Chapter 299 Dazzled
Oakland Raiders defensive end No. 52 Khalil Mack, the best defensive player in the league last season, is also the most dominant defensive end in the league after JJ Watt was retired for the season. It's a nightmare for any team's quarterback and running back.
The Oakland Raiders have a "3-4" defensive formation. Logically speaking, such a formation tends to have fewer raids, but the team's head coach Del Rio is a linebacker, so he is slightly different.
Del Rio is very good at reading offensive formations and often chooses to take the initiative. Even if there are only three defensive fronts, he often uses linebackers or cornerbacks to step up to sack the quarterback.
It is precisely because of this that Mark is able to give full play to his advantages and rely on strength and speed to break the balance and disrupt the offense in the frontline confrontation.
Unfortunately, the last time they faced the Kansas Chiefs at home, Mark himself was in mediocre form, and his biggest helper, linebacker NaVorro-Bowman, had some minor injuries, which also led to poor performance, so that they Not able to effectively stop the opponent.
They are ready for another fight this time——
Bowman, who has played for the San Francisco 49ers since 2010, has made four first-team All-Americans and three Pro Bowls. He is undoubtedly an experienced veteran. He has been plagued by injuries this season, so much so that he was transferred mid-season. Join the Oakland Raiders and add another force to their roster.
Mark believes that through running-in and cooperation, the combination of him and Bowman is gradually showing its power.
He couldn't wait any longer.
Kick the ground, kick the ground, like a motorcycle starting its engine, accumulating power, ready to start at any time.
"attack!"
Smith called the kickoff.
The first time Mark started, his body faced his opponent's offensive tackle Eric Fisher——
This player, who was selected with the first overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013, is not a parallel import. He does often perform well, but compared to his position as the No. 1 pick, his career is far from satisfactory. So far, no honor has been granted to him, and he has been lost among everyone.
Mark knows Fisher well, and has already gained experience from the four meetings in the past two seasons.
As soon as he came up, Mark collided head-on with Fisher. He had no dodge or skills, and simply used his body to eat him alive, because he knew that Fisher was a bit bulky. Once he had a speed advantage and got stuck, Fisher could only use his body. If you carry it hard, it will be difficult to use your skills to entangle your opponent.
At the same time, Mark quickly glanced ahead:
Smith. Levi.
Mark immediately noticed the movements between Smith and Levi. Amidst the turbulence of the physical confrontation, Mark's eyes never moved——
Running the ball?
No, fake running and real passing.
Mark made an accurate judgment and slammed into Fisher's arms. Then, using Fisher's body as a support, he pressed all his 269 pounds (122 kilograms) on Fisher. Fisher tried to grab Mark. But he couldn't find the point of force, and Mark got rid of it with a clockwise rotation.
Very relaxing.
Unless Fisher fouls, there's no way to catch Mark.
Generally speaking, players of Mark's weight, especially forwards, have greater strength than speed, are not very agile, and tend to be slower.
But not Mark.
He stood on tiptoes, and like a bee, he instantly bypassed Fisher to get rid of him. He completely ignored Fisher's second reaction and slapped his hands on his shoulders. He cut into the pocket next to Fisher's body, and then saw Levi. .
——Block split.
Levi did not dodge, but took the initiative to bump into him, which also verified Mark's judgment:
This is fake running and true passing.
The Kansas Chiefs cleverly used Levi as a bait for this passing tactic. As the season progresses, other teams are now on guard and are no longer as easily fooled as they were in the first half of the season.
Mark tried to get away from Levi, keeping his eyes on Smith who was adjusting his steps in the pocket to find a target for the pass.
Oops.
Mark quickly glanced behind him on his left side with his peripheral vision. It was a quick glance and he couldn't see any specific situation at all, but the key point was:
No one.
There are no Chiefs players or Raiders players in the short passing area behind Mark, which means Smith is ready to surprise the mid-to-long pass.
Unexpectedly, this really caught the Oakland Raiders off guard. With complete preparations, and in a layout that is calculated and unintentional, Smith dares to pass the long ball, and the success rate is always guaranteed - Stability is Smith's middle name, even though he does not have the ability to move fifty or sixty yards, thirty Forty yards was still within reach, and Reid was ready to make a contrast.
Mark was startled.
Taking a step forward, making full use of his body advantage, he used a heavy impact to crush him. Mark unreasonably knocked Levi away, rushed forward resolutely, and in an instant he had thrown away Levi - —
Crash.
Mark was so focused that he didn't even look at Levi. Even this year's top rookie was still a young rookie in Mark's eyes. He opened his arms like an eagle catching a chicken, surrounding Smith.
Wait, Smith didn't panic, but had a calmness that lured the enemy deeper.
mark:? Something is wrong.
The next second, Smith dodged slightly, missed the area covered by Mark's hands, and pushed the football flatly from the side. The football flew around Mark's body like a boomerang.
Mark took a breath——
Damn it!
The fake run and the real pass were correct, but the target of the pass was all wrong.
This pass is almost an upgraded version of the Kansas Chiefs' winning attack against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Mark: Damn it.
Actually. Got fooled.
Actually!
But it was too late. By the time Mark realized that he had been fooled, the Oakland Raiders defense also realized that they had stepped into a trap.
Close the net!
Generally speaking, this is used by the defensive team to surround the wide receiver and form a containment; but now, the Kansas Chiefs' receiving players all throw away their own defensive players and close the net near the midfield to form a protective net.
Protect Levi.
After all, this is not the same offense as the game-winner against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Oakland Raiders defensive team made mistakes again and again, and at this time they were completely panicked and completely led by the nose.
So, what about Levi?
With light steps, Levi crossed the line of scrimmage and caught the football with one sideways movement.
The movements are still getting used to and need to be adjusted, but the route running is obviously much smoother. Stepping, turning, kicking, a series of movements are smooth and smooth. After completing the ball, he runs along the route immediately.
Cooperation, everything is cooperation.
Levi stepped forward diagonally to the left, cutting into the center of midfield, and then inside linebacker Bowman could be seen.
Although the veteran's condition declined due to injuries and was traded to the Oakland Raiders by the San Francisco 49ers, his experience still played an important role. He realized something was wrong at the first time and stepped up to fill the position in time.
In one step, Bowman was in the path of Levi as he cut across midfield and into the protective net the Kansas City Chiefs had created for him, arms spread like a crab.
Bowman was highly focused because he knew Levi's ability to change direction——
Left. right. Left.
Wait, no, there is a fourth change of direction: right.
Bowman, keep up!
(End of chapter)