips: “Honestly, I’m a little concerned. Historically, paying elite money to offensive linemen is rarely a good idea, and Veldheer could very well command the league’s largest contract for a left tackle with the year he’s having. I feel the same at center, and Penner’s age comes into play as well. But he’s a loyal guy; if there’s anyone we can re-sign before free agency, it’s him. As for Luck, he’s having a great year, but I don’t know how I feel about investing a ton of money into Luck and Grantzinger, two guys who play right next to each other. I would defer to Merle’s opinion on that.”

 

Schneider: “Okay. Possible contract figures?”

 

DeMartine: “Turn to pages four and five.”

 

Everyone at the table flips a few pages and reads.

 

Schneider: “These all look reasonable to me. Big money, yes, but these are good football players. And we’ve got more cap room than anyone in the league.”

 

Phillips: “At a glance, Wayne, you’re right. But you start handing out thirty-, forty-million-dollar contracts, and that cap space gets eaten up rather quickly. And that’s not even mentioning the biggest cap number of all…”

 

DeMartine: “Maverick.”

 

Phillips: “Whenever he gets his deal, whether it’s this offseason or next, it’s gonna be huge.”

 

DeMartine: “Speaking of Maverick, if you’ll turn to page ten…”

 

Everyone flips through another few pages.

 

Phillips: “That’s our list of free agents after next season. Obviously, there are quite a few guys there we’d like to make Knights for a long time. So this offseason, we’ll be very aggressive in extending players in advance, while we have the money to spend.”

 

Schneider: “I see. Coach, any thoughts on all of this?”

 

Harden: “Well, um…you know, based on my time here, I’ve learned to respect the decisions that come from this front office. Whatever Mr. Phillips and everyone else decides, I’m sure it’ll be in the best interests of the team.”

 

Schneider: “Very well. In that case, continue as you were, gentlemen. Coach, if you’d like to get back to it, you may, seeing as you have a game to win this Sunday.”

 

 

 

Adam Javad types frantically on his laptop with modest Christmas decorations around his apartment—not that he notices them. Los Angeles sports is buzzing as it never has since he’s been in town.

 

The Kings have won nine of their last eleven games, giving fans hope of another Stanley Cup. The Clippers have won five in a row and currently sit third in the Western Conference at 20-9, trailing only the Thunder and Spurs. The Lakers’ season, while dismal, prompts plenty of discussion.

 

All of these, of course, take a backseat to the Knights, who, in their fourth season, may finally make the playoffs. Javad writes articles covering every angle of the playoff push: a Broncos/Knights preview, a Chiefs/Chargers preview, mathematical playoff odds based on Vegas’ spreads (the latest has L.A. at 31.8% to make the playoffs), and potential playoff matchups for the Knights beyond the first round (they’re already locked in to Cincinnati should they make it).

 

The activity hasn’t given him much time to work on his editorial, but after hitting a wall on one of his playoff articles, he opens it up again and rereads the opening.

 

“Most workers live in a state of on and off the clock, of clocking in and clocking out. But as a sports reporter, I am always on the clock. If news breaks, no matter what hour, I have to report it.”

 

“Wow,” Javad says aloud. “This is garbage.”

 

It’s redundant, cliché, and doesn’t address the subject of the editorial. What kind of lead is that?

 

His phone vibrates on a nearby table. He checks; it’s Ben, editor-in-chief of the L.A. Mobile, the only boss Javad has.

 

“Hey, chief. Merry Christmas Eve.”

 

“Adam, what’s the story on that editorial of yours? I know you’ve got a lot going on, but it would pair nicely with an article of Carl’s that we’re posting Friday. Could you have it done by then?”

 

“Um…you know, I highly doubt it.”

 

“No big deal. Let’s just table it for another time. And hurry up on the rest of the stuff.”

 

“You got it.”

 

Javad hangs up, content with that result. Another time it is.

 

 

 

Tuesday, players are back on the field for what could be their final practice week of the season. It’s Christmas Eve, despite sunny, 67-degree weather. Players look forward to a day off for Christmas, a decision their head coach made awhile ago and hasn’t changed despite this week’s importance.

 

Harden monitors his defense running drills and spots Phillips walking across the field, eventually standing next to him.

 

“Looking forward to playing Peyton again?” Phillips asks.

 

“Always.” They laugh. “Actually, Chance, as long as you’re here, there’s something I didn’t want to mention in front of Schneider the other day, regarding contracts.”

 

“What?”

