What we learned from 49ers dominant win over Falcons
By Peter Panacy
Takeaway No. 3: Arden Key deserves a lot more recognition
Sometimes, all an underachieving player needs is a change of scenery, and that’s precisely what San Francisco is witnessing with former Las Vegas Raiders EDGE Arden Key.
Look, EDGE Nick Bosa is awfully good and increased his team-high sack totals by adding his 15th of the year by taking down Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, forcing a fumble the 49ers recovered in the process
But the Niners have generally lacked that complementary pass-rusher opposite Bosa, at least until Key’s recent resurgence and San Francisco’s decision to rush Key more from the inside.
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It’s been paying off, and it certainly did against Atlanta.
Key finished the game with a sack and two quarterback hits, and he could have had another sack if it weren’t for a ticky-tack roughing-the-passer penalty where Key had no other decision but to land on top of Ryan’s back.
That aside, Key now has a career-best five sacks on the season, second best on the 49ers defense, and he’s recorded at least half a sack in six of his last seven games.