5 biggest concerns facing 49ers entering 2020 NFL playoffs
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: Ahkello Witherspoon or Emmanuel Moseley at Corner?
Back to some of the on-field worries.
The 49ers still have a noticeably glaring hole at their No. 2 boundary cornerback spot, which was defined by the team benching starting cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon in favor of his backup, Emmanuel Moseley, late in Week 17 in Seattle.
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Moseley struggled a bit in relief, too, although he did have a key pass breakup against Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, which likely saved a would-be touchdown.
The switch was provocative, yet understandable. Witherspoon, since returning from his sprained foot suffered earlier in the year, hasn’t been anywhere close to the shutdown-caliber player he was in the first few weeks before getting hurt. Moseley, meanwhile, has had his upside moments, yet there haven’t been enough to suggest he’s a bona fide long-term option for Witherspoon.
Particularly in the playoffs.
With veteran corner Richard Sherman locking down the strong side of the field, opponents are going to target whoever is on the weak side, meaning either Witherspoon or Moseley will see plenty of targets thrown their way starting in the divisional round, certainly afterwards if San Francisco makes the conference championship.
Next. 5 consequences from 49ers' Week 17 win vs. Seahawks. dark
If there’s some good news here, the 49ers will have two weeks to make that determination, seeing if they can either get Witherspoon’s confidence back, or at least battle test Moseley a bit further.