Dominate the Super Bowl

A question arose: the team was leading in the score and had control of the ball with sixty-three seconds left in the game. What should their offensive strategy be next?

Any football fan would give the same answer: Run the ball. Run the ball. Run the ball.

Simply put, it involved using ground advancement to consume game time.

Moreover, at that moment, the Kansas City Chiefs' starting position was at the New England Patriots' 43-yard line in their half, which was a perfect offensive location—

If the third-gear running play managed to advance a certain number of yards, the Kansas City Chiefs could easily attempt a field goal to kill off the game; if not, no worries, they could opt for a more secure and safer method by exhausting all four downs, consuming as much of the game time as possible.

Of course, could something unexpected happen?

Yes.

More than one kind.

For instance, the opponent could use consecutive timeouts, and even after consuming all four down of ground offense, some time might remain, even if only one or two seconds, allowing the New England Patriots' offensive group to take the field and attempt a Hail Mary.

The so-called Hail Mary originated in 1922 from NCAA, from the traditional football powerhouse, Notre Dame University, a Catholic institution. Hail Mary was originally a prayer from the school widely echoed in games but wasn't popularized in the league until 1975.

At that time, in an NFL game, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach faced the Minnesota Vikings. During the final seconds of the game, he completed a game-winning long pass and disclosed in a post-game interview that he whispered a "Hail Mary" prayer at the moment he passed the ball.

Thereafter, "Hail Mary" came to uniquely signify a last-second, desperate long pass by the quarterback aiming for the opposite end zone during the game's final moments, implying that divine intervention was needed to succeed.

Generally speaking, only passes over forty yards aiming for the end zone and challenging a touchdown could be called a Hail Mary.

Even in the NFL, Hail Marys are extremely rare, and as for the success rate, that's even lower.

The reason is simple; the Hail Mary is a desperate move in the final seconds aimed directly at the end zone. This means that the defensive group can easily focus on coverage, creating an absolute numerical advantage, effortlessly cutting off all routes, or even intercepting. The quarterback's tactical intent is no secret.

Among current NFL professional players, Green Bay Packers' quarterback Rodgers has been dubbed the "King of Hail Mary," not just once but in multiple miraculous moments.

And Brady?

Hail Marys aren't his strength, and he rarely even attempts them.

But not attempting doesn't mean incapable of attempting; as long as the Kansas City Chiefs leave even a sliver of a window, the New England Patriots will definitely seize the opportunity.

Or for instance, the Kansas Chiefs' running back might fumble, leading to a turnover, not only giving the New England Patriots a chance to respond with a touchdown but also giving Brady another chance to enter the field.

Possibilities like these are numerous.

Surprises are always an unknown variable on the sports field; even though the Kansas City Chiefs had managed to control 99% of the initiative, they still couldn't disregard that 1% possibility.

"Fumble!"

"Fumble!"

At this moment, the entire Gillette Stadium was united, all gazes bustling and converging on Li Wei, hoping for an accident, for a miracle.

Brady was no exception.

Clearly, Brady was very angry and dissatisfied, sitting on the bench trying to remain composed, but that was no easy task.

Involuntarily, his gaze kept lifting, drifting in the direction of the field, and amidst a surging crowd, he precisely located the number twenty-three.

First gear, run the ball. Belichick called a timeout.

Second gear, run the ball. Belichick called a timeout.

Third gear, run the ball. Belichick called a timeout.

All was in order, the same scene, the same pattern, looping over and over again; Li Wei had not dropped the ball, and no accident had occurred.

Then—

Fourth and two, twenty seconds left in the game.

It was still a bit too far for a field goal attempt, but if they opted to punt, the New England Patriots' offensive group would still have a chance to enter the field.

In other words, the Hail Mary was still a possibility.

Decisively, Reed chose to go for it on fourth down; the suspense of the outcome might just be determined in this moment.

The New England Patriots' defensive group was already sure the opponent would choose to run, likely a tough one-yard push. All they needed to do was to stop them to secure another chance for Brady to take the field—but what if they couldn't stop them?

There would be no then.

Hiss.

Boos filled the air, Gillette Stadium tore off its mask, emitting its attack cruelly and brutally, "rookie" calls mixed with a slew of adjectives and adverbs, a barrage like knives, clubs, and sticks pouring down, the fierce faces seemingly wanting to enter the field and tear Li Wei to shreds.

Then, an accident occurred—

A fumble?

Suddenly, Brady stood up, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes. He could see a swarm of bodies entangled together, completely engulfing Li Wei's figure; the whole stadium was filled with noise and uproar, magma and meteorites, fire streaming through the air.

The next second, a figure emerged from the crowd, his stumbling steps breaking free from the layers of people. His swift and light footsteps turned into a streamline in the raging storm, dragging behind a trace of afterimage, like a beam of light, rapidly leaving the deep blue waves behind.

The wind roared and whistled as jersey number twenty-three sped faster and farther within sight.

Brady's heart sank, and he stood frozen in place.

It was over, everything was over—

Kansas City Chiefs' number twenty-three not only forcefully carried out the fourth and two but also broke through directly, charging heart-piercingly towards the distant end zone.

Moreover, that number twenty-three was very calm and rational, knowing that running down the clock was the top priority, more crucial than scoring, because after scoring, the New England Patriots' offensive group could take the field, which meant uncertainties.

Therefore, he didn't maximize his speed; instead, he played a dodging game with the safety in the Red Zone, moving back and forth to run down the clock until it was nearly out before stepping into the end zone to score.

With ease and leisure, his graceful footsteps reminiscent of an upbeat and exquisite tango, he cleanly and decisively ended the game.

By then, there were only two seconds left in the entire game.

The Kansas City Chiefs just needed to intentionally delay the game during the extra point attempt, get penalized five yards and restart the extra point while also running down the remaining time.

Everything was under the control of the Kansas City Chiefs—

That number twenty-three, so experienced and so composed, neither ecstatically taking credit nor boastfully showing off, could he really be a rookie?

Finally—

The final whistle blew, extinguishing the last trace of illusory hope at Gillette Stadium.

The game was over.

"49:34".

In the season opener, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the defending champions, the New England Patriots, on the road with an incredible victory, heralding the start of the 2017 season.

At the same time, it heralded the birth of a new star.

Who would have thought that the highlight of the season opener would be...a running back?