Dominate the Super Bowl Chapter 866

Chapter 866: Joke of the year 865

“0:0.”

End of the first quarter, and the entire North American continent was completely stunned.

Is this some kind of joke?

Really?

Both teams, ranked first and second in offensive performance this season, who rewrote history in the “Midseason Super Bowl” with a combined score exceeding 50 points, and who both relied on offensive group touchdowns in overtime nail-biters to advance to the Super Bowl–

This is it?

Even if it's a joke, isn't this joke going a bit too far?

A joke should at least be moderate!

Besides, this isn't funny at all.

One team blundered repeatedly, while the other literally tripped over its own feet; both teams looked like circus acts, utterly laughable, with the match devoid of any excitement.

Moreover, despite the fact that Atlanta wasn't raining, the League decided to keep the roof of the Mercedes-Benz Dome closed, hoping to deliver an awe-inspiring passing duel. After all, the League has been extolling a passing offensive frenzy.

However, Goff's miserable 1-for-5 completion record was catastrophic, and Mahomes' paltry 4-for-9 stats were equally unimpressive. The chaotic state of their passing offense made the League's elaborate effort look like a joke–this time, they didn't even have the weather as an excuse for justification.

What is going on?

Inside the VIP suite, Goodell's expression was inscrutable, giving away nothing–but the entire room was holding their breath and walking on eggshells, trying their best to avoid making the smallest noise, as if navigating around a dinosaur. The suffocating atmosphere was a clear reflection of Goodell's mood.

Honestly, it's not the first time the Super Bowl was boring; no need for such shock and dismay. But the crux this time lies in heightened fan expectations–following last season's shootout of a Super Bowl and the history-making Midseason Super Bowl, the anticipation had reached unprecedented levels. Now, after a first quarter that was downright soporific, without even a proper duel, the disappointment was so palpable it was hard not to curse out loud.

Perhaps, the 2018 season was destined for disappointment, much like the Wild Card and Divisional rounds; maybe the conference finals were merely a brief flash of brilliance; or maybe the Midseason Super Bowl really was the pinnacle of the entire season.

It must be said, the 2018 season certainly delivered one unending wave of misfortune after another–even the Super Bowl was no exception.

Viewership numbers continued bleeding out.

In the “Inside the League” livestream, all eyes turned to Lawson–

Everything was unfolding exactly as Lawson had predicted.

Incredibly, the progress of the game followed Lawson's script to a tee. Amidst all the speculation before the game, only Lawson foresaw a different possibility:

An unwelcome possibility.

Lawson let out a weary sigh. He wished his judgment had been wrong–who wouldn't want to witness a peak showdown akin to the Midseason Super Bowl?

But alas, truth is always more meager than hope. It's a familiar refrain.

“In my personal opinion, the current situations of the two teams are slightly different.”

“The Kansas City Chiefs are overly intense.”

“Their power, speed, and emotions are too amplified, similar to the American League Championship game, including Li Wei and Reed. Considering the historic challenge at hand–to win back-to-back titles, an accomplishment no team has achieved in 15 years–it's no surprise. They are also the first team since the Seattle Seahawks to have this opportunity. They have a hundred reasons to ramp up their momentum, but they've overdone it. They need to dial it back a little.”

“The Los Angeles Rams are too nervous.”

“Both McVay and Goff, their minds seem stuck in a rut, unable to open up their vision and broaden their perspective. They're boxed into their familiar patterns, trying to rely on strategies they're comfortable with to crack the code, failing to recognize that the defensive group in front of them is no longer the opponent they faced during the Midseason Super Bowl. They keep running into walls–each collision muddling them even further. Right now, they're trapped in a vicious circle.”

“At the root, it's still a matter of psychological adjustment.”

“The Kansas City Chiefs are too eager to defend their title. The Los Angeles Rams are too eager to capture it. Additionally, both teams are overly determined to replicate the fluidity and dominance of the Midseason Super Bowl. The more they push for this, the more counterproductive it becomes. External distractions add another layer of limitation, creating invisible uncertainty factors.”

“That's why the defensive groups, instead, have managed to excel, staying focused and delivering solid performances.”

“Yet to be perfectly honest, Aaron Donald's performance has also fallen short of expectations. His obsession with suppressing Mahomes and Li Wei has inadvertently exposed his intentions. So far, the standout performer in the Los Angeles Rams defensive group has been Defensive End John Franklin-Myers.”

“This fourth-round rookie, selected 135th overall this season, had an almost negligible impact throughout the regular season, serving as a third-string substitute. Yet here he is, seizing his moment on the Super Bowl stage, unrelentingly pressuring Mahomes on the line of scrimmage. He's currently the metronome of the Rams' defense.”

“The issue is, Franklin-Myers himself likely doesn't grasp this dynamic, making it hard for him to help the Rams defense find its rhythm again. The responsibility falls back on Donald to temper his eagerness and rein in his passion within reasonable bounds.”

Insightful and well-structured.

This time, Lawson opted to analyze the psychological aspects of the match, presenting a different perspective rather than diving into technical breakdowns.

After all, there wasn't much to dissect technically anyway.

Bart patiently waited to intervene at the right moment, “So, where do you think the turning point of this match lies? I bet you're going to say Li Wei.”

Faced with Bart's combative jibe, Lawson wasn't bothered. “I believe the turning point hinges on the leadership of both teams. When their respective figureheads regain their focus and help their teams find stability, we'll see a shift in the game. It could happen in a matter of minutes.”

“Whichever team accomplishes this first will gain the upper hand; if both teams do it one after the other, the match will get exciting.”

“Naturally, yes, Li Wei is included in this equation. On the offensive side, Mahomes and Li Wei, Goff and Gurley; and on the defensive side, Houston and Donald.”

Unhesitatingly, Bart pursued further, “So from what you're saying, you still believe the Kansas City Chiefs will be the first to make this adjustment?”

Lawson nodded earnestly, “I believe in Li Wei, and I believe in Houston–they're actively working through their issues. Of course, the Los Angeles Rams are also aware of this dynamic. This is the moment for Goff and Donald to prove their adaptability.”

Lawson paused before turning to Bart, “Do you still think the Rams will make the adjustment first?”

Bart didn't hesitate, “Absolutely. In fact, if this game ultimately trends toward a defensive showdown, I think the Rams' chances of winning will steadily increase. Right now, I see no valid reason for the Rams to lose. If they do, I'm willing to kiss a donkey's backside.”

Boom, boom, boom.

Social network: What?

The groggy online viewers, bored stiff from the first quarter, suddenly perked up. Did Bart from “Inside the League” just say…?

Kiss a donkey's backside?

And just like that, the internet went ablaze.

Chapter end

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