Chapter 792: Erasing the Deficit
"Ahhhhh!"
This was the home team's moment. They had completed three touchdowns in a row with a destructive force, instantly pulling the two teams back to the same starting line. The momentum of the offense was completely unleashed, showcasing a spectacular and swift, powerful and fluid performance that reminded everyone of the team that swept through the league last season!
"Ahhhhh!"
Whether it was Moss's elusive running or Ginn's lightning-fast speed, the energy that the San Francisco 49ers' offense unleashed in a desperate situation once again proved that last season's shiny black horse was not just a flash in the pan. They were now exuding the aura of a strong team!
"Ahhhhh!"
From being behind to being tied, from a slump to dominance, from being dull to sparking with life, the progress of the game ignited adrenaline little by little, roaring through the entire Candlestick Park. No one was an exception. All seventy thousand spectators stood up, shouting at the top of their lungs!
This was what true excitement was all about!
This was what watching a game live was all about!
Sun Tongfei had completely forgotten his own existence at this moment, becoming one with the stadium. He cheered, jumped, and waved freely. At this moment, the focused figure on the Football Stadium and the absorbed face at Candlestick Park perfectly merged into one, truly shining with the brilliance of a superstar!
Amidst the cheers and roars of the crowd, David Akers once again showed his excellent state, proving that he was still solid despite his age. He kicked the extra point without any suspense, which officially announced that the score was tied, and the two teams were back on the same starting line.
Now, there were a full seven minutes and fifty-one seconds left in the game, which was more than enough time for both offense and defense. This was a severe test for both teams.
The New York Giants' offense not only needed to score in this drive but also needed to run down the clock as much as possible to further reduce the time for the San Francisco 49ers' offense to get back on the field, keeping the initiative firmly in their hands. The San Francisco 49ers' defense's mission was the exact opposite: they had to quickly get the opponent off the field and get their own offense back on.
In seven minutes and fifty-one seconds, too many things could happen.
No one should forget, and no one could forget, that Eli Manning was one of the quarterbacks in the entire league who was best at playing in the fourth quarter. In just one season last year, Eli Manning set several league records:
He was the quarterback who completed the most touchdowns in the fourth quarter in a single season, with a total of fifteen in the regular season. He was the quarterback who led the most game-winning drives in a single season, with eight games being won in the final drive. He was the quarterback who was trailing at the start of the fourth quarter but still won the game, with a total of five such games in the entire season.
All of the above were all-time records!
If you only talked about quarterbacks who won games with a comeback in the fourth quarter, the four elite quarterbacks had quite a few, and the numbers might even be higher than Eli Manning's. But Eli Manning's uniqueness was that he seemed to struggle after taking the lead, and he seemed to only explode when he was trailing. The two Super Bowl wins in 2007 and 2011 were also typical of Eli Manning's style.
Naturally, "comeback" and "game-winner" became Eli Manning's labels.
On the one hand, a comeback with a big heart at a crucial moment was always gratifying and heartwarming, since he could still win the game in the end. On the other hand, constantly putting himself in a difficult situation and having to dance on a knife's edge for every victory was a severe test for the fans' hearts.
Such a roller coaster of ups and downs was definitely not something that an average person could handle.
On a side note, after two seasons, the league found a co-owner for this label for Eli Manning: Andrew Luck of the Indianapolis Colts.
Now, the New York Giants needed Eli Manning to step up and once again use his big heart for a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter, leading the team to take back the victory they had in their grasp.
"In my opinion, the New York Giants still have the initiative. In the last three drives, they clearly lacked a little explosiveness and were unable to keep up with the rhythm in the face of the San Francisco 49ers' sudden all-around acceleration. But don't forget, the New York Giants' running back and receiving corps have maintained an excellent competitive form today. Under Eli Manning's leadership, as long as they can find their rhythm, the advantage is still on their side."
In the studio, Kirk and Teddy were giving their objective commentary. As the fourth quarter progressed, the intensity of the competition was gradually heating up, and their voices also began to rise slightly.
"Eli Manning has completed his tactical setup and is ready... to go!"
"The New York Giants' offensive line rushed forward in a swarm toward the middle area, creating a huge numerical advantage. They blocked all the opposing defensive linemen and linebackers behind the line. The entire pocket protection was like a fishing net, flipping over and forming a encirclement. This was something the San Francisco 49ers definitely did not expect."
