Dominate the Super Bowl-Chapter 1675 - 1674: Open Secret

"Reality is cruel."

"We know that Li Wei will shoulder the offensive burden, the fans watching in front of their televisions know that Li Wei will shoulder the offensive burden, the Buffalo Bills also know that Li Wei will shoulder the offensive burden, and the countless eyes are all focused on Li Wei. More importantly, Li Wei also knows that everyone knows he will shoulder the offensive burden."

"It’s an open secret."

"Yet, there’s still no answer."

"The Buffalo Bills defensive group is facing serious trouble; they can’t stop Li Wei."

"They can’t stop him, utterly cannot stop him."

"This is the obvious problem; the teacher has already placed the exam questions right in front of us, an open book exam, the problem is right there. If it cannot be resolved, the game cannot proceed."

"The Buffalo Bills are facing a stalemate!"

"This endless downpour has completely changed the game dynamics. The new generation quarterback duel of ’Mahomes VS Allen’ has fallen into the mud, yet unexpectedly, it has become the stage for Li Wei to shine brightly."

"Or perhaps, it’s not surprising at all, because this has already happened for the hundred and first time."

Last season, the Buffalo Bills defensive group ranked thirteenth in the league, not top-tier. This traditionally strong defensive team is quietly transforming into a team that relies on offense to win. Their pass defense ranked sixteenth, while their ground defense ranked tenth. In comparison, ground defense is their strong suit.

However, here’s a detail: the Buffalo Bills ranked second in the league for third/fourth down defense and red zone defense. In key moments, at the moments of victory and defeat, in the instant of life and death, they always show explosiveness; the traditions of defense are deeply ingrained and cannot be underestimated.

Especially ground defense.

New season, new atmosphere, and also new problems.

After five games, the Buffalo Bills’ ground defense is becoming a crippled item, only ranking thirteenth in the league, clearly facing some issues.

"Now, these issues are being magnified."

"The Buffalo Bills are facing Li Wei, the League’s First Man, entering his fourth season in the league, still creating history and rewriting history as a top-tier running back."

"No, elite running back."

"Any defensive group facing Li Wei, if unable to come up with an effective containment plan, they will lose helmet and armor amidst Li Wei’s continuous onslaught."

"Believe me, the speed at which things spiral out of control might be beyond imagination."

"If Sean McDermott cannot quickly come up with a solution, the suspense of who wins this game won’t last long, and there won’t be a chance to turn it around."

"We’ve witnessed this more than once or twice."

Sean McDermott, head coach of the Buffalo Bills, took over in 2017, and in just three seasons, has revived the team, bringing newfound vitality and returning to playoff contention.

Now in Buffalo, McDermott is like a savior, holding a revered status in both the city and the team, receiving praise, cheers, and applause.

Everything is like what "Spider-Man" says, "With great power comes great responsibility."

As McDermott enjoys the spotlight and applause, he’s also bearing heavy responsibilities. Countless Buffalo residents and numerous fans opposing the Kansas Chiefs have pinned their hopes heavily on McDermott’s shoulders—

"I don’t care if the Buffalo Bills win; I just don’t want to see the Kansas Chiefs win."

"Come on, haven’t you watched the Las Vegas Raiders game footage? Why not learn their tactics for defending against Li Wei?"

"If the Las Vegas Raiders could do it, the Buffalo Bills should be able to, right? And they even dream of overthrowing the New England Patriots and pushing into the Super Bowl. Haha."

The turmoil and bustle, a cacophony of voices.

"Stop Li Wei!!!"

McDermott: ...

A breath stuck in his chest, neither expelling nor swallowing, stopping Li Wei?

It’s casually said easy, do those people think he doesn’t want to stop Li Wei? If anyone knew how to stop Li Wei, feel free to take over his job. One by one, keyboard warriors curl up on their sofas, pontificating, thinking they’ve mastered the truth, yet unaware those words just reveal their foolish ignorance.

Do you know how terrifying Li Wei is?

No need for words; just by standing there, Li Wei has the entire defensive group on high alert, and even McDermott’s nerves tighten along with them.

Damn!

Damn, damn, damn!

But now, McDermott doesn’t have time to haggle with those foolish netizens; he must focus on himself, focus on the game, and turn the tide.

As previously mentioned, McDermott is Reed’s direct disciple.

In 2001, McDermott entered the NFL as a coach for the first time at the Philadelphia Eagles; Reed personally interviewed him and offered him the job, hand-guiding McDermott through the ropes.

McDermott worked under Reed for a whole decade, rotating through positions like secondary defensive coach, lineman coach, defensive line coach, and more.

It’s not an exaggeration; without Reed, there wouldn’t be the McDermott of today.

Precisely because of this, ever since McDermott took office at Buffalo, the relations between Buffalo Bills and Kansas Chiefs have been favorable, frequently exchanging in the free market.

During his time at the Philadelphia Eagles, McDermott often faced the first-team offense with the second-team defensive group, deeply experiencing Reed’s ability to orchestrate offensive tactics, often under its shadow and pressure. He thought that accumulating knowledge and experience over many years would eventually allow him to shake off constraints, relying on his familiarity with Reed to turn the tide.

But contrary to expectations, even as head coach, he still feels constrained and suppressed by Reed.

McDermott knows that truth and illusion are hard to discern; Reed’s offensive methods are unpredictable. Now, adding Mahomes and Li Wei, Reed’s weakest in-game adaptations are also greatly improved, making the Kansas Chiefs offense increasingly formidable.

Once he starts speculating Reed’s mind, his familiarity with Reed might instead set him up for a trap.

He needs to be self-centered.

In these two seasons, the Buffalo Bills have relied on offense to step onto the playoff stage, transforming into a new generation of strong teams in the American League. But McDermott has never forgotten the reason he got this job and the confidence from two decades of hard work accumulating experience—

Defense.

Just like the Pittsburgh Steelers, even with Roethlisberger, Tomlin has never forgotten the team’s defensive tradition.

The Buffalo Bills are the same.

Taking a deep breath, McDermott collects his scattered thoughts, burying all unease and anxiety, his eyes revealing some determination.

Since it’s an apparent challenge, it should be faced head-on.

Li Wei is not Superman; Li Wei is not an invincible existence. The rain before us is a double-edged sword; let’s see who can use it well.

Turnover, too.

The turnover is a heavy blow to morale, but if the crisis before us is seized to turn the tide, a desperate counterattack can instantly boost morale, helping the young and spirited Buffalo Bills regain their confidence and fighting spirit, taking the crisis as a starting point to march toward victory.

He’s ready.