In the first half, both the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks offenses showed their capabilities. They moved the ball methodically and didn't face the embarrassment of going three-and-out. Furthermore, both teams, in turns, were able to score every time they took the field.
As a result, a lot of time was consumed. After the Seahawks scored another field goal, the two-minute warning of the first half had passed, leaving the 49ers with only one minute and twenty-three seconds.
A mere eighty-three seconds!
The only benefit was that the 49ers still had three timeouts.
Lu Ke, taking the field for the fourth time today, started in a shotgun formation and immediately showcased his incredible command of the short-passing game. He was able to exploit openings all along the sidelines, finding his targets even under tight coverage.
Richard Sherman, who had received so much attention due to his trash talk, was still struggling with rookie mistakes. Logan Newmann and Vernon Davis kept switching positions, perfectly executing the versatility of the two-tight-end formation by taking turns challenging the cornerbacks.
Facing two tight ends with different styles, Sherman found it difficult to use his size to his advantage and couldn't get into a rhythm with his positioning. He was clearly overwhelmed, repeatedly losing his position and watching helplessly as the 49ers successfully advanced the ball and got out of bounds to save time.
From the sideline, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll couldn't stand it anymore. He subbed out Richard Sherman for Philip Adams and adjusted his defensive strategy.
He stacked the box in the short and intermediate zones. The two Pro-Bowl safeties, Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas, also moved up, further compressing the defense and applying more pressure to deny the opponent any chance of advancing.
Lu Ke, who had already found success with short and intermediate passes, decided to take a chance. In a play-action pass, he adjusted the angle of the ball at the moment of release, throwing a high, arching rainbow pass—his famous signature move from Week 1.
The ball flew across the field, advancing a full forty-three yards, and found Ted Ginn, who was constantly changing his routes and speeds. Despite the harassment from safety Chancellor, Ginn made the catch unfazed but unfortunately couldn't advance any further before falling to the ground, where Chancellor was able to make the tackle.
Nevertheless, this long pass was a lethal blow to the Seahawks' defense. The 49ers once again advanced into the red zone, reaching the nine-yard line for a first-and-goal.
The Seahawks' defense showed incredible grit in the red zone, staunchly defending the first and second downs and forcing the 49ers to use two timeouts. Now, on a third-and-goal, the 49ers had to gain four yards, and a glimmer of hope was beckoning.
But then, it was Marcus Lynch again.
Lu Ke chose to hand the ball off to Marcus, who made a powerful sprint, then slammed on the brakes and made a sharp ninety-degree turn to break through from the side. Facing the oncoming outside linebacker, Marcus leaped over him like a panda, landing and tumbling into the end zone.
Another touchdown.
Just before halftime, the San Francisco 49ers delivered another punch to the Seahawks. With a single long pass and a run, they efficiently scored a touchdown. They then used a timeout to successfully kick the extra point, bringing the score to "13-28" and further extending their lead.
Shortly after, halftime began.
It's clear that this game is very different from the one in Week 1. The Seahawks are no longer the same team they were then, but neither are the 49ers. The back-and-forth between them was full of intensity, but the momentum still favored the 49ers, who have had a spectacular season.
During the halftime break, CenturyLink Field became an ocean of support. The 12th Man still didn't give up, loudly chanting different slogans, cheering on their home team continuously. A fifteen-point deficit is still manageable in the second half, so it was far from the end of the world.
When it comes to the passion and madness of fans, the 12th Man is truly among the best in the league.
However, the third quarter was destined to disappoint the home fans.
As the second half whistle blew, the Seahawks began with the ball. Amidst the home crowd's cheers, Tarvaris Jackson's first pass was intercepted!
"Justin Smith! Justin Smith has an interception! The San Francisco 49ers' number ninety-four defensive end continues his stellar performance this season, successfully intercepting the opposing quarterback's pass! He grabbed the ball with one hand! Tarvaris Jackson's pass route was completely read, and Justin Smith was standing right in the path of the pass for a clean interception!"
