Nick Bosa could end the season in the San Francisco 49ers record books. The third-year pass rusher reached Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan on Sunday, earning his 15th sack of the season. Five more, and Bosa will surpass Aldon Smith's 19.5 mark set in 2012 for the most single-season sacks in franchise history.
Nick Bosa's 15th sack of the season! #FTTB @nbsmallerbear
📺: #ATLvsSF on CBS
— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2021
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/YXvVcTQr9m
But it wasn't just Bosa frustrating Ryan on Sunday. Samson Ebukam and Arden Key also got to the Falcons quarterback. The 49ers pass rush, after lull earlier in the season, is starting to hit its stride. Bosa and the defensive line can't take all the credit, though.
"It helps when the whole team is playing complementary football," Bosa shared after Sunday's 31-13 win. "When you get a lead, it definitely gives you some opportunities, and we didn't have many of those early in the year. It was kind of a dry spell for a while when it comes to sacks. But now, it's starting to come together."
Bosa has recorded eight sacks in the last six games. However, he feels others stepping up has helped improve not only his own numbers but the pass rush as a whole.
"Charles [Omenihu] coming in, I think, helps," Bosa noted.
San Francisco acquired Omenihu from the Houston Texans via a mid-season trade. He doesn't have a sack this season, but Bosa obviously feels he is making his presence known.
"I think Jordan Willis is playing really well," Bosa continued. "And then Arden's [Key] another very skilled rusher who's in there. And Arik [Armstead] is doing his thing. Yeah, I think everybody is starting to hit their stride."
The 49ers defense hitting its stride here in December is good news for the team's playoff hopes. Sunday's win increases the chances of a return to the postseason after a disappointing 2020 campaign. At 8-6, San Francisco remains the sixth seed in the current NFC playoff standings.
The 49ers will face the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on Thursday night after a short week of preparation. After that, the team closes out the season with a home game against the Houston Texans followed by what could be a pivotal rematch with the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
