Dominate the Super Bowl

Harrison Buck, a rookie kicker, midway through the season came from the Carolina Panthers to save the Kansas City Chiefs.

But unexpectedly, Buck performed exceptionally, being one of only six kickers in the entire league with a 100% success rate for extra points and field goals, and the only one among those six who had attempted more than forty kicks.

A dark horse!

An entirely unforeseen player, Buck had risen to become the top-performing kicker of the season across the league.

In the last wildcard game, Buck had a chance to play the superhero saving the team; but unexpectedly, Li Wei in a push to get into field goal range charged into the end zone with a touchdown that turned the tables and led the team to advance to the divisional playoffs, so Buck didn't have to take the field.

But who could have thought, after twists and turns, the opportunity came back to Buck's hands.

"27:27".

After Kansas City Chiefs' successful Wanfu Mary, the game clock had run out, but the Chiefs still had the opportunity to take the extra point kick.

If the extra point was successful, the Kansas City Chiefs would achieve a last-second victory over the New England Patriots.

If the extra point failed, then the teams would move into the unforgiving overtime.

The heavy burden rested on Buck's shoulders.

Just as Li Wei had said—

From the defensive group to the offensive group to the special teams, if they wanted to clinch this victory, not one could be absent; that's what a real team is.

Buck, looking straight at Li Wei in front of him, was filled with soaring spirits!

Therefore.

Buck stood tall, squared his shoulders, lifted his head, and took the football from Li Wei's hands with solemnity while all Kansas City Chiefs players behind and beside him erupted in applause.

Clap. Clap, clap.

Clap. Clap, clap.

There was no cheering, nor was it needed; even though they were standing alone on the away stage in Foxborough, they would not falter or shrink back—

Because they had each other to fight side by side.

One step, then another.

Buck led the Special Duty Group onto the field.

After a high-five with Li Wei, Mahomes also took to the field.

In extra point kicks, Mahomes occasionally acted as the holder, and one must never underestimate the seemingly inconsequential position of holder, as history is not short of examples where kickers missed decisive kicks because the holder didn't set the ball up correctly.

The New England Patriots' Special Duty Group took the field as well—

Until the whistle blows, the game is not over.

Buck was slightly excited, his heart pounding uncontrollably.

Buck admitted he had dreamt of this moment, a mere kicker, an insignificant role in the special teams, unnoticed and unthanked for their contributions, valued even less than a running back and paid even less attention to, to then being kicked off the team by the Carolina Panthers and transferring into the practice squad, and riding the Rainbow Cloud to become the hero who could tip the balance.

What kind of experience would that be?

When girls hear he's a football player, they often show admiration and respect; but when they hear he's a kicker, their interest wanes, or they may not even know there is such a position in football.

But now, the kicker was about to take center stage, standing in the spotlight at the center of the world.

Buck knew he was a bit too exhilarated—

Kickers needed to be calm and focused, not exhilarated.

Buck took a deep breath, clenched his fists secretly, intending to be like Li Wei, facing the situation just as Li Wei would, fighting side by side with him.

Reopening his eyes, Buck had regained his composure.

Observing the wind direction, formations, and the environment, Buck got into character.

The entire Gillette Stadium erupted with overwhelming noise attempting to distract Buck, as hysterical shouts released a tide of energy, crashing down, and Buck was like a small boat that could be capsized and engulfed by the ferocious waves at any moment.

Two armies, face to face.

The lineup for extra point and field goal kicks differed slightly, but generally speaking, it was akin to the offensive group facing off against the defensive group, with the New England Patriots Special Duty Group also set to blitz, pressure, and try to disrupt the kick, while the Kansas City Chiefs' Special Duty Group had to organise them.

Moreover, the New England Patriots were out of options and would certainly go all out trying to disrupt the extra point kick.

The air suddenly tensed up.

Buck raised his hand to signal he was ready—

Kickoff.

Hold the ball.

Initialized.

Approach.

Kickoff.

Buck, in one clean sweep, kicked the football steadily through the goalposts.@@novelbin@@

However—

"Timeout!"

The New England Patriots requested a timeout.

The tight strings of the heart had just begun to relax and then tensed up once more.

Mahomes looked towards Buck, exchanging a look through their helmets, "Are you okay?"

Buck took a deep breath and then nodded vigorously to Mahomes, "I'm fine."

This tactic was very common in the NFL.

Simply put, it disrupted the kicker's rhythm, especially when used during a game-winning kick, whether for a field goal or an extra point.

The opposing coach only needed to signal a timeout to the referee at the moment the center snapped the ball, and regardless of whether the kicker made the shot, this kick would not count, and they must re-kick.

Thus, the kicker's psychological burden was increased, much like penalty kicks in soccer.

Buck was aware of this move and moreover, as a rookie lacking in game experience, it was impossible for Belichick with his cunning not to exploit this.

So, he had anticipated it.

The first kick had been a bit nerve-wracking, but now that this had happened, he could feel at ease.

"The pressure is gradually building."

"Buck had a perfect rookie season, but the playoffs and the regular season are ultimately different. Now, the fate of both the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots rested on his shoulders, and the pressure was unimaginable."

"If it were me, I would not want to be in Buck's shoes right now."

"But now, we are waiting."

"Good."

"Kickoff!"

"The New England Patriots blitz! New England opts for a do-or-die attempt!"

Ripping.

The New England Patriots had destroyed the Kansas City Chiefs' Special Duty Group's offensive line; linebacker Van Noy took the stage, leaping over the crowd, soaring into the air with arms and legs spread, flying towards Buck.

A shadow loomed, heading straight for him.

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Buck noticed.

Clearly, the New England Patriots had taken a risk.

But Buck was unfazed, focusing one hundred percent of his attention on himself.

He would not disappoint Li Wei, not let down the offensive or defensive groups, and more importantly, this was his moment, his spotlight.

He pushed off the ground, kicked—

For a brief moment, time seemed to pause, and Buck could clearly see every facial expression in front of him: Van Noy's ferocity, Mahomes' concentration, the Gillette Stadium's tens of thousands of fans' screaming roars, all coming together to cast a vast shadow, enveloping what lay ahead in the midnight of Foxborough without sunlight.

But that didn't matter.

With his feet, his power, he would break through the barriers before him and let the sunlight fall, shedding directly onto the Kansas City Chiefs' crown.

Kicked off.

Mahomes positioned the football firmly, and a clean force surged through.

The football flew out.

Whoosh!

The football traced a smooth parabola, sailing past the amphibious Van Noy, steadily through the Patriots' goalposts, without surprises, without deviation—

A heart-piercing shot, right on target.

"28:27".

The match is over, the Kansas City Chiefs have won.