SANTA CLARA, Calif. _ Nick Bosa's first-quarter sack of Aaron Rodgers wasn't done on his own.
The 49ers rookie was able to bring the Packers quarterback to the ground in last week's NFC Championship on a third down because he had help on the inside. DeForest Buckner beat the left guard as Bosa was bull rushing standout left tackle David Bakhtiari. Rodgers felt the pressure from Buckner and tried to escape to his left, allowing Bosa to peel off Bakhtiari and make the play toward the flat.
Without Buckner's pressure, Bakhtiari formed a wall preventing Bosa from sniffing Rodgers. And Bosa's push of Bakhtiari gave Buckner a lane over the guard's left shoulder. Buckner didn't get credit on the stat sheet but his work was key in Bosa netting the sack, his third in two playoff games.
It was one of many examples why San Francisco's revamped pass rush has been lethal this season. The team's top four pass rushers _ Bosa, Buckner, Arik Armstead and Dee Ford _ are all former first-round draft picks who can all win one-on-one matchups.
But they can also use their skills in tandem, which will be paramount in the Super Bowl against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
