4 questions 49ers must answer vs. Rams in NFC Championship

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Matthew Stafford, D.J. Jones, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is sacked by San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Question No. 3: Can 49ers pass rush fluster Matthew Stafford enough?

If there’s one major X-factor for the 49ers defense on Sunday, it’ll be the pass rush and whether or not it can alleviate the pressure on a still-questionable Niners secondary that’ll have to contend with Cooper Kupp, fellow wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and tight end Tyler Higbee.

Those three torched San Francisco’s defense for much of the first half of Week 18, and it wasn’t until San Francisco’s pass rush started to get home on Matthew Stafford when things began shifting in the 49ers’ favor.

All eyes may be on EDGE Nick Bosa, who had two sacks in the Niners’ divisional-round win over the Green Bay Packers last weekend. Yet it might be even more crucial for San Francisco to enjoy the kind of balanced pass-rush approach it had back in Week 18, a time when defensive tackle Arik Armstead actually had 2.5 sacks, and the 49ers enjoyed sacks from less-known defenders like Arden Key and D.J. Jones.

Stafford, like most quarterbacks, is flustered most when the pass rush is doing its job. The Niners had five sacks during that thrilling Week 18 overtime win, and each one could be argued as essential and vital to San Francisco pulling off that victory.

If the 49ers generate that kind of pressure again, they’ll be in good shape for winning again, too.