One mistake, another mistake, and yet another mistake.
The Arizona Cardinals' defense looked like giant spiders on roller skates: clumsy, comical, and absurd, an utter laughingstock. From the very first defensive series, they had failed to find their rhythm, becoming dizzy and bumbling in the face of the opponent's powerful offensive momentum. Can you believe it? So far, they have only managed to force one incomplete pass, just one! This is absolutely shameful! Leaving aside the score, the performance of the Cardinals' defense was a nightmare from which they couldn't wake up, too painful to watch.
Darnell Dockett's unexpected error was a final blow, making him a joke to everyone in the stadium. Even before the visiting fans could start, the home crowd was already booing loudly. Many fans were raising their arms and shouting:
"Wake up! Wake up! The game has started, get your heads out of the gutter!"
"Damn it, did you leave your brain in the kitchen sink?"
"Do you even dare to win? For God's sake! Do you?"
The curses poured down like a storm. Some people even threw popcorn and potato chips, and the stadium became a mess, a truly spectacular sight.
Even the players were confused. Marcus ran back to his teammates with a blank look on his face. When his teammates looked at him with questioning eyes, Marcus innocently spread his hands and shook his head, indicating that he had no idea what had happened. Lu Ke glanced at the chaos in the center of the field and then looked away. He clapped his hands to get his teammates' attention. "Focus, we need to stay focused." As for the distractions outside the field, that was not their concern.
Thanks to the advantage gained from the last interception, a successful drive had now brought them to the opponent's 29-yard line. They were already in field goal range, but a field goal was not his goal; a touchdown was. So, they couldn't let their guard down, and they certainly couldn't lose focus. The Cardinals' defense was in a state of chaos, and their rhythm and performance were further affected. In contrast, the 49ers' offense was organized and calm. Dockett saw this, and his anger burned even more fiercely. That damn guy!
They lined up again, ready for the snap. Dockett, still furious, stood on the defensive line with his hands on the ground, staring at Lu Ke past the offensive line. His mind was bubbling with anger. However, his seven years of experience in the league left him with a shred of sanity, and he didn't completely lose control. He knew that Lu Ke would pass, Lu Ke would definitely choose to pass. So, the only thing he needed to do was to put enough pressure on the offensive line, disrupt Lu Ke's passing rhythm, or even better, make a sack after the blitz! He was going to teach that kid a lesson, to make him understand that football is not a game for just anyone. He only needed a small gap, just a small chance.
First and 10, no chance. After the snap, Lu Ke made a quick adjustment with his feet and threw a pass to Vernon Davis. It wasn't a two-tight-end play; it was just Vernon subbing for Logan to adjust the offensive rhythm and let Logan rest for a bit. Vernon successfully made a four-yard gain.
Second and 6, still no chance. Almost at the same time as the snap, the entire offensive line moved to the left. In two steps, Lu Ke completed a short slant pass. Ted Ginn Jr. made the catch and advanced another four yards in the gap of the zone defense. The 49ers' offensive rhythm was still fast. The yardage gains were mostly in the short-pass area, and the fast snap and release left little time for the defense to react. But the Cardinals' defense didn't dare to commit all their players, as they were still wary of Lu Ke's long-pass ability. Just one long pass, and the 49ers could easily pin the Cardinals to the wall. But Dockett still didn't let his guard down.
Third and 2, a chance came. The Cardinals' defensive formation changed from zone defense to man-to-man defense. They also moved their linebackers back to create an advantage in numbers in the short and medium-pass areas, immediately shutting down all four receiving options. At least in the first and second seconds, there were no holes, and every passing angle was covered. More importantly, Calais Campbell on the Cardinals' defensive line and O'Brien Schofield on the linebacker line seized the opportunity and used their power to hit the 49ers' offensive line, creating a small gap. The pocket began to become precarious.
One second, two seconds... Lu Ke still couldn't find a good opportunity to throw the ball. At this moment, Dockett realized that this was his chance. After a short collision, he quickly retreated and started again. He took advantage of his momentum, shifted his weight, and with a misstep, he broke free from Joe Staley. Then, with a step forward, he made a powerful breakthrough, getting around the left side of the offensive line.
