Chapter 808: 807 Read Option
Step, adjust, observe.
In a flash of lightning, Mahos used his peripheral vision to make a judgnt.
Initially, Mahos habitually prepared to break through from the right side; but this ti, it was a Read Option Offense, simplifying the tactics and leaving space for observation and adjustnt. Mahos noticed an opportunity on his blind side.
The blind side, which was usually in the “weaker focus” zone, even when caught by peripheral vision, often wasn’t clear enough. This made Hightower’s step-up and hit even tougher and more brute-like, without finesse, like a bull seeing red.
Mahos imdiately seized the opportunity—
Push off, step forward, accelerate.
Hightower lunged forward with reckless determination, charging toward that spot of red light, a rush of elation in his heart: Got him.
But just as the hit was about to land, a blur passed in front of Hightower—he missed entirely! Yet the montum of his unleashed power couldn’t be stopped. He staggered forward, crashing onward like a fool.
Hightower: ???
There stood Mahos, like a Matador, flicking the red cape, shifting his steps lightly, effortlessly evading. The road ahead was wide open.
Take off, sprint—
It was just that simple.
Because the New England Patriots were using a full-blitz, every defensive player was locked onto their match-up target. If one offensive player broke free, there was no backup.
What no one expected was that the first to break free would be the quarterback.
Belichick: Read Defense Offense!
…Shit.
Belichick held his tongue for a mont, but couldn’t resist cursing under his breath.
He had been bracing for it, anticipating it, because he knew Mahos possessed that capability. Yet, he had still fallen into the blind spot, failing to see through Reed’s smoke bomb in ti.
He could only watch as Mahos, like a nimble colt, despite his seemingly sturdy and clunky fra, moved with surprising agility. He easily gained ten yards and slid to the ground before the defenders closed in on him—
First down, secured.
Belichick stood there for half a second, restraining himself from more profanity, issuing a slew of instructions to the Defensive Group instead.
The key to cracking the Read Option Offense lies with the linebackers.
Assign a linebacker to keep a tight watch on the quarterback, shadowing his movents and adjusting accordingly.
Of course, NFL-level defenses are rarely that simple.
From the 2011 to 2013 seasons, the Read Option Offense also shone brightly in the Professional League. Though not as dominant as in the NCAA, it still achieved significant success. However, beyond that period, its brilliance gradually faded, becoming just one among countless offensive strategies. The core reason was the evolution of defensive strategies within the league.
Defenses could apply more pressure on the front line, disrupting the Read Option Offense’s setups and complicating the offensive-defensive standoff. In such monts, running quarterbacks might falter, lose pace, or make misjudgnts. In the ever-changing nature of the ga, even a brief hesitation can shift the tide.
At this mont, Belichick was orchestrating his adjustnts—
Now, it wasn’t just a battle of offensive and defensive plays; it was a clash of montum.
Since the second half began, the Kansas City Chiefs were surging in montum. If they scored another touchdown here, the New England Patriots might not be able to contain it.
Thus, in this clash of plays, Belichick was especially assertive. The New England Patriots had to be tough.
Across the field, the Kansas City Chiefs were just as aware.
After a brief celebration of Mahos’ rushing first down, Li Wei turned to Mahos, “Next, they might tighten the defensive net even further.”
Mahos’ eyes lit up. He tapped his helt, signaling at the headset: “You and the coach are saying the sa thing.”
Belichick was studying Reed, and Reed was analyzing Belichick—
And, naturally, Li Wei was doing the sa.
As previously ntioned, the New England Patriots’ Defensive Group played a pivotal role this season. When Brady’s performance faltered, they stepped up to change the montum of gas.
When neither the New England Patriots’ pass defense nor the Kansas City Chiefs’ passing ga was exceptional, how did Belichick leverage defense to alter the ga?
Keyword: Pressure.
This season, the New England Patriots’ blitz rate on quarterbacks reached 30.9%, one of only eight teams in the league with a rate exceeding 30%. Aside from the blitz-heavy Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, the other six teams had similar percentages.
And the results?
Quarterback sacks: 30, tied for third-lowest in the league.
Quarterback hits, aning contact after a pass: 53, third highest in the league.
This indicated that the individual prowess of the New England Patriots’ defensive players wasn’t outstanding. Despite frequent blitzes, their sack numbers were dismal. More often than not, they only managed to hit the quarterback post-throw.
Efficiency, decidedly average.
Still, this didn’t deter Belichick’s commitnt to blitz tactics. The rationale lay in the psychological warfare: imposing hard-nosed, aggressive pressure on quarterbacks and running backs at the front line, endlessly accumulating ntal strain.
Ultimately, at crucial monts, such intangible pressure could beco the breakthrough to disrupt the balance. The New England Patriots relied on their seasoned experience to create opportunities.
To Belichick, raw statistics ant little. Even if a ga’s blitzes resulted in zero sacks, it wouldn’t matter. As long as, in a pivotal mont, a single pass disruption or quarterback hit secured the win—that was enough.
Thus, by the numbers, the New England Patriots’ Defensive Group wouldn’t be considered “strong.” Yet, the perception persisted: they won gas through defense.
And now, the sa principle applied.
Since the second half, the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense seed to have regained its groove, albeit in an unconventional manner. Yet, the New England Patriots stuck to their strategy of relentless front-line pressure, steadily building up the intensity.
Right now, Belichick had likely deciphered Mahos’ Read Option Offense strategy. He was bound to tighten the defense further, unleashing maximum pressure up front—
Targeting not just Mahos, but also zeroing in on Li Wei.
Thus, the likelihood of the New England Patriots’ Defensive Group shrinking their net was extrely high, a prediction aligned between Li Wei and Reed’s tactical foresight.
And the proof? It was imdiate—
“Attack!”
The mont Mahos called the snap, the entire New England Patriots’ defensive front surged forward.
Defensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks, safeties—all eleven players simultaneously stepped up. From different positions and angles, the white tidal wave ca crashing down, an overwhelming assault.
In an instant, a crushing wave of pressure—visually and psychologically—descended on Mahos like an unstoppable force.
Perhaps, in broad strategy, there were no secrets; but in tactical execution, Belichick’s rich on-the-fly adjustnt experience shattered the balance in an instant.
Not just Mahos; even the spectators felt the imnse power of the New England Patriots’ sudden eruption. The air was sucked out of the stadium.
Buzzing—
Roaring chaos.
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