Chapter 809: 808 psychological pressure
First and ten yards.
The Kansas City Chiefs have effortlessly secured ten yards on first down for four consecutive plays, completing first-down conversions with fluid precision. Their offense is now surging ahead, seizing control.
Now, the New England Patriots have finally offered a direct response, not waiting for second or third down to strike. On first and ten, they launch an attack to shatter the equilibrium in one decisive move.
Tough, dominant, relentless—
Eleven players from the defensive group step forward in unison.
Of course, a calr mind would recognize that the Patriots wouldn’t actually employ an “eleven-man blitz pressure tactic”; that would be a recklessly suicidal strategy. But in the ever-changing dynamics of the ga, it’s hard to maintain clarity. Players might easily get swept up in the storm.
Then, they lose their judgnt.
Once the ability to make clear judgnts is gone, mistakes beco inevitable.
This is the true intent behind the Patriots’ defensive group stepping up en masse—especially since the opposing quarterback is an inexperienced rookie. If he opts for a quick short pass or hands the football off to the running back, it would play right into the trap the Patriots have set in the pocket—
Van Noy and Roberts, the two linebackers, are entirely focused on Li Wei, their eyes locked on him without distraction.
This ti, the Patriots’ defense isn’t just putting on a show. The pass rush isn’t rely a feint; it’s real and intense, albeit slightly different from usual.
Typically, the Patriots prefer to have their linebackers execute the blitz. But now, their defensive line suddenly breaks the norm to disrupt the balance.
The initial wave of impact cos from the collective step-up, while the defensive line’s sudden blitz creates a second wave of crushing pressure. Briefly awaiting Mahos’ decision, if he doesn’t opt for a quick pass or hastily hand off the football to Li Wei, the linebackers will then close in with a third wave of assault.
On paper, it sounds thodical, but during the heat of the ga, the intervals between waves are almost indistinguishable, separated by re milliseconds. It all hinges on real-ti reactions and adaptability. In this first-down showdown, the Patriots’ defensive group has truly elevated the intensity to a whole new level.
The air is taut with tension.
Pressure builds, wave after relentless wave, crushing down on Mahos and Li Wei with an overwhelming force.
The entire world, the entire space-ti continuum seems to have shifted into accelerated mode. It’s as if everything is moving at five tis, ten tis the normal speed, evolving into a swirling kaleidoscope of rapid motion.
Mahos thought he was ntally prepared—at least, that’s what he told himself. But as the pressure bore down on him, his fingertips still tightened ever so slightly.
Danger!
This was an instinctive signal, a subconscious warning flashing to life.
Yet, through the corner of his eye, Mahos glanced at his teammate nearby. Amid the roiling waves of white pressure, Mahos couldn’t catch sight of his wide receivers or tight ends, but Li Wei’s figure stood clearly in his field of vision—
Steady and resolute, focused and composed.
Not only was there no sign of panic, but there was a subtle hint of anticipation shimring across his deanor.
Opportunity!
This was the second signal to flash in Mahos’ mind. While danger was indeed present, danger could also be transford into opportunity—the key lay in how he responded in the mont.
With a brief glance at Li Wei, Mahos felt a surge of emotion and adrenaline igniting within him.
Their gazes intersected in the air for the briefest mont before the two split off in different directions—
Mahos retreated; Li Wei advanced.
Despite the overwhelming onslaught from the Patriots’ defensive group, the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive machine began turning its gears, step by deliberate step.
It was arduous—but resolute.
Imdiately, Van Noy and Roberts locked onto Li Wei’s movents:
The player wearing number 23 darted nimbly past the rampaging defensive line’s pressure and the shaky disaster zone of his offensive line. He crossed the line of scrimmage, ascending vertically along the slot.
At nearly the sa mont, Roberts and Van Noy activated their movents, albeit with completely different reactions.
Roberts glanced at Van Noy out of the corner of his eye; Van Noy likewise glanced at Roberts. Both seed to regard the other as a fool—
Roberts charged forward toward Mahos, imdiately recognizing Li Wei didn’t have the ball. Mahos was preparing to pass, and Roberts needed to push through to support the defensive line, adding to the pressure storm enveloping the rookie quarterback.
Van Noy shifted laterally, advancing toward Li Wei. Although Li Wei wasn’t holding the ball, there was a strong possibility Mahos intended to connect with Li Wei via a quick short pass. Rather than chasing the football, it made more sense to obstruct the passing target in the short-yardage zone.
Instantly, their visions collided briefly; neither altered their judgnts, each stubbornly following their chosen line of action—
What an idiot.
Roberts surged forward at full speed. The fragile protective pocket around Mahos, constructed by the Chiefs, failed to endure for long and collapsed entirely. Mahos was left completely exposed, isolated and defenseless.
Roberts’ eyes glead. Don’t worry, Little Red Riding Hood, let the Big Bad Wolf guide you out of this lonely, uncharted forest journey.
Planting his feet, stepping forward, accelerating.
Roberts didn’t even need to dodge obstacles. Charging straight down the center, he effortlessly tore through the resistance created by the offensive line’s players, recklessly driving forward like an untad bull toward Mahos.
Hey, brace yourself—it might hurt a bit.
But Mahos stood calm and poised in the pocket, stepping back repeatedly to buy himself so room. Amid the chaos of the broken pocket fragnts, he maneuvered skilfully. Even though the pocket was gone, the Chiefs’ offensive line players held their ground, fighting one-on-one to stave off the defensive line and buy Mahos precious monts to finalize his pass.
Yet Mahos delayed his throw. He continued to linger within the pocket, like a lost Little Red Riding Hood—
Unable to find an open receiver.
The Patriots’ defensive group stepping up en masse had been nothing more than a decoy. After their initial feint, they quickly closed in on the routes of the receiving targets, maintaining their tight coverage sche and eliminating Mahos’ passing weapons.
Mahos needed to stay patient.
But patience requires ti—and Roberts was already breaking through.
The mont of collision approached swiftly!
Yet Mahos remained composed, even deliberately slowing his movents to bait Roberts. At the critical juncture, he sidestepped expertly, causing Roberts to lunge at nothing but air.
Imdiately after, Mahos rotated a full 360 degrees counterclockwise, completely evading Roberts.
Roberts gritted his teeth, slamming on the brakes to regain control of his montum, refusing to give up as he chased after Mahos like a young girl trying to catch a butterfly.
One in front, the other behind—the chase was on.
Mahos shifted laterally, his footwork nimble in the turbulent chaos as he scanned the field, his gaze sweeping to the left.
Roberts didn’t have ti to analyze further—was it Hill?
Reflexively, Roberts glanced behind him. As he whipped his head back around, he saw Mahos already preparing to throw.
Damn it—played for a fool!
Mahos hesitated briefly, then unleashed his throw. His arm powered forward in rapid motion, bursting with strength as energy erupted from deep within his core—
Ha!
A rainbow-like pass tore through the air.
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