Dominate the Super Bowl

Chapter 581: 580 Double Trap Chapter 581: 580 Double Trap “`@@novelbin@@

Thump, thump, thump.

No sooner had Mahomes declared the kickoff than the pressure from the opposing defensive line came crashing down like a violent storm, and this is when the Pittsburgh Steelers showcased their seasoned expertise—

Even in the face of adversity, under the pounding torrent, they wouldn’t easily relent; first, they’d clench their teeth and urgently keep pace, then bide their time to launch a counterattack to disrupt the opponent’s rhythm, and finally, seek an opportunity to completely turn the situation around.

Nowadays, people seldom refer to the Pittsburgh Steelers as the “Steel Curtain,” but this once traditionally strong defensive team still possesses their resilience, standing at the pinnacle of the American League’s powerhouses for ten years straight.

And that’s exactly what was happening right now.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ offense was becoming smoother and smoother, breaking free like a wild horse no longer under control; the Steelers’ defensive group realized that they had to disrupt the opponent’s momentum, or else they might completely fall behind.

So.

Hayward took the lead, exploding into action, with a feint step he bypassed the opposing offensive line, yet deliberately didn’t shake them off completely, instead he continued moving forward, bumping against the opponent’s shoulder, using the weight of his body and forward momentum to create a compounded force, instantly causing a corner of the pocket to collapse:

Mahomes, just like that, was exposed before their eyes.

And that was far from all—

Other members of the defensive line, linemen, cornerbacks, all chose to step up immediately, creating wave after wave of pressure with the Steelers’ layered Steel Curtain, so even in the corners and edges of Mahomes’ passing vision, he could feel the weight.

Indeed, Mahomes did feel it, the intensity and rhythm of the defensive group on the other side released energy in an instant, suppressing the Kansas City Chiefs in return.

Step back.

Step back.

Mahomes kept retreating amidst the crushing surge, when out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the grimacing, snarling Hayward continuing to break through.

Mahomes thought he would be nervous, panic-stricken—

At least, that’s how he felt during his first start in the final game of last season.

But that was not the case.

Surprisingly, he was somewhat exhilarated.

Pausing his steps, Mahomes caught sight of Hayward poised to breakthrough; in that lightning-fast moment, he threw the football.

It wasn’t a pass, but rather a lateral toss.

Li Wei burst into view, scooping up the football into his embrace.

False pass, true run.

After a series of straightforward tactics, the Kansas City Chiefs chose a feint for the first time, with Mahomes and Li Wei executing a diversion.

This…

The Pittsburgh Steelers defensive group believed that Mahomes would opt for a pass this time.

A comprehensive step-up to apply pressure was just a façade; in reality, it was only the defensive line rushing to pass.

The cornerbacks had retreated immediately, and the linebackers had not rushed to move.

They began to drop back only after seeing Mahomes observing the defense, covering all short-passing areas tightly with man-to-man and zone defense, forming a Steel Curtain.

The strategy was very simple: lure the enemy deeper in.

Scouting reports showed that Mahomes was a player with a strong desire to pass forward, often trying risky attempts even when chances were slim.

With Mahomes currently sailing with the wind, and his passing offense playing with full momentum, Tomlin craftily created a scenario of all-around pressure that didn’t completely block all options but left a visible gap for the young quarterback, inducing Mahomes to take a risky pass; but in fact, the impervious secondary defense of the Steelers was lying in wait.

Indeed, Mahomes’ feigned passing action thoroughly convinced the Steelers of their strategy, with the secondary defense immediately positioning themselves and covering areas, fully on guard, ready to strike a deadly blow to the Chiefs’ passing offense.

However!

But!

No one expected it to be a false run and a real pass!

Hayward: Damn!

“Trap vs Trap.”

The tactical battle between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs once again sparked at the strategic level.

Hayward didn’t need to look back to know that the area near the kickoff line behind him had been cleared; he was the Steelers’ defensive group’s biggest hope.

A murderous look flared in Hayward’s eyes, the pride of a top defensive end naturally arose, he gritted his teeth and burst forth with energy.

Stamp, impact, exertion, breakthrough.

“`

Just a second ago, Hayward was preparing to charge at Mahomes, but Mahomes took advantage of this gap to hand the football to Li Wei, aiming to disrupt Hayward’s rhythm.

But Hayward wasn’t having any of it.

The next second, Hayward pivoted quickly on his left leg and fell towards Li Wei’s direction.

It looked like he was about to face-plant, but then Hayward’s right leg took a big step forward.

He landed heavily, exerting powerful force, and then his body shot out like an arrow—

Everything was just right.

Bending his knees, lowering his center of gravity, he aimed for Li Wei’s legs like a torpedo.

Hmph.

Hayward let out a grunt, and a fierce backlash came surging like a landslide, momentarily causing his brain to roar, but he clenched his teeth and withstood the impact.

Push off the ground, stride forward.

His upper body almost parallel with the ground, he flew out like ski jumping.

Push off!

Stride!

It all happened in the blink of an eye; before Li Wei had the chance to react, the combined forces of gravity and inertia had already brought Hayward closer.

But this wasn’t enough.

With a burst of energy, he leaped.

Hayward was all in, aiming for Li Wei’s knees as he flew through the air.

Closer, and even closer.

Within arm’s reach!

However, just then, the view in front of him blurred.

The figure that was just in sight had vanished—what happened?

Hayward looked up, and then he saw Li Wei, with an effortless casual sidestep, just stepping away, seemingly without any effort, completely off course.

Hayward: ???

So, was it just he who was here performing a life and death race?

Is that all?

A wave of humiliation swept over him instantly.

But Li Wei didn’t have time to be concerned with Hayward.

Everything was just as Burns said; Hayward’s physical abilities were indeed declining, and he had to rely on experience for positioning.

Once he lost his advantage, his judgment and initiation tended to be hasty.

Though he seemed ferocious, Li Wei didn’t actually need to be too anxious.

By staying cool and calm, patiently waiting in place for a moment, he would see an opening and find the right timing to move out of position.

Hayward’s fatal blow would then completely miss.

It was effortless.

Li Wei changed his steps, using small, consecutive movements to shift his center of gravity and pick up speed.

Hayward was already left behind, and before him was a clear view.

A gap.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ second line of defense was fully retreating, leaving the space near the line of scrimmage with just the defensive line.

Now that the entire defensive line had also stepped up to pressure the pass, the area near the line of scrimmage was completely emptied.

The short-pass area was desolate.

Thus, this became Li Wei’s world.

However, Li Wei didn’t rush forward at full speed, swinging his arms.

Instead, he backpedalled slightly to take in the entire scene ahead of him—

Vince Williams.

TJ Watt.

A double threat!

The two linebackers were returning, blocking the way ahead.

And that wasn’t all.

The corner of his vision caught Cornerback Artie Burns shaking off Kelsey and quickly falling back in defense, forming a pincer movement.

Surrounded on all sides, trapped.

If it all came down to brute force, it would be too boring, wouldn’t it?

Li Wei pursed his lips, a flash of excitement in his eyes.