Dominate the Super Bowl-Chapter 336 335 Same School Showdown

"Burton!"

Directly ahead, a call jolted Burton Burns to attention, and he found himself locking eyes with Nick Saban, realizing he'd been caught daydreaming.

Burns awkwardly adjusted his sitting position and cleared his throat.

"Sorry, Coach. It's just..." Explore more stories at novelbuddy

He hesitated slightly but swallowed his words—

The University of Alabama's performance in the 2017 season was still dominant. Following the growth and transformation of Henry in the 2015 season and Li Wei in the 2016 season, Jacobs took on the responsibility of leading the team with a powerful momentum in the 2017 season.

The Crimson Tide Storm ended the regular season with an impressive record of eleven wins and one loss, the only defeat being the bitterly regretful "Iron Bowl" in the last week of the regular season. But with a quick turn, the Crimson Tide Storm rallied again and, after reclaiming the top spot in the Southeastern Conference, forcefully entered this year's nationwide championship match.

Because of the loss in the Iron Bowl, the Crimson Tide Storm, who had maintained its position as the number one seed throughout the season, slid to the fourth seed, which meant the team had to face the top-seed Clemson Tigers in the playoff semifinals—an old rival met yet again on a narrow path.

"24:6."

With a satisfying victory, the Crimson Tide Storm defeated Clemson for the third consecutive year in the nationwide championship and marched triumphantly into the final battle.

Two days later, on January 8, the Crimson Tide Storm was set to face the University of Georgia in Atlanta, striving to achieve a triple crown and continue the Alabama storm.

At present, the coaching staff was holding their last pre-game tactical meeting, and Burns' mind was wandering off.

The reason was very simple—

Today was January 6, and the NFL playoffs' first round wild card match was about to kick off.

That afternoon, the National Conference's first wild card match had ended. The Atlanta Falcons, who had suffered an epic defeat in the Super Bowl the previous season, rallied splendidly. Facing the Los Angeles Rams, who had risen to prominence this season and boasted strong Defensive Player of the Year contender Aaron Donald, the Falcons delivered their best passing game of the season and completely crushed the young Rams.

"26:13."

The sixth-seed Falcons defeated the third-seed Rams and moved confidently into the second round of the divisional playoffs.

Gunpowder, lingering.

At that moment, the tension and pressure of the playoffs burst forth in an instant.

Then, at 5:15 p.m. Pacific Time, or 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time, the American League's first wild card match was set to begin:

"Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tennessee Titans."

The NFL scheduled this game for prime time, further proving the League's confidence in promoting Li Wei. The do-or-die playoff match was not hesitated to be highlighted, although based on topicality and market appeal, the clash between Atlanta and Los Angeles would have been more suited for a night game. Yet, Goodell still insisted on his strategy.

Burns was somewhat distracted, his mind fixed on this game.

Henry was his protégé, and Li Wei was someone he personally introduced to the path of football. Although the two had never met in person, Burns often spoke of one to the other during chats, so they should feel an elusive sense of familiarity, even as strangers.

Burns had also imagined the scenario of his two protégés confronting each other on the field and had all sorts of speculations, but he never expected them to meet in a playoff life or death match—

It's like choosing between the palms of your hands and the backs of your hands.

For the past few days, Burns had been restless, filled with anticipation and worry, comfort and anxiety—a mix of contradictory emotions clashing and tugging fiercely at him. He could only fully commit himself to the preparation for the final battle of the nationwide championship, trying to divert his attention; but now, those emotions surged again.

Burns didn't want to miss this game, no matter who won or lost, he wanted to witness it with his own eyes.

However.

As the words reached his lips, he ultimately swallowed them down. He shouldn't disrupt the team's preparation rhythm, and as an assistant coach, he certainly shouldn't lead by being distracted.

"No, it's fine. Let's continue," Burns took a deep breath and refocused himself.

A smile flickered in Saban's eyes, "Oh, really? I was thinking we could wrap up the meeting here and go watch tonight's night game, but since you say it's fine..."

"Coach!" Burns suddenly looked up, his face full of excitement.

Saban couldn't hold back his smile, "The entire meeting room can tell you're distracted, as if everyone doesn't already know your thoughts have flown to Kansas City."

Not just Burns, Saban couldn't contain his curiosity either.

In the blink of an eye, Henry had been in the professional league for two years, but due to the team's strategy, his capabilities had not been fully utilized, nothing like his glory days during the Crimson Tide Storm.

Li Wei, on the other hand, was different. Reed was willing to give him a chance, and he had firmly seized it, delivering a record-breaking performance in his rookie season.

Now that the two were meeting on the field, it was unclear whether this could be the turning point in Henry's professional career, or whether Li Wei could help the Kansas City Chiefs change their postseason weakness.

"Burton, what do you think of this game?"

"I personally think Kansas has a higher chance of winning. The chemistry between Smith and Li Wei is good, and that Hunter also had a brilliant rookie season."

"Ah, I'm still worried about Derrick. He was unbeatable in college, but on the professional field, he seems to have power but nowhere to use it."

"Right, the NFL is like that. Who knows what Mulkai was thinking."

"I actually think the Titan's general manager didn't think it through. The team already had a powerful running back, why draft another one? Such a move is baffling. Mulkai can't make good use of Derrick, he must still be considering the first-string running back's feelings and salary considerations."

Bustling around, the arrival of the coaching staff saw the hotel's executive corridor already stuffed full of players from the Crimson Tide Storm.

When the young players saw the coach, they raised their arms one by one, shouting and causing an uproar, creating a lively scene.

Burns was taken aback, "You guys! Why have you all come over too?"

"Coach Burns, a match-up between Crimson Tide Storm brethren, how could we miss it?"

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"Exactly, no matter who wins today, it's ultimately a victory for the Crimson Tide Storm."

"Crimson Tide, roar! Crimson Tide, roar!"

Roar after roar, they cheered in perfect harmony, and even if they weren't at Arrowhead Stadium, the atmosphere here was just as intense.

Burns's stern face couldn't stay composed any longer, and he too raised his arms high, "Crimson Tide, roar!"

The other members of the coaching staff behind him shook their heads helplessly, chattering and joking among themselves.

"Josh, Josh, who do you think will win today?"

Within the cluster of players, the chirping discussions didn't stop, as eyes fell on the team's first-string running back, Jacobs.

Jacobs felt a bit troubled—

For them, Henry was a god, an unattainable figure high above; whereas Li Wei was a comrade-in-arms, a partner with whom they fought side by side to create miracles.

Those who had lived through the Henry era had mostly left the school, and Jacobs didn't know how to judge.

Subconsciously, Jacobs turned his head to look at a figure beside him.

"Rookie." Ronnie Clark didn't hesitate for a second before giving an answer.