 

“Penner. I know you talk a lot about ‘positional value’ and all that stuff, but if you seriously think this team would be better off without him…”

 

“I know, coach. I know. I want to bring him back, and like I said the other day, I’m fairly optimistic we’ll get something done.”

 

“Alright, fair enough. Just wanted that on the record. BROCK! What kind of fucking technique is that?”

 

Harden jogs back onto the field, leaving Phillips to think about his starting center. Though he won’t say this to Harden, he considers the odds of re-signing Penner somewhere around fifty-fifty. Given the Knights’ chances to draft a competent starter and the market for elite players at the position, it simply is not economical for the Knights to pay eight or nine million dollars per year to a 33-year-old center.

 

Phillips remembers life in Pittsburgh, where despite a perennial Super Bowl contender on the field, the front office faced difficult decisions every year. Perhaps that’s the new standard he’ll experience in Los Angeles over the next few years.

 

 

 

Merle pours himself another glass of Bailey’s with Bing Crosby playing in the background. He walks past the Christmas tree and onto the back porch, Melissa and Melinda where he left them.

 

This is the first time they’ve been back in this house since summer, prompting Merle to spend hours cleaning the place. He enjoys seeing everyone together in Los Angeles again, or maybe he just enjoys being with his family regardless of location.

 

His mind inevitably returns to football, and he thinks about what could come of a playoff run for his team. It’s still a long shot that they make the playoffs at all, but if they do, they’d be in position for a fantastic run, which makes him wonder. Is this the last hurrah Merle wanted last year? He’s still under contract another season, but that wouldn’t prevent him from retiring.

 

He tables the thought for later, enjoying Christmas with his wife and daughter.

 

 

 

Friday afternoon, what could be the Knights’ final day of practice finishes, and players change in the locker room. A few lockers down from Maverick, Jaxson sees his quarterback remove his helmet, revealing hair that has gotten considerably longer.

 

“Mav, what’s up with your hair?” Jaxson asks.

 

Maverick looks stunned by the question and hesitates.

 

Wilkes: “No kidding. Get a haircut, dude.”

 

Maverick: “It’s playoff hair. Fuck you guys.”

 

Penner: “Playoff hair? What kind of middle school bullshit is that? Be a real man and get a playoff beard.”

 

Jaxson: “Yeah, Mav, you’d look good with a beard.”

 

Penner: “Maybe once you hit puberty you can give it a try.”

 

Players react to Penner’s zinger, Maverick even managing a smile.

 

“Calm down, calm down!” Coach Harden yells, entering the locker room. “Brief announcement: the league announced Pro Bowl rosters a few hours ago. They’ve got some new format, unconferenced or some shit, but I’m proud to say we have three representatives: Brian Penner, Malik Rose, Zack Grantzinger.”

 

Everyone claps and cheers for the three honored Knights.

 

“Congratulations to you three Pro Bowlers. Of course, if all goes according to plan, you won’t get a chance to play in the game.”

 

 

 

Farmers Field counts down to kickoff for the final time this season. Even if the Knights make the playoffs, they will do so as the #6 seed, unable to host a playoff game, but fans have no intention of complaining if that happens.

 

Phillips, Schneider, and the rest of the Knights front office take seats in their luxury suite. With kickoff minutes away, everyone watches a nearby television screen, showing the final seconds of the Patriots/Bills game. The Patriots win, 34-20, clinching home-field advantage in the AFC.

 

Everyone looks down to the field at the Broncos, the Knights’ opponent. Now locked into the #2 seed, will they rest their starters? Have the Knights caught a break?

 

 

 

The Broncos receive the opening kickoff. After a touchback, fans cheer unusually loud as second-year quarterback Brock Osweiler jogs onto the field while Peyton Manning sits on the bench, along with Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas. Coach Harden stares across the field in disgust.

 

“Pussies,” he says. “No balls. No respect for the game.”

 

 

 

While most TV screens at Knight’s End show Knights/Broncos, and the bar’s audio does as well, Cooper and Sampson watch Chiefs/Chargers. Victory against Denver’s backups is imminent, but it won’t matter if the Chargers fail to win.

 

The Chiefs take their first drive of the game down the field, leaning on Jamaal Charles like they have in both games against Los Angeles this year.

 

Into the red zone, Charles takes a carry up the middle, sidesteps a few linebackers, and runs into the end zone. 7-0, Chiefs.

 

“Christ,” Cooper says. “If the Chargers can’t stop him, we’re fucked.”

 

 

 

Coach Harden screams another play into his headset. The Broncos, already up 3-0, are in the middle of an impressive drive, across midfield.

