Chapter 338: Continuing the momentum
Levi, it’s Levi again.
When the Kansas Chiefs and Tennessee Titans were unable to enter the wild card matchup to open up the situation, Levi stepped forward——
He relied on his personal ability to get rid of four tackles and run 24 yards into the red zone to break the balance.
Although the Tennessee Titans showed strength in the red zone and did not give up too many yards on the first two offensive possessions, Levi still broke through the defense for one yard on the third possession.
The Kansas City Chiefs scored first.
"0:7".
Just like the home game against the Oakland Raiders on the fourteenth week of the regular season, after relying on Levi to break the deadlock at the beginning, the Kansas Chiefs were completely inspired, and both offense and defense were in full swing.
First, facing Mariota's read-option offense, he continuously put up high-quality and high-intensity defense, giving the third-year quarterback a hard warning, forcing the Tennessee Titans to continuously choose to punt.
Then Smith cleverly used Levi as a decoy, and the passing attack finally opened up. Facing the Tennessee Titans' two cornerbacks Williams and Olakapo, who have performed at a Pro Bowl level this season, they continuously made adjustments to break the game, passing the ball for the last fourteen yards. Connected with tight end Kelce——
Kelsey ate Oracapo alive and scored a touchdown.
The Kansas Chiefs continued to expand their lead.
Everything in the first half seemed familiar. In the last four weeks of the regular season, the Kansas City Chiefs used this method to continuously sweep and defeat their opponents and enter the playoffs with great momentum. They have continued this momentum now and did not leave any performance for the Tennessee Titans. space.
When the two-minute timeout expired in the first half, Mariota finally made a flow, relying on his legs to lead the team to complete the advancement. Finally, the special teams team completed a 49-yard free kick and finally broke the ball.
Unexpectedly, the Kansas Chiefs were in a hot state in the first half. In less than two minutes, Smith's passing attack went completely crazy. He continued to pass the ball to the sideline and stopped the clock. Finally, on the top During the half-time countdown, Hill connected with a 13-yard pass for a touchdown. The smooth offense completely stunned the visiting Tennessee Titans.
"3:21".
At the end of the first half, the Kansas City Chiefs were far ahead with an absolute advantage.
There were also exclamations and admiration in the live broadcast room. The progress of the game completely exceeded expectations. The one-sided crushing sweep did not look like the playoffs at all.
"There's no question that the Kansas City Chiefs are prepared."
"As of this season, the Kansas City Chiefs have suffered five consecutive losses in home games in the playoffs. This is the longest losing streak in NFL history so far. If they continue to lose in this game, they will push the record to a new level. This is obviously something the Kansas Chiefs don’t want to see.”
In the wild card round of the 2015 season, the game where the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans in the playoffs was an away game.
Playing at home in the playoffs means that the team is the higher-ranked seed. Whether it is the wild card round or the divisional round, the home team is the team that performs better in the regular season and should often be the team that is expected to win.
However.
Now the Kansas Chiefs are experiencing a five-game losing streak at home in the playoffs. In a sense, this is even more embarrassing and humiliating than the 24-year playoff winless record.
After all, twenty-four years without a win in the playoffs may mean that the team has been in a trough, rebuilding stage, and may not even be able to advance to the playoffs; but a five-game losing streak at home in the playoffs means that the team can start the regular season and even Ranked as a high seed, but failed to perform well in the playoffs.
No one wants to keep a record like this.
No wonder professionals led by Bart are always not optimistic about the Kansas City Chiefs.
At the critical moment, no.
so.
"But today, the Kansas Chiefs' pre-game preparations were sufficient and comprehensive. They showed more success on both offense and defense, completely suppressing their opponents."
"In the first half, the Kansas Chiefs' three touchdowns came from three players in three different ways; the defensive team also restricted Mariota's read option offense at different levels, and the ground defense was even better." "Nothing. Undoubtedly, the Kansas City Chiefs really showed the style of a strong team.”
"The current situation is indeed very, very difficult for the Tennessee Titans. In the history of the NFL playoffs, there are not many situations where they can come back from being 18 points behind..."
Derrick Henry stood on the edge of the field, looking at Hill celebrating the touchdown in the end zone. With two seconds left before the end of the first half, the Kansas City Chiefs scored another touchdown and stabbed the Tennessee Titans in the heart. One knife; but his eyes couldn't help but fall on Li Wei beside him——
A feint shot.
This time, with Smith's pass, almost everyone believed that Levi would once again play the role of a wide receiver, even Henry standing on the sidelines, let alone the defensive team in Lushan?
As a result, Levi was a smoke bomb, and Smith and Hill completed the connection.
Levi can play a balance-breaking role regardless of whether he holds the ball or not. He is becoming the core of mobilizing the Kansas Chiefs' diverse tactics and interpreting the position of running back in different colors, which is eye-catching.
But what about him?
Involuntarily, Henry's heart shrank.
He has been complaining and complaining all this time because the head coach didn't give him a chance, because the main running back Murray refused to give him a good look, because the team focused on Mariota... blah blah blah, he didn't get a chance. There is no room for performance. After entering the professional league for two seasons, he played the role of sweeper.
Compared with university, it is like heaven and earth.
The once favored player now has to beg for the chance to hold the ball. He has never been able to adjust his mood and adapt to such a role.
Including this game is no exception.
Mulakai's tactics completely revolve around Mariota. He keeps circling around Mariota like a headless fly. Where is the room to play?
He is eager to hold the ball, he is eager to break the game, he is eager to confront defensive players head-on, and he is eager to maintain his image as a talented king in front of his fellow players in the Crimson Tide Storm. However, the cruel reality makes him embarrassed.
abjection. shame. Trapped.
Without comparing the data, Henry knew that his performance in the first half was a mess; but Levi was still shining——
That rookie.
So, throw in the towel? Disarm? Surrender?
No.
Of course not.
In Levi, Henry saw the key point that he had forgotten all along.
Don't shirk responsibility and don't blame others.
Maybe they are stars in the college arena and the core is the soul of the team, but in the professional arena it is another matter. He needs to be a member of the team. He needs to understand that shining with his teammates is also a way to shine. He needs to accept the way to win through intricate tactics rather than personal strength.
It was only now, with Levi, that he finally learned this.
Henry couldn't help but recall the words of his mentor Burns.
"It is true that he is a rookie, but precisely because of this, he can re-examine this sport without burden or baggage. This is his advantage. Derek, there is something worth learning from him."
In the past, Henry had dismissed it; but now, he seemed to finally understand the meaning of those words.
It's not too late.
(End of chapter)