Tag: DeForest Bucker

49ers vs. Ravens: 6 players to watch on defense

The 49ers defense faces its toughest test of the year against the Ravens.

The 49ers defense put together their best game of the season last week holding Aaron Rodgers and the Packers to eight points. Now they face the second step of their three-game stretch of great quarterbacks when they head to Baltimore to face Lamar Jackson, who presents a whole different challenge than Rodgers.

The defense will have its hands full with the high-powered Baltimore offense and another quarterback capable of racking up big yards on the ground. Here are the six players to watch on the 49ers defense:

DL Nick Bosa

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Bosa had his first sack in the month of November against Green Bay. Sunday night also happened to be the 49ers’ first game of the month against a non-mobile quarterback. On Sunday, the 49ers face Jackson who might be the best mobile quarter in the league. It’s possible it’s a trend for Bosa that he struggles getting to mobile quarterbacks, but he was able to continue getting pressure in those three games without a sack. The 49ers will need help from the entire front seven to contain Jackson and it’ll start with Bosa getting home from the edge.

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49ers vs. Packers: 3 things that stood out in the 1st quarter

The defense has impressed early holding Green Bay to 16 yards on 14 plays.

The 49ers defense has impressed early, holding Green Bay to 16 yards on 14 plays. The offense hasn’t done much yet, but thanks to an early fumble recovery, they were able to score and get an early lead.

There’s still plenty of time left, but the 49ers dominated the first 15 minutes. Here’s what stood out in the first quarter:

Can’t start better than that

The 49ers defense faces a tough test against Aaron Rodgers and they passed the first quarter with flying colors. They blitzed on Green Bay’s first third down and instantly got pressure on Rodgers with DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead missing their chances on the quarterback before Fred Warner hit him to notch a sack and force a fumble. Nick Bosa recovered at the 2-yard-line. The offense wasted no time giving the ball to Tevin Coleman for a two-yard touchdown. It was known Levi’s Stadium would be loud, but the first defensive drive really set the tone.

Emmanuel Sanders’ ribs look fine

Sanders has been dealing with rib problems the last couple of weeks that limited his snap counts against both Seattle and Arizona. After his first reception, it’s safe to say he looks ready to go. Jimmy Garoppolo hit Sanders on a slant for gain of 15, but Sanders paid for it getting flipped and landing hard on his back. He hopped up quickly and danced in celebration of the first down. If Sanders truly is healthy, it gives the 49ers a whole different look and gives Garoppolo three solid options in Sanders, George Kittle, and Deebo Smauel.

The defense came to play

They set the bar high on the opening drive, but the defense has been able to meet it. The 49ers forced the Packers offense to three consecutive three-and-outs on the three drives following the fumble. The Packers offense is bound to break out of this slump at some point, but for the defense to set the tone this early and play like this could be huge in the later moments of the game.

3 matchups that will decide 49ers vs. Cardinals showdown

It’s a familiar matchup for the 49ers as they take on the Arizona Cardinals just 17 days after their win in Arizona. 

It’s a familiar matchup for the 49ers as they take on the Arizona Cardinals just 17 days after their win in Arizona. The 49ers escaped Arizona on Halloween with a 28-25 victory that saw Jimmy Garoppolo carry the offense with four touchdown passes, and a defense that barely held on long enough to get the job done. The two division rivals will close out their season series Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.

Here are the three matchups that could decide whether the 49ers sweep or Arizona can earn a split:

Deebo Samuel vs. Patrick Peterson

(AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

With George Kittle out and Emmanuel Sanders questionable for Sunday, Samuel could be the best receiver on the field for the 49ers. With that comes a matchup against one of the better cornerbacks in league. Samuel had the best game of his career against Seattle with eight receptions for 112 despite having a couple of drops that could have added to his numbers. If Sanders can’t go, expect Jimmy Garoppolo to target Samuel a bit but with that comes throwing at Peterson, a three-time All-Pro corner.

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