Dominate the Super Bowl

Oakland Raiders' number 52 Defensive End, Khalil Mack, last season's Defensive Player of the Year and currently the most dominant Defensive End in the league after JJ Watt's season-ending injury, is a nightmare for any team's quarterback and running back.

The Oakland Raiders operate with a "3-4" defensive formation, which typically involves fewer blitzes, but their head coach Del Rio, a former lineman, has his own approach.

Del Rio is exceptionally skilled at reading offensive formations and often opts for aggressive plays, frequently employing linemen or cornerbacks to surge forward and sack the quarterback, even with just three men on the defensive line.

Because of this approach, Mack is able to fully leverage his strengths, using his power and speed to disrupt the offensive line and break through the front.

Unfortunately, during their last home game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Mack was not at his best, and his top support, linebacker NaVorro Bowman, was also underperforming due to minor injuries, resulting in their inability to effectively stop their opponents.

This time, they were prepared—

Bowman had been with the San Francisco 49ers since 2010, named to the All-America First Team four times and the Pro Bowl three times, undoubtedly a seasoned veteran. Despite struggling with injuries this season, he transferred mid-season to join the Oakland Raiders, adding strength to their lineup.

Mack believed that with some adjustments and teamwork, his partnership with Bowman was gradually starting to show its formidable effect.

He was eager to get started.

Stomping the ground, readying himself like a motorcycle engine gearing up, always ready to take off.

"Attack!"

Smith announced the start of the game.

Immediately, Mack charged, heading straight for his counterpart, the offensive tackle Eric Fisher—

The player chosen first overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013 was not exactly a bust; he often performed well, but compared to the expectations of a first overall draft pick, he was far from satisfactory, having achieved no honors in his career and remaining unnoticed among his peers.

Mack knew Fisher well, having faced him four times over two seasons and gained valuable experience.

Right from the start, Mack collided head-on with Fisher, not dodging or using finesse, but purely overpowering him physically because he knew that Fisher, slightly cumbersome, would struggle to fend off a speed advantage with technique once Mack locked in his positioning.

At the same time, Mack quickly scanned the area ahead:

Smith. Li Wei.

Immediately, Mack noticed the interaction between Smith and Li Wei amidst the physical confrontation, never taking his eyes off them—

A running play?

No, a fake run with a real pass.

Mack made an accurate assessment and forcefully collided into Fisher, using Fisher's body as leverage to press his entire 269 pounds (122 kilograms) onto him. Fisher tried to grasp Mack but couldn't find a leverage point, and Mack completed an escape with a clockwise spin.

It was quite effortless.

Unless Fisher committed a foul, there was no way he could hold onto Mack.

Typically, players as heavy as Mack, especially those on the line, tend to have more strength than speed and are not very agile, usually appearing somewhat sluggish.

But Mack was different.

He tiptoed, swiftly maneuvering around Fisher like a bee, completely ignoring Fisher's reactive force as he slapped his hands on Mack's shoulders. Sticking close to Fisher's body, Mack had already cut into the pocket, then spotted Li Wei.

—Blocking the pass.

Li Wei didn't dodge; instead, he moved towards Mack, confirming Mack's assessment:

This was indeed a fake run with a real pass.

The Kansas City Chiefs cleverly used Li Wei as a decoy in this passing strategy, and as the season progressed, other teams became cautious and were no longer as easily deceived as they were in the first half of the season.

Mack tried to break free from Li Wei, keeping his eyes firmly fixed on Smith, who was adjusting his footing in the pocket and looking for a passing target.

That's bad.

Mack quickly glanced over his left shoulder in haste, just a fleeting look, unable to see much detail, but the key point was:

There was no one there.

Behind Mark, in the short pass area, there were neither Chieftain players nor Raiders players, which meant that Smith was preparing to unexpectedly strike with a medium to long pass.

Indeed, this move caught the Oakland Raiders completely off guard.

With full preparation and exploiting the unguarded, Smith dared to make a long pass, and his success rate was always guaranteed—consistent was Smith's middle name, and although he lacked the ability to throw fifty or sixty yards, thirty or forty yards were still within easy reach for him, and Reed was ready to take advantage of the contrast.

Mark was startled.

With a step forward, fully utilizing his physical advantage, he executed a Thousand Pounds Drop charge, blatantly knocking Li Wei aside, and his steps resolutely surged forward, instantly leaving Li Wei behind—

Colliding and flying.

Mark, highly focused, didn't even glance at Li Wei, who, even as this year's top rookie, still appeared green in Mark's eyes. He spread his arms like a hawk seizing a chick, enveloping Smith.

Wait, Smith wasn't panicking; instead, he had a calm demeanor that seemed to lure the enemy deeper.

Mark: "?" Something's not right.

The very next second, Smith deftly dodged, slipping past the area covered by Mark's arms, and pushed the football sideways, sending it spinning past Mark's body like a boomerang.

Mark gasped in shock—

Damn!

Pretending to run, but actually passing was the right choice, but the passing targets were all misjudged.

This pass was almost like an upgraded version of the Kansas City Chiefs' decisive play against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Mark: Damn it.

I was tricked.

I was!

But everything was already too late; by the time Mark realized he had been tricked, the Oakland Raiders' Defensive group realized they had fallen into a trap too.

Closing the net!

Generally, this is used by the Defensive group to encircle the Wide Receiver, forming a blockade; but now, the Chieftains' receivers had all shaken off their defenders, heading towards the middle of the field to form a protective net.

To escort Li Wei safely.

After all, this was different from the play against the Pittsburgh Steelers that decided the game.

The Oakland Raiders' Defensive group, making one mistake after another, was also completely flustered by then, totally being led by the nose.

So, what about Li Wei?

Li Wei, with light steps, crossed the kickoff line and caught the football sideways with ease.

His movements still adjusting, needing some tuning, but his route running was noticeably smoother now, pausing, turning, and pushing off, a series of actions flowing smoothly, running along the route immediately after completing the reception. Stay tuned with My Virtual Library Empire

It's all about coordination.

Li Wei stepped diagonally to the left, cutting into the midfield, and soon he could see the linebacker Bowman's figure.

Although this veteran had been traded to the Oakland Raiders by the San Francisco 49ers due to declining performance from injuries, his experience still played a crucial role, immediately recognizing something was off and promptly stepping up to reposition.

With a stride, Bowman positioned himself across the path Li Wei was cutting into the midfield, entering the protective net created by the Kansas Chieftains for him, spreading his arms like a crab.

Bowman was highly attentive, aware of Li Wei's ability to change directions—

Left. Right. Left.

Wait, no, there was a fourth change of direction: Right.

Bowman, kept up!