Chapter 612: Fully Displaying Their Edge
"Tackle! Saints' number 33 cornerback, Jabari Greer, made a crucial defensive play, and it might even be a game-winning one! Ted Ginn had successfully caught the ball, but Greer's timely collision forced an incomplete pass. Otherwise, a surprise long pass would have been enough to get them into field-goal range, or even further into the end zone, and the outcome of the game would have been completely different."
"The San Francisco 49ers are incredibly bold, abandoning the sideline out-of-bounds tactic and using a no-huddle offense from college. All the pressure has been put on Lu Ke's shoulders. Jim Harbaugh took a gamble and chose to trust this rookie quarterback, and Lu Ke's precise passing and play calling undoubtedly created an opportunity. It's a shame they were just shy of making it."
"So, what's next? Will Lu Ke dare to throw another deep pass?"
Watching Greer collide with Ginn, Lu Ke's brow furrowed in frustration. According to the plan, Ginn would complete the catch and Logan would make a block to cover for each other, ensuring the pass would find its target. But while the play was a good idea, in reality, Lu Ke misjudged the speed of Greer's defense. In a crucial moment, Lu Ke's observation and judgment still had flaws. It had to do with his ability, but also his experience. Even with a calm mindset, in a critical moment, his feel and vision were still slightly off, leading to the incomplete pass. Lu Ke realized once again that he needed to study and improve.
However, this wasn't the time to be frustrated. Even in the immediate aftermath of the incomplete pass, Lu Ke quickly gestured for all the offensive players to huddle up. Since it was an incomplete pass, the clock was stopped, and they had 25 seconds for a huddle.
"They won't change their defensive tactics. We still have the initiative on offense," Lu Ke said with certainty. The San Francisco 49ers were now on their own 30-yard line. They still had 70 yards to go for a touchdown and 32 yards for a field goal.
In other words, the New Orleans Saints still had a lot of room to maneuver and retreat. Even if they gave up on one-on-one coverage and let the receivers catch the ball, as long as they made a tackle within 10 or 15 yards, they could still maintain control. This allowed the Saints' defense to stick to its game plan, which was the simplest and most effective one.
So, Lu Ke decisively gave his conclusion, "Run, Forrest, run!" This was a classic line from "Forrest Gump," but in this moment, Lu Ke was resolutely expressing his will. All the receivers should choose their running routes freely, and Lu Ke would choose the most appropriate pass based on the situation after the snap, maximizing the power of the no-huddle offense.
As for how to arrange the plays, that was where a quarterback's tactical awareness was most concentrated. The choice of passing areas and the combination of long and short passes could truly show the essence of a mind game in a flash.
The players' determined gazes fell on Lu Ke. There was no hesitation or doubt. After a season of grinding and working together, the offense had truly built a sense of trust and chemistry. Even though the situation was difficult and dangerous, and the chance of winning was slim, they never hesitated.
Lu Ke held out his right hand, and the others all stacked their hands on top of his. Lu Ke shouted, "Keep fighting! Keep fighting! I need all of you to run! Everyone run! On three, touchdown!"
"One, two, three!"
"Touchdown!"
Without needing to say more, the offense quickly lined up again. As expected, the defense's formation hadn't changed. Only the positions of the linebackers and safeties had moved slightly, but the overall formation and structure remained the same. They were sticking to their previous defensive strategy.
30-yard line, 40 seconds, second-and-10. Shotgun formation, multiple-route formation. On the left, Crabtree; in the left slot, Marcus; on the right, Vernon, Ginn, and Logan.
"Hut!"
With a clear and concise snap call, Lu Ke grabbed the football with both hands. He took two quick steps back to adjust. His eyes quickly scanned the chaos between the offensive and defensive lines. The pocket's formation was a bit messy, but there shouldn't be any danger in the next two seconds, and that was enough. Then, with a slight look up, he took in the entire backfield.
Unexpectedly, Logan chose a right-side out route, making a lateral cut along the sideline and then quickly running along the sideline. The dazzling route distracted at least two players, especially near the sideline, which was a high-risk area. No one let their guard down.
