Dominate the Super Bowl-Chapter 1095 - 1094 Outflank through Chen Cang

"...Li Wei’s ground advance this time was executed beautifully."

"Despite encountering a double-team tackle by Martinez and Sanechi, preventing further progress, Li Wei still managed to rely on the exquisite coordination of the offensive group to advance fifteen yards, securing the first down for the Kansas City Chiefs."

"Of course, this is just a first down and doesn’t prove much; but what we’re discussing now is the Kansas City Chiefs, a team that has rapidly grown and comprehensively improved over three seasons, combining resilience and explosiveness."

"The Green Bay Packers need to be alert, as the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive group is adjusting and experimenting, seeking ways to break the deadlock. Lafleur cannot expect a single defensive strategy to continuously restrain the defending champions."

"Although Mahomes is not on the field, let’s not forget, Li Wei is still here."

As the saying goes, the onlooker sees more clearly than the participant.

In the NBC TV studio, familiar faces Al Michaels and Chris Collinsworth team up once again. They have been witnesses to Li Wei’s growth, standing from a vantage point to scrutinize the game, indeed capturing some critical elements:

The Kansas City Chiefs are adjusting and seeking change.

As early as in his NCAA days, Collinsworth was immensely impressed by Li Wei, repeatedly stunned by the rookie’s outstanding performances.

At this moment, it’s a familiar sight.

Everyone believes this is the Kansas City Chiefs’ darkest hour, without Alex Smith and Patrick Mahomes, Li Wei is in a predicament—

A lone hand cannot clap.

After all, a running back is not a quarterback.

Entering his junior year, Li Wei has now proven himself comprehensively, gaining recognition from all corners of the league, as the rise of the running back unfolds.

However, objectively speaking, this is just a performance, deep down, people still believe the quarterback is the core of football, subconsciously assuming:

Li Wei’s success is attributed to the outstanding performance of the Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterbacks, with Smith, a former first overall pick, paving the way and the genius Mahomes following, making dazzling pass plays to open up the rushing game, allowing Li Wei to shine.

To some extent, this is the truth, as football is ultimately a team sport.

However, these ingrained prejudices still attempt to erase the contributions of the running back, firmly believing that without the support of a quarterback, a running back cannot succeed.

Look at the Tennessee Titans’ Henry and the New York Giants’ Barkley. No matter how excellent and dominant the running back is, they still struggle to bring victories to the team.

However, Collinsworth doesn’t see it this way.

During his time at the University of Alabama, the Crimson Tide Storm’s quarterback Hertz always delivered mediocre performances, but the fledgling Li Wei still led the Crimson Tide Storm to an undefeated season.

Of course, you can’t take NCAA and NFL as the same.

But Collinsworth always has a feeling, or perhaps a hope, a belief, that Li Wei possesses more potential waiting to be explored and unleashed.

Perhaps, today is the opportunity.

Without Smith, without Mahomes, only a semi-retired Moore remains. How will Li Wei and his Kansas City Chiefs face the challenge?

Indeed, it might be the Kansas City Chiefs’ darkest hour in three seasons; but it could also be a turning point to transcend their limits.

Just as Michaels finishes his rational analysis, Collinsworth immediately adds:

"I am now curious and expectant."

"How will Reed adjust tactics and utilize the team’s roster strength without Mahomes?"

Michaels immediately understands, "You mean how to utilize the rookie’s strength, right?"

Collinsworth chuckles lightly but does not deny it, "Aren’t you looking forward to it?"

Michaels raises his hands in surrender, "Looking forward to it, extremely excited."

In the studio, it’s all theoretical talk, heated discussions.

On the field, it’s a head-on confrontation, daggers drawn.

First down, ten yards.

Fake run becomes real pass, Moore fakes a handoff, pretending to deliver the football to Li Wei but actually pulls it back quickly, retreating to look for a passing target.

The emphasis is on the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive group formation adapting. Kelsey steps back, creating an illusion of switching positions with Li Wei—

Kelsey breaking off for the quarterback, and the quarterback throwing to Li Wei.

This tactic has been used more than once by the Kansas City Chiefs in the game, focusing on concealment and surprise, disrupting the defense’s evaluation, while Li Wei exploits mismatched openings in the short pass zone, ultimately seeking a substantial advance.

Evidently, the Green Bay Packers didn’t anticipate that the Kansas City Chiefs would turn around and choose a pass play?

Such an offensive tactic shows no obvious difference from the first-quarter gameplay, contrary to expectations, catching the Green Bay Packers off guard.

Initially, the Green Bay Packers’ defensive players step forward, gathering towards the central short pass zone, trying to lay down a heavenly net in that area, imposing a trap, even if Li Wei and Moore connect, making it difficult to continue advancing; ideally intercepting Moore again.

However!

The Green Bay Packers Defense group is entirely misled, failing to notice a critical point:

Li Wei did not follow the plan to cross the scrimmage line into the short pass zone.

Li Wei remains in the pocket, and Moore once again fakes, still handing the football off to Li Wei.

Fake run as a pass becomes a fake pass as a run.

The Kansas City Chiefs executed a tactical flourish, with strategy layered within strategy.

If the Green Bay Packers discern the smoke bomb, opting to blitz, then Li Wei and Kelsey remain in the pocket to buy Moore time, challenging a long pass—

Hill already bolted, with nimble steps crossing midfield, rushing towards the deep zone.

If the Green Bay Packers fail to discern, congregating in the short pass area, they then switch to another plan, with Li Wei carrying the ball for a ground advance.

By the time the defense reacts, Kelsey, Hardman, and Watkins have all gathered near the right slot, forming a meat shield to block the Packers’ linemen’s assault, creating space for Li Wei on the right sideline.

Edgerunner, taking the stage again.

Although the Packers’ secondary defense reacted promptly, human-wave tactics formed a surrounding circle, with cornerback and safety stepping up to close the net. Before Li Wei’s speed fully unleashed, they forcefully knocked Li Wei out of bounds, risking a penalty.

However, just a slight miscalculation.

Kevin King and Sanechi stare in disbelief at the back of number 23, teetering and precarious, seemingly about to go out of bounds, yet dancing on tiptoes, inexplicably pushing forward on the edge of life and death, defying gravity’s rule and stealing a few more yards with inertia.

Finally, it was another safety, Adrian Amos, who delivered the final blow, slamming them one last time, finally pushing Li Wei out of bounds, ending the advance.

However, Li Wei still advanced ten yards, securing another first down.

At Arrowhead Stadium, finally, in a long spell of dullness and decline, passion and energy return, as they collectively sing aloud.

"He’s here, he’s there, he’s everywhere. He’s the Edgerunner, Li Wei, Li Wei, Li Wei!"

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