Chapter 793: Overcoming the Inner Demon
"Touchdown!"
"The New York Giants have scored another touchdown! Absolutely brilliant! This is truly, absolutely brilliant! Just when everyone thought the scale of victory was tilting toward the San Francisco 49ers, Eli Manning once again showed his big heart, his toughness, and his ferocity. A drive that lasted over six minutes, enduring the heavy pressure of one fourth-down conversion, three third-down conversions, and the disruption of four yellow flags, he has once again scored a touchdown! They have retaken the lead!"
"The San Francisco 49ers' run defense had serious judgment issues in this game, with continuous missed assignments. Just now in this drive, they were first gashed by a 33-yard super run by David Wilson. Then, in the red zone, they missed a crucial and fatal tackle, watching helplessly as Ahmad Bradshaw stumbled and completed a four-yard run, falling into the end zone!"
"First Wilson, and now Bradshaw, the New York Giants have unexpectedly broken through the San Francisco 49ers' defensive line with a run, taking the lead again and firmly holding the initiative for winning this game."
In the studio, Kirk and Teddy both felt a little out of breath. Although the excitement and thrill of the fourth quarter was what everyone had been eagerly waiting for, when it actually arrived, they still couldn't help but feel their palms sweating and their throats dry, and their nerves became tense.
"The key turning point of this drive was clearly that fourth-and-one conversion. Eli Manning successfully gained one yard with a sneak, narrowly completing the fourth-down conversion and extending the drive's life. This was definitely a situation no one had anticipated!" Kirk nodded repeatedly in admiration.
Teddy also nodded in agreement. "In the two matchups between the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Giants last season, the winner was only decided at the very last moment. The suspense and thrill of the entire game were far beyond imagination. Now, it feels like we're back on the field of the NFC Championship. Doesn't everything feel so familiar?"
Kirk smiled helplessly and shook his head slightly, but the voice transmitted through the microphone was firm and clear enough. "The same opponent, the same situation, but a completely different atmosphere. For this young San Francisco 49ers' offense, the biggest test of the season has finally arrived. Whether they can break the curse and tie the score again could very well become a turning point for the second half of the season."
Kirk turned to look at Teddy. "Who could have predicted that this game would once again come to this point?"
"Perhaps this is called... an archenemy?" Teddy replied with a smile, not forgetting to rub his hands together like a fly, showing his strong anticipation.
It was indeed so.
In the NFC Championship, at the last moment, the New York Giants still had a one-touchdown lead, forcing the San Francisco 49ers to attempt a "Hail Mary" in the final drive as the clock was ticking down. Lu Ke's connection with Logan surprisingly extended the game into overtime, but in the end, Eli Manning led a game-winning drive to win the game.
In today's game, the New York Giants have once again taken a one-touchdown lead, and what's more, the San Francisco 49ers have only one minute and thirty-nine seconds left, which is ninety-nine seconds. They have once again been pushed to the edge of a cliff, while the New York Giants, with a seven-point lead, have quietly become invincible. The worst-case scenario for them is just another overtime.
Was this destiny, or a joke?
No wonder people always say that archenemies are bound to meet, just like the "Steelers-Ravens War" between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens.
These two division rivals' two matchups each year were always full of sparks and constant drama. Both sides had to squeeze out every last bit of energy from each other before a winner could be decided. Whether it was a high-scoring or low-scoring game, both sides fought a battle where they would lose a thousand of their own to kill eight hundred of the enemy. After a reckless battle to the death, both teams would more or less face a slump in their next game, and it was a serious warning that the next "Steelers-Ravens War" could not be so reckless.
But when the next matchup came, both teams were still happy to do it again.
Strictly speaking, the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers were not rivals, but unintentionally, their three matchups over two seasons were all incredibly close. They fought with all their might until they were completely exhausted. Until the last minute, it was impossible to easily determine who would win or lose. No one was willing to give up easily.
Now, it was time to decide the outcome again.
The two teams' special teams were on the field, while Lu Ke and all the offensive players stood in a unified line on the sideline, waiting to go on.
There were no slogans or shouts.
Because there was no need. In a daze, time had once again gone back to nine months ago, to that NFC Championship game that left a deep impression on everyone. The same opponent, the same situation. Not for revenge, but for victory. They had to be fully focused and invested in the game. Passionate and excited emotions quietly surged through their blood.
