Chapter 341 Self-produced and self-sold
The frontier of the red zone, third gear and thirteen yards.
Tennessee Titans possession.
So, the defense team pounces?
No!
The Kansas Chiefs did not choose to rush the ball and apply pressure, but stayed tight and focused. They only left three defensive forwards on the front line to maintain pressure. All other players were scattered, and the matchup defense and zone defense were airtight. The ground was laid out to fully cover the red zone.
Mariota and Henry combined a fake run and a real pass, but they were completely unable to deceive the Kansas Chiefs. The home team had long seen through Mulakai's offensive tactics. In the end, the important task was still given to the quarterback, so the Kansas Chiefs defensive team Cut off all passing lanes.
Moreover, Houston is listed alone——
Mark-and-read option offense
The new generation of quarterbacks like Mariota are getting better and better in athletic ability and are often able to run the ball. It is precisely because the read-option strategy in college can easily score, and the quarterback naturally He doesn’t have the patience to sit down and hone his passing accuracy. Fewer and fewer quarterbacks like Mahomes have passed 4,000 yards in college for two consecutive seasons, and they get less and less recognition. .
No matter what, at this moment, they have to worry about the read-option offense running the quarterback, so Houston keeps an eye on Mariota.
At this time, Mariota's shortcomings of narrow passing vision and hesitant shot were completely exposed. He scanned once and did not see the passing target; scanned twice and still didn't see it, and then Mariota panicked.
Elite quarterbacks often need to have the ability to read twice, because after the kickoff, changes in defensive tactics will inevitably bring about more emergencies. At this time, the quarterback's second read of the defensive formation in the chaos is particularly important. important.
Unfortunately, not Mariota.
In the third season of his career, this ability is still not good enough.
Houston immediately noticed Mariota's hurried steps like a headless fly. At this time, the opportunity to attack with the read option was still lost. Houston took a quick look at the Kansas Chiefs' defensive position and found that the position and line were completely stuck. , without giving the Tennessee Titans any chance, so he immediately rushed across the area where the forwards were entangled——
Apply pressure. Pass rush. Sack.
All in all, Houston needs to threaten Mariota and further destroy Mariota.
but!
At this moment, Henry jumped out.
In the past, Henry would also help with pick-and-rolls, but his timing and positioning were often not in place, and he was unable to help solve the immediate problem; but at this moment, Henry was patient and calm enough, and waited for Houston accurately.
Henry: Levi, are you watching?
Levi was indeed watching, and Henry's choice of timing and positioning was indeed eye-catching. With just one interception, Houston's footsteps paused, and Mariota had already cleverly ran out of the pocket from the other side.
Move laterally and change steps crosswise.
Mariota has no problem with his pocket steps. After leaving the pocket straight along the left side, his entire field of vision is completely opened, and the road ahead is smooth.
However, the passing target was completely engulfed in red flames, and a wall of fire was erected directly in front, leaving no room for either passing or running the ball.
what to do?
Seeing the red flames burning towards Mariota.
Mariota paused in his steps and raised his hand in a panic to complete the pass——
Blind.
Levi looked along the direction of Mariota's pass. The entire pass arc, pass placement, and pass position all looked messy. It was just a scapegoat before the Kansas Chiefs defensive team stepped forward to sack Mariota. , there is a high probability that a pass is not completed.
Then, a pair of hands appeared——
Kansas Chiefs No. 24 cornerback Darrelle Revis appears.
Revis, a legendary cornerback in the NFL, has been in the league for ten years. He has made seven Pro Bowls, four first-team All-Americans, and was a starting cornerback on the All-Decade Team in 2010. At his peak, he won the honor of "Island King" because of his impeccable defensive zone. title, he is a typical representative of a short, light and technical cornerback.
However, at the age of 31 this year, his physical condition and age have led to a decline in competitive form, but he refused to reduce his salary. As a result, he was laid off by the New York Jets this offseason and has been unable to find a job.
At the end of November, the Kansas City Chiefs' defense also suffered from injuries and the rotation was short of cornerbacks. They extended an olive branch to Revis, hoping that the experienced cornerback could join the team.
Revis agreed.
In the playoffs, Revis still serves as a rotation cornerback. At this time, his experience judged that Mariota's passing arc was obviously not high enough, so he subconsciously jumped up and raised his hands in an attempt to intercept.
However, Mariota's pass was not well controlled in a hurry. It was fast and turned. Revis was not able to completely control the football. He could only make a hasty shot and try to intercept the connection between Mariota and any receiver. ——
Block shot!
Revis blocks shots like he's playing basketball.
The football actually bounced and flew back.
Mariota, who was running around trying to escape the sack, was surprised to see that the football had just been passed and flew back towards him.
Mariota: Huh?
Subconsciously, Mariota raised his hand and took the football into his arms. He continued to move to the outside of the left side, bypassing Revis's position, and just like that...entered the end zone before the sack was in place behind him.
The whole audience was dumbfounded——
Henry was stunned, Houston was stunned, Revis was stunned, and even Mariota himself was full of questions.
What happened just now?
"Oh...uh."
"this."
"Mariota passes to Mariota, and the Tennessee Titans score the first touchdown pass of the entire game!"
"This, this is indeed a touchdown!"
"If I remember correctly - I need to confirm the information, but this is the first touchdown pass by a quarterback to himself in the playoffs in the Super Bowl era. Wait, what are we witnessing? "
The performance of the Kansas Chiefs defensive team was perfect. The defense of 13 yards on third gear completely choked the lifeline of the Tennessee Titans. Seeing that they were about to strike out again, Mariota was at the end of his rope.
However!
A miracle is happening.
Henry raised his arms high and cheered for Mariota immediately.
finally!
No matter what, the Tennessee Titans finally scored a touchdown, narrowing the score gap, and the suspense of victory returned.
Henry: Ah! Ahhhh!
In front of the TV, Burns glanced at Shaban, "When has Derek ever been so happy for a touchdown?"
In the past, scoring a touchdown was just drinking water and eating for Henry. It couldn't be simpler, there was no difficulty, and naturally there was no need to be so excited.
At the moment, Henry first found his own style to help the team advance into the red zone, and then rarely helped create an opportunity for Mariota's miracle. The preciousness of this touchdown was far beyond imagination.
Shaban nodded gently, "Now Derek looks like the one we knew, and he has finally completed his transformation. Although it took a long time, it is better late than never. This game is worth watching."
Burns glanced at Shaban and said, "Oh, what, do you think there is a change?"
Shaban didn't speak, just stared at Henry——
murderous look.
He saw murderous intent in Henry's eyes again.
(End of chapter)