Then, Lu Ke's figure was exposed, within his reach. Dockett spread his arms like an eagle, obstructing all the passing angles on this side, and his feet didn't stop as he charged forward. But at this moment, he could clearly see that Lu Ke's one-handed grip on the ball changed to a two-handed one. He then made a short, horizontal, light toss, sending the football out. It wasn't a pass; it was a handoff. It wasn't a pass; it was a running play!
Out of the corner of his eye, Dockett noticed that Lu Ke and Marcus had actually swapped positions. Now, Lu Ke was standing in the running back's position, and Marcus was standing in the quarterback's position. The question was, when did all this happen? Why didn't he notice it at all? Didn't Marcus run out with the other receivers? Marcus had been in the pocket the whole time? This meant that it was a running play, not a passing play? What the heck was going on? Could someone explain this?
"Shit! Shit! Shit!" Dockett felt like a hundred thousand alpacas were running through his mind. His lungs were burning, but it was too late to change direction. He could only continue to charge toward Lu Ke, following his momentum. Although he couldn't get a sack, he could still make a tackle! A foul? He didn't care! If he could, he would throw everything he had into this tackle and hit Lu Ke hard. It would be even better if he could knock the quarterback out of the game with a dangerous hit!
So, he accelerated, and accelerated again. Dockett pushed his speed to the limit. The explosive power of all his muscles was unleashed at this moment, as if this was the last crucial defensive play of the game. He didn't care about anything else and released all his energy. His eyes were fixed on Lu Ke. He gritted his teeth and charged with all his might. He could even hear the sound of bones breaking. How clear, how beautiful, how wonderful!
…
Lu Ke's eyes were always on the lookout, but there was no passing window, absolutely none. This time, the Cardinals' defense was highly focused. Two linebackers, two cornerbacks, and two safeties, using man-to-man coverage supplemented by zone defense, completely cut off all space for the four receivers. At least in the first and second seconds, they didn't show any weaknesses and completely covered the passing targets. The receivers needed more time to get open. But there was no time. Out of the corner of his eye, Lu Ke noticed Dockett breaking through Staley and, without hesitation, lightly tossed the ball to Marcus. This was originally a medium-pass play. Marcus had joined the offensive line to protect the pocket. Unexpectedly, the Cardinals increased their blitz on both wings, leaving Marcus, who was standing in the middle and waiting for an opportunity, relatively free.
Lu Ke didn't know if Marcus had a clear path to run, but he had no other choice now. So, Lu Ke completed the handoff with a light toss, and then his eyes were fixed on the charging Dockett. He knew that this guy would not give up easily. It was the same last time, and this time should be no exception. So, after Lu Ke handed off the football, he remained highly focused. Unlike before, Lu Ke was not paying attention to Marcus's run. Instead, he was fully focused on the powerful momentum of Dockett's charge, which was even creating a wave of air.
Lu Ke calmly adjusted his center of gravity, like a matador, standing still and waiting for the bull to approach. Then, in a flash, he used his right hand like a palm of steel, hitting the bull hard at the intersection of its neck and shoulder. In that instant, all his power erupted. Although his strength was only 64 points and his blocking ability was only 55 points, at this moment, being well-rested and fully focused, he took a small leap and used all his strength to hit the opponent, creating a powerful impact.
At the same time, with a light step, he shifted his weight backward, making way for the opponent. He used a move similar to Tai Chi's "four ounces to move a thousand pounds" to transfer all the power in his hand to the bull, and then, with a pull, the bull was sent flying out like a tornado. "Swoosh!"
"Thud," a heavy thud. Dockett hit the ground hard, and the world spun. He had no idea what had happened. One second, he was about to tackle Lu Ke with a lethal move. The next second, he was sent flying like a piece of junk. Then he could hear his bones making grinding sounds. His first reaction was, it's so noisy. His second reaction was, it hurts so much. The pain that burst out instantly overwhelmed him. He opened his mouth wide, but not a sound came out. It seemed to have exceeded the limit of what his pain receptors could handle.
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