Chapter 1462: Chapter 1461: Battle Declaration
Crisscrossing, impenetrable.
In the field of vision, corners and hidden spots reveal white figures dotting the landscape, like a fierce wind, tightly enveloping the red flames.
However, even worse, Bosa was relentless.
The first tackle was somehow evaded; shame and disgrace gripped Bosa’s heart, and the burning fury transformed into momentum as he stumbled forward in a second attempt to tackle Mahomes, trying to achieve his first sack in three playoff games.
Crisis, stung Mahomes’s skin.
Mahomes adjusted with small steps, his first instinct being to run with the ball, but just as he started moving, he spotted Bosa changing his path to intercept ahead, forcing him to retreat by two steps to create distance, and once again lifted his gaze to find a passing target for the third time.
Got it.
Hill!
When people mention “Cheetah” Hill, his vertical strike ability is the first impression that comes to mind; however, aside from speed, Hill is quite versatile, possessing not only route-running skills but also the ability to break through defenses and find openings, deserving of serious attention.
At this moment, Hill ran a central cut line from left to right, tearing a gap through the crowded area.
This route in the Kansas City Chiefs is often completed by Kelsey or Li Wei, relying on their combat ability, guiding Mahomes’s passes like a beacon, such as during the division match against the Tennessee Titans.
But tonight, the short pass area of the San Francisco 49ers is a triangular “Cover3”, meaning facing three defensive players is possible in this zone, so the Kansas City Chiefs rarely use this route.
Until now.
Hill took a gamble, noticing two linebackers pressing forward, leaving their positions. Although Greenlaw remained in the short pass area, Warner and Kewan both moved forward; despite the crowded zone, Hill managed to tear open a gap right under the defenders’ noses.
Indeed!
Hill arrived just in time, securing Greenlaw’s position, tearing open a gap.
Mahomes seized the opportunity, didn’t even have time to plant his feet for power, lifted his right hand, relying solely on arm and wrist strength to push the football out.
Whoosh!
The football soared through the air.
Headed straight for Hill’s arms, but at that moment, a figure sprung from behind Hill and Greenlaw, bypassing the struggle between them, stepping forward to position himself ahead of Hill—
Leaping high, raising both hands, lightly intercepting.
Time froze instantly.
Mahomes was stunned. Hill was stunned. The livestream and Hard Rock Stadium went silent.
No one saw this unfold.
Perhaps, cornerback Sherman was the only exception.
Sherman saw the chaos, Sherman saw the breach, Sherman saw the opportunity. His two Super Bowl experiences endowed him with calm and wisdom; although his global view and immediate reaction were no longer at their peak, his instinctive killer nature still burned in his veins.
Cut across, step forward, sneak attack.
Interception.
Just like that, it happened.
“Oh yeah!”
In the “In the League” livestream room, Bart raised both arms, standing and cheering, unable to control his wildly beating heart.
“I said it! I said it! I! Said! It!”
However, the live broadcast footage showed the game was still ongoing.
Sherman focused all his attention, free of distractions; in that instant, he could feel the spotlight on him, the scorching warmth with utmost clarity, as if standing at the world’s center, as if he were an omnipotent deity, as if the world lay prostrate at his feet.
This was his stage.
As his feet hit the ground, with a light step, like a spring, he darted forward, rushing out before Hill and Greenlaw could react.
As soon as Hill moved his feet, he collided with Greenlaw’s body, helmet hitting the bridge of his nose with a sharp ache. The white silhouette at his fingertips vanished.
Sherman had already moved, and within the next second, saw Kelsey intercepting his retreat.
Sherman didn’t dodge, instead colliding head-on, knocking over Kelsey, who couldn’t stabilize his foothold and center of gravity against the oncoming force.
Hey.
A muffled grunt, Kelsey’s body swayed.
Sherman, driven back by the reaction force, sprinted past Kelsey’s position, two or three steps reaching Mahomes’s silhouette.
No fear, no hesitation, Mahomes bent his knees, preparing for the impact.
However, a figure appeared before Mahomes, blocking Sherman—
Bosa.
As Mahomes prepared to step forward, Bosa and Sherman completed a one-two decompression, Bosa occupied the position while Sherman sprinted forward.
Mahomes: Damn.
No time to contend with Bosa, Mahomes spun around for a breakaway, chasing Sherman with full force.
The entire venue held their breath!
San Francisco 49ers fans could no longer contain their fervor; joy struck abruptly, nearly fainting, shouting madly.
“Thirty-five!”
“Thirty!”
The Kansas City Chiefs’ kickoff position was at their own forty-five-yard line, near midfield, but Sherman’s interception and return strike happened so suddenly and swiftly that he evaded the offensive group’s interception, retreating rapidly down the lane, in a breath, sprinting more than ten yards.
A figure appeared at this moment:
Li Wei.
Though Mahomes gritted his teeth, pushing his speed to the limit, Li Wei now demonstrated his absolute velocity, freeing from Buckner’s entanglement, charging with all his might at Sherman’s white silhouette.
Accelerate.
Accelerate!
Hard Rock Stadium ignited completely!
Despite Sherman’s lead, Li Wei’s pursuit was visibly narrowing the distance, pushing the tension to its peak.
“Twenty-five!”
“Twenty!”
Astonishing, inexplicable, as Li Wei closed in on Sherman relying on sheer speed, just like overtaking beyond the last bend in a four-hundred-meter race.
Sherman glanced back, realizing he could be caught up; at most, at the ten-yard line, Li Wei could try a tackle.
What to do?
In a flash, Sherman executed an emergency stop, halting immediately.
Li Wei was caught off guard, but he was skilled at such tricks as well, his subconscious reflex swift, avoiding the habitual sudden stop and turn, instead pivoting at the fifteen-yard line to intercept Sherman.
Sherman anticipated this scene too, stepping forward, colliding directly into Li Wei.
But after two steps, though Li Wei’s balance wasn’t steady and Sherman could easily stake the upper hand, Sherman only feigned a colliding move, causing Li Wei to tense all muscles ready to absorb impact, then Sherman changed direction, sprinting left.
Straight line turned diagonal.
Recognizing the crisis immediately, Li Wei reacted quickly, pursued relentlessly, tracking within reach.
“Ten!”
“Five!”
About to catch up, Li Wei fully lunged, hanging on Sherman, yet Sherman displayed his physique’s advantage, continuing his dash.
Pull! Pull! Pull!
Sherman dragged Li Wei’s body, finally diving forward at the last moment, stretching his arms to the utmost, reaching over the End Zone Line.
Touchdown.