Dominate the Super Bowl

Crash, crash, crash.

The sound of water spraying in the shower, Hill comes in and occupies a showerhead next to Li Wei; afterward, Hardman also comes in but can't contain his excitement, the expression between his eyebrows already leaks the surge within him.

"Rookie, it's done, everything is just as you said, exactly the same."

Li Wei hasn't responded yet, Hill nervously turns his head to look at the shower room door, fearing their conversation might be overheard, he quickly places a finger on his lips, "Shh!"

Hardman also nods repeatedly, following along to lower his voice, "What's next?"

Here, Li Wei is the calmest, "Stay focused, prepare as usual, just like how you prepare today."

Hill and Hardman nod repeatedly, but after exchanging glances, they still can't contain their glee and high-five in celebration, giggling with pursed lips.

How could Li Wei not know about the rumors sweeping through the league?

Dealing with matters of superstition, curses, hexes can indeed be tricky, if taken seriously, the solemnity would make them seem genuinely believed, and the doubts haunting the players could become a dead knot; but if ignored, the mindset of fifty-three players plus the coaching staff in the locker room, each having their own thoughts, could lead to everything spiraling out of control.

So, dealing with it is necessary, yet it shouldn't be too earnest, the handling of scale matters most.

The answer is obvious, this matter cannot be dealt with or clarified by the coaching staff, otherwise, it would seem too formal; it must be done casually within the locker room.

For this reason, "football outsider" Li Wei specifically searched through a series of materials, formulated a plan, found Hill and Hardman, and asked them to cooperate in the act.

Here, he didn't seek out Kelsey and Mahomes, that's because everyone in the locker room knows they're close to Li Wei, their "performances" might be caught, failing to achieve the aim; but similarly, Li Wei didn't find completely unfamiliar faces, worrying about leaks is one aspect, lacking persuasiveness is another.

Hardman, responsible for laying the groundwork, he was the one who brought up the 2010 season.

Hill, responsible for guiding, empathetically voicing the players' sentiments.

Everything develops according to plan.

Of course, Li Wei doesn't believe a simple little story could completely dissipate the ubiquitous pressure. The upcoming performance is what's most important:

Maintain the ordinary.

No matter the situation, whether there's a curse or not, no matter the opponent, Kansas City Chiefs always need to maintain themselves; only by methodically doing their part can they face challenges; otherwise, before any curse or opponent strikes, they may defeat themselves first.

The more the situation, the more the team needs to keep routine.

Three consecutive championships aren't easy; an undefeated season, culminating the third consecutive championship, is even harder, but precisely because of that, the challenge becomes more interesting.

Isn't that so?

However, even Li Wei cannot control everything, he cannot predict everything.

Perhaps Li Wei can manage the Kansas City Chiefs locker room, but other team's locker rooms are beyond Li Wei's reach.

For instance, Baltimore Ravens.

Or perhaps, Houston Texans.

On January 11th, Saturday, the divisional playoffs for NFL 2019 season officially commence.

In the afternoon, at Central Time 2:45 PM, the first American League divisional playoff kicks off.

"Second seed Baltimore Ravens VS fourth seed Houston Texans."

Following that, in the evening, at Central Time 8:05 PM, the second American League divisional playoff sounds its horn.

"First seed Kansas City Chiefs VS sixth seed Tennessee Titans."

Unlike the previous years' schedule of interlacing one National Conference game with one American League game, this year as the league celebrates a centenary, the playoff schedule slightly adjusts, with wildcard games and divisional playoffs having the American League start first and the National Conference follow, subtly indicating the league's outlook:

American League, lacking suspense, a meeting between Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens at the Summit of the Forbidden ought to be expected.

National Conference, crises lurking everywhere, even a sixth-seed like Minnesota Vikings also possesses opportunities.

The excitement naturally requires patience, step by step escalating to climax, the wildcard process also proving the league's scheduling decisions are correct, fully igniting viewership, shattering records comprehensively refreshing league statistics, reaching new heights, playoff attention riding rockets continually skyrocketing.

Afterwards, the divisional playoffs arrive.

However, unexpectedly, the chill also accompanies.

"Oh, a disaster!"

"For the Baltimore Ravens, this is a complete disaster; Lamar Jackson throws his second interception of the game."

"This marks the third turnover for Baltimore Ravens in this game, coupled with four failed fourth-down conversions, thoroughly destroying Harbaugh's game plan."

"Evidently, Harbaugh has high hopes for Jackson, hoping during crucial moments, difficult times, this young quarterback can save Baltimore Ravens with his legs and hands; but regrettably, Jackson lets Harbaugh's expectations down."

"Actually, Lamar Jackson still put together a phenomenal game tonight, 365 yard passing, 143 yard rushing, making him the first quarterback in NFL history to achieve 300 yard passing and 100 yard rushing in a playoff game, unparalleled performance continuing the regular season strength."

"However, 52.5% pass completion rate, two interceptions, one fumble, four crucial fourth-down conversion errors, are inexcusably."

"In such games, such mistakes are disappointing and fatal. This interception might very well end Baltimore Ravens' hopes."

Shock, bewilderment, the entire league catches their breath, because it's so unexpected, leaving people losing capacity to react—

The real shock isn't Houston Texans offensive group's consistently excellent performance, but Baltimore Ravens offensive group's complete loss.

From the data, Jackson again delivers historic-level performance; but the reality isn't so, in the first three quarters, Baltimore Ravens couldn't achieve a touchdown, only managing two field goals.

Regular season, Baltimore Ravens offensive group delivered phenomenal performance, surpassing Kansas City Chiefs, ranked first in the league for offensive group this season.

But in the playoffs, the once touchdown machine like casually eating and drinking offensive group completely loses its way, Jackson's entire game passionately running becomes futile.

Until the fourth quarter, Jackson finally connects a fifteen yard touchdown pass for the first time opening the scoring, but all is already too late.

Following the touchdown, Jackson attempts a two-point conversion, only to have his pass knocked down again, Houston Texans defensive group has Jackson lost all afternoon.

Everyone, absolutely stunned, including players without exception.

Not… no way, this season's invincible, sweeping all corners Baltimore Ravens, is it really ends just like this?

An epic collapse, ending the historic 2019 season in anticlimactic fashion, with a shocking upset sketching a hasty full stop for the anticipated playoffs?

Time, ticking, ticking, gradually fading away.

Lamar Jackson stands on the field, eyes dazed, at a loss.