Chapter 387 Superhero
Harrison Buck, a rookie kicker, came to the Kansas City Chiefs from the Carolina Panthers midway through the season to save the game.
But he never expected that Buck performed well. He was one of the six kickers in the entire league with a 100% success rate in extra points and free kicks, and he was the only one among these six players to kick the ball more than 40 times. players.
A sudden rise!
A completely unexpected player has grown into the top kicker in the entire league this season.
In the last wild card game, Buck had the opportunity to play the role of a superhero who saved the team; but unexpectedly, Levi rushed into the end zone while trying to enter the free kick range, reversed the situation with a touchdown, and led the ball. The team advanced to the divisional round, and Buck did not appear.
But he didn't expect that after going round and round, the opportunity would come to Buck again.
"27:27".
After the Kansas City Chiefs' Hail Mary was successful, the game time had cleared, but the Kansas City Chiefs still had the opportunity to complete the extra point kick.
If the extra point is successful, the Kansas City Chiefs beat the New England Patriots.
If the extra point fails, then the two sides enter brutal overtime.
The burden is on Buck's shoulders.
As Li Wei said——
From the defensive team to the offensive team to the special team, if they want to win this victory, no one can be missing. This is the real team.
Buck stared at Levi directly in front of him, and couldn't help but be filled with pride!
So.
Buck straightened his back, opened his shoulders, raised his head and chest, and solemnly took the football from Levi's hand. All the Kansas Chiefs players behind him clapped and high-fived.
Snap. Snap.
Snap. Snap.
There is no cheering, and there is no need for cheering. Even if they are standing alone on the away stage of Fox Castle at this moment, they will not be timid or shrink back——
Because they have each other fighting side by side.
One step, another step.
Buck leads the special team.
After Mahomes and Levi high-fived, he also appeared.
In extra point kicks, Mahomes will occasionally serve as the kicker. Don't underestimate the inconspicuous position of the kicker. Historically, the kicker missed the winning kick because the kicker failed to hold the ball well. The cases are no longer rare.
The New England Patriots special teams team also appeared——
The game is not over until the whistle blows.
Buck was slightly excited, his heart beating wildly.
Buck admitted that he had dreamed of this moment, a little kicker, a small role on special teams, a role that no one paid attention to and no one thanked them for their efforts, a role that was less valuable and less valued than a running back. After being kicked out of the team by the Carolina Panthers and transferred to the sparring group, he stepped on the colorful clouds and became a hero who influenced the outcome.
What was that experience like?
When girls hear that he is a football player, they often show admiration; but when girls hear that he is a kicker, they often lose interest and even don’t even know that football has this position.
But now, the kicker is about to take the spotlight, standing in the center of the world.
Buck knew he was a little too excited——
Kickers need to be calm and focused, not excited.
Buck took a deep breath and secretly clenched his fists, just like Levi did, just like Levi faced this situation, he and Levi fought side by side.
Opening his eyes again, Buck had regained his composure.
Observing the wind direction, observing the formation, observing the environment, Buck enters the role.
The entire Gillette Stadium erupted into overwhelming noise in an attempt to disturb Buck. The hoarse shouts erupted into hysterical energy at this moment, overwhelmingly venting down. Buck was like a small boat that could be destroyed and swallowed by the huge waves at any time.
Two armies facing each other.
The specific formations for extra points and free kicks are slightly different, but overall they are the same as when the offense plays against the defense. The New England Patriots' special teams also rush the pass, apply pressure, and try to disrupt. To kick the ball, the Kansas Chiefs special teams team needs to organize them.
What's more, now that the New England Patriots have no retreat, they will definitely go all out to try to disrupt the extra point kick.
The air suddenly became tense.
Buck raised his hand to indicate he was ready——
kick off.
Hold the ball.
start up.
approach. Kick off.
Buck, in one fell swoop, put the football firmly into the goal.
However--
"pause!"
The New England Patriots requested a timeout.
The tense heartstrings just relaxed and then became tense again.
Mahomes looked at Buck and exchanged a glance with Buck through his helmet, "Are you okay?"
Buck took a deep breath, then nodded vigorously to Mahomes, "It's okay."
This tactic is very common in the NFL.
To put it simply, disrupting the kicker's rhythm is often used on game-winning kicks, whether it's a free kick or an extra point.
The opponent's coach only needs to indicate a timeout to the referee at the moment the center kicks off. Then, regardless of whether the kicker kicks in or not, this kick does not count and the kick must be restarted.
As a result, the kicker's psychological burden will increase, just like a penalty kick in football.
Buck knows this trick, not to mention that he is a rookie and lacks game experience. With Belichick's sophistication, it is impossible for him to not take advantage of this to make a fuss.
So, he expected it.
It was my first time playing football, so I was a little nervous, but now that this has happened, I can feel at ease.
"The pressure is gradually building up."
"Buck had a perfect rookie season, but the playoffs and the regular season are different after all. Now the fate of the two teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots, rests on his shoulders. The pressure is unimaginable."
"If it were me, I wouldn't want to be in Buck's shoes right now."
"But now, we're waiting."
"good."
"kick off!"
"The New England Patriots raided, and New England chose to go all out and give it a try!"
Tear.
The New England Patriots destroyed the Kansas Chiefs' special teams offensive line. Linebacker Van Noy came on the court, jumped over the crowd, soared into the air, spread his arms and legs, and flew in the direction of Buck.
A shadow came over me.
Buck, noticed.
Obviously, the New England Patriots fought hard.
But Buck remained unmoved, his attention 100% focused on himself.
He will not disappoint Levi, the offensive team and the defensive team. More importantly, this is his moment, this is his spotlight.
Push on the ground, take off your feet——
For a brief moment, time seemed to have pressed the pause button here. Buck could clearly see the expressions of every face in front of him, Van Noy's ferocity, Mahomes' concentration, and the thousands of people at Gillette Stadium. Thousands of fans roared at the top of their lungs, forming a huge shadow that shrouded the front. There was no sunlight at midnight in Fox Castle.
But, it doesn't matter.
He will use his own feet and his own strength to break through the blockade in front of him, letting the sun shine down and fall naked on the crown of the Kansas Chief.
kick the ball.
Mahomes squared the football firmly and came rushing with a clean force.
Football, flew out.
Whoosh!
The football drew a smooth parabola, passed the umbrella lizard Van Noy, and passed steadily through the New England Patriots' goal without any accidents or deviations——
An arrow pierces the heart and hits accurately.
"28:27".
At the end of the game, the Kansas City Chiefs won.
(End of chapter)