Chapter 1450: Chapter 1449: Flustered and Hasty
“David! David! Quickly, quick!”
Kansas City, Old Oak Tavern, David Anderson remained steadfast.
He wanted to go to Hard Rock Stadium to watch the game; he wanted to be part of the Kansas City Chiefs’ historic moment; he wanted to stand alongside the team and face any outcome with composure.
However, he couldn’t—
because of Old Oak Tavern.
Besides being a tavern, it was also a gathering place for fans. They all convened here to watch the live broadcast, to stand with the team. He couldn’t abandon these old friends and comrades.
As he said before, no matter where he was, he was a part of the Kansas City Chiefs, even if staying at Old Oak Tavern, he was still with the team.
From his grandfather to his father, and then to him, they always guarded this little tavern.
Another busy day, West and Carter had all headed to Miami, leaving him alone in Kansas City, almost overwhelmed, nearly missing the start.
Anderson hurriedly came out of the warehouse, yet before he reached the counter, the entire Old Oak Tavern was engulfed in madness, waves of heat exploding strongly.
“Touchdown!”
“Touchdown ahhhh!”
“He’s here, he’s there, he’s everywhere, he’s the edgerunner, Li Wei, Li Wei, Li Wei!”
Anderson was in a flurry, panicked, immediately shaking his head and looking at the TV wall—
Touchdown, so fast?
Frenzy swept across the North American continent, causing Anderson to be completely dumbstruck, momentarily forgetting his lifelong bustling daily life.
Watching Li Wei stand in the end zone, raising his finger high, Anderson’s smile involuntarily widened, Li Wei, indeed is Li Wei, always Li Wei.
Swiftly, Anderson finished his task, before the Kansas City Chiefs Defense took the field, he stationed himself and stared intently at the TV screen, afraid of missing another San Francisco 49ers counterattack like just now.
Unexpectedly, the game fell into a deadlock directly.
A series of quick short passes, San Francisco 49ers’ offense appeared vigorous; but their actual advance was slow-moving, akin to a snail’s crawl, the offense progressed only inch by inch.
Anderson: …
From an explosive start, it unexpectedly plunged into a tense deadlock. The abrupt change left even experienced fans in a daze, each and everyone was momentarily shocked.
Apparently, not just Anderson, countless families and bars across the North American continent, holding chips and beer, rushed to stand in front of the TV, letting out bewildered sighs and complaints, unabashedly expressing their dissatisfaction.
Anderson took a deep breath, “At least the guys seem to have shrugged off their burdens.”
After whinging, Anderson got busy again. Today would likely be the busiest day in Old Oak Tavern in three years, with at least two thousand people at the tavern entrance, the whole street was packed.
More accurately, the whole Kansas City seemed deserted, all eyes were gathered on the Super Bowl.
Just as Anderson said, Kansas City Chiefs Defense unburdened, quickly got into form.
Actually, Shanahan’s game adjustment threw off their plans, showcasing a state entirely different from the two playoff games, posing a challenge for Kansas City Chiefs; but under Li Wei’s leadership, Kansas City Chiefs Defense quickly regained footing, amidst chaos and upheaval.
On the surface, Garoppolo succeeded with short passes repeatedly, but essentially, Kansas City Chiefs Defense held position under pressure without conceding long yards, firmly throttling San Francisco 49ers’ series of passing offense to a ground attack, ensuring focus remained high amidst this see-saw standoff.
This is quite remarkable.
San Francisco 49ers secured six first downs, with four facing third-down challenges, Shanahan was especially busy with his in-game tactics, it seemed as if an invisible hand orchestrated on a chess board, continuously aiding San Francisco 49ers to overcome third-down conversions, allowing the offense to persist.
Tussle, tug-of-war, stalemate.
San Francisco 49ers exerted immense effort reaching Kansas City Chiefs’ thirteen-yard line in their half, with less than four minutes remaining in the first quarter, incredibly, the teams had only completed two rounds of offensive turns, even with the first offensive being a lightning strike.
No matter, San Francisco 49ers were in the touchdown zone range.
First and ten yards, without warning, Shanahan opted for a ground attack.
Kittel and Yushchek dismantled and cleared the path, and following their consistent strong season performance, beautifully paved the way for running back Mostert, crashing left and right, clearing line and cornerbacks, blocking further defensive players from tackling, showcasing San Francisco 49ers’ ground superiority—
Unworthy of being league’s second.
Moreover, remember, Kansas City Chiefs’ ground defense indeed ranked bottom last in the league, plus San Francisco 49ers concealed with disguised runs and real passes, failing to keep pace, totally blocked by Kittel and Yushchek’s positions.
Kansas City Chiefs: Damn!
Not only the players, fans too noticed that Kansas City Chiefs Defense had a big loophole opening, Mostert had almost a clear run ahead.
Mostert swiftly stepped forward, ready to charge.
Unexpectedly, from the left diagonal front, within a corner where two offensive linemen tangled, a red figure forcefully broke through dragging an offensive lineman, trampling over the penalty-holding offensive lineman, charging directly at Mostert’s waist like an iron horse.
Mostert’s view was blocked by Yushchek, overlooking his left side—
which was the blind side.
“Tackle!”
“Nice! This is Chris Jones’ first sack of the game! Despite being affected by injuries, Chris Jones had almost no performance tonight, but at a crucial moment, this Defensive Captain still stood out in time!”
“Second down and twelve yards, San Francisco 49ers’ ground attack sneak failed!”
Chris Jones gritted his teeth, eyes bursting with a killing gaze.
Even after stopping Mostert behind the line, Chris Jones didn’t celebrate, like a hungry wolf, glaring fiercely at Garoppolo.
The end zone was just a stone’s throw away, Kansas City Chiefs still had no retreat.
Look at Li Wei’s performance, defying seven, tearing open a bloody path for them to establish an advantage, Defense could not simply hand it away.
“Attack!”
Garoppolo could feel the pressure, yet he steadied his stance, announcing the snap.
His mind, clear as day.
Garoppolo feigned a handoff, this time directed at running back Brida, anyways, San Francisco 49ers’ strategy was to confuse opponents through continual switching.
Pause, retreat—
Fake run, real pass.
Garoppolo didn’t pass the football, raised his hand to find Kittel at the right diagonal front, ready for short pass connection, relying on Kittel’s personal prowess to forcefully advance yards, preparing for third down.
No need to rush, no need to do it all at once, step by step would suffice.
However, Garoppolo saw Kittel trapped by two players, Cornerback Fowler unexpectedly held position firmly, blocking Kittel behind him, and as ferocious as a wolf, intensely glaring at Garoppolo.
That gaze reminded Garoppolo of Chris Jones.
Indeed, the bad luck sometimes prevails over the good luck.
In the next second—
Damn!
Those eyes of Chris Jones were really right in front of Garoppolo!