bookpower Chapter 419
Chapter 419
Chapter 419: Survival in a Tight Spot Chapter 419: Survival in a Tight Spot A running play on first down, another on second, so, facing third and eight, clearly, the answer was to pass—
The Kansas City Chiefs had already seized the initiative.
“Attack!”
The moment Bortles announced the snap, Revis tensed his whole body, taking continuous small backpedaling steps.
He did not rashly approach the wide receiver Hurns, nor did he get distracted by the tight end Marcedes Lewis’s close proximity; his focus was entirely concentrated.
Immediately, Revis noticed the Kansas City Chiefs Defense’s forceful pressure on the passer—@@@@
An assault.
Like in Go, if football tactics and formations are read by the opponent, that equals complete exposure—no matter how clever the tactics are, they are useless.
That’s the situation for the Jacksonville Jaguars right now.
Having read their opponent’s tactics a step ahead, the Kansas City Chiefs now had the advantage, enabling them to preemptively disrupt Bortles’s footwork with a five-man rush.
...
Ripping through.
Houston led the charge into the pocket, bearing down on Bortles like a ravenous wolf.
However, the Jacksonville Jaguars were prepared with a counter—
Fournette.
Although Fournette really, really did not want to face Houston, he now had no choice but to brace himself and take him on.
A head-on collision.
Fournette stumbled back, feeling a warmth in his nose—wait, was that...
a nosebleed?
Moreover, Houston didn’t lose his balance; he sidestepped over Fournette’s head, leaving a lingering afterimage and kept on charging.
Fournette: Why is it always me who gets hurt?
Nevertheless, Fournette’s block did buy Bortles some time; Houston was a fraction late, watching helplessly as Bortles completed the pass.
The football, tracing a graceful parabolic arc.
Revis: ???
Are you planning a two-on-one to bully an old man?
One could tell at a glance, Hurns and Lewis were lining up to sandwich Revis.
Their plan was to spread him thin, with the wide receiver and tight end coordinating to complete the catch.
Perhaps the offensive strategy of the Jacksonville Jaguars had been deciphered, but there were still traps hidden in the details.
“Pass uncompleted, Revis takes on two and still manages to break up the pass connection, my God, how did he manage to do that?”
One step, then another.
The Kansas City Chiefs took full control of the game, and now the critical weakness of the Jacksonville Jaguars became apparent—
Experience.
Previously, professionals had discussed this, noting that as playoff rounds progress, experience plays an increasingly important role, but with traditional powerhouses like the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots eliminated, the opportunities for the Jaguars skyrocketed, making them the frontrunners.
However, no one anticipated the problem that the Kansas City Chiefs would pose for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“...We’ve repeatedly emphasized that football is a team sport, and victory requires team cooperation, but the situation faced by the Jacksonville Jaguars now demands a leader to step up, regroup the team, and reignite their spirit and hope.
That is the key.”
“Just like the Kansas City Chiefs.”
“In the midst of a deadlock, Li Wei steps up, single-handedly turning the tide and breaking the balance, fully igniting the Chiefs’ competitive drive.”
“Now, not much time is left until the end of the first half, and the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive group needs to hold on.
They must grit their teeth and wait for halftime, to use the break to regroup and find their focus again.”
Clearly, the Jacksonville Jaguars held the same thought—
The defensive group, stepping up once again.
In the midst of retreating chaos and crisis, it was the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive group that stood firm and finally stopped the Kansas City Chiefs.
In the last offensive drive of the Chiefs in the first half, Sackville showed its class.
Despite not recording a sack, the frontline pressure was efficient and forceful, with a total of two solid hits, one to disrupt the passing vision and another to knock away the pass, the defensive frontline exploding with an incredible, unbelievable energy.
Although the Kansas City Chiefs kept advancing with gritted teeth and managed to push past midfield again, this time they really didn’t have the upper hand and ended up with a strikeout, not able to continue the scoring momentum since the second quarter.
This also laid down seeds of uncertainty for halftime.
However, the first half was not over yet—
“Harrison!
Harrison!”
Kelsey was the first to start the uproar, with Li Wei joining the commotion amidst the hustle and bustle of the offensive group’s cheers and applause, as kicker Harrison Buck took to the field.
This time, he needed to tackle a season-long 57-yard field goal.
In the regular season, Buck had attempted a 53-yard field goal once and hit it accurately; but don’t underestimate the mere four yards from 53 to 57.
Once a field goal reaches above 55 yards, it’s a whole different story.
Moreover, this was the playoffs, with an entirely different atmosphere and pressure.
The last offensive-defensive showdown of the first half fell on Buck’s shoulders.