Chapter 796 Sheep turns into wolf
Third gear, five yards, passing the ball? Or running the ball?
However, the New England Patriots didn't care, because Belichick chose to take the initiative and firmly control his destiny in his own hands——
Raid.
This season, Brady is still the well-deserved superstar of the New England Patriots. People who did not watch the game and just scanned the data took it for granted that Brady was still flying with the New England Patriots.
After all, the New England Patriots' offense ranks fourth in the league, behind only the Kansas Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, and New Orleans Saints—coincidentally, the four teams in the conference finals swept the top four.
But the fact is, otherwise.
This season, Brady's condition has declined significantly, which may not be visible at ordinary times, but his pass success rate, secondary reading ability and other data at critical moments have dropped across the board, and his personal mistakes have also remained high, which is not a good thing.
In such a predicament, it is the New England Patriots' defense that has repeatedly stepped forward. The defense, which ranks seventh in the league, has become the key to the team's success this season.
Among them, the New England Patriots' pass defense is a mess, and they are at the bottom of the league like the Kansas Chiefs; but in terms of ground defense and frontline pass rush pressure, the New England Patriots are ranked first in the league.
Clearly, Belichick is farsighted.
Although Brady won the regular season MVP honor last season, the reason behind it was that the overall performance of the league's quarterbacks was unsatisfactory. Even second-year quarterbacks like Wentz, who did not play the entire season, were able to get MVP votes. , not to mention Levi and Donald occupy important positions in the bustling discussion.
All signs showed that the 39-year-old Brady, like Brees, began to decline. From that time on, Belichick realized that the team needed to change slightly——
Normally, they still rely on the offensive team to compete, but at critical moments, they need to learn to use the defensive team to break the balance. The New England Patriots' defensive tactics and actual performance have made great progress this season.
That's it before you, if you don't take action, it will explode in full force, like a rattlesnake aiming at its prey.
Six-man pass rush!
In addition to the four defensive forwards, two linebackers also joined in. Finally, one linebacker was left to stand in the short passing area for mobile defense. All the pressure on the New England Patriots' front line was released, and they went down the mountain like a tiger. Break the balance.
Rolling air waves are coming towards your face!
Mahomes felt the pressure immediately. During the continuous retreat, Levi, who was standing on the right, jogged over to respond. Mahomes immediately handed the football to Levi——
Running the ball for the third consecutive possession?
Accident! One hundred percent unexpected!
From all indications, the Kansas Chiefs should choose to pass the ball, which is why Belichick chose to rush the pass and apply pressure, further shocking Mahomes.
However, Reed unexpectedly chose to run the ball.
In the chaos of impact, rain, fog, and cold, the raiding players headed by Van Noy remained unmoved and stepped forward resolutely at full speed.
The difference is, the target switches from Mahomes to Levi, and that's it.
Snap, snap, snap, snap.
Van Noy's footsteps stepped on the puddles, and he stepped forward at full speed, firmly grasping the figure of No. 23 in his blurred vision.
Get close, aim, snipe.
But they found that Levi was moving away from him, and they fell into a cat-and-mouse game of chasing and escaping.
After getting the football, Levi did not push straight vertically according to the normal route, but pulled horizontally, passed in front of Mahomes, and moved from the right to the left.
Could it be that Levi is avoiding Van Noy?
This thought made Van Noy feel wind at his feet, and he ran faster and faster, catching up with him at full speed. He felt like a cat playing with a mouse, and his smile rose——
Levi, there is nowhere to run.
Because you can see the figure of another linebacker just ahead on the left side.
Donta Hightower, the linebacker affectionately called "Hightower" by fans, was selected by the New England Patriots with the 25th overall pick in the first round in 2012. He had high hopes, but until He really shined after his rookie contract ended, and was nominated for the Pro Bowl for the first time in 2016.
Normally, Hightower seems inconspicuous, but he always appears in the right place at the right time at critical moments.
It's the same thing in front of me. The corners of Fan Noy's mouth raised. There was a wolf in front of him and a tiger in the back. Now let's see where Levi will escape.
Sure enough, Van Noy was right.
Accurately, Van Noy saw No. 23's running route crash into Hightower's blocking trap——
Bang!
It hit me so hard.
Van Noy: Yes.
He made a quick decision, stepped hard, and tried to speed up. Although the slippery ground was a little slippery, Van Noy quickly made adjustments and caught up. He completed a "one plus one" defensive cooperation with Hightower, turning Levi into a sandwich. Double team up.
But wait, something seems wrong.
Van Noy noticed at the end of his line of sight, a flash of red running through the blue-grey rain curtain. He couldn't even see the code on the back clearly, and it had already gone around the outside of Hightower.
Who is that?
However, Levi was still hitting Hightower, trying to break through. The continuous collision and escape made Van Noy unable to think, and had to stay focused. Finally, Levi fell to the ground, and Van Noy fell into the puddle. , the brain finally started functioning.
Who else is in the pocket——
Mahomes.
Uh, who?
Mahomes keeps reminding himself to focus.
Whether you are nervous or excited, whether you are eager to express yourself or try to defeat your opponent, as long as your mind is full of thoughts, it is easy to get distracted.
It’s easy to make mistakes when you’re distracted.
Therefore, he needs to focus, 100% on himself and the situation on the court.
Raid?
Not surprisingly, the New England Patriots always choose to raid at tricky moments. Belichick does have a philosophy on timing and timing, but Mahomes will not panic.
With a fake move, he handed the football to Levi, but quickly took it back with his right hand.
Mahomes acted as naturally as possible, without bending or hiding. He held the football in his right hand and lowered his head in a natural and relaxed manner.
Normally, it might be necessary to hide; but now, with the drizzle, the field of vision is disturbed, and it is impossible to see clearly, so the fake actions are more deceptive.
Mahomes followed Levi's footsteps and moved laterally, his eyes quickly looking at the figures of Hightower and Van Noy, always keeping alert.
Perfect, neither veteran linebacker noticed the fake, and Levi's attention was completely captured.
Mahomes' steps were light, like a ray of breeze, bypassing Hightower's position, and then, with an inside cut, the route cut into a straight line and started instantly——
Use force, speed up.
The style of painting suddenly changed, and the little sheep evolved into a big bad wolf. Without giving Hightower and Van Noy any time to think, the body rushed out vertically.
Vast and vigorous.
Mahomes also released all his speed and crossed the line of scrimmage without encountering any obstacles. There was an open space in front of him, and he easily tore through the New England Patriots' defense in the short passing area like a sharp knife.
Three yards. Five yards.
In just two steps, Mahomes had already easily won the first attack. He noticed a touch of white on the right side of his eyes from the corner of his eye——
The last linebacker.
So, should Mahomes go down immediately or should he continue?
(End of this chapter)