Chapter 830: 829 Cross Running Back Chapter 830: 829 Cross Running Back Sudden stop, sudden turn!
Then, once again, sudden stop, sudden turn!
In the blink of an eye, Mahomes executed two rapid shifts, creating a breath of space, decisively leaving the pocket, his vision opening up completely.
Hill was sprinting down the left sideline, his steps already entering the Red Zone, but a defender was glued to his side, stride for stride, not allowing him to break free.
Watkins and Li Wei were on the right. Since Mahomes was standing on the left, from this angle, his vision was blocked by the tangled area of the front line, rendering it unclear. Vaguely, he could see the two continuing their vertical advance.
No, the view was obstructed.
Just as Mahomes was about to keep moving, the corner of his eye caught sight of Hightower lunging at him—
Mahomes darted left; Hightower relentlessly pursued.
Although Hightower’s steps were faltering, he threw his body forward with all his momentum. Unlike Mahomes, who had to split his focus to search for passing targets, Hightower was singularly locked onto his objective, gaining speed instead.
Hightower’s eyes flared with a dangerous glint:
The New England Patriots’ defensive group had finally seized a rare opportunity, precisely at the moment when the Kansas City Chiefs were preparing a pass, but Belichick had seen through their intent. Their relentless pressure on the frontline pass rush was paying off.
He wasn’t going to let it slip away.
With full commitment, Hightower charged recklessly at Mahomes.
But just as Hightower was about to execute his tackle, his vision blurred—there was a flicker of red that wavered and returned, another sudden shift. Instinctively, Hightower reached out with both hands, his upper body responding just in time.
His arms barely touched Mahomes’ body when, in the next instant, he was caught in a whirlwind. Only then did Hightower realize during the sudden stop and turn that his feet hadn’t followed through. His body twisted awkwardly into a contorted mess, losing balance.
Damn it, damn it, damn it!
Just moments prior, Mahomes had stopped abruptly and turned on a dime, pulling off a sharp pivot to evade Hightower’s tackle, moving horizontally to the right once more.
Everything happened in the blink of an eye.
Now, Hightower looked awkwardly at Mahomes, as Roberts also charged in at full speed. The two figures flanked Mahomes from left and right.
Trap him like a rat in a cage.
Mahomes realized the danger too—like shadows following him, impossible to shake off.
Hit the brakes, pause, observe, swing an arm.
Within the crevice of chaos, Mahomes made a swift judgment. Before Hightower hit the ground and as Roberts encroached, his right hand unleashed a quick pass
The two defenders abandoned Mahomes entirely, flinging themselves toward the football instead. They pushed off the ground, leaped, stretched out—every movement seamless.
But just as they lost their balance mid-dive, the realization struck:
Mahomes’ gaze had focused sharply on Hill, clearly signaling an intent to connect; but as the football released from his wrist, the arc shot rightward instead.
And so, both Hightower and Roberts lunged at thin air.
Bodies soaring midair, yet their gaze remained locked on the ball.
Lightning-fast, sprinting ahead.
Li Wei charged forward in a straight line. From the moment the play began, he showed no hesitation, no second-guessing, and no time wasted in conflicts. With unwavering determination, he unleashed his speed entirely.
Van Noy kept a steadfast eye on Li Wei, tailing him step-for-step. Speed wasn’t his forte, but he preemptively positioned himself as an obstacle, blocking Li Wei’s path forward, forcing him to change direction.
His build, like an immovable barricade—unyielding and impassable.
Li Wei didn’t intend to engage.
The focus now was on unleashing the deep field potential. The New England Patriots had been guarding against it nonstop, always on high alert. If the Kansas City Chiefs failed to exploit it soon, the tight defense inside the Red Zone would introduce a completely different type of passing opponent.
Thus, whether or not Mahomes initiated a deep pass, Kansas City needed to demonstrate this intent to hold New England’s defensive unit in check.
Li Wei and Hill played this pivotal role.
Without hesitation, Li Wei cleanly shifted lanes and pushed forward. After all, the space on the field was vast—Van Noy couldn’t possibly cover it all.
Just as Li Wei made his move, Van Noy immediately recognized the threat—
Li Wei had discerned New England’s strategy of man-to-man marking rather than zone coverage. This gave him freedom to roam across various zones and utilize his speed to break free.
Van Noy had already suffered at the hands of Li Wei’s sheer pace. Even resorting to fouls couldn’t stop him—humiliating.
This time, Van Noy played smarter.
He didn’t close in but maintained some distance, like flying a kite—never too close or too far, leveraging the space to buy himself time. If and when Li Wei became a passing target, he’d make his move.
Like leopard chasing gazelle, they kept their tense distance, advancing steadily.
Li Wei noticed this—it was unnerving.
Simultaneously, Li Wei noticed two defenders enveloping Kelsey, leaving Watkins open in a gap. What did this mean?
Making a snap decision, Li Wei ran toward Watkins’ position.
Clearly, Watkins didn’t immediately understand Li Wei’s tactical intent. When it came to synergy, Kelsey and Hill were superior.
But Watkins, intensely focused, observed the trouble brewing in Mahomes’ pocket, the defenders pressuring Damien and Kelsey. He quickly deduced that he might be the open target and needed to make himself visible to Mahomes.
Sprinting, repositioning—Watkins tried to stretch the gap wide open.
It was then that Watkins noticed Li Wei. Then he noticed Van Noy shadowing Li Wei from behind and Chung leaving his position to cover Hill. Watkins suddenly felt he was onto something.
Inexperienced rookie, what should I do?
No time for feedback—Li Wei had already darted past Watkins from behind. Watkins froze momentarily, then noticed Van Noy’s steps pause ahead of him, a hint of hesitation breaking through.
Clearly, the one-on-one marking had been disrupted.
Van Noy kept his gaze glued to Li Wei but began wavering internally.
On impulse, Watkins sprinted forward, glancing at Li Wei.
As Li Wei approached the sideline, he suddenly pivoted sharply, turning a ninety-degree angle and cutting along a forty-five-degree diagonal toward the end zone.
Watkins understood immediately and accelerated along a forty-five-degree diagonal toward the right, breaking through between Li Wei and Van Noy.
The two ran a diamond-shaped crossing route, leaving Van Noy utterly overwhelmed.
Wha…What’s happening?
Previously, Van Noy had tailed Li Wei step-for-step; now he hesitated, faltering briefly. It dawned on Van Noy that he was caught in a one-against-two predicament—but it felt like twenty red jerseys lined up against him.