49ers vs. Cardinals: 5 Niners who must shoulder the load in Week 9
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: 49ers EDGE Nick Bosa
Kyler Murray, like many a mobile quarterback, can often run himself into sacks and premature takedowns. That said, his sheer speed and elusiveness are X-factors the 49ers have long since had trouble with since his debut in 2019.
So, needless to say, it might be a fresh sigh of relief if Murray is unavailable and the far-less-mobile Colt McCoy is forced to take snaps from under center.
This is arguably the juiciest opportunity the Niners pass rush has had in some time, especially considering the team has already faced off against Murray, Justin Fields, the Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts and the Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson already, mobile quarterbacks who’ve helped negate San Francisco’s pass rush.
And it could be a prime opportunity for EDGE Nick Bosa to have a multi-sack performance.
Bosa, with his team-high seven sacks this season, will face off against Cardinals bookend tackles Kelvin Beachum and D.J. Humphries, who’ve allowed a combined four sacks and 25 quarterback pressures between them this season.
The 49ers haven’t received a truly prolific pass rush outside of Bosa, but Bosa has been good enough to make up for it.
He’ll have to again on Sunday, especially if McCoy is under center.