The question on one of the main articles on the home pages asks if the 49ers have a Super Bowl level defense.
My answer is no, the 49ers do not have a Super Bowl level defense, yet. They have what I would say is a Super Bowl caliber ceiling IF injuries don't impact the unit any more.
Yesterday: No sacks, only 6 QB hits, 11 QB pressures and 5 hurries where Cousins was forced to thrown in duress. Osa Odighizuwa had the most pressures at 3. Keion White had 2, Bosa 2, Buckner 2, Thompson Jr 1, Height 1. The Raiders coming in had an excellent pass blocking unit and were ranked #1 in the NFL with a 64% pass block win rate, and had only allowed 11 total sacks over the first 8 games, bascially 1.38 per game. Yesterday the interior collapsed forcing Cousins to not have a clean pocket and resulting in his interceptions. The Niners D hit the Raiders not where their strenght is, the Raiders have two excellent tackles with Kolton Miller and DJ Glaze but the hit the interior well.
So no, I don't think they have a Super Bowl defense because of the lack of sacks. Someone like Mahomes or Josh Allen will eventually burn a defense if pressures aren't turned into sacks. The secondary's depth is a concern. You lose the 3 corners of Ward, Lenoir and Green, who takes their place? Are they equal to it? I don't think so. When Stout is out, opposing offenses have found success by shifting their number one wide receivers into the slot to avoid Ward and Lenoir. Finally, because the DL is struggling to finish pressures with clean sacks, the secondary is being forced to hold coverage for longer, extended periods which exposes them over the course of a game to giving up a big gain.
So I think the ceiling is there, but I have concerns on the lack of sacks especially when the play elite level QB's. Their coming tests IMO are Dak Prescott this week and Stafford in week 14 because both excel at staring down an interior rush and delivering throws into tight coverage windows just before taking a hit. Look for them to target the 49ers slot nickel vulnerability.
Week 14 Mahomes of course. Mahomes thrives when escaping an initial rush and with the DL inability to sack, he could have a field day ar Arrowhead. By not sacking Mahomes, that will force the defensive backs to hold their coverage for 5+ more seconds and that exposes the secondary's lack of depth and Mahomes will make big plays there and drive the field.
Niner Talk » Post-game -- 9ers - Raiders Assessment
