After suffering an ACL injury in a Week 2 victory against the New York Jets in 2020, Nick Bosa has returned to the field, and has arguably looked even better.
Bosa, who's accumulated four sacks on the season to go with 14 tackles, 13 pressures, and a forced fumble, has been the driving force on a 49ers defense alongside fellow edge rusher Dee Ford.
In fact, just look at this chart.
It's time for the first win rate plot of the year!
Double-team rate at edge (x) by pass rush win rate at edge (y).
(ESPN / NFL Next Gen Stats) pic.twitter.com/o0Rkt2yh7p
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) October 5, 2021
So far, Nick Bosa ranks around tenth in pass-rush win percentage despite facing one of the highest double-team rates.
How does Bosa himself feel about his performance both physically and mentally compared to his rookie season?
The star pass rusher chimed in on the topic, as he stated how he's certainly improved mentally as well as physically, even though he's continuing to get better as he goes.
"I think definitely a lot better than earlier in the season [of] 2019, just having knowledge and knowing how to be most effective," Bosa told reporters on Thursday. "But I'm still getting better this year. But yeah, I've definitely come a long way just with the mental aspect. And I think, physically, I'm much better too."
In regards to those mental improvements, Bosa focused on playing to his strengths rather than trying to do too much and wasting plays.
"Just not wasting pass rushes and knowing what I do best—and using that and coming out with the mindset that I know what I'm going to do," Bosa explained. "I'm not going to try to come up with crazy game plans every week and try to be finesse and do all this stuff. Just knowing what I do best, and going and doing it."
The 23-year old defensive end will look to add to his impressive season Sunday when the 49ers travel to face their division-rival Arizona Cardinals, who have started the season 4-0.
Bosa will certainly be a key factor, as setting the edge and containing Kyler Murray is a must in order to beat Arizona.
With a win, the 49ers would improve to 3-2 on the season and move back into third place in the loaded NFC West.
With a loss, the 49ers would head into their bye week with a record below .500, which wouldn't be ideal given the strength of the division.
- Rohan Chakravarthi
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Written by:Writer/Reporter for 49ers Webzone
