Chapter 802 Gritting the Teeth
"...Edelman, Edelman again!"
"Connect! Catch the ball!"
"pretty!"
"Edelman once again showed his top ability to tear out the receiving space in a small area. It's hard to believe that cornerback Fowler's movements looked so clumsy in front of him."
"With a short three-yard pass, Edelman relied on his personal ability to complete the ball in a dense defense, but Edelman was obviously not ready to end the advance."
"Edelman is dodging and breaking like a pangolin."
"Oh! Houston! Justin Houston completed the tackle in time and ended Edelman's breakthrough cleanly."
"Despite this, the New England Patriots still completed a third-down six-yard conversion and continued the offense again. Brady is now also showing murderous intent."
Huchi, wheeze.
Houston was panting, gasping for air, his whole lungs were burning, the biting cold air was sinking into the air bubbles like an embroidery needle, waves of pain spread in his chest, his knees were shaking slightly, and he was almost unable to stand still——
The physical exertion was more intense than usual. The second half was just starting, but he felt as if it had entered overtime. Moreover, this was a bye in the first round of this year's wild card game. This made Houston feel the protest from his body like never before.
The situation is still stalemate.
Edelman, damn Edelman.
Edelman is short in stature, only 5.9 feet (178 cm). Among a group of defensive players, he is like a dwarf breaking into the land of giants. However, Edelman is very good at using his size, relying on flexible footsteps and keen sense of smell. Create a gap in the dense defense.
Whether it's a matchup or a zone defense, Edelman can always find loopholes.
Especially in zone defense, if you don't pay attention, Edelman will find gaps in the dragnet, and Brady will find every opportunity to complete the connection.
If you choose to guard against him, the Kansas Chiefs' second-line defense lacks players who can completely stick to Edelman. Fowler is already the player closest to Edelman's speed and agility.
Therefore, the Kansas Chiefs' pass defense is indeed facing a severe test now.
However, there is one thing to say. If Edelman was only the receiving point, the Kansas Chiefs defensive team would not be so embarrassed. The focus is still on collective cooperation.
One is rookie running back Sony-Michel, the 31st pick in this year's first round.
Second, tight end Gronkowski is a heavy weapon.
In terms of statistics, Michel, Gronkowski and Edelman all have mediocre statistics this year and there is no 1,000-yard season; but the fundamental reason why the New England Patriots offense can still rank fourth in the league is cooperation. Brady always finds the right moment to put the football in the right hands.
A running back, a tight end, and a wide receiver, the same top-level configuration as the Kansas Chiefs offensive team, but with a slightly different style. The New England Patriots can still find opportunities to continue to advance in difficult situations.
It's the same thing in front of me.
The Kansas City Chiefs defense performed well, forcing the New England Patriots into third downs four times, three of which were long yards.
However, amidst the predicament, the New England Patriots' offensive team also improved its status. At critical moments, they always faced the difficulties and delivered a perfect answer, completing three consecutive transitions and continuing this wave of offense not to be outdone. .
And, in the blink of an eye, the pace has crossed half-court and is approaching the red zone.
This is Belichick and Brady's response to the Kansas Chiefs' attack just now.
Houston stared at Brady. Even though his knees were about to give out, the unyielding will in his eyes was still burning:
Let them compete.
"Pressure!"
"Raid!"
“The Kansas City Chiefs defensive front applied tremendous pressure without warning.”
"Chris Jones! Justin Houston!"
"Brady felt the pressure and threw the pass, and the target of the pass was--
Gronkowski! "
"Brady tried to connect with his tight end, but this time the pass parabola was not controlled and the pass was not completed. He still felt the pressure."
..."Fake fax running!"
"The football is in running back Miche's hands, wow!"
"Houston just came out of nowhere, like a wild beast, directly pushed Michel to the ground, and ended the ground attack cleanly."
"Seven yards in third gear."
"The New England Patriots were once again faced with long yards on third down and were once again in crisis."
"But how will Belichick and Brady handle it this time?"
The atmosphere at Arrowhead Stadium was rising steadily, and the entire court shouted in unison, "Defense!" The deafening shouts broke through the rain and swirled over the court, burning in the biting cold.
Houston is ready to go.
His knees were still shaking slightly, and his slightly forward body was swaying slightly, making him a little unsteady; but the muscles from his calf to his thigh were completely tightened, and he was concentrating on controlling himself, always ready to rush out.
"attack!"
In the sound of rain, Houston caught the sound, started instantly, and took full stride.
Take the initiative without hesitation——
They have to apply pressure, even if it comes at the cost of weakening the defense in the short passing zone, and they have to make Brady feel the impact.
This is the fundamental.
Kick off the ground, exert force, straighten your knees, and no longer feel the body's protest. All you can think about is the figure standing in the pocket.
Number 12.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The solid collision between body and body, the strong confrontation between strength and strength, stirred up layers of air waves, and the water vapor that filled the air boiled.
Houston, however, was unmoved.
His footsteps went straight around the entangled area of the forward line, preparing to cut into the pocket, but at this moment, he caught the handover screen from Brady and Michel——
Running the ball?
Is Belichick preparing to surprise and run the ball for third-down long yards?
No, Houston doesn't think so.
On the surface, the New England Patriots chose a sudden ground attack to break the rhythm; but Houston's instinct sounded the alarm.
Pause, brake, turn around, retreat.
The movements of sudden stops and turns were completed in one go. Houston looked diagonally behind him——
Edelman and Gronkowski are already in place on different routes.
Sure enough, Belichick seized on the Kansas Chiefs' tactic of rushing the pass and applying pressure again, and used a fake run to cover the pass. The real purpose was still to pass the ball.
But the point is, Edelman? Or Gronkowski?
Based on experience, the answer is Gronkowski. Even in a three-person double-team, Gronkowski can easily pick off the football to complete the push. He has always been Brady's most reliable partner in the third gear transition.
For a brief moment, Houston subconsciously looked at Gronkowski.
However, intuition pulled Houston towards Edelman.
Tap tap, tap tap.
Footsteps, stepping on the water, focused on Edelman's figure.
In the chaos and density, Edelman accurately opened a gap. With one step and one turn, Brady's three-yard short pass was in place and fell firmly into Edelman's arms.
Edelman wasn't even ready to turn around. He turned his back to the end zone and kept tapping the ground, ready to continue advancing.
But this time, before he could take a step forward, a wolf-like figure had already swooped over and grabbed his waist. The momentum and body strength were superimposed, and he knocked Edelman down suddenly.
(End of chapter)