A student investigates the thermal decomposition of gas-phase nitrogen dioxide according to the reaction \(\text{2 NO}_2\text{(g)} \rightarrow \text{2 NO(g)} + \text{O}_2\text{(g)}\). The student measures the concentration of \(\text{NO}_2\text{(g)}\) as a function of time at a constant temperature and constructs three integrated rate law plots, as shown below. Which of the following best identifies the order of the reaction with respect to \(\text{NO}_2\) and provides the correct justification?