 

Osweiler drops back, scans the field, and hits Eric Decker on a crossing route. Decker runs downfield, tackled just inside the Knights’ twenty. Stunned, Harden calls a more conservative play, needing only to hold Denver to another field goal.

 

Osweiler fakes a handoff to Knowshon Moreno and looks to the end zone. He throws up a pass that hits Jacob Tamme in stride, splitting two defenders. 10-0, Broncos.

 

Once the defense has returned to the sideline, they drink water and watch their head coach, knowing exactly what they’re about to hear.

 

“Brock Osweiler?” Harden says. Nobody responds. “Brock. Osweiler. Are you fucking kidding me?”

 

 

 

“We might as well be playing Peyton,” Cooper says. “I don’t fucking believe this.”

 

“There we go!” Sampson says, watching the Chargers convert on third down, the score tied 7-7. “See, Rivers is gonna take over this game, and the Chiefs won’t be able to catch up.”

 

“Let’s just be grateful the Chargers are playing their starters. Thank you, Caden Daniel.”

 

“Yeah, definitely. As long as—NO!”

 

The Chiefs intercept a Rivers pass and take it the other way, reaching the red zone.

 

 

 

Maverick drops back to pass, seeing nobody open. Pressure comes up the middle, forcing him to roll out. Still not finding any targets, he throws it away, bringing up third and five.

 

The Knights are in field goal range, finally able to put a decent drive together against a Broncos defense resting Von Miller. Down ten points in the second quarter, Maverick and everyone else can feel the sense of panic creeping into the stadium.

 

Maverick takes a snap in shotgun. The Broncos play zone coverage, and Maverick doesn’t see any open windows. He steps up, looks toward Bishop, and multiple linemen swarm, bringing him down.

 

Fans boo as the field goal unit trots out, and Janikowski knocks a forty-eight yarder through. 10-3, Broncos.

 

The Knights offense tries to figure things out on the sideline as the game continues. Though he decides against saying something, Maverick is frustrated Johnson has yet to get open on anything, very much unlike him. He speaks privately with Coach Everett, suggesting Watson get involved more.

 

The Broncos’ drive results in a field goal, extending their lead to 13-3 and prompting louder boos from fans, and the Knights take over with 4:48 left in the second quarter. Maverick fakes a handoff to Jameson and hits Watson on a short out. His speed gets him a few extra yards and a first down.

 

Coach Everett tries to get the run game going, and balance gives the Knights some rhythm. Maverick gives Watson a look on every passing play, knowing he has the speed to get past the defense, or stretch it, at the very least.

 

On the edge of field goal range, Maverick drops back on second and eight and sees an all-out blitz. He wants to bomb it to Watson, but there’s too much pressure. He ducks, runs left, and somehow escapes the chaos. With one safety deep, shading more towards Watson, Maverick heaves it up for Wilkes, hitting him in stride. He stiff-arms the safety at the goal line. Touchdown, Knights.

 

 

 

The Knights and Broncos jog into the locker rooms for halftime, so everyone in the luxury suite looks up at the TV screen. A similar scene unfolds in San Diego, with the Chiefs taking a 21-14 lead into halftime.

 

“Any chance the Chargers rest everyone in the second half?” Schneider asks.

 

Phillips doesn’t want to consider that possibility, distressed enough that the Knights are trailing 13-10 with Denver’s best players on the bench.

 

 

 

The Farmers Field video screens display energizing presentations that get the fans pumped up for the second half. Getting the ball first, the Knights offense keeps them cheering.

 

Maverick and the offense move the ball methodically down the field. Jameson and Jaxson average around six yards per carry, and Maverick easily finds receivers on intermediate routes. It almost seems as if Denver’s defense is backing off a bit.

 

Before long, the Knights are in field goal range, and Maverick hits Bishop on a seam route. He sprints towards the goal line, colliding with multiple defenders and falling forward into the end zone. 17-13, Knights.

 

A few minutes later, the Broncos retake the field, and an angry Harden gets ready to unload on Osweiler. This may be the last game of the year, and no blitz is going to go uncalled.

 

Grantzinger comes free on first down, and Osweiler throws it away on a borderline intentional grounding that the officials don’t call, despite protests from fans.

 

Second and ten. Randall delays a blitz and has a straight shot at Osweiler. He hits him as he’s releasing the ball, and a wobbly pass lands in Martin’s arms. He runs past offensive linemen easily and takes it all the way to the end zone. Farmers Field enjoys a celebration more cathartic than anything else. 24-13, Knights.

