Dominate the Super Bowl

Chapter 380 379 a ray of hope

Belichick, truly was Belichick.

While everyone's focus was on time management and securing the victory, Belichick was preparing an unconventional play to break the norms and seize the opportunity created by the Kansas City Chiefs' desperate all-out attempt.

Faced with second down and fifteen yards, the New England Patriots unpredictably launched a powerful long-pass attack, a very rare event in the game.

Moreover, Belichick thoughtfully arranged the plan, ensuring Brady would not be sacked again—

A running back and a wide receiver both fell back, acting as the sixth and seventh men of the offensive line, creating a dam.

Finally, this season's fluctuating and unstable offensive line felt the devilish stare of Brady and put on a convincing performance.

Hold!

The New England Patriots managed to withstand the Kansas City Chiefs' tide of players with a numerical advantage, sparing no expense at the frontline confrontation.

At least, the New England Patriots could afford to gamble.

Because they had Gronkowski.

Although the Patriots sacrificed a wide receiver to strengthen pocket protection, meaning they only had three receiving options left, these included Amendola and the formidable weapon, Gronkowski.

The pressure, all pushed to the Chiefs.

Revis had not deciphered the Patriots' offensive tactics this time, he still tried to step up to assist in the pass rush but quickly realized something was off, the number of protectors signaling the urgency as an alarm bell went off.

Reboot.

Keeping an eye on Brady's pocket movements while locating Gronkowski's position.

However, Gronkowski's ability lays in managing to catch the football even amidst strong opposition, not just in one-on-one scenarios but also when faced with double or triple coverage.

If they focused on Gronkowski, Brady could pass to Amendola.

If they didn't, no one was confident in handling Gronkowski one-on-one.

But at this moment, Revis could no longer worry about that—

Found him!

Gronkowski's large and robust frame was especially conspicuous, now even more so as the Chiefs' backfield was wide open, highlighting him even further.

Ta Ta Ta, Ta Ta Ta.

Revis was observing, catching the first glimpse of safety Eric Murray.

Eric Murray, who stepped up as the starter safety for the Chiefs following Berry's season-ending injury, failed to fill Berry's shoes to Reed's satisfaction. Berry's starting position was rotated among three safeties as they searched for the ideal combination.

Unfortunately, there was only one Berry.

Even into the playoffs, no player had solidified their claim to the starting spot left by Berry.

This detail revealed that Murray was not a top player.

And now, Murray had to face Gronkowski alone, who was difficult to control even for several top players combined; this...

Revis had no confidence either, but if he coordinated with Murray, there might be a glimmer of hope.

However, Revis had joined the team not long ago, and his time to blend with the secondary defensive line was minimal, let alone having a tacit understanding, even ordinary tactical coordination might not go smoothly.

What to do?

There was no way back now, they had to forge ahead, even if it meant doing so begrudgingly.

Revis, after all, was experienced and promptly looked up to track the trajectory of the football—

It began to descend past the midfield line.

This was likely a long pass of about forty-five to fifty yards.

This was not within Brady's comfortable passing range.

In Brady's arsenal, long passes were not prominent, although he could throw them, his stability and accuracy were relatively poorer; of course, this was relative, as from an absolute perspective, Brady's long passes were strong.

After traveling more than forty yards, the football's spin and parabola became unstable, typically requiring the receiver's self-adjustment to complete the reception, thus challenging the receiver's skill.

For this reason, when making a long pass, Brady still preferred to target receivers he was familiar with.

Like now, Gronkowski.

After a quick glance, Revis made his judgment, quickly looked towards Murray, waving his right hand to signal him to engage Gronkowski.

Revis didn't know if Murray had seen him, nor if Murray understood his intentions, but there was no time left to think about that.

Advance, further advance.

Then, a cut across.

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...

Meanwhile, Murray was rapidly closing in on Gronkowski, knowing he couldn't match him in a head-on confrontation, but he still needed to give it his all.

Wait, Revis?

What did that mean?

Murray wasn't sure, and there wasn't enough time to think it through in the split second; the only thing he was certain of was that Revis was joining him in defense.

He felt slightly relieved.

Murray glanced up at the descending curve of the Football.

Here it came.

Taking the lead, Murray pressed his body against Gronkowski's shoulder, preventing him from turning to face the Football; but Gronkowski, like a whale rolling, managed to turn around, his immense strength bursting forth, forcefully pushing Murray out.

Then, both men, with their backs to the end zone, faced the incoming direction of the Football, and Gronkowski was ready to catch it.

Arrgh, agh!

Murray clenched his teeth hard; he hadn't given up but used all his strength and body weight to completely crush against Gronkowski's body.

Push, collide, squeeze.

Like an ant shaking a tree, now Murray finally knew what that felt like—Gronkowski remained immovable.

However.

Just then, a figure in a white jersey darted across, cutting in front of him.

A sprint, a jump.

Revis completely leaped into the air, stretching his arms and body to the extreme, even his fingertips extending from his palms, facing up, back down, his body resembling a whale breaching the water surface.

Majestic and graceful

The right hand appeared on the descent path of the Football.

An interception?

No, just missed.

Revis fully extended, his fingertips lightly grazed the Football—

Swipe.

A nudge, a flick.

Exhausted.

As his fingertips parted ways with the Football, Revis felt the pull of gravity, falling rapidly, with the Football spinning rapidly in his pupils, its trajectory rising just slightly.

Revis saw it.

Murray and Gronkowski saw it too.

Time, frozen!

Then—

Murray, pushing off the ground, exerting force, colliding!

With all the power from deep within his Dantian clinging onto Gronkowski's right shoulder, firmly suppressing that side of his shoulder and chest.

It was just a fleeting moment.

Gronkowski could only watch helplessly as the Football grazed past his right fingertips—

Damn it!

"Pass incomplete!"

"God, the New England Patriots' unexpected long pass attack failed to materialize, Revis and Murray together thwarted Gronkowski's chance to seal the game, securing a lifeline for the Kansas City Chiefs."

"The Kansas City Chiefs Defense showcased unbelievable energy in the final quarter of the game, assuming a position of absolute dominance, throttling the reigning champions."

"Third Gear thirteen yards, the New England Patriots now face the dilemma of an extremely long down, with the Kansas City Chiefs breathing on the edge of the cliff."

"Splendid! Absolutely splendid! Applause for the entire Kansas City Chiefs Defense! They demonstrated relentless resolve!"

"Incredible!"