LRAB Chapter 663: 662 Three times Third Gear
Chapter 663: 662 Three times Third Gear
Chapter 663: 662 Three times Third Gear
Harbaugh, still the wily veteran—
Currently, the Kansas City Chiefs Offense ranks first in the league, not only in scoring but also in passing and rushing offenses, delivering an adrenaline-pumping, no-dull-moment battle against the Los Angeles Rams.
Facing such a vibrant and in-form Kansas City Chiefs, the Baltimore Ravens indeed have the disadvantage, their Offensive group is not capable of engaging in a shootout, nor is their Defensive group able to stop the opponent.
For the Baltimore Ravens to completely shut down the Kansas City Chiefs Offense would be practically an impossible mission; overcommitting forces in this area might lead to neglecting others, putting the team in jeopardy.
Therefore, Harbaugh did not make the foolish mistake of engaging the Chiefs in a do-or-die struggle.
Instead, Harbaugh left gaps and holes, applying pressure through blitzes to guide the offense, allowing the Kansas City Chiefs Offense some room to maneuver, even being mentally prepared for the Chiefs to score early; however, gradually disrupting Mahomes’s rhythm, forcing him into an uncomfortable and unfamiliar game mode.
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If Mahomes had already been a starter for two or three seasons, with plenty of experience and had developed a more diverse and adaptable playing style, capable of making on-the-spot adjustments based on the opponent’s strategy, Harbaugh’s tactics might not have been effective immediately, and the contest between the two would continue.
But Harbaugh precisely targeted Mahomes’s lack of game experience, quietly disrupting his rhythm like a spider luring a fly into its web.
Then, seizing the initiative.
That is to say, think ten steps ahead for every move you make.
The game has just started, and Harbaugh is already focusing on the full game strategy.
It’s not just Mahomes—Reed too.
Reed has the advantage of a clear perspective, comprehensively surveying the whole game; he can vaguely discern Harbaugh’s strategy. However, the key is that the Baltimore Ravens Defense executed their tactics well at the opening stage, indeed not giving the Kansas Chiefs much room to adjust, so Reed didn’t rush to change tactics—
He watched and waited.
Consequently, at the initial stage, the game reached a subtle deadlock.
The Baltimore Ravens forced the Kansas City Chiefs into Third Gear situations three times.
Yet, the Chiefs managed to convert on third down all three times, continuing their offense.
Undercurrents surged, tension spread.
Li Wei was no exception.
This was Li Wei’s second season, but in terms of experience, it was not enough.
Li Wei could vaguely sense the traps set by the Baltimore Ravens Defense, but for the moment, he couldn’t articulate the exact problems with the situation.
However, the stalemate said it all—
Then.
The Baltimore Ravens Defense maintains a similar rhythm, intensity, and strategy, not needing to expend all their energy in a desperate attempt to take down Mahomes and, by doing so, risk exposing themselves to his sneaky strikes in the backfield; and yet, they are able to stay proactive within their effective defense.
Their defensive efficiency, very impressive.
As a result, Li Wei once again faces a stop—
He advances three yards.
Second and seven, Kansas Chiefs Offense still looking fragmented.
Li Wei stands up; he wasn’t surrounded, just single-covered against Saggs, but he could see the eyes of the Ravens’ players all around, their black jerseys like devils from hell.
Add to that the cold weather, the football in Li Wei’s hands wasn’t fully controlled during Saggs’s collision; distracted slightly by the need to protect the ball, he ended up tackled to the ground.
Unseen strength and pressure loom over the Kansas Chiefs Offense.
Li Wei stands up, tosses the football to the referee, and instead of lining up quickly, he stands still for a moment to think, recalling the positions and formations of the Baltimore Ravens Defense just now—
They’re not layered but rather fragmented.
Between the defensive front and the secondary, they seem to deliberately leave a space of about five to ten yards.
So, is this a trap?
“Rookie?”
Mahomes calls out.
Li Wei looks up, responds, but doesn’t say much and quickly gets back to the formation.
Mahomes doesn’t think too much either, hastening to lay out the tactics.
Then, everyone is lined up.
Bending his knees and lowering his center of gravity, Li Wei closely observes the defensive group’s formation, trying to extrapolate more from the theoretical flat diagrams.
Whew.
Because of the cold, a slight exhale; you could see the mist emerging, the air and the field looking exceptionally clear and bright, the skin taut, nearly cracking, with a faint sting spreading across the surface of his arms.
A loud voice cuts through the sky, startling the birds.
“Offense!”