Chapter 1380: Chapter 1379: Giving It Everything
Pass?
No, it’s a running play, from the start, this is a running strategy.
Mahomes swaps positions to act as a block; he doesn’t need to tackle Watt, just obstruct him a little, that’s enough.
Watt is surprised, turns to chase Li Wei’s footsteps but ends up facing Mahomes, unable to exert full force during the turn, his steps blocked.
In his view, Watt can only see the back of number 23, tearing a gap in the densely intertwined central line.
When Li Wei crosses the start line, piercing into the soft belly of the Houston Texans, the inside linebacker Cunningham and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus both come up, like a wall blocking the path, leaving Li Wei no gap to break through.
At this moment, Li Wei’s steps are just two yards away from the start line, with limited space to move sideways, behind him are piles of meat mountains; continuing forward is the only option, but Li Wei’s speed advantage cannot be utilized here, which is also why Li Wei rarely breaks through the middle.
However, Reed chose this strategy, how could he not have considered this possibility? He didn’t use Damien for a frontal breakthrough to avoid exposing the strategy’s intention but didn’t expect the Houston Texans’ defensive line to remain focused, respond promptly, and block the route immediately.
Seeing Li Wei about to hit the wall.
Bam!
Cunningham and Mercilus both feel a force, a pressure in their chests: Got it!
This time, caught right.
The joy lasts less than a second, as Cunningham and Mercilus realize the situation is not ideal because Li Wei is aiming at the connection point between the two, continually pushing with force, forcing a gap between them.
This scenario was clearly unexpected for Cunningham and Mercilus, both a bit flustered.
In a flash, the two didn’t have time to communicate, relying on instinct, resulting in chaos, each exerting force independently without teamwork.
It’s just a brief moment, but it’s enough for Li Wei, with each trying to control the situation, causing their center of gravity to wobble, a loophole appearing at the connection point, and it’s getting larger, Li Wei relentlessly supports this with his stepping feet, completing the breakthrough miraculously.
Mercilus: Humph!
Unsteady momentarily, Mercilus flips out.
Cunningham is taken aback, instinctively grabbing Li Wei’s jersey, like desperately clinging to an ex, refusing to let go.
Yellow flag!
The referee unhesitatingly throws the yellow flag.
Then, Watt moves, shakes off Mahomes, and chases up.
Meanwhile, safety Justin Reid moves forward, colliding directly with Li Wei, accurately tackling him before Li Wei completely escapes Cunningham.
Anyway, the foul has been committed, no matter so much, they must bring Li Wei down.
But Justin Reid feels Li Wei’s side shoulder hit with a force on his chest, choking his breath, thinking only of one thing:
"Beast Mode."
Li Wei always excels in speed and change of direction, rarely showcasing power, but no one should forget the first half of the 2018 season, where Li Wei’s burst and power were no less than Marshawn Lynch.
This season, Li Wei shows versatility at the running back position, so much so that Beast Mode has long been forgotten, yet unexpectedly makes a reappearance.
Justin Reid feels like a lump of meat, carried on Li Wei’s shoulder, unable to move, steps detached from gravity’s pull, a wave of fear seizes him.
"Double intercept!"
"Li Wei encounters a wall."
"No, Li Wei keeps stepping, Li Wei breaks through, Li Wei escapes."
"Reid compensates, timely intercepts Li Wei, but... doesn’t stop him."
"Li Wei presses forward against Reid, Li Wei, God, incredible, Li Wei!"
"Three yards! Five yards!"
"Li Wei! Seven yards!"
"Watt, Watt rushes up, tackles Li Wei, but Li Wei still doesn’t fall, dragging Reid and Watt while continuing to push forward."
"Eight yards! Nine yards!"
"First down!"
"This..."
"Li Wei! First down! Completely breaks through head-on, without shaking off tackles, surrounded by four players, Li Wei forcefully breaks ten yards to secure the first down!"
Shocking!
Around Li Wei, bodies lie everywhere, despite Li Wei also falling, the Houston Texans have four players lying, including Watt.
The situation is clear.
Li Wei’s eyes flash with fierceness, sweeping around, the others all avoid his gaze in fear, except for Watt.
Watt and Li Wei support each other, standing hand in hand, no need for more words, they exchange smiles, reform their lineup.
Watt turns, exhales deeply, realizing his friend is truly in a fierce mode, Watson’s provocation might have ignited Li Wei’s best form, and now the Houston Texans are about to face a storm, thinking of this, Watt is also filled with heroic spirit, a fierce look emerges in his eyes.
Both sides, lineup again.
The Kansas City Chiefs choose the shotgun formation, Damien takes the field, they opt for the double running back strategy, replacing wide receiver Hardman.
After all, both Hardman and Hill excel in speed, while Watkins can showcase the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive diversity.
So, this time, will the Kansas City Chiefs choose passing or running?
O’Brien instantly feels pressure, as the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive strategy becomes increasingly unpredictable, presenting a severe challenge to the defensive group.
At this moment, Crennel exhibits his resolve, immediately arranging tactics—O’Brien grants Crennel the authority for on-the-spot defensive strategy command.
"Attack!"
Mahomes announces the snap, pressure, comes crashing.
The Houston Texans unhesitatingly choose to apply pressure upfront, this time it’s a five-man rush; moreover, not just the defensive line, the entire defense positions push forward comprehensively, with zone defense unexpectedly transforming into man-to-man defense, pressure entirely steps forward intensely, attaching closely one-on-one.
Not just Mahomes, Hill, Watkins, and Kelsey all feel pressure, the opponent clings like an octopus.
Crennel is very astute, seizing the Kansas City Chiefs’ double running back strategy’s shortfall: lacking a receiving point, thus pressing man-to-man comprehensively, layers of pressure pour down.
What if the Kansas City Chiefs choose ground attack?
Precisely speaking, Crennel is forcing the Kansas City Chiefs to choose ground attack.
Ultimately, this is the purpose of the double running back strategy, intended for ground offense, posing a double running back formation but opting for a passing offense is placing themselves at a disadvantage; yet Crennel knows Mahomes and Li Wei’s ability to always conceal transformations, so he straightforwardly applies pressure to force the Kansas City Chiefs back to ground offense.
At this time, the players visibly engaged in man-to-man defense are actually all keeping a close eye on the pocket, constantly alert for Li Wei’s run.
Most importantly, Watt.
In the Houston Texans’ defensive group, the one who can face Li Wei head-on without falling behind is only Watt.
Crennel must make use of Watt.
The five-man rush is a strategy to create time and space for Watt, the Houston Texans rush forward comprehensively, and indeed, Watt finds freedom to act, first cutting into the pocket.