Chapter 419: Extending the Lead

It wasn’t just the New York Giants Defense Team; even the commentators were completely baffled.

The San Francisco 49ers’ last offensive play was utterly dazzling. It pushed the West Coast Offense’s passing scheme to its absolute limit while also showcasing the pinnacle of a modern quarterback’s passing technique. It was a true demonstration of the essence of football. In that head-to-head clash, the New York Giants Defense Team was once again outmatched, reduced to a mere backdrop for the highlight reel.

In the studio, Kirk and Teddy started watching the replay, searching for Ted Ginn Jr.’s figure amidst the brilliant, complex web of routes.

After the snap, Ginn, lined up alone on the left, ran no fancy route. Like a dagger, he sprinted in a straight line, maximizing his speed advantage.

In reality, there were at least three zone defenders positioned within Ginn’s route path. But thanks to his teammates pulling the defense horizontally, the entire zone began to contract. This allowed Ginn to move like a fish in water, his nimble and fluid running style on full display. Only one cornerback, Blackmon, who was trailing on the left, came over to make the defensive play.

Blackmon was a big cornerback, standing at six feet (183 cm) and weighing 212 pounds (96 kg), a fourth-round pick from 2006. In comparison, Ginn was just 5-foot-11 (180 cm) and 180 pounds (82 kg), a full size smaller.

In a one-on-one physical contest, Ginn would undoubtedly be at a disadvantage. But when it came to speed, Ginn could easily gain the upper hand.

So, Blackmon tried to use his physical advantage to jam him at the line. Ginn, however, gave him no chance. Before they could engage, he used nimble footwork to evade Blackmon’s press coverage. This forced Blackmon to resort to a different tactic: predicting the ball’s landing spot ahead of time and planting himself there, attempting to make an interception.

In the duel between cumbersome and nimble, Ginn had the last laugh.

If that were all, the play could be called a success, but it would fall far short of being described as “brilliant.”

During the actual execution of the play, Lu Ke’s Observation Field of View remained wide open. Thanks to the solid pocket protection, Lu Ke calmly took in the entire field.

In fact, on his second read, Williams was already open and could have made the catch. If Lu Ke had chosen to throw to him, it would have been a pass of about thirty-five yards, and it would then be up to Williams to gain yards after the catch.

But Lu Ke’s peripheral vision caught another opening on the field. Because Williams had drawn coverage, the player defending Marcus had already started to shift. This created an opening for Marcus between Crabtree and Logan. His position was a bit closer, making it about a twenty-yard pass.

Interestingly, Marcus’s final position was parallel to Ginn’s. In other words, if Ginn hadn’t been able to create separation, Lu Ke could have adjusted his power and angle to throw to Marcus and still get the first down. But after Ginn shook off Blackmon and got open, it created a riskier, more uncertain opportunity—Blackmon could very well have intercepted it. Yet, Lu Ke still went with the bolder passing choice.

On a single down, by leveraging the different styles of four receivers, plus the disruption caused by Marcus Lynch, the seemingly impenetrable defensive backfield was torn open, creating at least three good passing opportunities.

Such a scheme, such a design—it was so brilliant it made you want to scream.

“Incredible!” Kirk exclaimed again, shouting. “I know, I know, I’ve used that word countless times, but I have to say it again: incredible!”

Kirk played the replay once more, showing the entire tactical sequence to the audience. “You have to see this. On this down, from the moment he read the defense, Lu Ke was already in complete control of the situation. His Observation Field of View, his defensive pre-reads, his tactical setup… before the ball was even snapped, he had already seized the advantage.”

“After the snap, his judgment was calm under pressure. He showed none of the panic or rushed throws of a rookie. Instead, he coolly observed the play’s development, sniffed out an opening, and then, like a hunter, decisively and boldly made the riskiest but also most confident passing choice. In terms of Tactical Awareness, control of the game’s rhythm, and his nose for the crucial moment, this rookie quarterback is already showing the potential of an elite quarterback.”

For the first time, Kirk’s praise reached a new level. Not just a good quarterback, but beyond the category of Eli Manning, giving Lu Ke an almost unbelievable affirmation.

After the words left his mouth, Kirk himself froze for a second. He then noticed Teddy’s utterly stunned expression, a look of shock that made Kirk burst into hearty laughter.

Kirk couldn’t help but add, “It’s just potential, and it’s just this one play. What I mean is, from the first game of the regular season until now, Lu Ke’s ability to control and read the game has truly made huge strides. It’s genuinely astonishing.”

