The locker room fell silent, but the noise from outside the stadium was endless. The passionate shouts and roars echoed throughout Candlestick Park, making people eager to put on their helmets and return to the field, to join this powerful and brutal showdown.

But the reality was, Lu Ke was sitting on a cold bench, confined away from that field for the first time. Lu Ke didn't like this feeling. Even though he knew it was a helpless, no-other-choice situation, he still didn't like it. To be precise, he hated this feeling. Only when he was on that field was everything lively and vibrant. He was willing to give it his all, fight until the last moment, and burn his last drop of blood.

After realizing the stirrings deep within his soul, Lu Ke couldn't help but smile wryly. The season wasn't even over yet, and he had already fallen deeply in love with this stadium and this field. He refused to surrender and refused to leave easily. So, how hard would it be to retire?

Retirement?

After the word inexplicably flashed through his mind, Lu Ke smiled again. Obviously, before he could even think about retirement, he had many, many games to fight. Today was just one of many obstacles. It seemed incredibly difficult right now, but when he looked back on it in the future, it would just be a small hurdle.

Before Week 15 of the regular season, Lu Ke received the usual game tasks from the system, but there was nothing special about them.

"Game Tasks:

Complete a passing touchdown in an official game; Requirements: none; Rewards: base points +1 for each touchdown.

Control the passing in the second half of the game; Requirements: use of medium passes must be higher than 30%, with more than 50 yards gained; Rewards: base points +1.

Complete defensive reads in the second half of the game; Requirements: correctly identify the opponent's intention to sack the quarterback at least twice and make the correct pass/run choice to gain yards; Rewards: base points +1.

Complete designated formation passes in the second half of the game; Requirements: gain at least 50 yards in the shotgun formation; Rewards: base points +1.

Win the official game; Requirements: none; Rewards: base points +3."

That was all. Compared to the previous few games, there was nothing special about them. Although the main tasks were all focused on the second half, Lu Ke simply took it for granted that since they were focused on the first half before, it was only natural for them to be in the second half today. After all, against a strong team like the Steelers, the outcome of the game might be decided in the fourth quarter.

Moreover, the system didn't give him any tasks related to Charles Davis' bet, as if it wasn't even aware that the commentator had once again provoked Lu Ke, like a persistent fly. Everything before the game was calm.

As for the specific requirements of each task, other than the "defensive reads" one, which was quite unique, the others were unremarkable. Lu Ke guessed that the system wanted him to be aware of the strength of the Steelers' defense and to be more focused on reading the defense, identifying the opponent's blitzing intentions, and gaining yards.

This made perfect sense. Compared to the previous game against the Arizona Cardinals, the tasks for this game were even a bit boring. So, Lu Ke naturally focused all his energy on preparing for the game and didn't realize how tough the game would be.

The first half today was a disaster. Even in the two games they lost to the Cardinals and the Ravens, the first half wasn't this bad. Not even in the game against the Cowboys was the first half this bad. On one hand, Lu Ke was not in good form himself, and on the other hand, the Steelers' defense was absolutely powerful. With the combination of the two, the 49ers' offense was completely defeated and had no ability to fight back.

Now, after entering the locker room, to be honest, Lu Ke's mind was still blank, and he had no clear idea or concept of how to turn the game around. Then, the system appeared with a special task, like a beacon in the darkness.

"Special Task: Antonio Brown's Breakout Game.

Task Description: A challenge from Steelers' number 84 sophomore, Antonio Brown. The bigger the stage, the more he wants to perform. Given the right opportunity, he can break out of his cocoon and become a top-tier wide receiver. For Brown, Monday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers is a great opportunity, and he won't miss it easily.

Task Requirements: Defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers purely with passing touchdowns.

Task Rewards: special points +3, willpower +3, mental toughness +1, unknown collective training skill package +1.

Failure Penalty: short pass accuracy -2, medium pass accuracy -2, long pass accuracy -2; in media interviews, your rebuttal skill on topics about Antonio Brown will be reduced by 50%, and your praise effect will be increased by 200%."

