49ers: Returning defenders were X-Factors in playoff win vs. Vikings

For the first time since in the middle of the regular season, the San Francisco 49ers had a full and healthy roster. A number of injured players made a substantial impact against the Minnesota Vikings.

There was no guarantee that the San Francisco 49ers were going to have EDGE Dee Ford available for their 2020 divisional bout against the visiting Minnesota Vikings on Saturday at Levi’s Stadium.

Ford, who had appeared on a limited basis since injuring his hamstring in Week 11, was listed as questionable for the contest. And there were no shortages of reports suggesting he would be no more than a game-time decision in advance of this contest.

But Ford was available to play. Not only did he play, but he made a substantial impact.

So did linebacker Kwon Alexander, who came off injured reserve after tearing his pectoral muscle back on Halloween against the Arizona Cardinals. Alexander seemed poised for an early return, though, and his presence alone would wind up being an X-factor for the Niners against a tough and talented Vikings offense.

Turns out, those defensive reinforcements helped a lot.

San Francisco throttled the Vikings 27-10 in the divisional round to advance to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 2014. Minnesota had just seven first downs, got almost nothing out of running back Dalvin Cook, and accumulated a total of just 147 yards of offense in the game.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins was sacked six times, including once by Ford, and the game was all but won by how the 49ers were winning their games earlier in the season: Stout defense and a strong rushing attack.

"“It was huge, I think for the entire team,” linebacker Fred Warner told reporters after the game. “Getting guys healthy, we got some key pieces back on defense. We were fresh.”"

Warner led the Niners defense with seven tackles. And while Alexander didn’t hit the stat sheet, he regularly occupied lanes, which prevented Cook from any explosive gains at the second level. As a result, other 49ers defenders were able to converge quickly to bring Cook down.

Minnesota’s offense was all but stymied as a result.

This forced the Vikings into more passing situations, which played into the strengths of San Francisco’s pass rush, made all the more complete by Ford returning.

"“Dee’s speed off the edge is one of a kind,” defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, who also recorded a sack, said after the game. “It really opens up more opportunity for the guys in the inside, also for [EDGE] Nick [Bosa] on the opposite side. They can’t pick and choose every time on where they want to slide the protection or who they want to double.”"

The increased pass rush was both aided by, and took pressure off the Niners’ coverage efforts. That was made all the more potent by the return of strong safety Jaquiski Tartt from an elongated ribs injury.

Tartt’s return allowed the defense’s rotation of safeties to be much more successful, as well as prompting Tartt’s solid efforts down in the box against the run.

"“Having those three guys, Jaquiski, Kwon, Dee, having those guys back,” Buckner added. “Having them back really helps with the energy, the confidence in the defense and everything. I feel like the guys just played their tails off, trusted one another while we were out there.”"

Considering how little the Vikings were able to do on offense, Buckner’s assessment sure seems spot on.