The commentary booth was in an uproar. Everyone was marveling at the sheer brilliance of the play, amazed by the versatility of the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive schemes, and even more astonished by the audacity of Lu Ke’s throw. This was a continuation of Lu Ke’s style all season long: willing to take risks and make the play in crucial moments. At times when even onlookers’ palms were sweating, Lu Ke showed no hesitation!

Candlestick Park was also erupting. The fans couldn’t see the intricacies of the strategy, but they could clearly see the result: Lu Ke completed a massive sixty-one-yard long bomb to his wide receiver for a touchdown, widening the score gap once again. That was the best reward of all.

And so, the fans in the stadium began to sing at the top of their lungs. Twice now, they had been ruthless and decisive when cornered, plunging two daggers straight into the opponent’s chest. Today’s clash of titans was turning into a showcase for the San Francisco 49ers!

Could this week’s game turn into another blowout? Just like with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Washington Redskins, the games had carried immense anticipation and attention, only to become lopsided affairs. Just when everyone was expecting a back-and-forth battle between the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers, it was turning into a one-man show for the latter.

The subsequent course of the game proved two things: first, never underestimate Eli Manning’s explosive potential; second, the San Francisco 49ers’ Candlestick Park was unleashing a formidable power of its own.

After David Akens kicked the extra point, the score became 14-0. Then, Little Manning, leading the offense onto the field, finally started to find some rhythm.

However, after crossing midfield, Little Manning missed a third-and-three conversion opportunity due to a wildly inaccurate pass. The offensive momentum on the edge of the red zone ground to a halt. A potential seven-point touchdown turned into a solid thirty-nine-yard field goal. They had finally gotten on the board, bringing the score to 14-3.

After that, the San Francisco 49ers’ offense only managed one offensive series before the first quarter ended. After switching sides, they also had their first three-and-out of the game, and their offensive momentum slowed slightly.

The offensive opportunity returned to Little Manning’s hands. After crossing midfield, facing a fourth-and-one situation, the New York Giants went for it. They converted the fourth down with a tough run by running back Ahmed Bradshaw, keeping the drive alive.

Unfortunately, upon reaching the twenty-eight-yard line, Little Manning’s touch vanished without a trace once again. Not only did he have an incomplete pass, but he also nearly threw an interception, effectively striking out.

Facing a forty-five-yard field goal, kicker Lawrence Tynes was unfazed. He successfully made the kick, further closing the gap to 14-6.

As the game progressed, both teams truly got into a rhythm. Bit by bit, the New York Giants were closing the score. Although the San Francisco 49ers still had a slight edge in overall performance, it was clear that the New York Giants, led by Little Manning, refused to surrender easily. They were definitely not a bottom-feeder team like the Cleveland Browns.

The atmosphere immediately grew tense.

Faced with this situation, Lu Ke stepped up once again. In the following offensive drive, he elevated his game, mixing passes and runs to successfully establish a balanced attack.

After steadily advancing past midfield, he caught them off guard with a long pass. A twenty-three-yard throw found Crabtree, who, with Ginn drawing coverage and providing a screen, successfully beat his opposing cornerback to make the catch. In less than four minutes, the San Francisco 49ers had once again driven into the New York Giants’ red zone.

Next, both teams unleashed a powerful surge of energy, creating incredible sparks in their back-and-forth battle.

First and ten. The New York Giants batted down Lu Ke’s short pass. The ball didn’t even make it past the barrier of the Defense Line. Before it could reach Logan Newman’s receiving range, the pass was swatted down by Jason Pierre, who nearly came away with an interception, drawing a collective gasp from the entire stadium.

Second and ten. Lu Ke connected with Kyle Williams, but the play’s intent was read early. Although Williams made the catch, he couldn’t advance the ball, gaining only the four yards from the pass itself. In the blink of an eye, the 49ers were once again in a tough third-and-six situation.

Just when everyone thought Lu Ke would continue to pass, perhaps even attacking the end zone with a medium-range throw to finish the drive, he did the unexpected, handing the ball off to Marcus Lynch, who had been playing well all day.

Marcus found a seam between the Offense Line and Defense Line. His powerful run cut through like a hot knife through butter, and he charged into the end zone, easily scoring a touchdown. Just as the New York Giants were finding their offensive rhythm and closing the gap, the San Francisco 49ers once again pulled away with the sheer firepower of their offense, extending their lead.

21-6!