 

 

 

Cooper and Sampson shift their focus to San Diego, where the Chargers are trailing, 24-14, in the fourth quarter. The Knights have turned it around in Los Angeles, but their season ticks down regardless.

 

From the Chargers’ forty, Rivers drops back with time to throw. He fires deep, and Knight’s End goes quiet. The long pass hits Eddie Royal at the eight. He spins, avoiding a tackle, and runs into the end zone. Touchdown, Chargers.

 

The bar enjoys its loudest celebration of the day, the playoffs closer than they have ever been. It’s 24-21, Chiefs, with 11:45 to go.

 

“Plenty of time,” Sampson says.

 

“Amen,” Cooper says. “Let’s go, Rivers, you weird-faced fucker!”

 

 

 

Front office members watch comfortably as the Knights maintain control of the game, up 27-13 and driving. The defense has finally woken up, and the Broncos have no answer with Osweiler at quarterback.

 

They turn up the audio on the television with time ticking away in San Diego. The Chargers trail by three but are driving with less than six minutes to go.

 

Rivers drops back around midfield and fires over the middle. He hits Keenan Allen, who has open grass in front of him. The suite cheers as Allen runs inside the ten-yard-line, setting up first and goal with 5:30 to go.

 

 

 

After an informal majority vote, the audio at Knight’s End switches to Chiefs/Chargers. The Chargers line up for third and goal, and the bar goes quiet, conversation replaced by commentators Marv Albert and Rich Gannon.

 

“Rivers, back to pass. Looking, looking, under pressure! He goes down! It’s a big sack for the Kansas City defense.”

 

“Fucking bum,” Cooper says, chugging what remains of his beer with deep swigs. “I swear, if they miss this field goal—”

 

“No streaking, please,” Sampson says. “Whatever it is, keep your clothes on.”

 

Nick Novak knocks the field goal through, sparing humanity from Cooper’s wrath and tying the game, 24-24.

 

 

 

Knights players rest on the sideline, leading 30-13 with the final minutes of the fourth quarter ticking away. They know they will win this game and finish 10-6 on the year, and they also know their playoff fate is tied to the Chargers. Players look up at the stadium graphics that show scores from around the league and see KC 24, SD 24, unaware of what is happening in the game.

 

Above the stadium, members of the front office rise from their chairs and watch the Chiefs’ field goal unit take the field. Alex Smith has led an impressive drive and set up a forty-eight yard attempt with four seconds left. Either the kick is no good and the game goes into overtime, or the Knights season is over.

 

The kick sails high, clearly long enough, towards the right goal post. It goes just past it, strikes the net, and officials on the ground wave their arms horizontally. No good.

 

The suite celebrates as if they’ve won. Phillips and Schneider decide to head downstairs to the locker room, to learn their fate along with the team.

 

 

 

The Knights game has gone final at a score of 30-13, and Knight’s End has gone silent. Even the waiters and bartenders stand in place, watching and listening to the Chiefs/Chargers game, now broadcast on nearly every one of the bar’s televisions.

 

The Chargers win the coin toss, prompting mild celebration from the bar before quieting down again.

 

“Don’t forget, Marv,” Gannon says, “the San Diego Chargers are in the playoffs no matter what. So if you’re Caden Daniel, you do not want this overtime period to go on for very long.”

 

 

 

Every Knights player stands in the locker room, crowded around the television mounted on the corner wall. Nobody says anything. Players occasionally glance at one another nervously, but the locker room is eerily still.

 

In the back of the crowd, Harden, Phillips, and Schneider stand together, their fate hanging on whatever unfolds on the television.

 

“It’s second and four, Chargers on their own forty. A reminder of the overtime rules: if the Chargers score a touchdown on this drive, it’s over. If they kick a field goal, Kansas City gets the ball back. Any change of possession, and it’s sudden death. Here’s Rivers, under center. Hands off to Mathews. He runs ahead, finds a seam, gets the first down.”

 

Players clap and cheer as the Chargers have a new set of downs. A draw play to Mathews gets another five yards, then Rivers hits Antonio Gates on a short route, and it’s third and one.

 

“Rivers under center. Chargers in a bunch formation, Chiefs stack the box. Rivers hands off to Mathews. He’s stuffed! Fighting for extra yardage, but the Chiefs bring him down! It’ll be fourth and one, Chargers forced to punt.”

 

A few Knights sit down in disappointment, but chatter quickly picks up as players react to what happens on the screen.

