The 49ers defense is two-for-two in passing tests on their recent three-game stretch. They shut down Aaron Rodgers and the Packers, then held MVP-frontrunner Lamar Jackson and the Ravens to a season-low 20 points.
Now the tests keep coming against Drew Brees and the Saints. While New Orleans isn’t the offensive juggernaut they were in the earlier portion of the decade, they’re still top 10 in points scored, 13th in yards, and No. 6 in Football Outsiders’ DVOA.
The Saints’ defense is just as good as its offense, which means the 49ers will need to match them in what could be another low-scoring contest. Here are the six most important players for the 49ers defense Sunday:
LB Fred Warner
The reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Month seems to have a Pro Bowl spot locked up, and may wind up getting an All-Pro nod in his second season. Warner has elevated his game to a new level with Kwon Alexander out for the season, and he’s begun dominating against the run and in coverage. The Saints offense has two extremely talented playmakers in Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara, both of whom might wind up matched up with Warner. How Warner does in those matchups will play a significant role in getting stops for the San Francisco defense.
SS Marcell Harris
Harris will get the start with Jaquiski Tartt sidelined by a broken rib. It took the second-year, sixth-round pick a few plays to get acclimated, but he played well against the Ravens’ exotic run-based offense and came up with a forced fumble and fumble recovery that turned the tide of the game in the third quarter. Harris gets another tough assignment against the Saints, and limiting big plays with smart football in the box and strong tackles in run support will be vital to slowing New Orleans down.
DE Nick Bosa
Bosa’s been at his most effective against pocket passers like Drew Brees. If he can wreck the game Sunday and get the Saints out of rhythm on offense, he could singlehandedly spark the 49ers defense. Bosa may also get matched up against a backup left tackle with starter Terron Armstead still working through an ankle injury. Bosa’s taken advantage of those matchups this season, and a multi-sack game from him would be massive for the rookie.
CB Richard Sherman
Sherman hurt his knee late against Baltimore, but didn’t show up on the injury report this week after doing limited practice work. It’ll be interesting to see how the Saints attack the veteran and whether they line up Michael Thomas against him. Thomas is the most prolific receiver in the game, and Brees pretty rarely throws incompletions when targeting him. If Sherman wins that matchup, the Saints passing offense could struggle.
DT DJ Jones
While plenty of focus is on the future Hall of Famer, Brees and the Saints passing attack, their run game behind Kamara and Latavius Murray is one of the league’s best. Jones has been tremendous at defensive tackle in his third season and is an asset to the 49ers’ run defense. When he’s not getting into the backfield to make a play, he clogs the middle and takes on multiple blockers to free up space for the linebackers Warner and Dre Greenlaw, and other defensive lineman. Jones was nursing an ankle injury all week, but should be good to go against New Orleans. The 49ers need a strong showing from him if they’re going to stop the Saints’ rushing attack.
DE Dee Ford
Injuries may limit Ford to getting most of his action on third downs, but getting off the field in those situations is essential against an offense as talented as New Orleans’. It looked like Ford may not play again this week while he dealt with a hamstring injury, but his return gives the 49ers’ defensive line another weapon to make Brees uncomfortable. Ford is also very good at generating turnovers when he gets to the quarterback, and any turnover Sunday could be the difference against two very evenly-matched teams.
