NFL playoffs: 3 lessons SF 49ers can learn from Chiefs, Buccaneers

SF 49ers lesson No. 3: Elite pass-rushers can still take over a game

Would the Niners trade away a stud pass-rusher like Nick Bosa to land a quarterback like, let’s say, the Houston Texans’ Deshaun Watson?

Yes. San Francisco would. But that doesn’t mean the SF 49ers would be OK enough, defensively, to get through the playoffs. At least not without a halfway decent replacement.

One of the key reasons why both the Buccaneers and Chiefs advanced into the Super Bowl was because of their relentless pass rush. Bills quarterback Josh Allen was under regular pressure throughout, sacked four times with two of those coming at the hands of Kansas City’s EDGE, Frank Clark.

Those netted 53 yards lost by Allen, and one can only wonder how many Buffalo drives were thwarted by him being taken down.

Meanwhile, the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers found himself sacked five times after taking only 20 sacks during the regular season. Pass-rushers Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul, both longtime defensive threats, were regularly in Rodgers’ face.

One sack in particular with 34 seconds remaining in the first half helped lead directly to an interception thrown by Rodgers. Against most teams, that wouldn’t be too big a deal, except for the fact Tom Brady was able to use what little time remained to connect with Buccaneers wide receiver Scott Miller for a 39-yard touchdown with one second remaining to make it 21-10 in favor of Tampa Bay.

Maybe the Packers’ defensive game plan, too, is a key takeaway for the Niners.

If Watson truly is a target for San Francisco, it might take someone like Bosa to make it happen. But given what we learned from both conference championship teams, perhaps the SF 49ers should explore other options if they want to change things up at quarterback.