The San Francisco 49ers' defense delivered an impressive performance in Sunday's 42-19 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite reportedly exploring options for another starting-caliber cornerback before the October trade deadline, the team ultimately stuck with Charvarius Ward and Ambry Thomas on the outside.
Thomas playing outside has allowed Deommodore Lenoir to move to the slot corner spot. Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks seems to have found a recipe for success.
Thomas has been impressive in recent weeks, earning his highest-ever overall Pro Football Focus grade (90.2) on Thanksgiving night against the Seattle Seahawks. We'll have to wait until Monday morning to learn how his performance against the Eagles compares, but it's evident that Thomas is determined to prove he is not the weak link in the defense.
"I knew coming into this season that it was going to be a big year for me," Thomas said during a post-game interview on Bay Area radio station KNBR. "I had to focus, and I just had to lock in on the little things."
Regarding the 49ers exploring trade options, the cornerback doesn't take it personally.
"The name of the game is always try to look for somebody better," Thomas acknowledged. "So I'm just trying to show them [there's] not that many out there better than me, if anybody, when I really focus and dedicate myself."
Thomas finished Sunday's contest with a game-leading six tackles, adding three passes defensed. He dealt with a knee injury after the 49ers' Week 2 game against the Rams but has performed well since the Week 5 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Thomas added, "That Rams game was a little setback as far as my health and mentally, but we back at it now."
You can listen to the entire post-game interview with Thomas below.