Twenty-one rushing yards. That was the total by the Minnesota Vikings against a stout San Francisco 49ers defense on Saturday.
All week, the 49ers had to listen to skeptics say and write that the defense hasn't faced a running back like Dalvin Cook of the Vikings. He finished the game with nine carries for 18 yards.
Stopping the Vikings run game and forcing quarterback Kirk Cousins to try and beat them was the 49ers' game plan. Needless to say, it works.
"That was the number one emphasis all week," defensive end Nick Bosa told NBC Sports' Tony Dungy after the 27-10 victory in the Divisional Round playoff game. "We knew we were facing probably the best back we've played all year with Dalvin, and we knew we had to earn the right to pass rush. So we did. We took the run as serious as we could, shut it down, and then we ate."
Bosa indeed ate. He feasted to the tune of two sacks against Cousins and became the first 49ers rookie with two-or-more sacks in a playoff game since Dana Stubblefield in 1993.
"I think every week, we want to come out, and we want to stop the run," linebacker Fred Warner said after the game. "That was, of course, a big emphasis this week with how successful they've been in the run throughout the season. We took care of business in that phase, and then we were able to get after the quarterback."
Bosa noticed the Vikings offense getting frustrated toward the end of the game.
"Later in the game, they were starting to jaw at each other," the defender told reporters during the post-game press conference. "But yeah, we were bringing it on them, so they started to have some frustration, but we just kept bringing it."
Added Bosa: "That's one of [Kris Kocurek]'s things. Put the foot on the throat and twist it. When you have somebody down, you definitely don't want to let up."
Bosa went on to tell Dungy that his brother, Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa, who was in attendance, gave him some insight and tips on the Vikings. Joey played against Minnesota in December.
"He just told me to play my game, don't get frustrated with the screens and the quick passes, and just keep rushing," Bosa added.
Next up for the 49ers? They will host either the Green Bay Packers or Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game on January 19 at Levi's Stadium.
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