Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers: Position grades, analysis from convincing playoff victory over Vikings

By Akshaj Dwivedula

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Tevin Coleman #26 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts to scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Tevin Coleman #26 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts to scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
49ers
Richard Sherman #25 of the San Francisco 49ers with teammates (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Defensive Position Grades

The San Francisco 49ers showed the world why they the defense is a unit that many believe could carry the Niners to the Super Bowl.

Defensive Line: A+

The defensive line had one of the best performances I have ever seen in the playoffs. They controlled the game from start to finish, and they were dominant in every facet.

The defensive line held running back Dalvin Cook to 18 yards on nine carries. They sacked quarterback Kirk Cousins six times, with all six coming from the five first-round picks on that line.

Nick Bosa finished with 2.0 sacks. Dee Ford had a sack and disrupted many more plays in his return. Arik Armstead and Deforest Buckner each had a sack while they pushed the pocket inward, and even Solomon Thomas had a sack in reserve.

It was complete and total domination against an offensive line that managed to limit the Saints the week earlier, and with Ford healing up even more, it’s only the beginning for this vaunted unit.

Linebackers: A

The linebackers played well in coverage, especially when dealing with the several screens the Vikings tried to throw at them. Linebacker Kwon Alexander, back from his torn pectoral, was chirping the entire game and was fiery, giving the Niners a much-needed emotional boost.

Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw continued to play well in a terrific overall performance. Units work in tandem, and the linebackers made sure to clean up after their dominating defensive front.

Secondary except cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon: A

As will be discussed shortly, cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon had a tough outing that could have marred the entire game, but he was promptly benched and replaced with Emmanuel Moseley.

From there, the secondary was quietly superb, again aided by the relentless pass rush in front of them.

Jimmie Ward had a terrific pass breakup on a deep throw to Diggs, and Richard Sherman ran wide receiver Adam Thielen‘s route for him in terrific press man coverage, resulting in an interception for the star cornerback.

https://twitter.com/49ers/status/1216137255380611072

Ahkello Witherspoon: D-

Witherspoon got hosed on a tough pass interference call, but beyond that, he was simply picked on and exposed by Kirk Cousins and the Vikings. He could not stop any receiver in front of him, and even in garbage time, he was getting beat.

This play by Diggs is a great adjustment by the receiver, but there is no way an NFL-caliber cornerback should give up this touchdown.

Witherspoon has flashed potential before, but with potential meaning nothing in the playoffs, the Niners made the right move by benching him for what will likely be the rest of the postseason.