Chapter 889: 888 Smiling at the World
Donald completed the sack with the demeanor of an executioner, forcefully declaring his presence.
The Los Angeles Rams have not lost, and more importantly, they have not given up. If the Kansas City Chiefs think this game is already in the bag, then they are gravely mistaken.
Under Donald’s imposing aura, the entire audience collectively submits.
A single defensive play reversed the momentum in the dire situation.
Thalia stared at the television screen. Without even realizing it, her hands were tightly clasped together, fingers intertwined, her wildly beating heart silently praying as she searched for Li Wei’s figure amidst the fierce crowd.
Thalia blinked, thinking her eyes were deceiving her. But in the live broadcast, the corner of his mouth beneath the helmet was unmistakably lifting, relaxed and carefree.
Then Thalia realized: this is him, the him she knew so well—standing tall even at the edge of a cliff, fighting to the very end with clenched fists, welcoming every challenge with confidence, laughing through storms.
Li Wei walked toward Mahomes, looking at the battered and defeated Mahomes lying on the ground, and his smile grew brighter. He extended his hand, pulling Mahomes up and patting him on the shoulder.
Over here, they kept pushing the pace and tempo.
Over there, Donald remained unstoppable.
But this is football: a turn-based game where the core lies in the offense-defense chess match.
After rising, Mahomes jumped in place, his gaze lighting up. From Smith and Li Wei, he had learned a great deal, evolving these lessons into something of his own.
Mahomes wasn’t discouraged—not at all, in fact. He was eager and ready.
Mahomes leaned close to Li Wei’s ear, and the two exchanged a few quick words. Afterward, Mahomes connected with Reed through his headset, engaging in a brief back-and-forth conversation. Within moments, the Kansas City Chiefs Offense reassembled.
Second Gear, a 17-yard play.
Donald’s earlier sack cost Mahomes a full seven yards, pushing the starting line from the 17-yard line back to the 24-yard line.
The Kansas City Chiefs upheld their double running back tactic without making immediate adjustments.
The Los Angeles Rams followed suit with no evident changes in formation.
The difference lay in the Rams Defense. The players radiated a killing intent, their fighting spirit burning intensely—a palpable presence in the atmosphere.
Tension gradually tightened.
Unmoved, Mahomes methodically announced the snap.
Donald’s pupils shrank, stepping forward without hesitation, fatigue seemingly forgotten entirely.
Pressure—this was key.
This time, the Los Angeles Rams didn’t all step forward; instead, they stepped back to clear out the short-pass zone.
McVay’s defensive strategy had been carefully calculated and designed. Facing Second Gear at 17 yards, conventionally the Kansas City Chiefs had two choices:
First, hand the football to Li Wei, relying on ground advancement to ease the challenge of Third Gear.
Second, Mahomes could go for a long-pass surprise play, aiming directly for the end zone in one decisive strike.
Thus, the Rams’ defensive focus was on the ground game and the long pass, deliberately leaving the short-pass zone open. Under pressure, Mahomes would see the short-pass gap and, in haste, would likely choose the short pass.
Then the Rams’ secondary defense would immediately close in.
This is called “inviting the enemy into the trap.”
On the surface, the Rams Defensive group’s running positions seemed chaotic; but in reality, every player had their assigned role.
There was man coverage and zone coverage.
Of course, everything ultimately hinged on pressure. If the defensive line couldn’t apply enough pressure, all other tactics would be worthless.
This time, the Rams didn’t pressure en masse but didn’t forget its importance.
Only three men on the defensive line applied pressure; but alongside Donald, Ndamukong also stepped forward.
Normally, Ndamukong dismantles blocks while Donald breaks through. However, the Rams didn’t always follow this playbook—McVay was switching things up in this moment.
Donald charged like a raging bull—simple yet effective.
Ndamukong dismantled walls like an unstoppable wrecking ball.
The two stormed into the pocket, one behind the other. Ndamukong’s view was obstructed by Donald, unable to pinpoint Mahomes’ position; but Donald sounded the alarm.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive tactic was identical to the previous First Gear:
A fake run, real pass.
Li Wei and Damien both approached Mahomes, posturing as if ready to receive the ball for a ground-running play. But immediately, they split.
Li Wei sprinted toward the slot; Damien stepped forward to block Donald.
Meanwhile, Mahomes retreated further, creating space as he searched for a passing target.
The tactic was nearly unchanged.
Donald instinctively sensed something amiss, like a hunter detecting a trap; yet in the blink of an eye, there was no time to analyze, and no room to hesitate.
Donald’s bull charge had to be swift—otherwise, fatigue would take over.
No matter what the Chiefs were scheming, as long as Donald could sack Mahomes, everything would come to a decisive end.
Donald unleashed his energy, surging forward relentlessly.
A directional shift allowed him to easily shrug off Damien, continuing his rush at Mahomes.
Damien prepared to lunge at Donald but noticed Ndamukong closing in; clearly, he couldn’t let Mahomes fall into a double-team trap.
Hastily, Damien positioned himself to block Ndamukong.
A barrage of collisions and clashes—both teams were fully red-eyed and furious.
Donald charged at Mahomes unstoppably, finding Mahomes still scanning and searching. He instantly realized he must act quickly—he couldn’t let Mahomes find a long-pass opening and had to force him into a short-pass play, creating opportunities for the defense group.
Or simply deliver a clean sack to write the final chapter.
Similar situations, similar moments—First and Second Gear were nearly identical; yet Mahomes was slightly different this time: calmer.
Mahomes moved laterally, his agile and nimble footwork fully unleashed.
Lure the snake out of its hole.
This thought flashed in Donald’s mind, but there was no time for hesitation; he pursued resolutely.
In the cat-and-mouse chase, Mahomes deliberately left the pocket, exposing himself.
But there was no danger.
Because the Rams had pulled their defensive players back, clearing the short-pass zone. Even when players saw Mahomes step out of his pocket protection, the linebackers and cornerbacks didn’t have time to step in and assist Donald in surrounding him.
What mattered was Mahomes’ footwork, elongating the chase and gradually draining Donald’s surge of strength and power.
Donald now understood Mahomes’ plan:
He was bait, drawing fire—but who was the real passing target?
Donald had no time to look back or analyze. He gritted his teeth, summoning another burst of energy, chasing at full tilt.
Speed and power erupted instantly, closing the gap to Mahomes in giant strides.
Donald unleashed with everything he had, to the very limit.
In the split second, ever watchful and alert, Mahomes looked toward the wide-open left zone and swung his arm forcefully.
Effortless yet seismic.
The football left his hand, rising swiftly.