Chapter 882 Taking advantage of the situation
The process of Super Bowl 53 clearly exceeded expectations.
Not to mention the audience, even the two head coaches were completely surprised. This was completely different from their pre-match preparations.
The first half was undoubtedly the lowest point of McVay's head coach's career:
The Los Angeles Rams' offensive team advanced 57 yards in total by passing and running the ball, and only got one first down. Both statistics set a new low in McVay's personal coaching record.
Moreover, this is the first time since McVay coached the Los Angeles Rams that they have suffered a zero shutout in the first half.
The Kansas Chiefs' well-defined defense is one of the important reasons that cannot be ignored, but the Los Angeles Rams' dismal offensive performance is also an important reason.
It's a mess, it's terrible.
McVay, the youngest head coach in the history of the NFL who was very proud of his youth, encountered the biggest crisis of his career on the stage of the Super Bowl.
However, Reid won’t underestimate McVay.
In the world of competitive sports, experience is indeed very important, but it does not mean everything. McVay's youth may be a shortcoming, but it may also play the key to turning the situation around.
Reid believes and knows that the Los Angeles Rams will definitely launch a counterattack starting from the offense in the second half. This is also the trump card for McVay to become famous in the league.
Therefore, the Kansas Chiefs are prepared for the situation they may face in the second half. Although the three consecutive connections between Goff and Cooks showed completely different looks, the Kansas Chiefs defensive team did not mess up their position. They still maintained concentration and completed the work step by step. Defensive tasks.
Houston intercepted Gurley behind the line, abruptly shutting down the current top-paid running back in the league. He was so stunned that he couldn't express his temper at all, and once again showed off his attitude.
However, a potential concussion could play a turning point—
After all, Houston is the anchor of the defense.
The Kansas City Chiefs noticed it, and so did the Los Angeles Rams. The atmosphere became further tense, and smoke filled the air.
The intermission time is extremely precious. McVay was able to calm down, reorganize his thoughts, regain his sanity, and stabilize his boiling blood slightly.
Faced with the opportunity at this time, the young coach firmly grasped it.
After Houston left the field, the Los Angeles Rams instantly increased the pace of the game, not giving the Kansas City Chiefs defense the time and space to breathe and adjust, nor giving Houston's substitute Pasagon a chance to adapt. McVay launched a wave of fast-paced short-term Pass attack.
Although there were no meetings, each meeting was very short and compressed as much as possible. It only emphasized the short passing routine that had been practiced countless times in training. Before the Kansas Chiefs defensive team adjusted and laid out, Goff announced the kickoff as soon as possible.
The whole rhythm has completely improved.
The real point is that McVay understands Houston's role as the backbone of the Kansas City Chiefs' defense -
Despite the ups and downs this season, Houston still started all games in the regular season and playoffs. Even if his body and condition cannot keep up, Houston's role at the mental and tactical levels is still irreplaceable.
Now, after Houston unexpectedly left the game and experienced the "circuit breaker" in the American League Finals, the Kansas Chiefs defense lacks a backbone.
In the American League finals, Reid sent Berry to stabilize the situation. This substitution also became a miracle. Berry's interception completely overturned the outcome.
Today, because the situation was different, the Kansas Chiefs were in the lead. Reid did not rush to send Berry on the field, but only used substitute linebacker Pasagon to complete the substitution; but no matter what, McVay completed the targeted attack. Tactical adjustments were made to suppress the opponent with rhythm.
finally!
The offensive team that was terrible in the first half finally showed the style of the second-ranked team in the league this season, winning three consecutive first attacks and pushing past halftime.
The Mercedes-Benz Dome cheered.
"...I can't believe I'm about to say this, but hey, the Los Angeles Rams pushed past halftime." "The team with the second-highest score in the league this season finally scored for the first time in the entire game on the Super Bowl stage. After halftime, we have been waiting for this scene for two hours. I hope we can see more and more situations like this in the future, and the second half of the game will still have the opportunity to become a classic. "
Take it one step at a time, stay patient but stay strong. The Los Angeles Rams need to be 100% focused and committed to seize this opportunity.
At the same time, the Kansas Chiefs defense also noticed the pressure and impact, but they did not panic——
This is normal.
"Although everyone hopes that the opponent will be defeated and we can easily win, but I don't know what the Rams think, anyway, I don't want to."
"If it were me, even if I lost, I would try my best to compete until the end and make my opponent unhappy. It would be best to anger them, and their victory would not be pleasant or uncomfortable."
The original words came from Levi, with a calm and calm face, and a slight smile like a little devil.
Apparently, the same goes for the Los Angeles Rams.
Gradually, in the process of losing ground, the Kansas Chiefs defensive team also slowly calmed down. The tough nerves tempered through repeated difficulties and the high fighting spirit accumulated by fighting side by side with Levi helped them condense at critical moments. Together, find your focus.
"Pressure".
Reid did not have time to rearrange defensive tactics. The Los Angeles Rams' rhythm and intensity maintained a bulldozer crushing mode, and there was no time to implement it. Between gaps, Reid could only continue to emphasize that the Kansas Chiefs must be on the defensive front and in the short-term. Keep the pressure in the passing zone.
Pressure, that's the key word.
"attack!"
With no breathing room, Goff called the kickoff again.
Pressure is also a key word for the Los Angeles Rams, but in a different form. They complete the confrontation with rhythm and push back the pressure.
Defensive end Jones immediately pressed the offensive line in front of him and stepped forward. He did not shake off or get rid of it, but put his shoulder on his shoulder and continued to advance around the opponent's body -
Just like tightening a screw, he is the wrench and the other person is the screw.
After rotating at high speed, the center of gravity of the screw was not grasped and it was teetering. The force of the wrench continued to push forward, forcibly overturning the side of the bag.
Kick off the ground, step forward, and aim at Gaofu.
Goff was taking a step back, but was unable to find the passing target immediately because the Kansas Chiefs second-line defense adopted a close confrontation strategy:
At the moment of the kickoff, they all took a step forward to pull up the defensive net. With one step forward, they were close to Goff's passing target. The cornerbacks and linebackers all performed their duties.
For one second, just one second, Goff failed to successfully find the target of the pass. The next moment, the pressure on the pocket was overwhelming.
And, there's more than one.
There is Jones diagonally ahead on the right, and another one directly ahead in the center.
Goff's continuous retreat had no time to adjust. Seeing that Jones was about to pounce, he took another step back to open up space and forcefully took a shot.
The moment he was about to take action, Goff saw a high wall appearing directly in front of him, like a blocker in volleyball, cutting off Goff's view of the passing area.
The iron wall is strong, and the sword is ready!
(End of chapter)