Dominate the Super Bowl-Chapter 1025 - 1024 full of confidence
In the 2017 season, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Wentz burst onto the scene and entered the regular season MVP discussions, but ultimately lost to Brady and Li Wei.
In the 2018 season, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Mahomes emerged from nowhere and entered the regular season MVP discussions, narrowly losing to teammate Li Wei.
In the 2019 season, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Jackson made a dazzling debut, and despite it just being the season opener, countless experts had already included him in the regular season MVP discussions. So, could Jackson break through the blockade this time and finally reach the regular season MVP pinnacle? It’s worth waiting for.
From the overall momentum and state, you could tell that victory was important, but it was Baltimore Ravens’ transformation from the inside out that was truly crucial. The season opener showed an unstoppable stance, suddenly outshining Green Bay Packers’ and Chicago Bears’ season openers.
And still, that’s not the whole picture.
The running back Ingram added wings like a tiger, the team’s innate defensive bloodline, and Harbaugh’s overall strategy and in-game adjustments. This is not just as simple as one plus one equals two; you could immediately see a chemical reaction.
The current Baltimore Ravens are very likely to become an upgraded version of the Kansas City Chiefs, catching up and overtaking on curves, transforming into the biggest favorites for the Super Bowl in recent years.
Of course, amidst the overwhelming praise, skepticism also always exists.
However, Baltimore Ravens responded positively with excellent performances.
In the second week of the regular season, Baltimore Ravens defeated Arizona Cardinals with solid performance, easily securing a two-game winning streak to start the season.
Facing the equally impressive, equally anticipated No. 1 quarterback Kyle Murray, Lamar Jackson showed a stronger desire to win—
Throwing for 272 yards, rushing for 120 yards, two touchdown passes.
Equally explosive!
Jackson proved with actions that the magical performance in the opener was not accidental; he is becoming a top player capable of consistently delivering high-frequency outputs.
Without a doubt, Jackson is hot commodity, even arguably the most explosive player in the league right now, causing wild enthusiasm across the board.
After all, compared to running backs, the superstar aura of quarterbacks is more dazzling. Running backs need a full 120 or even 200 percent performance to earn attention, while quarterbacks might only need 70 percent.
Yet now, Jackson delivers a 100 percent answer sheet, how can the league not be frenzied?
In the midst of bustling noise, the only regret lies with the opponents:
Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals are both in a low ebb rebuilding process; the pressure they create on both offensive and defensive ends is indeed limited, but Baltimore Ravens narrowly won possession against Arizona Cardinals as well. This young team is still growing.
"Maybe" Baltimore Ravens can catch up and surpass Kansas City Chiefs, but for now, "maybe" is just maybe, a possibility.
But it doesn’t matter, the real test is on its way—
Regular season Week 3 Thursday Night Football, "Baltimore Ravens VS Kansas City Chiefs."
Now, Baltimore Ravens have an opportunity to prove themselves, to turn "maybe" into "definitely." They can decisively defeat Kansas City Chiefs.
From the enmity between the two teams, including last season’s fierce clashes; to this season’s growth and transformation, both currently maintaining a two-game winning streak; or the tension of a young rising star facing a future superstar—
Everything is exhilarating, that kind of sweaty-palm excitement.
"Harbaugh VS Reed."
"Jackson VS Mahomes."
"Ingram VS Li Wei."
And, "Relying on the defensive group’s foundation to maneuver VS the defensive group’s revolution and reformation."
In every aspect, from any angle, it’s the absolute heavyweight of the season start.
If you say after two weeks of regular season games, which team is most likely to defeat Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens unquestionably come first, as two Super Bowl-winning favorites are about to clash fiercely, ultimately resulting in one side ending their season undefeated golden body.
The trolls, even more eager, anticipate blissfully.
Regarding Li Wei and Kansas City Chiefs, the season’s first test finally arrives, two lackluster victories barely conceal locker room conflicts. This upcoming game is the real test, chaos can no longer be hidden.
Regarding Jackson and Baltimore Ravens, don’t rush to praise and create a myth; one or two games turning into Super Saiyan doesn’t mean much; they still need to face strong teams with genuine power.
Anyway, those who mock Li Wei or Jackson each have their joy.
Bystanders fall into overall frenzy.
In some way, the clamorous off-field drama surrounding Ramsey and Brown also dims considerably, because, ultimately, those off-field gossip mostly attract casual viewers; real fans are still concerned with the strong duels on the field, even if not fans of the two teams, they still direct their gaze—
An exceptionally thrilling pinnacle showdown, enough to ignite excitement for the entire following week, adding some motivation to the repetitive working life.
Everything, as expected, the game lived up to expectations.
From the very first clash of offense and defense, both teams quickly got into the groove, showing an all-out stance, engaging in a fierce battle.
Since this year’s offseason, Kansas City Chiefs Defense has been continually adjusting and constructing; Reed knows clearly that this requires time, cannot be accomplished overnight, and they need to maintain patience and focus.
After two games of running-in and adjustments, this new young defensive group is intermittently finding form, showing the blueprint in Defensive Coordinator Spagnuolo’s mind, performing well at the start of this game.
At the outset, the currently red-hot Jackson displayed full confidence—
They are prepared.
Baltimore Ravens guessed the coin toss, and Harbaugh unexpectedly chose to attack first; this little change indicates their current confidence and state.
Eager and raring-to-go Jackson immediately presented his best form at the start, both passing and running, successfully advancing past the halfway line in just four downs.
Unstoppable!
However, the Kansas City Chiefs found their rhythm, maintaining constant pass-rush pressure upfront, yet played tricks in the short-pass area with zone defense, the dazzling route runs disorganized Jackson’s passing vision, capturing Jackson’s eager determination to urgently prove himself, achieving consecutive defensive successes, ending eventually with a clean and beautiful tackle.
Three strikes, out!
Facing the high-flying, determined-to-win Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs’ first wave of defense showed a whole new posture, earning a wave of applause.
But, the combination of Harbaugh and Jackson indeed showed incredible resolve—
Fourth down, three yards, going for it.
Just starting, already going for it.
Not only risky, but also tough.
Jackson narrowly dodged the tackle from defensive end Clark, staggering and stumbling, relying on his own legs to carry the ball and run for three yards, thrillingly completing the fourth-down transition.
Wow!
The audience, an uproar!
