Chapter 1385: Chapter 1384: Waiting for the Hare by the Tree
Blitz?
Indeed, it’s a blitz. Jones and Clark both charged into the pocket; it’s a premeditated blitz with the goal of sacking the quarterback.
However, Jones never forgot the core strategy of this defensive wave: disruption.
If they can sack the quarterback, that’s naturally the best result; but what if they can’t? Watson is a mobile quarterback, and his ability to escape sacks with his legs shouldn’t be underestimated; they must prepare backup plans, like the one at hand.
So, when Jones saw Watson quickly retreat and scan, he instantly assessed the positions of himself, Watson, and Clark, and without hesitation, abandoned the forward sack, stood upright, and raised both hands high, waving them like windshield wipers.
Disrupt the passing vision!
Moreover, Jones knew Watson’s likely pass target——
Hopkins.
This season, the Houston Texans’ offensive group has often exploded with strength to complete the task, the key being the running back, wide receiver, and tight end spreading their power, flourishing on multiple fronts, making it impossible for the opponent to guard effectively, maximizing Watson’s ability.
The problem with the Houston Texans’ offensive group this season only ranking mid-level in the league and not advancing further is that Watson often trips himself up at critical moments, and he instinctively chooses Hopkins as his target at key moments, exposing the tactical intentions and allowing the opponent’s defensive group to easily disrupt.
In this wave of offense and defense, the Kansas City Chiefs created a quicksand effect that continuously pressured Watson, pushing him silently, and among all the pass targets, Hopkins remained the most reliable; simultaneously, Hopkins’ dissatisfaction with O’Brien, actively seeking receiving opportunities, inadvertently helped the Kansas City Chiefs, with Hopkins’ confidence and pride becoming part of Reed’s tactical layout.
So, when the opportunity arose, Jones knew Hopkins’ position; he just needed to intercept towards the passing direction of Hopkins.
Stand, extend hand, disrupt.
The football, indeed, flew in the direction Jones predicted.
Jones’ body had already stretched to its limits, but Watson passed under continuous interference, consciously raising the pass parabola, the football soared over Jones’ broad palm, seemingly about to breach the defense.
Jones gritted his teeth, fingertips extended slightly further, with a slight rub and touch.
The trajectory of the football’s spin shook violently, swaying past Jones, wobbling away towards the far side.
One breath, stuck in his throat, Jones did not relax, instinctively turned his head, seeing Hopkins among two players’ sandwich, leaping with all his might, his fierce physical quality breaking free like a wedge through a canvas bag, stretching his body to the limit to try to catch the ball.
However, the football’s trajectory was slightly off, narrowly passing by Hopkins’ fingertips, crashing towards the ground amid the collective astonishment of the crowd.
Incomplete pass!
Jones secretly clenched his fist but didn’t celebrate wildly, nor did he look at Watson, just walked towards Clark on the other side, clapped hands in celebration.
Third and six yards!
In this wave of offense and defense, the Kansas City Chiefs forced the Houston Texans into a third and long situation for the third time.
More importantly, keen observers could see, the Kansas City Chiefs defensive group appeared to handle everything expertly, despite the opponent having already reached their own 25-yard line with the end zone within sight, they remained especially composed and calm; conversely, the Houston Texans offensive group, approaching the touchdown all the way, seemed to be sweating and exhausted, gasping for breath before even reaching the Red Zone.
Pressure, that’s the keyword.
The situation, quietly shifted.
This time, the Kansas City Chiefs defensive group even formed up one step ahead of their opponents.
O’Brien was in tactical communication with Watson, the closer they got to the end zone, the more advantageous it was for the defensive group, naturally making the confrontation more and more tight.
"The situation is in our hands. Stay focused."
O’Brien also noted the subtle change in atmosphere, but there was no time for motivational words during tactical arrangements, only able to hurriedly leave one phrase.
Watson appeared particularly calm, despite panting heavily, the killing intent in his eyes grew, bursting forth with an unstoppable momentum.
Then, the Houston Texans offensive group announced the snap——
Bam, bam bam bam.
The offensive line and defensive line crashed into each other fiercely without hesitation.
Watson, accompanied by starting running back Carlos Hyde, proactively left the pocket the moment it opened, instantly overturning the standoff.
Is this... the modern outside zone offense system?
Carlos Hyde, running back, selected by the San Francisco 49ers with the 57th overall pick in the second round in 2014, moved through the league for five seasons without much success, and after his rookie contract ended, he traveled between multiple teams but could never stick around.
It’s worth mentioning, he even entered the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad this offseason but faced release before the new season.
Until the Houston Texans extended an olive branch, suffering from serious injury woes, needing backup players, unexpectedly, this became a turning point in Hyde’s career, setting career highs across various statistics, eventually achieving his first thousand-yard season.
In this game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Hyde was full of momentum.
Although there’s no enmity, Hyde admits that if he can help the Houston Texans step over the Kansas City Chiefs’ shoulders to advance to the Super Bowl, that feeling would surely be sweet.
Hyde, giving his all!
So far, this was only the second offensive wave, and with the Houston Texans’ offensive focus scattered, Hyde hadn’t had much opportunity to perform.
Now, the opportunity finally arrived, Hyde was prepared, the Houston Texans’ version of the modern outside zone offense system, so how would the Kansas City Chiefs respond?
Run, or pass? If a run, Hyde or Watson?
Watson and Hyde moved laterally side by side, creating space after leaving the pocket to ensure an open view entirely.
Hyde was slightly excited, looking at the defensive players Fowler, Jones, Sorensen from across the field, players who were once unreachable opponents for him at Arrowhead Stadium, now had all their attention on him, even a momentary hesitation could become a gap for the Houston Texans offensive group to break through.
Tap tap, tap tap.
Hyde shifted his balance constantly during lateral movement, attempting to confuse his opponents——
Wait, something’s not right.
Hyde first noticed that the Kansas City Chiefs defensive group players seemed completely without hesitation, only Cornerback Fowler had an observational posture, sticking to defend Tight End Jordan-Thomas while being wary of Watson and Hyde, but others weren’t like that.
Sorensen didn’t even glance at Hopkins, instead rushing forward without hesitation, like a tiger descending the mountain.
Hyde: ???
What’s going on, this shouldn’t be happening!
But there was no time to hesitate; Hyde instinctively charged forward, ready to intercept Sorensen.
But a rush of red flames wildly approached from the left, what’s happening?