Nick Bosa, Charvarius Ward Have Stepped it up Since the Bye Week
The Bye week for the San Francisco 49ers could not have come at a better time for them.
Going into that week, they were coming off a three game losing streak with their defense at the forefront of some underwhelming performances. Since the Bye week, the 49ers defense has returned to dominating ways. Part of that is due to adjustments from defensive coordinator Steve Wilks with the scheme along with personnel moves like with Ambry Thomas.
Another part is that players are simply stepping up. The two players who have stepped it up the most since the 49ers' Bye week are Nick Bosa and Charvarius Ward. These were the two players who needed to pick up the slack the most. With Bosa, he registered adequate pressures but could not reach the quarterback. Now, sacks are not everything, but the pressures Bosa was tallying weren't always impactful enough. He needed to step up in a major way and he certainly is doing that.
Since Week 10, Bosa has put up 22 pressures (tied for first), 4.5 sacks (first), and a 25% pass rush win rate (second most), per Pro Football Focus. I think it's safe to say that he is hitting his stride. Remember, Bosa missed all of training camp, which definitely has played a role in his sluggish start. There's been enough time now for him to look like his normal elite self. Plus, the addition of Chase Young surely doesn't hurt. The pass rush as a whole has awakened with Young in the fold.
And with the pass rushing waking up, it helps the secondary too. I'm sure Ward's job has gotten easier now that the pass rush is efficient again. But also, Ward is simply playing up to his usual standard. Prior to the Bye week, he was always guaranteed to get a penalty flag or two thrown against him. And in coverage, he wasn't maintaining it and making it tough on the receiver and quarterback. He's totally flipped the script now. Look no further than when Ward put the clamps on Seahawks' D.K. Metcalf on Thanksgiving night.
Since Week 10, Ward has been targeted 23 times while allowing 11 receptions to be completed for 113 yards and seven forced incompletions with a 62.4 passer rating allowed, per Pro Football Focus. This is the cornerback that the 49ers loved last year in free agency when they signed him. He's finally hitting his stride along with Bosa. The defensive woes were never as simple as it being Wilks' fault. The players needed to step up as well.
Now that the leader on the defensive line and secondary have done that, it is no surprise as to why the 49ers defense is looking stout again.
