Second and thirteen yards, "Attack!"
Mahos announced the snap, his voice slicing through the air as intense heat waves cascaded downward.
Indeed, the San Francisco 49ers opted for another blitz.
The reasoning is clear: at this mont, more than the yardage gained or lost in the attack-defense exchange, montum is paramount. The San Francisco 49ers must suppress the Kansas City Chiefs’ resurgence and regain confidence in this fierce competition.
Therefore, in Shanahan’s view, since the first blitz was unexpectedly effective, why not try consecutive blitzes? Moreover, the Kansas City Chiefs likely didn’t anticipate the San Francisco team, struggling with pressure all season, daring to blitz twice in succession. Shanahan caught Reed off guard.
Blitz. Sack.
From the perspective of the ga, this is the simplest and most effective way to restore the defensive group’s confidence and montum—even if it doesn’t lead to a turnover or directly stop the opponent from scoring, it can still boost morale and provide energy for subsequent battles.
One sack is uplifting, but what about two? Or three?
The effect is far greater than a simple one plus one equals two.
Now, Shanahan is clearly pursuing an adrenaline rush effect.
Of course, Shanahan is smart, maintaining so clarity amidst the impulse.
While it’s indeed a blitz, this ti they didn’t gamble everything and attack en masse. After adjustnts, the San Francisco 49ers chose a five-man rush.
No, a six-man rush.
Besides the five-man rush directly in front of the offensive line, there’s also cornerback Sherman.
The first to notice Sherman is Li Wei.
As Mahos announced the snap, Li Wei had already left his position, cutting along a diagonal line straight into the slot for a vertical advance.
Then, near the scrimmage line, he saw Sherman abandoning his position and approaching head-on.
Previously, during the Seattle Seahawks’ Bombing Corps peak period, they occasionally employed cornerback blitzes on the quarterback, emphasizing suddenness and disrupting balance—Sherman is well-versed in this tactic.
After all, the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator cos from the Seattle Seahawks.
Throughout the ga, Sherman was hovering around Kelsey, consistently focusing on defending long passes. Yet, he waited and waited, never seeing Mahos attempt a long pass; thus Sherman remained idle.
Finally given a chance to showcase his skills, Sherman wouldn’t miss it.
Takeoff, step, advance.
Sherman resembled an assassin, silently sneaking in from the side. However, the assassin’s presence was too apparent, with poor concealnt skills.
Nearing the scrimmage line, paths crossed—
Sherman: Li Wei?
Li Wei: Sherman?
A brief exchange of glances, both assessing each other’s role and strategic position; simultaneously deciding whether to halt their own tactical goal temporarily to counteract the other.
In the blink of an eye, thoughts surged, but movents didn’t pause.
Li Wei stepped up, Sherman too advanced, seemingly about to collide. Yet, in that brief mont, both shifted to their left sides.
Perfectly in sync, they brushed past each other without difficulty, evading interference and obstacles smoothly.
Unscathed.
Sherman had no ti to consider Li Wei, as the football wasn’t in Li Wei’s possession. This ant, regardless of what trick the Kansas City Chiefs were playing, if he could sack Mahos, the play would end.
Step up, move forward.
Sherman saw Mahos and imdiately understood Li Wei’s tactical intent.
Evidently, Mahos realized the San Francisco 49ers were continuously applying pressure. Although unclear on the exact blitz strategy, Mahos imdiately created distance post-snap, taking consecutive steps back to create passing space.
Now, Mahos was at least seven yards from the scrimmage line, his feet hovering near the forty-yard line.
Shanahan: clenched fist.
Before Mahos, the offensive and defensive lines were entangled, the Kansas City Chiefs’ pocket protection effectively keeping position; aning Sherman still had ti during his approach to sack Mahos, who could complete a pass at any mont—
Li Wei, damn Li Wei! Mahos could easily pass to Li Wei now, forming a two-on-one, playing Sherman like a puppet.
Damn.
Now, pressure totally rested on Sherman’s shoulders. Shanahan focused intently on Sherman, fists clenched.
For a brief instant, Sherman considered turning to follow Li Wei’s steps, but ultimately refrained—knowing he couldn’t afford to abandon one for the other. If he turned, Mahos would gain ample passing space.
Thus, Sherman’s only option was to give his all in the advance.
Taking three steps in two strides, Sherman converted all his anger and frustration into montum, lunging forward.
Yet, Mahos was well prepared: a feint catching Sherman’s attention, then swiftly changing direction, stepping to the left.
Sherman persisted, sticking close, only for Mahos to notice the blind side of the pocket was in crisis too. Although defensive end Shelton-Day hadn’t broken through yet, the pocket was precarious.
The San Francisco 49ers were truly fierce.
Mahos executed an ergency stop, controlling his steps. The next second, Sherman used his experience, seizing the gap, leaping forward.
Collision!
Sherman grabbed Mahos but failed to secure him. Mahos imdiately pushed off the ground to the right, escaping from the direction Sherman lunged and dodged.
Fluctuations. Instability. Tumultuous weather.
Mahos was nervously shaken, his knee about to buckle, nearly unable to hold himself up. Yet there was no ti to breathe; he grit his teeth, utilizing his body’s centrifugal montum to surge outward, not waiting for his steps to regain balance, and amidst the turbulence and chaos, assud a challenging forty-five-degree tilted posture, battling gravity while raising his right hand for a swift swing and flick.
Whiz.
Ti, montarily froze.
Sherman, prepared for a second sack, was a heartbeat late, watching helplessly as Mahos tily managed to pass the football.
In an instant, Sherman held his breath.
He noticed Mahos was using his entire arm’s strength, not just wrist and forearm, with his upper body fully engaged—
A long pass?
No way, a long pass?
Sherman was deeply annoyed, his body collided with Mahos due to inertia, eyes fierce as he charged furiously forward.
Yellow flag!
Penalty!
Rough handling of the quarterback!
Sherman: Damn it! Screw your rough defense!
Aah! Aaaaaah! Aaaaaah!
Unacceptable, unwilling to accept!
He actually had to watch as Li Wei and Mahos toyed with him like a puppet, finally given a chance to shine, and ends up—
A puppet show?
And he’s the protagonist?
Damned.
But now Sherman had no ti to care about the referee, nor even the energy to address Mahos. He too turned, as both he and Mahos fell together, looking up to the sky’s limit, searching the football’s flight trajectory together.
Li Wei?
Where’s Li Wei now?
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