49ers film room: NaVorro Bowman and His “Pick at the Stick”

Call it some sentimental feelings, but it’s never too late to go back and revisit one of the most amazing San Francisco 49ers plays in Candlestick Park. And it just so happens the famous “Pick at the Stick” came in the waning minutes of the final game in the old ballpark’s storied history.

Editor’s Note: This is a republishing of a Niner Noise article breaking down linebacker NaVorro Bowman’s famous “Pick at the Stick” play in December of 2013. With the 49ers releasing Bowman Friday, it seems appropriate to bring back one last time. Enjoy

The play itself may be nearly three years old, but I can guarantee San Francisco 49ers fans everywhere vividly remember December 23, 2013.

On that date, which turned out to be the final NFL game played at Candlestick Park, linebacker NaVorro Bowman intercepted a pass from Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and returned it 89 yards for a game-sealing touchdown.

The play is forever enshrined as the “Pick at the Stick.”

For fans who were there, it was more than just a special moment. The Niners would leave Candlestick for Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara the following season, and it only seemed fitting San Francisco would clinch its third playoff berth in three-consecutive seasons and do so on Monday Night Football.

I was lucky enough to be there. It was only fitting to give my wife, an avid 49ers fan, a Christmas present to see the 49ers’ final game at Candlestick before it became no more.

A simple Twitter exchange prompted me to revisit the famous interception and break down the film.

I’m sure this has been done before, and there are plenty of videos about it, but it’s always worth going back an reevaluating just how Bowman’s interception came to be. If anything, we can look back at the play with a little more depth of context.

Fans probably miss Candlestick Park a little more now. And 2013 marked the last time San Francisco was, you know, a dominant team.

First, let’s start off with the live play itself. I’m sure you’ve seen it. And play-by-play commentator Ted Robinson’s KNBR call is pretty epic.

Let’s set up the context first.

San Francisco was ahead 27-17 with just over five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. But Ryan capped off a near three-minute drive with a two-yard pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez. At the time, many 49ers fans felt this would be the last touchdown at Candlestick ever, as the score was cut to 27-24.

But then the unthinkable happened.

Atlanta went for the onside kick — not surprising, considering the three-point deficit. Bowman couldn’t recover it, which quickly led to yet another uptempo drive by Ryan and the Falcons with time running out.

The Niners were on their heels. Everyone in the stadium knew it. And, just like that, Atlanta was poised to take a late lead on the 49ers 10-yard line.

Breaking Down the Play

I had to dig fairly deep into the archives of my NFL Game Pass account to find the clips. Well, no, I didn’t have to do too much.

But let’s take a look at the play itself as the Falcons sit 10 yards away from the end zone.

San Francisco ended up doing something not very common during former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s tenure with the 49ers. He’ll load up eight defenders in the box for an all-out “jailhouse blitz,” as ESPN’s Jon Gruden put it, and the defense will try to put pressure on Ryan as quickly as possible.

Note where Bowman (yellow arrow) is. San Francisco’s three cover guys aren’t in the photo.

Onto a different look.

Ryan can see the blitz coming and knows he has to get the ball out quickly. Look at his head (red arrow), and you can see him lock onto the left side of the field. His target will be Falcons wide receiver Harry Douglas.

Pressure from the 49ers gets into Ryan’s face, which forces an early throw. As Douglas comes back to his quarterback, which receivers should do, cornerback Tramaine Brock goes to meet him at the point of the catch.

Bowman (yellow arrow) is engaged in the pass rush, but he’ll quickly disengage and move towards the catch point.

Three things happened, which made this play work the way it did. Well, I guess four things. You have to include Fangio’s aggressive play-calling.

First, the pressure had to get to Ryan. It did. The red arrow below shows how the veteran quarterback ended up during the play. In addition, Bowman’s quick reaction to disengage and to cover a lot of ground towards the passing side put him in a position to make the pick.

Lastly and, perhaps, most importantly, Brock had to get his hands in the way of Douglas.

We know what happened next. Brock deflected the pass, which likely would have fallen as a simple incompletion if Bowman hadn’t converged so quickly. But, as things turned out, Bowman put himself in position to reach out with one hand and grab the loose ball.

Eighty-nine yards later, touchdown.

This would be the final touchdown at Candlestick Park. The 49ers would hold onto a 34-24 victory en route to the playoffs, but they wouldn’t see another game at home as they had to take to the road for the postseason.

The final play at Candlestick wound up going to Brock as well. He picked off a last-second desperation throw from Ryan for an interception.

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As a spectator, I can easily say I never heard Candlestick louder than this incredible moment. It truly was one of the most memorable plays in a long list of memorable moments in Candlestick Park history.

So, as the 49ers try to create some new memories at Levi’s Stadium in this, and coming years, it’s a good thing to revisit those moments that defined a great era in San Francisco football.

Next: Full Depth Chart & Roster Predictions for the 2016 49ers

While you’re at it, scroll back up and watch the play over again. You’ll be glad you did.