Chapter 1040: Using Their Own Method

The second half of the game had started, and the San Francisco 49ers, who were still in the lead, were the first to make an adjustment.

For Jim Harbaugh, it wasn’t his style to play conservatively and wait for victory. You had to take the initiative, change things up, and fight for it. Victory wasn’t something you waited for, it was something you fought for. So, even though the home-field 49ers still had the lead and the momentum, Harbaugh was the first to make an adjustment.

It was clear that from the defensive line to the linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties, the entire 49ers’ defensive formation was starting to compress forward, increasing the intensity of the front-field defense.

Russell Wilson’s passing style did have its own characteristics. One of his long-pass techniques could always create a surprise. People always talked about and compared Russell and Lu Ke. In addition to being underestimated in the draft, their tactical styles were also part of the reason.

The matchup between Russell and the 49ers’ cornerbacks was supposed to be one of the highlights of the first half, but Russell hadn’t found his rhythm today. His passing performance was not satisfactory, which shifted the focus of the matchup to the ground. So the 49ers’ defense made a corresponding change.

Now, the 49ers’ defensive formation had some similarities to the Seattle Seahawks’, but it also had its own unique characteristics.

The secondary defense was completely handled by two cornerbacks and two safeties. The front-field defense was stacked with three defensive linemen and four linebackers.

For the secondary defense, their positions were all compressed forward. On one hand, this was to further squeeze the receiver’s space and possibly make contact in the short-pass area five yards out, preventing the wide receivers and tight ends from getting up to speed.

On the other hand, this was to deal with the Seahawks’ running game. If Russell handed the ball off to a running back or if he chose to run himself, the secondary defenders could assist and help with the tackle at the first opportunity, preventing another long run.

For the front-field defense, the three defensive linemen and the middle linebackers worked together to shut down the running game in the middle.

Unlike the Seahawks’ middle linebacker, Bobby Wagner, the 49ers’ two middle linebackers, NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis, didn’t have to cover the running game on both sides. Instead, they focused entirely on the offense in the middle, including both running and passing plays, and defended against Russell’s play-calling.

The two outside linebackers, Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks, were on both sides, ready to move. Their main task was to cut off the running backs’ side attack routes and to look for any potential opportunities to blitz the quarterback, completely unleashing the front-field’s impact and applying pressure.

No one should forget that the 49ers’ defense was the second-ranked defense in the league this season, and what they were known for was their front-line pressure and run-defense. When Russell’s passing game was not working, the 49ers shrewdly kept up the pressure, putting all their weight on Russell’s shoulders.

Slightly different from the Seahawks’ defensive focus, the 49ers weakened their passing defense and increased the intensity and rhythm of their front-field defense by two notches. This instantly broke the balance between the two teams. The Seahawks’ offense immediately became more nervous.

Facing this situation, Russell could only try to pass the ball. Compared to the storm of the front-line defense, the space in the secondary defense was almost blatantly waiting for an attack. This was his best way to break the deadlock.

But the problem was that the 49ers’ front-field pressure was just too fierce. The Seahawks’ pocket protection was almost non-existent. Russell’s passing time was further shortened. Every time, he had to look for a target in a storm of pressure. His already poor passing completion rate was now even worse. He almost threw an interception at least three times.

Even so, Russell still managed to get a moment of brilliance in the airtight defense. He found an opening in the backup cornerback, Tarell Brown, who had just come on, and found tight end Zach Miller, completing a 12-yard pass. Miller then ran for another six yards.

They advanced a total of 18 yards!

However, that was all they could do in the passing game.

This was still a drop in the bucket for the running game.

Stumbling forward, the Seahawks still managed to get to the opponent’s 38-yard line with the help of their running backs. Then, they were stopped, three-and-out. There was no chance at all. Facing fourth-and-10, they directly gave up the possibility of going for it. But the problem was that if they tried a field goal from that position, it would be a 56-yarder, which was too risky. In the end, Pete Carroll still chose to punt.

In the first offensive and defensive showdown of the second half, the 49ers got the upper hand!

Both special teams officially came onto the field.

The punt was in a very forward position. It was very likely that the punter would kick it out of bounds, which was to prevent the opponent’s special teams from returning the punt.

