Top 5 takeaways from 49ers Week 15 loss to Falcons

No. 3: Injuries finally caught up on defense

With former 49ers superstar linebacker NaVorro Bowman in attendance, the defense played their most uninspired game all season.

In the week leading up to the New Orleans game, I had mentioned in a previous article cornerback Richard Sherman was a bit more banged up than usual. Now it may be unrelated to his injury prior to New Orleans, but Sherman unfortunately got injured and missed Sunday’s affair.

It showed big time.

He obviously would have been the best option to cover Julio Jones. Who knows if Jones would have 134 yards and the game-winning touchdown with Sherman covering him?

It was also quite evident defensive end D.J. Jones and defensive tackle Dee Ford were missing as well. Those two strong players on the defensive line certainly help a guy like rookie defensive end Nick Bosa. When all three of those guys are playing together, the opponent’s offensive line just doesn’t know how to handle them. Admittedly, Bosa did say he didn’t play his best game. But sometimes you just can’t do it on your own.

Though it wasn’t just Bosa’s fault. It took awhile for the defense to get any substantial pressure on to Matt Ryan.

There isn’t any real reason to panic, if you’re defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. You still have one of the best defenses in the entire NFL. Despite giving up 46 points to the Saints and 29 to the Falcons, the Niners defense is still fifth in points and second in yards given up.

But Saleh will have to find something to spark this defense.

I’ve been an advocate of this defense being elite despite the injuries, and I still believe it. However, the takeaway from this game is the need of reinforcement help. There are a total of 12 injuries on defense: six on the injured reserve and six who can come back whenever.

But if the Niners want a chance of claiming top spot in the NFC, guys need to be healthy and this defense needs to be at full force, for any sort of run in the new year.