This special task was indeed "special." It was a head-to-head between two offenses, and facing Antonio Brown's excellent performance, Lu Ke was required to defeat the opponent purely with passing touchdowns. This was definitely not an easy task. Considering that the Pittsburgh Steelers had already scored three touchdowns in the first half, this meant that Lu Ke had to score at least three touchdowns in the second half.1

Three touch2downs in one half was already difficult enough, but that wasn't all. If the Pittsburgh Steelers continued to score in the second half, Lu Ke would have to work even harder and score more touchdowns. So far this season, the best game Lu Ke has had was only three touchdowns in one half.

Moreover, the Pittsburgh Steelers had their offense, defense, and special teams all playing well. It wasn't just Brown; if any player scored, the difficulty for the San Francisco 49ers to win would increase, which meant that the burden of Lu Ke's passing touchdowns would also increase. This was not fair.

However, Lu Ke had no way out. Facing such a penalty, he had to give it his all. He not only had to win the game but also had to complete the special task. This was a great stage and opportunity for Brown, and it was also a great opportunity for Lu Ke. He wouldn't forget that this was Monday Night Football, a very important Monday Night Football game.

This wasn't the only special task. Just like last week's game against the Arizona Cardinals, there were two special tasks in this game.

"Special Task: The Chicken Soup Game.

Task Description: After 35 years, San Francisco has once again experienced a light snow, completely disrupting all plans for both the home and away teams. The Steelers, who are more accustomed to cold weather, have gained the upper hand on the road. The host is also facing a dilemma of hypothermia and poor performance. This is undoubtedly the most severe challenge ever. You have lost the advantage of timing and location. Can you still win this 'Chicken Soup Game'?

Task Requirements: In the second half, the offense must gain at least 200 yards; in the second half, improve the success rate of medium passes to at least 70%; in the second half, make a comeback and win the game.

Task Rewards: unlock a hidden attribute; special points +5; unknown special skill package +1.

Failure Penalty: the team's overall strength will decrease by 20% in the next two games."

Thirty-two years ago, Joe Montana won a "Chicken Soup Game" on the college field. Although it didn't earn him a better draft position, it did earn him the title of "King of Combacks." After that, he officially began his legendary professional career. Interestingly, the nickname "Menta" for the popular character Taro Raimon in the Japanese football manga "Eyeshield 21" came from Montana's name. In the debate about the greatest quarterback of all time, Joe Montana has always been the top seed.

Thirty-two years later, Lu Ke is facing a "Chicken Soup Game" in his 14th game of his rookie season. This is the first snow in San Francisco in 35 years and the first time an Asian starting quarterback has played in the NFL in 45 years. So, what will the outcome of this game be? What will happen to Lu Ke, who has been hailed as "Joe Montana's successor?"

After quickly reviewing the second special task, a flash of inspiration went through Lu Ke's mind. After his body temperature gradually warmed up, his brain also started working again. Medium passes. In both the game tasks and the special tasks, medium passes were mentioned twice. Does this mean that the key to opening up the game is medium passes, not short or long passes?

In Week 8 of the regular season, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the visiting New England Patriots 25-17 at home. The Patriots were undoubtedly the most mature team in the league when it came to using short passing tactics, with a dazzling array of two-tight end formations, screen passes, and short pass area cross-route tactics. Especially with the emergence of Rob Gronkowski this season, Tom Brady had a dominant ability in the short passing area. But against the Steelers, the Patriots still lost.

The Steelers' oppressive defense in the first half had a powerful penetrating force, spreading pressure little by little, then breaking the rhythm of the opponent's offense from the offensive line to the wide receivers to the tight ends, earning them the nickname "Steel Curtain." In this game, the San Francisco 49ers also used a two-tight end formation in the first half. Especially after Lu Ke fell into a whirlpool of pressure, he further used short passes to open up the game, which fell even more into the Steelers' rhythm. But obviously, the tactics that worked against the Cardinals might not be able to defeat the Steelers.

After Lu Ke came to his senses, he looked up and said to Walter, "A walkie-talkie? Do you have a walkie-talkie here? I want to talk to Bryan Hampton in the tactical room directly."

"Now?" Walter looked at Lu Ke, who was still getting a massage, and was a little slow to react.

Lu Ke nodded and said firmly, "Yes, now."

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