Chapter 585 The Real Material
“…James, is actually Jesse-James!”
"Roethlisberger's pass to Antonio Brown successfully deceived the Kansas Chiefs defense and targeted James behind Brown!"
"This was not a mid-pass, but a long pass. The parabola completely crossed Brown's position. Brown was actually a smoke bomb. Roethlisberger successfully deceived the defensive player's attention and pushed a long pass."
"Fifteen yards!"
"Twenty yards!"
"Twenty-five yards!"
"Roethlisberger threw a twenty-five-yard pass!"
"James! James completed the ball and successfully shook off safety guard Murray's tackle!"
"go ahead!"
"End zone!"
"Touchdown!"
"Beautiful, the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive team finally opened up the situation and successfully broke the ball and scored the first touchdown of the game! Can this be a turning point for the Pittsburgh Steelers to reverse the situation?"
The answer is correct.
Tomlin did not mess up his position, but showed his true qualities as a head coach.
He still adheres to the backup tactics used in the offseason to prevent Bell from missing games, opening up routes and vision, evolving the Pittsburgh Steelers into a team that focuses on passing offense, and making full use of Roethlisberger's passing ability to cover the entire court. Launch multiple attacks in scattered flowers.
The difference is, how to use Brown?
Brown only renewed his contract during the offseason last year. Now he is not only the league's highest-paid wide receiver, but also recognized as the No. 1 wide receiver among professionals and professional players. He is in hot form and is undoubtedly a killer.
How to use Brown correctly is the most important part for the Pittsburgh Steelers to win and even compete for the championship. Especially in the absence of Bell, Brown's tactical status has skyrocketed.
Although Brown looked a little embarrassed in the first quarter and never performed well; he also needs time to find his competitive state.
However, Tomlin showed a ruthless side to himself.
Like Bell, when facing Brown, if you say no, don't use it.
In the second quarter, Tomlin completely used Brown as a bait. Brown alone could attract the attention of at least two or even three people, and Roethlisberger's passing space came out——
Including James, including Zhu Zhu, including the fourth and fifth receivers, including the new starting running back Connor, all may be targets for passing. The Pittsburgh Steelers have completely opened up the entire passing attack strategy.
Same as the Kansas City Chiefs.
As a result, the defensive team cannot follow the routine step by step. Each offense and defense must adjust, pay attention, and remain adaptable.
Moreover, Tomlin was decisive enough and said that Brown was not needed. In the entire second quarter, there was not one pass aimed at Brown; but the Kansas Chiefs cannot take it lightly and must be wary of Brown at all times, even if Brown is a goalkeeper there. When standing, they also need to concentrate on defense. If they are not afraid of ten thousand, what if?
So, the advantages are compared and reversed.
In addition, there is one more thing——
adventure.
In the second quarter of the game, the Pittsburgh Steelers faced fourth downs three times, and they all chose to force fourth downs.
One yard on four gears and one yard on four gears and two yards on four gears at a time. It is understandable that they chose to take risks; but four yards on four gears at one time, Tomlin still took risks.
The Pittsburgh Steelers write an amazing history:
The first team in history to announce its choice to play hard in three consecutive fourth quarters in the first half.
Two strong attempts were successful and one failed.
The core of Tomlin's strategy is to pursue a momentum of determination.
The score gap in the first quarter was too big. If they waited until the second half to give it a try, they might not have a chance; so they had to fight back in the second quarter to reverse the situation before the Kansas Chiefs completely widened the gap in the game. What's more, in the first half, The fault tolerance rate of the field is also higher.
Under Tomlin's strategy, the Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive tactics were a little rough, but they were victorious in their momentum and reversed the situation with a brutal attitude.
Of course, that's not all, offense alone isn't enough to win games - defense, too, can't sit on the sidelines.
After finally scoring the first touchdown to break the deadlock, the pressure on the Pittsburgh Steelers was significantly reduced, and the defensive team gradually relaxed and regained its form.
Strategies, with targeted adjustments.
First, the front line gave up the raid.
The Pittsburgh Steelers just maintain basic pressure on the pass rush level and cannot let Mahomes be too relaxed and comfortable to take whatever he wants.
Second, use the five-point guard tactic.
One less linebacker and one more nickel back (a role between a cornerback and a safety).
Use a five-point defender to specifically mark Levi; the other three linebackers join the four defensive second-line players to match man-to-man defense with zone defense.
The moment Levi or the wide receiver enters the short passing area, the zone defense can form a situation where two or three players are covered. Coupled with the players who are already marking the opponent, the offensive players will be surrounded immediately.
In fact, more than that, when Mahomes chooses a passing target, he can find that his passing target is surrounded by defensive players, and defensive players can be seen wandering in different passing areas——
There is no space at all.
Pressure naturally rises.
At the same time, Levi needs to face the personal marking of a five-point guard. If he cannot get rid of it immediately, two to three people will immediately close him up and get him behind bars.
The Pittsburgh Steelers transplanted the Kansas Chiefs' tactics against Brown to Levi, allowing Levi to relive the nightmare in the sixth week of last year's regular season.
The key to the entire tactic is that there is no surprise attack, which releases Mahomes to a certain extent; and Tomlin takes advantage of Mahomes' youth and character.
First, lack of experience.
Secondly, take risks.
The trap Tomlin tried to create in the second wave of the Kansas Chiefs' offense but failed was successful in the second quarter. When Mahomes faced such a situation, the smooth flow of the game in the first quarter gave him confidence, and he dared to take risks and pass the ball. The ball, but some passing routes and target choices still exposed the impetuousness and recklessness of young people.
After all, this is just the first start of his career.
As long as Mahomes dares to take risks, the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive team's immediate double-team can put the Kansas Chiefs in danger of interceptions——
The tip of the knife dances wildly.
Although the Pittsburgh Steelers were not able to intercept the ball for the time being, the pressure was always there. Hill, Kelce, Watkins and other receiving points were all surrounded, and the Kansas Chiefs' offense also became stumbling.
Hitting the wall on the first run.
The first pass was incomplete.
First strikeout.
Young people begin to pay for the shortcomings of inexperience.
The Pittsburgh Steelers seized the opportunity and showed the style of a mature team.
First, Roethlisberger connected with Zhu Zhu for another two-yard touchdown, but missed the extra point.
Then as the first half came to an end, the Pittsburgh Steelers actually played a trick attack.
Running back Connor passed the ball back to Roethlisberger, who then passed the ball to this year's rookie wide receiver James Washington, completing a 14-yard connection and scoring a touchdown.
Immediately afterwards, he chose two extra points, and incredibly, Roethlisberger connected with running back Connor and succeeded!
Beep!
First half, the game is over.
(End of chapter)