Dominate the Super Bowl

Buzz, buzz, buzz—

Above the eardrum, there was a roar.

Derrick Henry couldn't believe his eyes as he looked toward the field—on the brink of elimination in a playoff game, Li Wei had actually pulled a trick play, an audacious move that completely toyed with the Tennessee Titans' defensive group.

Trick play is a major characteristic of football.

The key lies in the word "Trick".

This word can be interpreted as prank, sleight, deceit, feigning, ingenuity, and so on. Every Halloween, when children knock on doors asking for candy, the chant "trick or treat" signifies the "Trick".

Applied in the thick strategic playbooks of football, it can be understood as deception in warfare, but to put it more vividly, it's showboating.

It involves the unexpected choice of tactical combinations within the boundaries of football rules:

For instance, an offensive tackle becoming an eligible receiver—but they must notify the head referee.

For example, the running back takes on the role of passing the ball.

Another example is when it appears to be a punt by the special duty group, but instead, the punter assumes the role of quarterback and starts passing the ball.

And so forth.

In fact, NFL rules state that the quarterback is not the only player who can pass the ball; any player can pass the ball, and there can be unlimited passes during each offensive, subject to three restrictions:

First, during each offensive, backward passes and lateral passes are unlimited, but there is only one opportunity to pass forward—

The sideline referee is responsible for judging whether the pass is forward. If a forward pass is repeated, it's a foul.

Second, if the ball carrier steps beyond the offensive line of scrimmage, then a forward pass is not allowed, but backward and lateral passes are still permissible—

Hence, during a read option, the running back or quarterback must decide whether to run or pass before crossing the line of scrimmage.

Third, among the offensive group, the five players on the offensive line are not allowed to actively catch or pass the ball, with two exceptions.

One is that after the football is passed, if it's batted or deflected by a player which changes its trajectory, they're then allowed to catch it.

Two is notifying the head referee in advance that a specific player is also an eligible receiver. You cannot vaguely state that the offensive line can catch; it must be the specific name and number of a player, and only one player may be designated.

Of course, the rules are more detailed and nuanced—

Sometimes, even the head referee may not be fully aware of all the rules. This is no joke, as that rulebook, which puts the Oxford dictionary to shame, updates every year, so referees also need to confirm the rules repeatedly.

Just now, the Kansas Chiefs' offense needed to consume seven seconds. They had many options:

Like Li Wei running the ball backwards.

Or passing the ball to each other backward.

And so on, to maintain possession until the end of the game time; but all these strategies carry risks. If an interception or a fumble occurs, or if they face an interception return touchdown, then the Tennessee Titans would stage an incredible comeback.

Clearly, Reed wasn't prepared to put himself in such a dire predicament.

So, Reed chose the safest, yet still tricky, strategy.
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The football wasn't placed in the quarterback's hands but given to Li Wei, who could always secure the ball no matter what.

Then Li Wei positioned himself to pass, ready to connect with Kelsey.

This move was a feint—

If Orakpo kept his focus solely on Li Wei, undistracted, then Li Wei would have to decide on his own whether to protect the ball and fall to the ground or connect with Kelsey.

If Orakpo shifted to defend Kelsey instead, then Li Wei would advance with the ball himself.

In other words, Reed had hidden a Read Option Offense within the ground attack, using Li Wei as a running quarterback, banking on Li Wei's composure in the face of danger and his intimidating presence against the Tennessee Titans.

Actually, this involved taking a significant risk—

Because football is a highly specialized collective endeavor, a running back is a running back, a safety is a safety; different positions require different selection processes, training, and stylistic approaches, all distinct from one another.

A slight oversight, and a trick play might just backfire on oneself.

Just like what just happened.

Li Wei really hadn't passed the ball before, despite practicing with Tomlinson's training template, but after focusing on training as a Wide Receiver for over a month, his quarterback passing skills were indeed rusty. If he were actually to make a pass, it was unpredictable what kind of pass he would throw, and the risks were naturally unimaginable.

Read Option Offense was more popular in college games, because those players often relied more on their physicality, and it didn't matter if their skills were a bit rough; they frequently played different positions under the principle that more skills couldn't hurt. However, after entering the Professional League, where everyone is a talent, every player needs to be the best in their specific field, making it difficult to take on other positions.

Moreover, the key to the Read Option is the element of surprise.

Once it's no longer fresh and unique, the professional opponents will teach you a good lesson about why you shouldn't show off carelessly.

On the surface, it looked like Reed took a risk; but upon closer inspection, it was a risk taken under absolute advantage, and Reed also took multiple precautions, ultimately placing the burden on Li Wei's shoulders in the end.

Indeed, Li Wei did not disappoint him.

"Fly!"

"Fly!"

The entire Arrowhead Stadium went utterly wild—

Because they finally ended the shameful record of five consecutive playoff home losses, and because they successfully advanced to the divisional round, and this time it was after a hard-fought battle, a battle to the last drop of blood, where the Kansas City Chiefs finally won a crucial battle.

When it was time to be forceful, the Kansas City Chiefs finally showed force for the first time in twenty years.

Finally!

Cheering, shouting, roaring, tears, passion.

The Arrowhead Stadium erupted in wild cheers and frenzied jumping, as if they had won more than just a wildcard game—this game was imbued with so much more significance.

Henry felt a pang of envy.

He couldn't believe Reed actually entrusted the final critical offensive play to Li Wei in the final moments, nor could he believe Li Wei had completely toyed with them using a Read Option play, even less could he believe they were so close to grasping victory only to miss it at their fingertips—

If it weren't for the lingering fear after that fumble, if the ground offensive could have successfully broken through thereafter, once he secured the initial assault, the Kansas Chiefs Offense wouldn't have had another chance to take the field.

If only...

Alas, in this world, there are no ifs.

And so, the game ended—

The victory belonged to the Kansas City Chiefs.

He had dreamed of such a scene countless times, descending like a legendary hero to rescue his team, winning the cheers of thousands upon thousands of Tennessee Titans fans; however, this time he merely brushed past that dream, becoming a spectator to someone else's miraculous comeback.

Bitterness. Regret. Frustration.

All these emotions spread at the tip of his tongue, then twisted into a smile that climbed up the corners of his mouth.

Last season, Saban trusted Li Wei, giving him the final key offensive drive in the nationwide championship.

This season, Reed trusted Li Wei, and a familiar scene replayed itself.

Once could be a coincidence, twice—could it still be just chance?

No, Henry didn't believe it was coincidence.

The only explanation was that Li Wei had proven himself and earned the head coach's trust; it was that simple.

Up until today, he had always believed he was the flagbearer of the Crimson Tide Storm; but now, it seemed, someone had already sprinted ahead of him.