Super Bowl Domination

Chapter 1241: Taking Chestnuts from the Fire
The air waves are rolling.

There are five players and five figures. Although their speed and rhythm are uneven, there is no doubt that the offensive players make full use of the rules of the game - that is, before the players receive the ball, the defensive players cannot pull the jerseys, etc. If they are not careful, they may be called for interference with the ball. This allows the offensive players to speed up comprehensively and rush forward like an arrow from a bow along a vertical route. The powerful momentum is like a shock wave, pushing the defensive line forward.

In an instant, smoke of war rose everywhere.

The New England Patriots defense was caught off guard.

They anticipated a ground attack, but what appeared before their eyes was a passing attack.

Moreover, the Kansas City Chiefs returned to their basics and started with the shotgun formation, the most basic and simplest West Coast offensive system.

Simple, yet direct.

The defensive team's zone defense retreated continuously under the frontal impact of the shock wave, and the solid defense network was shattered into pieces.

Although they still tried to maintain the tight network of zone defense, the different postures of the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive players were breaking through the siege.

Hill, taking the lead.

Levi, unwilling to be left behind.

The two top players were located on the left and right wings of the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive team, and each released their speed advantage in their own way.

If the New England Patriots continue to maintain their zone defense, the main force will be diverted by Levi and Hill, while Hardman, Kelce and Watkins will be able to tear open gaps, which means that players must make judgments in the ever-changing game.

Some people maintain the pace of zone defense, hoping to help each other with their teammates; some people immediately step forward to form close defense and switch to positional defense.

The defensive net was torn apart.

What's more serious is that five players and five receiving points are scattered all over the place, and no one knows who the Kansas City Chiefs' passing target is.

This is the power of the shotgun formation.

However, in the past two seasons, the new generation of offensive system headed by Shanahan is rising in an all-round way. This season, the "cheating motion" of the Kansas City Chiefs has appeared. The traditional West Coast offensive system is facing unprecedented challenges, and the power of the shotgun formation has been greatly reduced.

The fundamental reason lies in the progress and improvement of the defensive team.

Facing the shotgun formation, the defense now has more strategies and means to fight back. Unless they encounter a quarterback like Manning who is equivalent to the second tactical master, the shotgun formation, a pure passing offensive tactic, will not have many advantages over the defense.

In front of you, that's it.

Although the defensive second line lost its position under the impact of five receivers, the defensive front line quickly regained its footing after realizing the misjudgment.

From ground defense to passing defense, from an impregnable defense to active attack.

The tactical transitions of the defensive front line were obviously much smoother and faster. Four defensive linemen and a linebacker stepped forward quickly and tried to launch a surprise attack as soon as possible.

Target, Mahomes.

The biggest weakness of the shotgun formation is that the quarterback is exposed.

Without Levi as the sixth offensive lineman to provide support, the Kansas City Chiefs' pocket protection became shaky; at the same time, Mahomes had to wait for the receiver to arrive before he could pass the ball, which gave the defensive line time to rush and pressure the passer.

The New England Patriots' defensive front line focused their attention on Mahomes at the first moment. Linebacker Van Noy and defensive end Lawrence Guy were trying to put pressure on Mahomes.

However, this is not easy.

Although the New England Patriots' defense ranks first in the league this season, the biggest weakness of their defense is... rushing the pass.

This defense has performed well in passing, running, and the red zone, but the percentage of pressure they put on the quarterback ranks only tenth in the league; the data on sacks, hits, rushes, and effective interference with quarterback passes all hover around tenth place.

At the same time, the New England Patriots' use of raid tactics ranked fourth in the league.

In other words, Belichick dares to raid and raids often, but the efficiency and results of the raids are lower than expected.

The New England Patriots' passing defense ranks first in the league, not because of the pressure given to the quarterback by the defensive front line, but because of the blocking of the passing target by the defensive second line led by Gilmore. Of course, this is not 100% absolute, but it is relatively true.

Now, it's the same.

In a hurry, the New England Patriots switched from ground defense to pass pressure. Although the defensive front line had a clear goal and the tactical transition was smooth, it was ultimately a short switch. The defensive front line, which lacked breakthrough and explosive power, encountered a head-on wall against the well-prepared offensive front line.

Van Noy, Lawrence Guy, all their moves were blocked.

At this point, center back Hightower immediately realized the crisis.

Slowing his pace slightly, Hightower noticed Mahomes's leisurely step back to create distance, standing in the pocket and looking up at the entire field, but not rushing to shoot. The tight and powerful footsteps and calm eyes immediately sounded the alarm, which made Hightower's mind emerge with a signal:

Long pass.

They were now only about thirty yards from the end zone, well within Mahomes' range, and the Kansas City Chiefs were ready to make a fatal shot.

Oops!

Hightower's muscles were tense, his attention was highly focused, and he quickly scanned the opponent and caught an open position in the area where the forwards were entangled.

The offensive and defensive lines are now "five vs. five", and the Kansas City Chiefs have no extra players to stop Hightower.

Without hesitation, Hightower took a quick step forward, relying on the weight of his body to force his way through the gap in the middle, forcibly tearing open a passage, and forcing his way through recklessly and aggressively, with all his strength and speed superimposed on his body weight, rushing into the pocket with unstoppable force.

Ah, ah ah!
All the energy in Hightower's body exploded. He rushed to Mahomes in two steps, raised his arms high to interfere with the passing field, and slammed his body towards Mahomes as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Mahomes' body, standing in front of Hightower, was like dried meat, light and powerless.

Mahomes, who was looking for a pass target, didn't have time to blink before Hightower appeared in front of him in a teleporting posture.

Mahomes tried to dodge, but ended up moving most of his body away. However, his shoulder was still hit, and the overwhelming force almost made Mahomes lose his balance. He spun inexplicably like a top, and the world turned into a halo.

Stumbling and stumbling, Mahomes used his hands and feet to barely regain his balance. He held his breath, and seeing Van Noy rushing towards him, before he fell, he kicked off his feet and released his strength instantly by swinging his upper body and arms.

The football flew out with a whoosh!
(End of this chapter)