The San Francisco 49ers' defensive stars understand they will have their hands full on Saturday with Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love. Defensive end Nick Bosa knows it will be up to him and his pass-rushing teammates to make Love uncomfortable in the Divisional Playoff clash at Levi's Stadium.
"I don't think many teams have made him uncomfortable yet, so stopping the run and covering up those easy, open guys is something we have to do," Bosa told reporters on Tuesday.
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Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir will be among those tasked with ensuring Love doesn't make big plays if Bosa and company can't disrupt the quarterback. Love has thrown 21 touchdowns and just one interception in his past nine outings, including three touchdown passes against the Dallas Cowboys in Sunday's Wild Card rout.
"He's a great QB, knows how to fit the ball in tight spaces," Lenoir said. "He has a good arm, and he trusts his receivers."
Another 49ers defender commends Love's contribution to turning around the Packers' season after a 3-6 start.
"The way that he's playing right now is really great," linebacker Fred Warner said. "The things that you see showing up, obviously learned under Aaron [Rodgers], some of the mannerisms and the way that he's operating under center and in the gun, he's doing a great job.
"He's making the throws, making smart decisions, which is what you want the most from that position, from a young player. And so obviously, it's going to be a huge challenge for us."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan pointed to the Packers' ability to protect the football as the catalyst for their turnaround this season, saying, "When you don't turn it over, no matter what happens, you got a chance to win in every game."
Much of that has been due to Love's exceptional decision-making down the stretch.
"You talk about the decision-making for a young player," Warner noted, "obviously his first year starting at the position, and you obviously want to make sure that that player at that position is taking care of the football as well as making the plays off-schedule, making the plays where they're supposed to be made.
"And I think that's where he's gotten better, is knowing the ball is exactly where it's supposed to go, but if it's not there, not trying to force something, checking the ball down, and he can use his legs as well. So I think that's what he's improved upon most."
