Dominate the Super Bowl-Chapter 802 - : Bite the bullet at 801

Chapter 802: Bite the bullet at 801

“…Edelman, Edelman again and again!”

“Connection! Caught!”

“Beautiful!”

“Edelman once again demonstrates his top-tier ability to create receiving space in tight quarters. It’s hard to believe how clumsy Cornerback Fuller looks in front of him.”

“A short three-yard pass, and Edelman, relying on his individual abilities, completes the catch amidst tight defense. But it’s clear Edelman hasn’t planned to stop advancing.”

“Edelman is dodging and weaving, like a nimble armadillo.”

“Oh! Houston! Justin Houston makes a timely tackle, cleanly and decisively ending Edelman’s breakthrough attempt.”

“Still, the New England Patriots completed a six-yard third down conversion and extended their drive. Brady is now playing with lethal intent.”

Huff, huff.

Houston pants heavily, taking big, desperate breaths. His lungs feel like they’re burning, and the freezing cold air stabs at his alveoli like embroidered needles, a sharp pain spreading through his chest. His knees tremble slightly, barely able to keep him upright—

The physical toll is harsher than usual. The second half has just begun, yet he feels as though he’s already in overtime. This is despite having gotten a first-round bye in this year’s Wild Card round, making this physical rebellion by his body unprecedented.

The game remains a deadlock.

Edelman. Damn Edelman.

At 5’9″ (178 cm), Edelman is small in stature and looks like a dwarf invading a land of giants when surrounded by defenders. But Edelman is incredibly adept at using his size, relying on quick footwork and keen instincts to create gaps in crowded defenses.

Whether it’s man-to-man coverage or zone defense, Edelman always finds a flaw.

Especially against zone defense—if defenders aren’t careful, Edelman will find the gaps in the “Heavenly Net,” allowing Brady to thread the needle for a successful connection.

If man-to-man coverage is chosen instead, the Kansas City Chiefs’ secondary lacks a defender who can fully shadow Edelman. Fuller is already the closest match for Edelman’s speed and agility.

Thus, the Chiefs’ pass defense now faces a stern challenge.

However, to be fair, if Edelman were the only receiving option, the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense wouldn’t seem nearly as beleaguered. The real issue lies in New England’s cohesive teamwork.

First, rookie running back Sony Michel, selected 31st overall in this year’s first round.

Second, tight end Gronkowski, the heavy artillery weapon.

Statistically, Michel, Gronkowski, and Edelman all had average seasons this year, none reaching a 1,000-yard benchmark. Yet, the New England Patriots’ offensive unit ranks fourth in the league—the fundamental reason being their teamwork. Brady always finds the right target at the right moment.

A running back, a tight end, and a wide receiver—the exact same top-tier configuration as the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense but with a slightly different style. The Patriots still manage to find ways to sustain their advancements in tough situations.

This moment is no different.

The Kansas City Chiefs Defense has performed admirably, forcing the New England Patriots into a third-down predicament four times already, three of which were on long yardage.

Still, in moments of adversity, the Patriots’ offense elevates its game. In critical moments, they consistently rise to the occasion, converting on third downs and stubbornly continuing their drive.

And now, in the blink of an eye, they’ve crossed midfield and are nearing the Red Zone.

This is Belichick and Brady’s direct response to the Chiefs’ recent offensive drive.

Houston fixates his gaze on Brady, his knees nearly giving out, but the unyielding determination in his eyes burns fiercely:

Let’s see them test our mettle.

“Pressure!”

“Blitz!”

“The Kansas City Chiefs defensive front suddenly applies immense pressure without any warning.”

“Chris Jones! Justin Houston!”

“Brady feels the heat, throws the pass—the target is—

Gronkowski!”

“Brady attempts to connect with his tight end, but the trajectory of the pass is off, the arc uncontrolled. The pass is incomplete—clearly, he felt the pressure.”

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…

“Fake handoff! Run play!”

“The ball is in running back Michel’s hands. Whoa!”

“Where did Houston come from? Like a beast out of nowhere, he pounces directly on Michel, slamming him to the ground with a clean, decisive stop to end this rushing play.”

“Third and seven.”

“The New England Patriots face yet another long third down, with the outcome hanging in the balance.”

“But this time, how will Belichick and Brady handle it?”

The atmosphere in Arrowhead Stadium surges, the crowd thunderously chanting, “Defense!” The deafening cries pierce through the rain, reverberating across the field, igniting the icy night with fiery intensity.

Houston readies himself.

His knees still tremble slightly, his forward-leaning body teetering as he struggles to stay steady. Yet, from his calves to his thighs, his muscles are taut, every fiber of his being focused and poised to explode into action at any moment.

“Attack!”

Amidst the sound of the rain, Houston locks onto a voice and launches forward in an instant.

Without hesitation, he goes on the offensive—

They must apply pressure, even at the cost of weakening their coverage in the short-pass zones. Brady must feel the impact.

This is the key.

Pushing off, mustering strength, his knee locks straight, and his body’s protests are silenced. His mind fixates entirely on the figure standing in the pocket.

Number 12.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

The solid collision of bodies, the fierce clash of strength against strength, sends waves rippling through the air. The moisture in the atmosphere seems to boil from the intensity.

But Houston remains unfazed.

He sidesteps the tangle at the line and prepares to pierce into the pocket. At that moment, he spots the handoff between Brady and Michel—

Run play?

Is Belichick planning to surprise them with a rushing tactic to convert this long third down?

No. Houston doesn’t believe it.

On the surface, the Patriots appear to attempt a sudden ground assault to disrupt the rhythm. Yet Houston’s intuition sounds alarms.

He halts, brakes, pivots, and backpedals.

The sharp, sudden movements flow seamlessly as Houston glances diagonally backward—

Edelman and Gronkowski have taken position along different routes.

As expected, Belichick leverages the Chiefs’ aggressive blitz strategy with a fake run to set up a pass. The real intention remains a throw.

The question is, Edelman or Gronkowski?

Experience suggests it’s Gronkowski. Even under triple coverage, Gronkowski can effortlessly snatch the ball to advance. He has always been Brady’s most reliable partner for third-down conversions.

For a fleeting moment, Houston instinctively shifts his gaze toward Gronkowski.

However, his instinct pulls him swiftly toward Edelman.

Splish, splash.

His steps splash through the rain as he zeroes in on Edelman.

Amid the chaos and congestion, Edelman surgically carves out a gap. A quick stop, a sudden turn, and the three-yard pass from Brady lands cleanly in Edelman’s hands, right on target.

Edelman doesn’t even turn around. With his back to the end zone, he digs into the turf, readying to keep advancing.

But this time, before he can take a step, a fierce figure leaps out like a wolf, wrapping tightly around his waist. The combined force of momentum and physical power drives Edelman to the ground abruptly.