Chapter 1388: Chapter 1387: Ruthless
Strictly speaking, at this moment the cold can no longer be felt, the fully warmed-up body enters another state, as if soaking in a hot spring.
But actually, this is an illusion, a deception created by the brain.
Although the cold can’t be felt, the energy consumption rate has clearly increased, with the instant explosive power, follow-up capabilities, and secondary reaction speed all slowing down. The fierce, bloody clashes on the field make the players pant heavily, and the intense burning sensation is quickly depleting their bodies.
Looking towards the field, a scene filled with steam is striking.
For this reason, both teams are rotating players, but this situation is advantageous for the Houston Texans. Although they are in a passive defensive state and their physical energy consumption is more serious, they have faced such difficulties throughout the entire season and are now managing them effortlessly without any confusion.
Comparatively, the Kansas City Chiefs have encountered some injury issues this season, but not as seriously as imagined, with minimal impact on the main lineup. The main players have undergone a stern test of spirit and body through the whole undefeated season of travel and struggle.
As they enter the conference finals stage, a match tests not only tactics, state, and ability but also psychology and willpower.
In this context, the Kansas City Chiefs have absolute confidence, unafraid of any opponent.
At the critical moment, Li Wei returns to the field.
Instantly, you can feel all the shuffling gazes gathering on Li Wei, including Watt. Without words, the nerves of the Houston Texans’ defensive group are once again taut, while Arrowhead Stadium erupts with astonishing energy, a mighty heatwave cheers on Li Wei.
Li Wei high-fives Damien and approaches Mahomes.
“Stick to the routine.” Li Wei conveys the coach’s idea to Mahomes, “Try to accelerate the pace as much as possible; when facing third and fourth down, no need to worry, we go aggressive.”
In short, it’s a Wuju Merchant offense.
Reed knows that both sides are consuming a lot of energy, and the situation is stuck. They can choose to continue the assault using a tactic of sacrificing eight hundred of themselves to kill a thousand, forcibly progressing; he believes the Kansas City Chiefs are capable of this. But they can also choose to gamble, using a lightweight agile offense to break through.
Of course, this faces the risk of failure. Any mistake in any link could stop the offense abruptly, especially given the serious physical exhaustion now, increasing the error rate significantly.
However, in Reed’s opinion, they are currently leading in points, and it’s still the first half, so it’s worth the risk, even if they fail, they still have the confidence.
Mahomes takes a deep breath, nods slightly to Li Wei, indicating he understands.
Turning around, Mahomes fulfills his quarterback duties, completing the tactical layout.
As once again the offense starts, the Houston Texans’ attention is clearly on Li Wei. Is there some secret weapon hidden as Li Wei returns from rest, causing the defense to be briefly distracted? The result is the Kansas City Chiefs rely on quick short passes and screen short pass strategies to advance continuously.
Every pass only goes for three or four yards, all are running back routes, Mahomes doesn’t give Watt a chance to get close, forcibly linking and pushing forward.
Six passes, four completions.
Surely, due to the restriction of physical stamina, the success rate showed some fluctuation, but Mahomes still relied on the Wuju Merchant offense and smoothly secured two first downs.
At this point, the Houston Texans finally realized that Li Wei’s return was just a smoke bomb. Inevitably, they got caught up in Reed’s deception. Crennel immediately made adjustments, without much saying, the Houston Texans also shifted into a defensive configuration under the Wuju Merchant offense state—
Man-to-man marking.
Since this is a Wuju Merchant offense, zone defense is unreliable, possibly leading to losing more yardage. They must rely on man-to-man coverage to block positions.
Meanwhile, the front-line pressure strategy also needed to change, with sneak attacks becoming secondary and interfering with the pass and indirect pressure becoming primary.
Immediate effect.
A pass went incomplete, and a short pass connection to Kelsey was successful but fell right into the enclosure by two defensive players, resulting in a setback, not only failing to advance but also losing yardage, now facing a third and eleven situation.
This crisis is worse than any before.
In the predicament, the Kansas City Chiefs surprisingly handed the football to Li Wei. Facing third and eleven, they didn’t choose to pass but opted for a ground offense instead.
Reed’s calculation was accurate, truth mingled with falsehood to deceive the opponent, using Li Wei to accomplish a ground advance; regardless, even if they can’t secure a first down, they can strive for a favorable field goal position. Moreover, in a critical moment, Reed still chose to trust Li Wei.
However, this time, someone outsmarted—
JJ-Watt!
“Tackle!”
“Watt! It’s Watt again! Still Watt!”
“Watt went completely mad today, re-enacting his peak state!”
“A precise tackle! Li Wei collided head-on into a wall, Watt’s agility and toughness cutting off Li Wei’s breakthrough intention right on time, Watt accomplished a crucial defensive play!”
“Three and out!”
“For the first time since the start, the Houston Texans’ defensive group accomplished a three and out!”
Li Wei, head full of welts.
The result of a frontal collision is soreness all over the body, that beast Watt showed no mercy, and Li Wei felt like all his bones were about to scatter.
Watt was the first to stand up, extending his right hand to Li Wei, face full of smiles.
Li Wei grabbed Watt’s right hand with force, ready to yank Watt down, but Watt was prepared and instead, used the force to yank Li Wei forcefully to stand.
Without a doubt, Watt now was also seeing red, he wasn’t planning to let this opportunity slide easily. Even if the opponent was a friend, he would charge toward victory with all his might, all exhaustion, fatigue, and consumption thrown behind, entering a state of complete oblivion.
Li Wei stood there like a plank, staring at Watt in amazement.
Watt huffed with a laugh, said nothing more, patted Li Wei’s shoulder, and turned to leave, yet to his utmost surprise, the referee indicated that the Kansas City Chiefs would aggressively attempt on fourth down.
Fourth down and ten yards?
Watt: ???
The Kansas City Chiefs actually went aggressive on fourth and ten yards?
In the live broadcast room, in front of the television, in Arrowhead Stadium, everyone was in an uproar, the Kansas City Chiefs gave up a near chance for a field goal to go aggressive on fourth down with such a long yardage?
In sharp contrast with the cautiousness of the Houston Texans earlier, the leading Kansas City Chiefs were more aggressive and tougher, shocking everyone.
Watt’s smile froze at the corner of his mouth, turning his head woodenly to look over, and now it was Watt left dumbstruck.
Sure enough, Watt saw the wide curve of Li Wei’s lips stretching into a smile as he backed off: Three and out? Not so soon.
Watt took a deep breath, calmly met Li Wei’s gaze, and followed suit with an upturned mouth, at fourth down, so be it, they would intercept just the same, striving to gain Watson a favorable offensive starting position.
Aggressing on fourth down, yet enjoying no special treatment, the same forty-second interval time, the Kansas City Chiefs orderly completed the lineup.
The suspense arrives, how will the Kansas City Chiefs tackle this down?
From any angle, fourth down and ten yards is a super long yardage, combined with Li Wei just hitting the wall, choosing Mahomes’ passing seems orthodox.
But the Kansas City Chiefs always play unpredictably, is Reed truly willing to conform to assumptions and choose to pass? Or will he continue to believe in the omnipotent Li Wei to create a miracle?