Coming into this season, the San Francisco 49ers were already seen as one of the league’s top teams. After a 6-2 start that included wins over NFC foes Green Bay and Seattle, the 49ers lost starting quarterback Alex Smith to a concussion in a Week 10 tie against the St.Louis Rams. So coach Jim Harbaugh made the decision to go with second year pro Colin Kaepernick against the Bears the next week.
Boy, did that decision pay off.
Since becoming the full time starter in Week 11, Kaepernick has a 7-2 record, and has added an explosiveness that lacked under Smith. Take a look at his two playoff wins as an example. In the divisional round at home against the third seeded Packers, Kaepernick ran for an NFL all-time quarterback record 181 rushing yards as the 49ers read option offense designed by offensive coordinator Greg Roman around the young QB consistently frustrated the Packer D. Then, San Fran flew into Atlanta to take on the top seeded Falcons. All week Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and his players were asked what the game plan was to stop the dynamic quarterback, but nothing came from their mouths.
Whatever it was, it certainly helped keep Kaepernick in the pocket, as he rushed for only 21 yards. But no matter. The second year pro played like a 10 year vet, using mostly his arm to lead the 49ers from a 14 point deficit in the second half to win 28-24 and punch their ticket to face the AFC champ Ravens in the Big Easy.
Despite the offense’s new found explosiveness, the San Francisco defense is still this team’s backbone. The defensive line, led by Pro Bowl end Justin Smith, is one of football’s best at generating pass rush and defending the run despite only consistently bringing three rushers each play. The linebackers are the heart of this group. Led by All Pros Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman on the inside, with pass rushing outside backers in Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks attacking the opposing offensive line most plays, all four linebackers are often around the ball. Because these first two lines of defense are so good, the secondary shines even brighter.
The foursome of cornerbacks Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown, as well as safeties Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner, can cover and hit with the best of them. The 49er defense is arguably the league’s best, much like it’s counterpart in Baltimore. However, this defense is still in its prime and hungry for its first Super Bowl title, which it will capture come February 3rd.
Jordan Llanes can be reached at jordan. llanes@spartans.ut.edu.