"David Wilson! Rookie running back number 22, David Wilson, has the ball! Eli Manning didn't hesitate or stop. He immediately handed the football to the running back. Wilson is looking. He pauses and adjusts his steps in the pocket, then quickly pushes toward the left!"
"A great play! The New York Giants' offensive guard number 76, Chris Snee, made a great play! This veteran blocked the San Francisco 49ers' linebacker Aldon Smith at a crucial moment, winning a small breakthrough space for Wilson! Wilson has broken through!"
"The San Francisco 49ers' defensive players are trying to assist! Four players, a full four players are trying to assist! But it's clear that their center of gravity has lost the advantage. Wilson's steps are very light. He's gotten past the linebackers' and defensive linemen's counter-attack. He's dodging to the right. On the left, two defensive players can be seen approaching!"
"He's gotten away! Wilson's small arc run was truly clever. He shook off the assistance of cornerback Chris Culliver! My God! Open space! Open space!"
"25-yard line! 30-yard line! 35-yard line! 40-yard line! My God, Wilson's run has completely torn apart the entire San Francisco 49ers' defensive formation! 45-yard line! Midfield!"
"The two San Francisco 49ers' safeties, Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner, finally completed the double-team and jointly stopped Wilson! Wait, they couldn't hold their position. Wilson is still advancing! Wilson! David Wilson! This is simply unbelievable! Wilson has gone down! Wilson is finally forced to go down!"
"47-yard line!"
"The New York Giants successfully advanced to the opponent's 47-yard line with just one run. This was a 33-yard run! My God, it's beautiful, truly beautiful! The New York Giants' offense has finally burst with intensity again. They used an unexpected counter-attack from their offensive line, contained the defensive line's forward pressure, and with a clever block from Snee, they gained a running lane. Wilson continued his excellent running form today and crossed the midfield in one go!"
"This game is truly breathtaking!"
On the field, Wilson's unstoppable run was a powerful blow to the home team's defense, which had been improving in the second half. Even the cheers of the fans in Candlestick Park became a little chaotic.
But this time, Sun Tongfei was not lost or dazed. Although he was still nervous and anxious, Sun Tongfei raised his hands high and clapped above his head, "Clap clap! Defense! Clap clap! Defense! Clap clap! Defense!"
This was the response of the home fans. They were injecting a powerful energy into the defense with an even more determined and firm attitude. The outcome of this game was still not decided. They would never give up until the last moment!
Sun Tongfei was just a drop in the ocean of seventy thousand red jerseys. The sound, which was all connected, created wave after wave of shocking sounds in the air. Even when facing a difficult situation, they still did not lose their confidence and belief, showing the magnificent spirit of the home field and truly becoming the "50th person" on the field.
As expected.
With the cheers of the home fans, the San Francisco 49ers' defense immediately regrouped. They not only didn't lose their focus but also further improved their state, and then forced the New York Giants into a desperate fourth-and-one situation.
This time, the New York Giants' head coach, Tom Coughlin, chose to go for it on fourth down. As they entered the final stage of the bayonet charge, they also showed the dominance and resilience of a two-time Super Bowl champion.
After announcing the snap, Eli Manning did not pass or hand off. Standing behind the center, he immediately bent down and used all his strength to push forward.
This was a standard fourth-and-one conversion tactic.
In essence, it was a running play, but the difference was that it skipped the hand-off time between the quarterback and the running back. The quarterback acted as the running back, pushing forward forcefully. All the players worked together to push forward, and the running backs and tight ends would also get behind the quarterback, pushing him forward in a pile-up formation, forcefully gaining one or two yards to convert the fourth-and-one.
This tactic was very common in the league and was jokingly called "the quarterback sneak," with the analogy of a wild boars pushing a cabbage.
Although people always joked about this tactic, in reality, a few quarterbacks were very good at it and were often able to win a glimmer of hope for their team in a desperate situation, which was truly rare.
Just like now.
Before the San Francisco 49ers' wall of players could fully close in, Eli Manning successfully squeezed in, pushing and shoving his way to a one-yard gain. The fourth-down conversion was successful, and he earned three more offensive opportunities.
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