Dominate the Super Bowl

Chapter 580: 579 pass target Chapter 580: 579 pass target “Wow, such a start is slightly beyond expectations.”

“It’s not that I don’t believe in the strength of the Kansas City Chiefs, but looking at the off-season preparation, the Kansas City Chiefs still need some time to gel, while the Pittsburgh Steelers have already addressed Bell’s absence and are ready for the new season.”

“The opening stage of the kickoff game tests the off-season preparation results of both sides.”

“We were expecting the Pittsburgh Steelers to have a slight edge, with inevitable struggles between the teams; but now, it seems Reed has completely dominated Tomlin.”

“So far, from the two waves of offensive and defensive standoffs, the Kansas City Chiefs appear younger but also more mature.”

“By ‘younger,’ I mean the players, with sophomore and junior players forming the core of the lineup, performing brilliantly, demonstrating high spirits, playing key roles on both offense and defense, and taking the initiative to suppress the Pittsburgh Steelers.”

“By ‘more mature,’ I mean the tactics.

After adjustments by the coaching staff during the off-season, the tactics became clearer and more defined, allowing the team to easily take control during the opening stage against the Pittsburgh Steelers.”

“Incredibly, the game has just started less than five minutes ago, and everything is under the control of the Kansas City Chiefs, the defending champions making their mark.”

Admiration, surprise, recognition.

Even Michaels had to give a thumbs up to the Kansas City Chiefs as defending champions, who are naturally the target of many criticisms, especially with all the upheaval during the off-season, making the first game of the new season often the most difficult, needing both gelling and adjustments—

Just look at last year’s New England Patriots to understand, usually starting slow at the beginning of the season.

The league hasn’t seen a team defend the Super Bowl title for over a decade, and there are few historical instances of this; it’s not without reason.

However, the Kansas City Chiefs managed to grow and transform amid turbulence and chaos, turning pressure into motivation, not letting the miracle of topping the Super Bowl become a shackle but rather an opportunity for the team to break out and evolve further.

One opening act was enough to see the efforts of the Kansas City Chiefs during this off-season.

One can’t help but start to anticipate.

“Wow.”

“Now let’s see how the Pittsburgh Steelers adjust on the spot; will Tomlin stick to his pre-game plan, or will he change strategies based on the state of his opponents?@@novelbin@@

This traditionally strong defensive team is facing its first test of the season much sooner than expected.”

“But regardless of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Kansas City Chiefs are still preparing to play at their own pace.”

“We can now see on the sidelines, Kansas City Chiefs’ new running back coach Burton Burns having a one-on-one talk with Li Wei.”

“Here’s a little known fact for the audience.”

“Coach Burns is the very man who discovered Li Wei in college, this legendary running back coach from the University of Alabama had already retired but ultimately couldn’t let go of Li Wei, making a comeback to join him in Kansas City, making one wonder what transformation Li Wei has undergone this off-season.”

Clap, clap.

Burns firmly patted Li Wei on the shoulder, then Li Wei entered the field to join the offensive group.

Mahomes looked over, Li Wei whispered a few words close to the quarterback’s ear, the two exchanged glances, both looking towards the opposing defensive group.

Burns had just said: watch Hayward closely.

This year, the Kansas City Chiefs also face the impact of age and injuries, with Houston’s fluctuating condition being one signal, facing a stern test.

Similarly, the Pittsburgh Steelers too, with Hayward, the cornerstone of the defensive group, also seeming a bit shaky.

Li Wei hadn’t noticed during the first offensive wave; but Burns did, and he advised Li Wei to pay more attention to changes in the defensive line of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Not just him, but to Mahomes as well.”

On the surface, Hayward seems unchanged, still focused and tough, this veteran legend of the field doesn’t expose his weaknesses so easily—

Moreover, the season had just begun.

The Kansas City Chiefs continued to arrange their formation methodically, preparing to attack again.

The recent punt by the Pittsburgh Steelers was poorly placed, lacking control over the direction, ultimately giving the Chiefs a starting offensive position at thirty-seven yards.

For the visiting team, this start was indeed not too wonderful.

So, how was Tomlin planning to adjust?

The Chiefs didn’t care, continuing at their own pace.

The smoothness of the first offensive wave added some confidence to Mahomes.

He was visibly more composed, more stable, and more focused.

Passing.

The Chiefs returned to their passing game, just like last year’s postseason under Smith’s helm, using various short-pass tactics to disrupt the opponent’s defense—

Whether the opponents chose to rush and pressure or to opt for man-to-man defense, they didn’t care.

First, speed mattered, reducing the quarterback’s release time, completing passes with precision.

Second, trickery, the pass targets were decoys.

Besides Hill and Kelsey, either Hunter or Li Wei were the unpredictable third targets.

This season, the Chiefs had actually leveled up.

Last season, relying solely on Hill, the wide receiver group was not effective.

Thus, in the postseason, Li Wei frequently became a target.

However, this year, the wide receiver group finally saw more support.

This season, Sammy Watkins, transferred from the Los Angeles Rams, was picked fourth in the first round by the Buffalo Bills in 2014.

Having been a college superstar with high expectations, he had never shown his potential in professional games, performing just moderately.

His rookie contract hadn’t even ended before he was traded to Los Angeles, but he only stayed there for a season before again switching teams continuously.

When he joined the Chiefs, the league barely made a splash—no one believed this former first-round pick could redeem himself.

However, with the Chiefs, Watkins found his place.

Twice in succession, Mahomes didn’t choose Hill, Kelsey, or Li Wei as his targets; surprisingly, he connected with Watkins on short passes, easily advancing past midfield after securing the first down.

The Steelers’ defensive group was somewhat in disarray—

At the front line, unable to create enough pressure in time.

In man-to-man defense, unexpectedly faced with a completely new receiver.

For a moment, they were overwhelmed and flustered.

The core issue was an intelligence failure; the Steelers had completely failed to predict the Chiefs’ changes, unable to keep up with the pace.

Tomlin realized immediately that they were caught in the opponent’s pace, but the problem now was that the Chiefs’ attentiveness and form were at their best, their tactical changes and pace control always one step ahead of the Steelers.

Tomlin couldn’t overthrow it; he could only hope that the Steelers’ defensive group could utilize their experience to barely hold their ground, dragging out the situation and waiting for the opponent’s initial excitement to cool down before seeking subsequent confrontation.

For now, there were no signs of slowing down.

The Steelers clenched their teeth and exerted their full strength, attempting to reverse the passive situation—

They got fierce.

Instantly, Mahomes could feel the overwhelming pressure surging towards him.