Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos
The San Francisco 49ers had the No. 1-ranked protection within the NFL through the 2022 season, so it comes as no shock that the unit confirmed up in a giant manner in Sunday’s gritty 19-12 victory over the Dallas Cowboys within the NFC divisional spherical.
San Francisco got here up with large stops when wanted, choosing off Dallas star quarterback Dak Prescott twice within the victory. A fourth-quarter sack by Samson Ebukam all-but sealed the sport for the 49ers.
Prescott was restricted to 206 passing yards and a landing, together with the 2 interceptions on 23-of-37 passing, whereas the Cowboys totaled simply 76 dashing yards on 22 makes an attempt. 49ers rookie quarterback Brock Purdy and the dashing assault took some time to get going as nicely, however the workforce’s protection stored issues shut till San Francisco’s late surge.
Purdy threw for 214 yards and did not commit a turnover. San Francisco totaled 113 yards on the bottom, and star working again Christian McCaffrey discovered the top zone early within the fourth quarter for the workforce’s lone landing.
NFL Twitter beloved what it noticed from the 49ers after grinding out a win on Sunday:
Tracy Sandler @49ersfangirl
What a stand from the #49ers protection
Jennifer Lee Chan @jenniferleechan
That may be a HUGE three and out for #49ers protection.
Ro Khanna @RoKhanna
.@49ers protection saving us massive time.
Steph Sanchez @Steph49K
This protection all the time provide you with a play when it must. By no means unsure. #49ers
Damon Bruce @DamonBruce
3 minutes to Philly … #49ers protection can punch the ticket right here.
Jon Ledyard @LedyardNFLDraft
49ers have been content material to small ball it there. Nice execution killed a ton of clock and acquired them 3, however did not go for the jugular. Placing it on the protection to seal it
Max Boot 🇺🇦🇺🇸 @MaxBoot
Guess it is becoming this sport comes all the way down to the 49ers protection. Get a cease right here and so they win the sport. 🙏
Niners Nation @NinersNation
That is a big-time cease by the 49ers protection to carry the Cowboys to three. We’re tied at 9.
Nick Wagoner @nwagoner
#49ers protection does nicely to maintain Cowboys out of the top zone and maintain them to a area objective.
We’re tied at 9 with 9:08 to go within the third quarter.
Rob “Stats” Guerrera @StatsOnFire
Fred Warner and Jimmie Ward making a HUGE play!! #49ers
This protection continues to make essential performs when they should. Unreal.
Jennifer Lee Chan @jenniferleechan
Regarded like Jimmie Ward was going to choose off Prescott but it surely was Fred Warner who snagged it.
Is likely to be the #49ers protection who must win the sport this week.
Sincere NFL @TheHonestNFL
The Jim Schwartz affect on the 49ers protection is obvious. The entrance spacing, safety manipulation, and mentality is all there. Kocurek and Undlin making him proud.
Walker @ATLSportsFann
The 49ers proved why they’ve one of the best protection within the NFL immediately
Sunday’s efficiency was one other spectacular show by San Francisco defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, who has been a sizzling title on the pinnacle teaching marketplace for the previous few years. The 49ers averaged 300.6 yards allowed through the common season and held the Cowboys to 282 yards on Sunday.
San Francisco will have to be at its finest when it visits the top-seeded Philadelphia Eagles in subsequent week’s NFC Championship Recreation. Led by MVP candidate Jalen Hurts, the Eagles trounced the Giants 38-7 on Saturday.
The 49ers might be seeking to deliver the momentum from Sunday’s win into subsequent week’s matchup as they attempt to advance to their second Tremendous Bowl in 4 years.
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