 

“They’re going for it!”

 

“No fucking way.”

 

“Oh, shit…”

 

“Shut up! Shut up!”

 

Things go quiet again as the Chargers line up for fourth and one from the Chiefs’ forty-six. Albert’s commentary fills the locker room.

 

“So Caden Daniel deciding this is it, he’s going for it. Rivers lines up in shotgun. Here’s the snap. He fakes the hand off. Drops back to throw! He looks, looks. He fires deep! Looking for Malcolm Floyd…”

 

Albert’s words are drowned out as the Knights watch Rivers’ pass hit Floyd in stride. He separates from the corner and runs into the end zone.

 

In a blink, the locker room goes from on edge to bedlam. Players run around screaming, waving towels, high-fiving and chest bumping each other. Harden, Phillips, and Schneider shake hands and embrace for the good fortune and monumental achievement.

 

The Knights are going to the playoffs.

 

 

 

A similar scene unfolds at Knight’s End, some patrons running into the streets of downtown Los Angeles to celebrate. Cooper and Sampson become separated in the chaos, but a drunken Cooper eventually finds his friend and bear hugs him.

 

“Super Bowl, baby! Super Bowl!” Cooper proclaims.

 

“Gotta get past the Bengals first!” Sampson screams so Cooper can hear him.

 

“Andy Dalton? That fucking ginger? No worries!”

 

 

 

With the celebration ongoing, Harden excuses himself from Phillips and Schneider, who stand together in the back of the locker room, both wanting things to calm down first before they congratulate the players.

 

“You know something,” Schneider says. Phillips leans in. “It’s strange how things work out sometimes.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“After we fired Daniel, I didn’t know whether he’d go back to college, stay in the NFL, whatever. But I never imagined that a year later, he’d be the one to save our ass.”

 

Phillips smiles and the two shake hands yet again. They hear screams from Coach Harden, who quickly commands attention of the entire locker room.

 

“Alright, listen up,” he says. “I know we’re all excited, but let’s save some of that energy…because we have a football game to play next weekend!”

 

Players scream in celebration. It takes another minute before things quiet down again.

 

“We’re right where want to be, men,” Harden says. “In fact, we’ve reached the spot every team in this league wants to reach. We’re going to the playoffs, and no one wants to play us. No one. God help the Bengals, and God help whoever else gets in our way.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sarge+ 3,436]

YESSSSSSSS.

 

The second half of that chapter was pure chaos, but you organized it extremely well. I bet this was one of the most enjoyable chapters for you to write.

 

Can't wait to see how far this goes.

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

Well that was unexpected.

 

Time for the Bengals to put up 75.

Edited July 5, 2015 by Vin

[Cherry 1,302]

Time for the Bengals to put up 75.

If the Bengals win I'll stop reading solely due to historical inaccuracies.

[BwareDWare94 723]

Andy Dalton?

 

I'd like to welcome the Knights to the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs!

[Bangy 19]

Bedlam and pandemonium. Good work boiz

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

As Sarge mentioned, the chapter really builds steam all the way through until one epic climax. Pretty sweet. For some reason, I feel Caden Daniel will regret doing this favor for the Knights.

[ATL_Predator+ 1,196]

I should be a Captain

[Cherry 1,302]

I should be a Captain

[Zack_of_Steel+ 3,014]

Thanks for putting Grantzinger in the Pro Bowl.

 

 

 

Awesome chapter. I loved how you changed perspective and had us watch the Chargers. Since the Chargers rematch was so sparse and anti-climactic, I'm 100% expecting us to face them in the playoffs. Also, I wonder if Javad is going to try and fuck the Knights up with that editorial.

[RazorStar 4,025]

The only way we can face the Chargers in the playoffs is in the championship.

 

... which would mean we'd need to clear the Bengals and Patriots first.

[Cherry 1,302]

The only way we can face the Chargers in the playoffs is in the championship.

 

... which would mean we'd need to clear the Patriots first.

FTFY

[theMileHighGuy 656]

Awesome stuff, I was really dreading what was surely going to be a huge let down at the end of the chapter, but it didn't happen!

 

No gatorade bath for Harden????

 

Just sayin Pey Pey never sat in a meaningless game for us till like the 4th quarter... but at least I found one way to watch Brock Osweiler play a game!

 

D-Jam hella tilted he got snubbed from the pro-bowl

[Maverick 791]

Late to the party but just got caught up with the chapters.

 

Man, I had goosebumps reading the Chargers/Chiefs finish.