Dominate the Super Bowl-Chapter 1028 - 1027 Head-On Confrontation

Pass or run?

Harbaugh judged, passing.

The reason is simple, in the first two games of the season, Li Wei demonstrated top-tier competitive form, undoubtedly remaining the top target for all teams.

Harbaugh would keep a close eye on Li Wei, Reed knew Harbaugh would keep a close eye on Li Wei, and Harbaugh knew Reed knew he would keep a close eye on Li Wei. It’s a game of strategy.

Because of this, facing the Baltimore Ravens, Reed might use Li Wei as a decoy, relying on Mahomes to open up the play.

However, this time, Reed thought one step ahead of Harbaugh.

The football was handed into Li Wei’s arms without hesitation or delay, and without pausing, Li Wei burst forward like an arrow off the string.

The Kansas City Chiefs chose a running play, for the second consecutive time.

This time, Baltimore Ravens’ ground defense was clearly a step slow.

Pushing off, launching, pulling sideways a step, entering the gap, but then quickly doubling back, pulling sideways again, and running in a "Z" shape like a ninja.

The defensive line players hadn’t even blinked, and Li Wei had already slipped past them lightly, entering the area where lineman and cornerback jointly defend.

Fast, everything was too fast.

Defensive End Peko blinked heavily. For the past two seasons at the Denver Broncos, he faced Li Wei twice a year and had a tough time; so he was mentally prepared, but this time, he didn’t even have time to react, already losing sight of Li Wei in his vision.

…Damn it.

Having the same thought was young lineman Jaylon Ferguson.

This player, selected 85th overall in the third round by the Baltimore Ravens this year, is one of only two defensive players selected by Harbaugh in this year’s draft. Ferguson did not let anyone down, earning a starting position with outstanding performance in the offseason training camp.

Ferguson was eager to face Li Wei.

To be precise, which of the new generation young players doesn’t yearn to face Li Wei now? If not on the offensive group, then on the defensive group, all targeting Li Wei.

He is their admired figure, and also their challenge target.

Ferguson was raring to go.

However, the opportunity arose just like that, giving Ferguson no time to mentally prepare:

Ghost!

Without time to blink, that flash of red came rushing.

Without time to think, Ferguson took a step forward, intercepting Li Wei’s path, instinctively opening his arms trying to intercept—

6 feet 5 inches (196 cm), 270 pounds (122 kg).

This height and size, comparable to the Hulk.

From the start, Harbaugh determined Ferguson’s target for this game:

Stop Li Wei.

Speed? Rely on sheer numbers.

Strength? Rely on Ferguson.

Harbaugh invested significantly in ground defense strategies, hoping to restrain Li Wei.

Now was the first test of Harbaugh’s tactics, everything depended on Ferguson.

Ferguson: Here it comes!

Li Wei’s forward charge was indeed too fast, Ferguson relied on pre-positioning, waiting in place, as Li Wei crashed right into the embrace.

Bam!

Ferguson: Hmph.

A dull groan, like a bullet train whooshing and pressing over him, right at the moment of impact, Li Wei’s left shoulder thrust forward, accurately hitting Ferguson’s chest, head-on.

Ferguson didn’t even feel the pain, just a stifle in breath, his limb strength dispersed entirely, as if breaking apart, and in the next second, he fell backward powerlessly.

Ugh.

Wha, what is this?

Ferguson didn’t understand, losing control, watching as the world spun, Li Wei’s figure lost from view in an instant.

And Li Wei?

After the head-on collision, his steps fluttered left and right like a kite, seeing from the corner of his eye the linemen on his left side charging after him headlong.

Crash!

Li Wei didn’t dodge, instead utilizing the counterforce from the collision to follow the direction of inertia, adjusting his steps amidst the jostle.

Encountering successive collisions, yet miraculously regaining balance.

Then, continued charging forward.

Unfortunately, his steps didn’t find strength in time; before he regained footing, a figure from the right side tackled across, grabbing Li Wei’s waist without giving him a chance to struggle and escape, taking him down decisively.

Boom!

Finally, Li Wei fell—

A push of nine yards.

Second Gear 13 yards evolved into Third Gear four yards, the situation reversed instantly, Baltimore Ravens’ first excellent defense advantage vanished straightaway.

Huff, puff.

Breathless, sweating, Li Wei saw a hand in front of him.

Marlon Humphrey.

In 2017, eleven players from the University of Alabama entered the professional league through the draft, but somewhat surprisingly, besides Li Wei, the most successful and outstanding player was actually Humphrey.

After two seasons, Humphrey found his footing at the starting cornerback position for the Baltimore Ravens, successfully making it to the league’s top 100 players list last season, unexpectedly assuming the captain role in a defense group predominantly filled with blue-collar players, carrying a heavy responsibility this season.

Who would have thought, that jovial and unserious Humphrey would grow to become the team captain?

Li Wei grasped Humphrey’s right hand, getting up smoothly.

Humphrey nudged Li Wei’s shoulder, grinning with bright eyes, "Careful, Professor, or your bones might fall apart later."

Saying that, Humphrey turned back to position, laughing heartily and freely.

Two seasons, Li Wei was growing, and Humphrey also was growing. Just now, the timing, strength, and technique of that tackle were all perfect, seizing the gap as Li Wei was adjusting his steps, completing the tackle crisply.

Compared with the defensive frontline, Baltimore Ravens’ secondary defense is among the top in the league, which is one reason for Reed focusing on the ground offense.

Li Wei smiled toward Humphrey, tossing the football lightly to the referee, turning back to the offensive group, preparing for the next attack.

Third Gear four yards.

Li Wei’s recent ground run was impressive and strong, but even so, the Kansas City Chiefs were not completely out of danger. Regardless of the offensive starting position or the three-gear situation, the crisis remained.

So, this time?

Would the Kansas City Chiefs choose pass or run?

"Attack!"

At the snap, Li Wei actively ran toward Mahomes, both meeting in the pocket’s center. However, Li Wei didn’t seek a breakthrough but moved forward in the pocket’s center, assuming the role of the sixth offensive lineman.

Fake run, real pass!

Finally, in the Third Gear four-yard situation, Reed opted for a passing offense.

In an instant, Baltimore Ravens’ defense group tightened completely, focusing immediately on Kelsey, since Kelsey and Watkins ran a crossing route combination in the short-pass area—

Evidently, Kelsey posed the greatest threat.

Amidst the commotion, the confrontation between the two lines changed.

Baltimore Ravens defensive frontline attempted to use a five-man blitz for pressure; however, they found that the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line unexpectedly cooperated by spreading out, exposing Mahomes in the pocket, seemingly awaiting the linemen’s tackle.

What’s happening?

Before they could comprehend, a flash of red rushed out from the middle.