Nick Bosa is gearing up for the challenge of facing Lamar Jackson. The San Francisco 49ers' star defensive end hasn't squared off against the Baltimore Ravens quarterback since 2019. Bosa failed to bring down Jackson in that matchup but hopes for better luck on Monday night when the 49ers host the Ravens for a Christmas clash.
Bosa has 10.5 sacks this season, marking his third consecutive season hitting double digits on the sack counter. Bosa may not have reached Jalen Hurts in Week 13, but the 49ers' defense successfully contained the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback to just 20 rushing yards.
Bosa did bring down Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray on Sunday. While Murray had 49 rushing yards against the 49ers defense, Bosa, speaking on KNBR's "Tolbert and Copes" show, admitted the unit did a relatively good job containing the dynamic player.
"Yeah, it is different each week," Bosa said of the challenges of facing a mobile quarterback. "Jalen was different than Kyler, and I'm sure Lamar will be different."
In the game against Hurts, the 49ers' defensive strategy shifted, prioritizing containment over aggressive pass-rushing to prevent the quarterback from extending plays with his legs.
"I mean, the whole group was [committed], but you look at a guy like Nick, he's a defensive MVP," head coach Kyle Shanahan said after that Eagles game. "He's expected to take over games and stuff, and sometimes it's hard because they want to take it over. But when I watched Nick that whole game, and I get on the plane, it was the most unselfish pass rushing I'd ever seen because he didn't. He just bull-rushed the guy, always took the B gap, and would never let him escape that way. So he'd have to go backwards and buy more time, and then we were able to chase him out there."
For years, the 49ers defense has struggled against mobile quarterbacks. They are improving in that area this season and aim to continue that trend against Lamar Jackson.
"I'm sure it'll be similar in the sense that when we do take care of their run stuff and get them into those 3rd-and-long situations, just being smart, not getting too down the middle on your rushes," Bosa continued. "And there was a couple the other night with Kyler that we want back for sure, but for the most part, we did a good job.
"But yeah, just not getting too cute with your rushes and just closing that pocket in, rushing together, and closing up those gaps is pretty much the premise."
Go Seahawks?
Bosa admits he did something on Monday night that he never thought would happen: He rooted for the division-rival Seattle Seahawks. They handed the Eagles their third consecutive loss, benefitting the 49ers in the NFC playoff picture by extending their lead in the race for the No. 1 seed.
When asked about clinching the NFC West with the win over the Cardinals, Bosa noted, "Just part of the road to our goal. So step one is done, and now we're on to the next."
San Francisco remains in the driver's seat for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, potentially making the path to their ultimate goal, the Super Bowl, much easier.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Bosa below.