~Sunday Morning~

Jace woke up and to the sun beaming through his curtains of the hotel room window. He slowly opened the curtains to look over the city of Indianapolis.

Jace: Well...Today is the big day.

He turned on ESPN as he started coffee and "Good Morning Football" was just starting.

~From the Television~

Kay: Hello and welcome to Good Morning Football on the season opening weekend of the NFL regular season...we have a lot to get to so my first question is what game are you looking forward to watching?

Peter: I'll start us off with game that is flying low under the radar with Indianapolis Colts pulling out their Ace in their sleeve against The Bears.

As they spoke the producer was showing a video package of Jace during training camp.

Kyle: The verdict on Cooper is still out for me...I don't know if he realizes that front 7 for Chicago is going to be all over him.

Kay: Oh come on...Jace is going to be protected by the best offensive line in the NFL today. I see Colts walking out with a 45 to 30 victory.

Kyle: 40?!?! Jace will be lucky to see 21 points.

Nate: They will rely heavily on Johnathan Taylor as Jace gets acclimated and Colts will win the game today for that specific reason.

Peter: I say the Colts squeeze by Bears with a 24 to 17 score.

Kay: We will have to see when the showdown happens in Lucas Oil Stadium at 1pm.

~Back to Jace~

After finishing his coffee a loud knock could be heard on the door with a voice from the other side.

Frank: Time to head to the stadium, Jace.

Jace: *Grabbing his bag* I'm coming out!

He followed the players down to the two coach buses that were waiting out front of the Marriott Hotel. Jace quickly found a seat next to Darius Leonard and they were on their way for the short trip.

Jace: Did anyone ever say why we have to sleep at a hotel...even in our hometown?

Leonard: Had some players do some really crazy things that caused the league to be put under supervision.

Jace: I can't wait to step out on that field...first game is at home.

He pulled his tablet out of his bag and watched a few of the bears defensive plays as the buses were pulling into the back of the stadium. Jace slipped off the bus first as the rest of the team followed him down the long hallway to the locker room.

Players quickly got to their lockers and starting changing into their gear with skill players leaving off their shoulder pads so they can go out on the field to warm up with Jace talking to the Quarterback coach going over what they saw in the previous year's game footage.

Jace looked up at the big clock on the wall and seen that the game would be starting in just over an hour so he collected up the rest of the skill players to head toward the field. They jogged out onto the field and the fans that had already arrived were standing and cheering.

Frank Reich was waiting for Jace as he jogged over to the sideline. the two of them were smiling and they shook hands.

Frank: You ready?

Jace: *Looking around* The stadium is only like half full and its still a lot of people.

Frank: Just focus on the task at hand...live in the moment.

Jace: Absolutely...thanks coach.

As Jace jogged off to join the rest of the players and toss the ball with the receivers, Charly walked up with a microphone asking for a interview.

The two of them stepped off to the side as the camera man was finishing setting up. Charly looked past the coach and spotted Jace looking in her direction.

Their gaze locked on like nothing else in the world matter but it was quickly broken up when Jace was hit in the helmet with a football.

Campbell: Come on Jace, Eyes on the ball.

Jace: Uh yea my bad.

He looked back to see that Charly had a cute smile on her face. The camera man began the count down and she quickly put on her serious face.

~Skip to game time~

The fans have packed the stadium for the season opener and boos rang out as the Chicago Bears jogged onto the field from the visitor side.

On the Colts side the horseshoe shaped entrance was being setup and fans started to stand up and cheer when the cheerleaders and select fans got to line each side as a video package began to play.

Jace was standing toward the back of the team as he was one of the players to get an introduction for this game and he could hear the cheers get louder as "Won't get fooled again" began to play.

Once the beat drops smoke shoot up from each side of the entrance as the Colts motorcycle leads the team out on the field.

https://youtu.be/w1lYBrvxX_0

A/N: Great for a reference

Announcer: Please welcome.... your Indianapolis Colts!!!

