Nick Bosa is confident that the San Francisco 49ers are well-positioned to make a playoff run in the second half of the season. The talented pass rusher knows his team is exiting its bye week healthier and hungrier. The 49ers expect to get back several stars, names like Deebo Samuel and Elijah Mitchell on offense, and Azeez Al-Shaair and (maybe soon) Arik Armstead on defense.
"I think we're pretty well-positioned," Bosa told reporters while speaking at his locker before Wednesday's practice (h/t Grant Cohn of SI). "I think everything's in front of us, which is what you hope for at this point. But we definitely need to take it one day at a time because there's a lot of games left, and a lot of things are going to happen throughout the year still. So just one day at a time."
The first step is to get above .500, and the 49ers can do that on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Chargers—a team with which Bosa is very familiar. He's followed the Chargers since 2016 when they made his brother, Joey, the No. 3 overall draft pick.
Joey Bosa underwent groin surgery in September and remains on injured reserve. He could be close to returning. Although, it may not be in time for the first-ever Bosa Bowl. It sounds like his brother, Nick, isn't optimistic about the chances of a sibling matchup occurring this weekend. The two speak several times a week during the season.
Being a fan of his brother's team, Nick Bosa knows the Chargers offense pretty well. He believes that will help on Sunday.
"I've watched them for seven or eight years now," Bosa shared. "Definitely have cheered for them for a long time, for Joey, but it's going to be fun to play them. I wish he was out there. But yeah, I think I have a good idea of their offense."
One of the players Bosa is sure to face is running back Austin Ekeler, who leads the Chargers with 427 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns on 98 carries. He also has 60 catches for 381 yards and four receiving touchdowns.
"I think he's not the fastest or the most talented, but he played like a true football player, and I think he's one of the better backs in the league," Bosa said. "He can catch it, he can run it, and he just fights for extra yards. I don't think the first guy ever gets him down."
The kickoff for Sunday's 49ers-Chargers matchup at Levi's Stadium is scheduled for 5:20 p.m. PT.
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