The Seahawks’ punter, Jon Ryan, was a veteran who entered the league in 2004. The possibility of him making a mistake in a crucial moment was very small. After the referee’s whistle blew, the center snapped the ball to the holder. Jon Ryan quickly ran forward, but before he reached the holder, his feet turned and he sprinted at a 45-degree angle to the left.

A trick play!

The 49ers’ punt return team’s alarm immediately went off. The Seahawks’ holder was Matt Flynn—the team’s backup quarterback. He entered the league in 2008, joined the Green Bay Packers, and was Aaron Rodgers’ backup for three years. He had just joined Seattle in the offseason.

Using a backup quarterback as a holder is one of many teams’ common practices. The 49ers were no exception. Scott Tolzien had always been the team’s holder.

The reason?

Because the holder could pass the ball unexpectedly!

You can understand it this way: every offensive drive has four downs to gain 10 yards. If all four downs are used up, the opponent will start their drive from where the offense was tackled. So, generally, after using three downs, the team won’t go for it on fourth down and will choose a field goal or a punt.

In other words, a field goal or a punt is the fourth down. A field goal is a chance to score three points, while a punt is a chance to kick the ball deep into the opponent’s territory. They can both be considered a down. So, if the offense still chooses to go for it during a field goal or a punt, it’s allowed by the rules. This is like using the special teams as the offense.

This is another kind of trick play!

But the special teams are not the offense. The risks are very serious. From the kicker to the holder to the offensive line, every part of the special teams will be tested. Not to mention the complex play-calling. Their ability and skill limit their ability to move the ball forward. Instead, the opponent’s special teams can often have the upper hand.

Now, the Seattle Seahawks had chosen to take a chance!

The punter, Jon Ryan, had started to run to the left, completely disrupting the entire punt formation and attracting the attention of most of the special teams players.

The 49ers’ special teams immediately reacted. Some quickly backpedaled, trying to defend against a pass, while others charged forward fiercely to apply pressure and get a sack. In the midst of the chaos, they were doing their best to perform their defensive duties.

Matt Flynn, holding the ball with both hands, stood up from his half-crouching position, but he didn’t pass to Jon Ryan. Instead, he threw a light, low pass forward. He then stood up and pretended to move toward Jon Ryan, making a throwing motion.

The one who had just caught the pass was none other than the Seahawks’ fourth-round, 106th-overall pick this year, running back Robert Turbin!

"...Oh, it’s a fake punt! Ah! A fake! It’s actually a fake punt!"

"Here it comes! Matt Flynn!"

"Wait, it’s not Jon Ryan! It’s not Jon Ryan! It’s... number 22! Who? Matt Flynn handed the ball to number 22! It’s too late! The San Francisco 49ers are too late! The Seahawks’ three offensive linemen have charged forward, pushing the 49ers’ three defensive linemen to the right, completely clearing the middle for number 22!"

"Who is he? My God! How did all this happen?"

"Unbelievable!" 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"The 49ers’ players didn’t expect this at all. A second ago, they were trying to tackle Jon Ryan. The next second, they could only watch number 22 cross the line of scrimmage! Pete Carroll’s trick play completely fooled the opponent’s entire coaching staff!"

"The 49ers’ players are still chasing. They haven’t given up!"

"But number 22 is running faster and faster! His speed is amazing! This is... this is a running back, Robert Turbin! This year’s rookie running back! He has a 4.44-second 40-yard dash time, and he weighs 225 pounds! His run is fast and fierce. He looks like an agile leopard! Turbin breaks a key tackle from an opponent! He broke the tackle!"

"Turbin! Turbin! Robert Turbin is still sprinting! The 15-yard line! The 10-yard line! The 5-yard line! Jesus Christ, Turbin has successfully entered the end zone! Touchdown! It’s a touchdown!"

"My God! The Seattle Seahawks first chose a fake punt, then used Jon Ryan to divert attention, and finally used Robert Turbin to complete the drive! Spectacular! Absolutely spectacular! From the plan to the execution, it seemed dangerous, but it was actually very steady. Everything was within Pete Carroll’s calculation!"

"The Seattle Seahawks have tied the game and are about to take the lead! I can’t believe it! God, oh, my heart!"

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