Kyle Williams completed the return. After crossing the 25-yard line, his steps got caught in the encirclement. He didn't try to go for more. To avoid wasting time, he quickly fell to the ground, leaving the offense with ninety-five seconds. Then, Lu Ke took the field.
Lu Ke was not too nervous, as if this was just a normal drive. His composure also affected the offense. The tense emotions caused by trying too hard, and the panic caused by worrying about repeating the same mistake, were slightly calmed by Lu Ke's firm and passionate tactical arrangements.
Lu Ke could feel that his teammates still cared. After all, the feeling of deja vu with the same opponent was just too much, like an inner demon that was impossible to escape. Lu Ke himself was no exception, but he was fully invested in the game and had temporarily put it out of his mind.
He clenched his fists tightly and made a lighthearted joke. "Everyone, focus. I don't want to try another Hail Mary. The last time I tried it, I got a massage for a full forty-five minutes, and Lucas complained about it."
What was a suffocatingly serious situation suddenly became hilarious. Everyone couldn't help but shake their heads. Faced with Lu Ke's banter, they were truly speechless.
"I'm serious. Everyone, get your heads in the game!" Lu Ke added again, then extended his right hand and placed it in the center. The offensive players all put their hands on top of his one by one. Finally, Lu Ke shouted, "On two, touchdown! One! Two!"
"Touchdown!"
After shouting in unison, the San Francisco 49ers' offense quickly lined up, ready to start their final powerful drive. The looks in their eyes showed a collective determination and courage!
On their own 25-yard line, first-and-10.
It was a multi-route offensive formation. On the right were three receivers: Vernon, Logan, and Ginn. On the left was Moss, all by himself. Lu Ke and Marcus stood side by side, four yards behind the center, Jonathan Goodwin, in a shotgun formation.
After the snap, the three players on the right ran forward with great force. They all advanced toward the deep area at the same pace, and after running five yards, they fanned out like a shotgun blast, completely stretching out the New York Giants' zone defense. You could clearly find open spaces in the left, middle, and right tactical areas.
Because there was less and less time left in the game and less and less offensive space for the San Francisco 49ers, the defense became more targeted. So, the New York Giants' defense intentionally moved back, trying to cover the middle and deep-pass areas as much as possible, while the short-pass area was relatively looser.
As a result, the New York Giants' secondary immediately moved. A full five players followed Vernon, Logan, and Ginn's steps, seemingly relaxed but actually tight, blocking all the sideline and vertical areas. There was no slightest bit of carelessness. Even the middle area was heavily guarded.
Moss, who was alone on the left, ran forward with light steps, quickly glancing with his peripheral vision. Then he could see that the cornerback in the front left was a decoy. That cornerback quickly dropped back, moving toward the middle to assist in the defense, as if he had already assumed that Lu Ke would challenge the deep area. The outside linebacker Jacquian Williams, who was two steps behind, immediately followed, covering Moss one-on-one, which also meant that the power rushing the quarterback should be limited.
For the San Francisco 49ers' offensive line, the pressure should not be too great.
Moss immediately used his hands to push Jacquian's shoulders away. After only running two steps, he made a lateral fake, and his body quickly pulled diagonally to the right along the open space between the linebacker and the defensive line.
Jacquian hesitated for a moment and only followed for half a step. Then, he caught Marcus's quick-moving steps.
Marcus intentionally paused in place for a while. After a half-second delay, he then moved laterally to the left, quickly moving forward along the open space in the slot.
Jacquian immediately became alert. He gave up on Moss and stayed in place, holding Marcus's advancing position.
But at that moment, Lu Ke's steps were solid and stable in the pocket. He raised his hand and sent the football out. It was a short pass at a forty-five-degree angle to the right front, about seven or eight yards. The forward direction was toward Moss, who had just made a lateral move!
The arc of Lu Ke's pass was a little high, and his judgment of Moss's run was not precise enough.
However, the control of the pass's power was very accurate. He didn't apply too much force or gravity. In the air, it seemed as if it was unable to move forward due to air resistance. Moss leaped slightly, extended his hands, and easily gained control of the football. The moment his feet landed, he could see two defensive players quickly rushing toward him.
🗒️NOTE:
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/MistaQuartz
Explore up to 30 chapters in advance!