After being drafted as the fourth overall pick in the 2001 draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, Justin Smith's career had been rather unremarkable, and he never quite lived up to expectations.
In 2008, he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, where the defensive end found new life. That same year, he became the 49ers' team MVP. He then made the Pro Bowl in 2009 and 2010, establishing himself as one of the league's top defensive ends.
This season, number ninety-four's performance has continued to be spectacular, making him the absolute leader of the 49ers' defensive line. Today, Justin recorded his first interception of the season and the third of his career—he's not a player known for interceptions but is more of a specialist in run defense and rushing the quarterback.
"Wait, it's not over yet! Justin Smith is running it back! My God! The Seahawks' offense is in utter chaos! Smith found a seam, and the 49ers' number fifty-five outside linebacker, Ahmad Brooks, pushed aside a sure tackle. Smith has successfully broken free!"
"Smith! Smith! Under the protection of his teammates, Smith has cleared a path!"
"My God! Oh, my God! What is happening on the field! This is unbelievable! This is absolutely unbelievable! The San Francisco 49ers' defense has scored its first pick-six of the season! Touchdown, the 49ers have another touchdown! But this time, it's not from the offense, it's from the defense! Wow!"
In that instant, all of CenturyLink Field was confused, with their eyes filled with bewilderment. Even though the 49ers' offense had scored four touchdowns in the first half, and the Seahawks were constantly playing from behind, they had never been truly defeated and were still full of confidence—until now.
What just happened?
On the sidelines, Lu Ke and all his offensive and special teams teammates raised their hands high, celebrating wildly with their teammates. It was even more joyous and crazy than their own touchdowns. The sound of their wild celebration made the silence and oppression at CenturyLink Field even more noticeable.
But then, the 12th Man came back to life. Boos and curses surged like a tidal wave. The sixty-nine-thousand-seat CenturyLink Field was like an enraged beast, easily swallowing the celebration sounds of the away team. The sound of booing filled the air, relentless and deafening.
However, the 12th Man is just on the sidelines. They aren't on the field. They can't provide any direct help to their team.
After a defensive pick-six, the procedure is the same as an offensive touchdown.
The scoring team's special teams unit takes the field to complete the extra point, and then the scoring team kicks off to the other team.
In other words, after David Akers kicked the extra point, the score became "13-35." After the kickoff, the Seahawks' offense and the 49ers' defense were on the field once again for their next matchup.
Without a doubt, the Seattle Seahawks were now on the edge of a cliff, in a very dangerous position. Everything seemed different from the Week 1 game, yet everything felt so familiar. Now, the Seahawks need a touchdown. A field goal isn't enough anymore. They need a fast touchdown, racing against both the clock and their opponents. Only by quickly reducing the score difference can the game's suspense be maintained.
But that's just how it is in reality: the more you rush, the more you panic, and the more frustrated you get, the more mistakes you make.
After gaining only two first downs, the Seahawks' offense anxiously went three-and-out for the first time in the game. Forget about a touchdown; they didn't even get a chance for a field goal.
Next, the San Francisco 49ers' offense took the field again, but it was clear that Lu Ke had no intention of slowing down. He was still in full attack mode, and with a big lead, his passes became even bolder, more daring, and more aggressive.
In a screen pass play, with Vernon and Logan already having a matchup advantage, Lu Ke found an open lane and used a bullet pass to find Ginn, who was running a deeper route. He passed up the short throw for a long one, and the twenty-two-yard pass was so fast that Earl Thomas almost intercepted it.
But Lu Ke's pass was too fast. Thomas couldn't get his timing right and just barely touched it, but he still missed. Ginn, who was ready, charged in at the last second and made the catch in mid-air, a push that was nerve-wracking but ultimately successful.
It was clear that not just Lu Ke, but the wide receivers and tight ends were also in excellent form. And we can't forget about the running back.
One minute and forty-eight seconds after that risky pass, Marcus Lynch scored his third touchdown of the game!
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