The team waited out on the 50 yard lime as the offense was being introduced to the crowd.

Jace stood at the exit of the tunnel with smoke around him and the fans chanting his name.

Announcer: And your starting quarterback...number 2...Jace Cooper!

He jogged out on the field to join the rest of the team as cheers and claps were heard. The team quickly huddled go a Let's go Colts chant then prepped for the national Anthem.

The teams went to their respective sides as Pat McAfee was on the giant screens standing next to the Colts anvil that was a tradition.

Pat: It's a new era...with new faces... same colts nation...passionate...loyal... loud and when teams come to Lucas Oil Stadium! They need to know That its going to be a long...dam...day!!!

~Start of game~

Colts won the coin toss but the choose to receive the ball at half time so the Bears start with the ball.

Mitch Trubisky started on the 30 yard line after a good kick return. They tried running the ball but Deforest Buckner was able to stuff the hole and stop them for a 3 yard loss.

On 3rd and 13, Trubisky launched the ball out to Robinson for a 18 yard gain who quickly stood up to signal a first down.

The Bears moved the ball down the field to the 15 yard line of the Colts side but was only able to get 3 points from a field goal.

Bears -3 Colts - 0

Jace strapped on his helmet as the kick returner for the Colts took a touch back, bringing the ball out to the 25.

In the huddle a pass play was called and the offense quickly got set. Jace looked to try and read the defense but when he hiked the ball the outside linebacker came through untouched to sack Jace.

He quickly got to his feet as the defense did a quick celebration. On the second play Taylor took the ball for a 19 yard gain.

Announcer: Jonathan Taylor scramble up for a gain of 19 yards and that's another Indianapolis Colts...

Fans: First Down!!!!

Jace got the offense lined up for the next play and as he took the snap he fired a long shot down the field to a wide open Ty Hilton who took it in for a Touchdown.

Streamers popped with the chorus to Bang on the drums all day played. After a short celebration the offense jogged off the field while receiving high fives from teammates.

The game went to commercial break after the Colts successfully kicked the extra point.

Bears - 3 Colts - 7

The next Bears possession was highlighted by the running game and they were able to chew off 7 and a half minutes off the clock to kick another field goal.

Bears - 6 Colts -7

Colts start on the 25 after another touch back and Jace waits on the sideline for the first play before he jogs on the field.

He takes the snap and hands the ball to Taylor who only scrambles for about 4 yards. But on the next snap Jace fumbled the hand off and the Bears were quick enough to jump on it and take possession.

Jace couldn't help but watch on the side lines as the Bears finished out the quarter with a Touchdown. They tried to go up by seven but the Colts Defense batted the ball away.

Bears - 12 Colts -7

Jace was grabbing his helmet to get ready to go back on the field when the Colts sideline and fans began to cheer and Jace looked to see Nyheim Hines was running down the sideline during the kickoff but was knocked out of bounds at the 50 yard line.

The offense has been rejuvenated as they surrounded Hines before jogging on the field. Jace took the hike and immediately juked out of the way of two defenders before dumping the ball down to the Tight end, Mo Alie-Cox for 6 yards.

They huddled up to call the next play and Taylor signaled to Jace to give him the ball to which he agreed. After getting set at the line, the Bears defense showed they were going to blitz but Jace snapped the ball and handed to Taylor.

JT was able to slip through a small hole made by the offensive line and took off down the side lines before tackled 15 yards down the field.

Announcer: That's another Indianapolis Colts...

Fans: First Down!!!!

After a few passes to Pittman and Hilton, The Colts were about to enter the red zone and the fans were on their feet cheering but Jace motioned with his hands to calm down so that the offense could communicate.

Taylor switched out with Hines and Jace used this to throw him the ball behind the line of scrimmage. Hines broke off a tackle and was able to run the ball down to the 1 yard line before jumping up and pointing in front of him to signal a first down.

