Capítulo 1421: Chapter 1420: Rivals in Glory
Run the ball like no other, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, average yards per carry, fumbles, all leading the league, undeniably the League’s First Man.
Catching like no other, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, average yards per play, all among the league’s top ranks, not falling behind even against the best wide receivers.
Though it’s extremely regretful that he couldn’t break the record for rushing yards, akin to Peterson in the 2012 season, considering the current pass-dominated era of the league and the receiving yard data, it’s all fine, representing comprehensive progress in keeping with the times.
So, does such a player have the qualification to compete with Lamar Jackson?
Certainly, one hundred percent, and the result is hard to predict. Even the most quarterback-biased professionals can’t easily claim that Jackson would prevail.
This, is Li Wei!
The League’s First Man today.
After high-output performances in the 2017 and 2018 seasons, Li Wei once again stunned the league with a ferocious display, not only delivering strong output for three consecutive years but surpassing his previous two years with career-best achievements, silencing all negative voices.
Reflecting on the 2019 offseason when Kansas City Chiefs signed a groundbreaking contract with Li Wei, the entire league gasped, surrounded by hesitation and doubt, questioning not Li Wei but the value of the running back position.
In a blink, as the season nears its end, looking back at that contract, the entire league unanimously gives a thumbs up, praising Veach for foresight, courage, and wisdom due to the excellent 2019 season. If Kansas City Chiefs renegotiate the contract with Li Wei in the next offseason, the numbers that astonished people previously might not be sufficient; they must make sacrifices.
Indeed, forward-thinking foresight!
Over three seasons, concerns like “Sports Wonder,” “One-Hit Wonder,” “Fleeting Meteor” consistently surrounded Li Wei’s head, with stereotypes about running backs lingering, bustling noise ever-present, fearing Li Wei might fade into mediocrity at any moment.
To this, Li Wei never responds or retaliates—
Everything speaks through actions.
Facts prove Li Wei wasn’t fleeting or declining, consistently boosting his presence with astonishing performances, refreshing his personal career-best in his third year, building on the jaw-dropping display of the previous two seasons.
This is not just a dominating performance but historical and legendary.
As people marvel at McCaffrey and Thomas breaking stereotypes in their respective positions, Li Wei, like Jackson, overturns all perceptions.
Is this Li Wei qualified?
Hence, Gilmore wanting to compete for regular-season MVP, defensive players striving to shine, clearly the 2019 season wasn’t the best opportunity.
McCaffrey and Thomas are the same.
The bustling focus converged on Li Wei and Jackson, the rivalry between the two drawing immense attention, precisely why the Houston Texans sweeping the Baltimore Ravens elicited such a backlash.
So, between Li Wei and Jackson, who deserves the regular-season MVP title?
In terms of statistics, the two players are neck and neck; probability-wise, though, Jackson holds the edge.
The reason is simple and straightforward—
The last time anyone won back-to-back regular-season MVPs was ten years ago when Peyton Manning clinched the titles in the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
As the league entered the passing era, quarterbacks unquestioningly became the biggest favorites for regular-season MVPs; the difficulty for other position players to claim the title is evident—it’s tough enough once, achieving such a feat for two consecutive years is almost impossible.
The last non-quarterback to win consecutive regular-season MVPs was in the 2005 and 2006 seasons when Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun-Alexander and San Diego Chargers running back Tomlinson claimed the trophy, leaving their mark in history.
In NFL history, which running back achieved the feat of winning consecutive regular-season MVPs?
Indeed, for a running back, delivering top-tier performance for one season is challenging enough, producing perfect results for two consecutive seasons to convince league professionals seems an impossible task, regardless of era, even during the rushing era half a century ago.
The answer is Jim Brown, the Cleveland Browns running back, who won back-to-back regular-season MVPs in the 1957 and 1958 seasons—
That was during the first and second regular-season MVP evaluations, now seventy years ago.
Clearly visible situation.
Indeed, Li Wei performs excellently, exceedingly excellently; but he already garnered the regular-season MVP last season, it should be Jackson’s turn this year.
Because quarterbacks are more valuable than running backs, because the league hopes to steer the passing-dominated era back on track slightly, and partly because Jackson’s 2019 season was indeed remarkably outstanding deserving reward.
When the regular season concluded, the regular-season MVP chants around Jackson soared beyond reach, unsurprisingly.
Everything is understandable.
However, Li Wei has one more ace up his sleeve—
Passing.
Eleven passes, eleven completions, 100% pass success rate, also with four passing touchdowns.
League: …
Social networks are even more shocked.
“Calling Area 51, calling Area 51, there’s an alien here.”
“Just when everyone thought Li Wei had reached his limit, Li Wei stands quietly, smiling: Look, a bunch of fools.”
“Professor, indeed a Professor!”
Praise, shock, screams.
The whole network platform crowded noisily, even professionals left speechless, such Li Wei evokes memories of peak JJ-Watt.
As a running back, can run, can catch, can dismantle, can block, can even pass, no longer just a role, equivalent to a second quarterback presence.
Even, akin to the team’s second brain, complementing the head coach, playing a tactical brain swiftly operating on the field.
Before McCaffrey, Li Wei’s emergence already happened, even McCaffrey himself stated, all inspiration came from Li Wei, he takes Li Wei as his model.
Before Jackson, Li Wei stepped ahead, as a running back, paving a new path, truly making the entire league realize the offensive group’s tactical cornerstone a realm full of possibilities, Reed-led coaching staff benefiting from Li Wei’s presence, carving new space for Kansas Chiefs Offense—
Cheating Motion, modern outside zone offensive system, Read Option Offense, Wuju Merchant Offense, etc., they’re merely expressions, the true core is “Chiefs Special,” forming a brand-new tactical system around Li Wei, inside and out, overturning the league’s imagination.
Overturning rules, overturning patterns, overturning norms.
Such Li Wei, can he battle with Lamar Jackson, carrying on creating history?