Chapter 1459: Chapter 1458: Power Struggle
The situation remains entangled, still at a stalemate, and the San Francisco 49ers have not collapsed.
In fact, not only that, but they rebounded from rock bottom, bursting with astonishing energy, successfully advancing past the halfway mark and reaching the edge of the twenty-yard line in less than four minutes. The entire offensive efficiency turned the tide, making a stunning impression.
Then, without warning, tight end Kittel activated before the snap.
In the situation of first and ten opting for a ground advance but encountering a wall and gaining only two yards, at second and eight, the San Francisco 49ers changed their formation—
Cheating Motion!
This season, a classic tactic used by the Kansas City Chiefs to sweep the league, but it was unexpected that the San Francisco 49ers would use it first!
Tonight, both defensive groups primarily use zone defense, focusing on marking “Cheating Motion” to avoid releasing big yardage. Therefore, the Kansas City Chiefs never used this tactic, and Shanahan took the initiative first.
There were no signs at all.
In a flash, Kittel’s steps captured all attention.
Kittel’s steps were not fast, even somewhat clumsy, which often allowed him to play an important role in breakdown tactics. But assuming Kittel lacks short-range explosiveness would be a fatal misjudgment.
Kittel fully utilized the potential penalty for defensive players daring not to intercept easily when not holding the ball. With a misstep, he shook off the cornerback Fowler in front, and after Garoppolo announced the snap, he cut into the slot vertically, gaining a lead, successfully shaking off Fowler.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ defensive group raised a full-scale alarm, being just over twenty yards from the end zone. Even if Garoppolo’s passing ability were poor, such passing distance shouldn’t be a problem. Moreover, the San Francisco 49ers chose Cheating Motion?
For a moment, the air was tense!
This time, Garoppolo didn’t leave the pocket, nor did running back Yushchek, who stayed in the pocket to play the role of the sixth offensive lineman.
Indeed, Yushchek noticed the crisis—
Frank Clark.
After joining the Kansas City Chiefs from the Seattle Seahawks this season and delivering top performances, Clark showcased himself relentlessly on the Super Bowl stage.
In front, Clark made a breakthrough, cutting in from the blindside, charging straight towards Garoppolo.
Garoppolo, who was preparing to pass, didn’t notice the danger at all. Yushchek quickly followed up without hesitation, cutting in from behind Garoppolo, colliding head-on with Clark.
Whoosh!
A whirlwind swept through, and Garoppolo finally noticed, instinctively moving sideways to the right, seeing the wolf-like Clark pressing onto Yushchek and keeping up steps, almost breaking free from restraint, the fierce storm coming right at him, forcing Garoppolo to quickly adjust his steps to keep creating distance.
Holding his breath, raising his chin, he looked in the direction Shanahan had pre-arranged.
Safety Matty noticed something unusual—
Usually, Garoppolo releases passes very quickly, often in less than 2.5 seconds. Everything was arranged by Shanahan, Garoppolo didn’t need to think, just execute the pass delivering like a robot.
Before him, the San Francisco 49ers employed “Cheating Motion,” something the Kansas City Chiefs were all too familiar with. This tactic was meant to conduct a lightning-fast attack to catch the opponent off-guard, necessitating a rapid quarterback release.
However, Garoppolo didn’t release immediately, even before Clark’s strides and collision for a sack, there was no sign of a release from him.
What does it mean?
Garoppolo is waiting for the pass target to be in place!
Kittel?
No, it couldn’t be Kittel, despite not being overly slow, he definitely isn’t fast, especially not within this twenty yards region toward the end zone.
An idea flashed through Matty’s mind, the San Francisco 49ers didn’t want to be dragged into a melee battle in the red zone with the Kansas City Chiefs, a fight that the Chiefs’ defense wasn’t afraid of. Hence, Shanahan had been waiting, scheming, for the moment of an ambush.
End zone!
Matty quickly scanned left and right, Deebo Samuel?
No, not him.
Emmanuel Sanders!
The San Francisco 49ers’ number two wide receiver, Sanders!
At this critical moment, all eyes were fixed on the right side of the San Francisco 49ers, on Kittel, while Sanders quietly broke through from the undisputed right side of the Kansas City Chiefs.
His steps were light and agile, like a cheetah, making three continuous changes of direction in the narrow space to shake off cornerback Brilland’s center of gravity, then closely passing Brilland’s body to complete the overtaking, sprinting towards the end zone like a sharp sword, stealthy yet sharp as an assassin’s blade, targeting the vital point, ready for a deadly strike.
Matty didn’t have time to think; he instinctively moved sideways, sprinting towards Sanders at full speed.
Behind, Brilland stumbled, adjusting his center of gravity while watching Garoppolo’s pass direction, quickly pursuing Sanders.
In a flash, Garoppolo made the pass—
Target, Emmanuel Sanders.
Matty: Bad.
Brilland: Bad.
Both men moved almost simultaneously, releasing full speed, disregarding everything as they rushed towards Sanders.
Yet, their steps could not match the flying speed of the football. Garoppolo’s pass parabolic line wasn’t high, spinning rapidly in a standard spiral, aiming to land at the triangle area of the left front side of the end zone.
Matty had reached his maximum speed, but still wasn’t enough, watching helplessly as the football hit Sanders right in the chest.
Sanders was originally sprinting facing the end zone, but with a look back, he immediately realized the slight deviation in Garoppolo’s pass parabolic line.
The deviation wasn’t much, only about a half-yard, within a reasonable range.
The problem was Garoppolo’s pass was slightly off to the outside, landing on Sanders’ left side, not his dominant hand side, making his position especially awkward; Moreover, the line was a bit short, not quite reaching the end zone, slightly veering half-yard to a yard towards the sidelines.
In a split second, there was no time for hesitation; Sanders relied on his experience and intuition, subconsciously turning, facing the football with his back to the end zone, using his chest as a net to receive as one would in soccer, completing the chest trap, then quickly snatching it with both hands.
Catch, successful!
In front of the end zone, one-yard line.
In an instant, hearts leapt to throats, the entire Hard Rock Stadium teetered on the brink of frenzy, gaping at the crisis and feat unfolding simultaneously.
Sanders’ step halted, immediately realizing the danger, a wave of murderous intent sweeping over, causing goosebumps to erupt crazily across his entire back and left arm.
There was no time!
No time to turn, no time to adjust, Sanders simply fell backward!
As long as the upper body crossed the end zone line, it would be a touchdown!
Bam!
Indeed, the collision arrived.
Fierce, tough, decisive, the power revealed immense energy, making Sanders’ chest tight, almost feeling the urge to cough up blood.
Matty firmly braced against Sanders’ back on the one-yard line, preventing Sanders from hitting the ground—
As long as Sanders couldn’t fall, the San Francisco 49ers would face a third and one situation!
The one-yard line contest exploded with an instant bloody aura, permeating the air, both Matty and Sanders exerting all their strength, erupting with a lion-like roar.
Aahh! Aahhh!
“Strength VS Strength,” not yielding an inch!