Jace quickly lined up the Offense as the clock was ticking down to half time and he snapped the ball to throw at the ground so they could stop the clock. Jace handed the ball off to JT, who ran the ball up the middle for a Colts touchdown.

Bears - 12 Colts - 14

After a successful Kick the Colts were back on top as the two teams jogged off the field to head in for half time but Jace was stopped by Charly Arnolt for a quick interview and both of them had a big smile.

Charly: Jace, Can you take me through your thoughts on your first NFL Half?

Jace: *slowing his breathing down* Humbling...We had a lot of highs but also we had some plays that we wished we could have back.

Charly: One more question and I'll let you get back to the locker room...Could you name one thing that this team will need to hold on to this lead?

Jace: We have to try and not get frustrated...as long as we play Colts football then we will be in good position to win.

Charly: Thank you for your time, Jace

Jace nodded and as he jogged away he softly patted her on the shoulder and his hand ran down her arm as he made his way to the back as Charly was doing everything in her power not to blush at the touch of the Quarterback.

~Time skip to the 4th quarter~

After half time the two teams were struggling to get down the field on each other as both defenses seemed to tighten up but the Bears were able to take the lead again with a 50 yard field goal.

Bears - 15 Colts - 14

The Colts had control of the ball with the start of the final quarter and they were moving down the field in a slow and methodical pace. Jace was using short passes and the run game to his advantage since the Defensive backs were making sure no deep passes would connect.

On a 3rd and 8 Jace took the snap and scanned the field but none of the receivers were open and the next thing he knew a defender was wrapping him up for a sack. The defender wanted to swing him around and throw Jace to the ground but the rookie was able to escape his grasp and bolt down the field for a 13 yard gain.

Jace quickly shot up and yelled out in a competitive manner as a defender quickly got in his face but players from both teams spit the two up before it could escalate. He quickly got the team set back up and launched the ball down the field over the defender that got in his face for a touchdown.

Michael Pittman Jr. was celebrating with the fans but the Colts quickly realized that there was a penalty marker on the turf and the refs were huddled up in a discussion. The head ref stepped back to face the fans.

Ref: Pass interference...Offense...number 11! 10 yard penalty from the previous spot and a loss of down...it's 3 and 15!

Everyone in the stadium watched the replay on the big screens and the fans erupted into boos when there wasn't any contact between Pittman and the defender. Pittman was visibly upset and yelling towards the refs before Jace was able to pull him over into the huddle.

Jace: Pittman, Let's run the same thing...this time I will make sure you are wide open.

The team nodded and broke the huddle before lining up in position but when Jace hiked the ball the ran toward the side that Pittman was on and the Defender covering him stutter stepped and fell as he launched the ball to now a wide open Pittman for a touchdown.

Bears - 15 Colts - 21

The offense was celebrating the whole time on the sidelines as the kick off was a touchback for the Bears. They were once again walking down the field with the ball and time was running out with only 6 minutes in the game.

They reached the 25 yard line of the Colts side of the field and Trubisky attempted to throw the ball in the middle but was intercepted by Darius Leonard who took the ball all the way back for another Colts touchdown. The mascot, Blue quickly jogged out on the field to taunt the Bears team.

Bears - 15 Colts - 28

The Bears were unable to score on their next drive because Trubisky was sacked and fumbled the ball for the Colts to recover. Jace and the offense came out on the field so they could run the rest of the clock out.

Both teams walked out on the field to congratulate each other on a hard fought game. Fans were starting to leave the stadium as Jace watched as the streamers fell from the rafters and Bang on the Drums was playing.

He walked over to the Colts side of the field to take it all in as he had won his first NFL game and players walked by patting him on the shoulder pads. Jace knelt over and smiled toward the ground when he heard a voice.

Taylor: Hey Jace, you earned a steak dinner at the finest place in town.

Jace: *Chuckling* Sounds like you are offering to pay.

Pittman: Oh No...tradition that the Rookies by dinner after the first game.