Ginn ran in a straight line at a 30-degree angle to the left, aggressively pushing forward. He diagonally crossed the entire field from the right side, heading toward the corner of the end zone on the left. Like a tornado, he disturbed the focus of every defender in his path.
Vernon chose to run straight ahead, gaining five, then ten yards. His running posture was powerful and steady. A linebacker was in tight coverage, but Vernon used his size to hold his position, always having the upper hand in their duel, like a heavy cannon.
As for Crabtree, who was alone on the left, he creatively chose a short, in-cutting route. His running speed wasn't fast, and he was moving in a space about four or five yards away. After cutting into the middle, he suddenly made a right-angle turn and sprinted toward the deep part of the field.
And Marcus, as a slot receiver, used his nimble footwork, without any flashiness, to continue in a straight line. Surprisingly, he was running directly behind Vernon. They were running one after the other, looking like a two-man blocking unit.
With a quick scan from right to left, Lu Ke had the entire field's layout in his mind. He made an instant judgment and an instant decision. Then, he took a step forward and, using the power of his heels, pushed the football out with force.
Vernon was running forward with all his might, crossing the 35-yard line, the 45-yard line, and when he crossed the 50-yard line, he adjusted his feet and stopped. As he turned, he fiercely collided with the defender in tight coverage. He used the reaction force to make a turn and quickly prepared to catch the ball.
The next second, Vernon saw the football. Out of the corner of his eye, he also saw Marcus's powerful sprint. Vernon immediately realized that this was his chance. With two small steps to adjust, Vernon securely caught the football. It was a 20-yard deep pass, precise and stable. He was able to get control of it without any effort. He pushed off the ground, starting a second acceleration and sprinted powerfully toward the end zone.
"Snap! Pocket protection, Lu Ke! Lu Ke passes! In the chaotic pocket, Lu Ke took a step forward and completed the pass! 40 yards, midfield! It's a 20-yard deep pass, finding Vernon Davis precisely!"
"Malcolm Jenkins was at a disadvantage in his coverage! Davis only used one collision to create space for the catch! He wasn't interfered with at all! Davis has successfully caught the football! Beautiful! With a 20-yard deep pass, the San Francisco 49ers have successfully turned the tide. Now Davis is still advancing!"
"Davis! Davis's run suddenly started to accelerate! It's powerful and fierce. A defensive gap! The Saints have left a defensive gap! Davis is accelerating! Davis is now running completely free! He's a beast! Davis's performance today is that of a beast!"
"Two defenders are quickly coming up to form a circle! Marcus Lynch! Wow, Lynch has successfully made a crucial block! Davis is moving laterally toward the sideline! Missed tackle! The Saints' number 42 rookie safety, Isa Abdul-Quddus, missed the tackle!"
"45 yards, 40 yards! Jenkins! The relentless Malcolm Jenkins has pushed Vernon Davis out of bounds! He finally made up for his mistake with a crucial defensive play! My God! Unbelievable, this is truly unbelievable! This isn't a game-saving defensive play, but it's at least a game-prolonging one!"
"In the most crucial drive, the San Francisco 49ers' offensive tactics were wide open and incredibly bold. Crabtree, Newman, and Ginn all sprinted deep, forcing the New Orleans Saints' secondary to spread out completely. Then, with the crisscrossing routes of Davis and Lynch, they created a two-on-two defensive situation!"
"In the dangerous pocket, Lu Ke precisely found his target and successfully completed the pass!"
"After Vernon Davis caught the ball, he continued to advance, pushing all the way past the 40-yard line on the opponents' side. This means that the San Francisco 49ers are now in field-goal range, and he went out of bounds to stop the clock! As long as David Akers can make the field goal, they can tie the game! Could overtime be coming?"
"My God, this is definitely a crucial pass that could turn the entire game around! This young offense has shown all of their edge in today's game. After an eight-year absence from the playoffs, even against a top-tier offense led by Drew Brees, they have shown incredible explosive power. They have been strong and excellent throughout the entire game, and they've kept the suspense until the very end, even holding the initiative in their hands. No one should forget that the San Francisco 49ers still have the ball, and they have 31 seconds left!"
The cheers from Candlestick Park have completely spiraled out of control, tearing through the entire sky. It feels as if a ray of light is shining down: Bambi! Bambi! Bambi!
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