Niner Noise
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49ers biggest studs, duds from NFC Championship loss vs. Rams

By Eric Gamboa

Jan 30, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo leaves the field after losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo leaves the field after losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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DeMeco Ryans, San Francisco 49ers
Defensive Coordinator DeMeco Ryan of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

49ers Dud: Defensive Coordinator DeMeco Ryans

DeMeco Ryans, the Niners’ defensive coordinator, has been a defensive guru ever since taking over from highly regarded coach Robert Saleh.

Saleh’s departure at the end of last season left many worried the defense would take a step back. It didn’t. This, despite fielding some of the worst cornerbacks in the 2021 season. Instead, Ryans schemed and led the defense to an incredible season.

However, in this game, the defense seemed to be more exposed than in the two previous playoff games. Against the Dallas Cowboys, the defense pressured quarterback Dak Prescott on almost every dropback, and their wide receivers were mostly kept at bay. Against the Green Bay Packers, San Francisco’s defense once again did its job and limited the big play.

However, Ryans’ schemes against the Rams were not as disguised as they usually are. His blitz calls seemed to come on super obvious plays, third-down plays. And finally, the usual stunts that get through were not working in this game. Ryans needed to adjust and seemed to just be off.

Ryans is a great defensive mind and he has a bright coaching future ahead of him, but on this day, he fell just short.