Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Meck
Fellas, I think a lot of the prognosticators are right: This game is going to be decided by the defensive line.
Only thing is, they're all thinking about the wrong defensive line.
Clark, Suggs, Jones along with the Hungry Pigs (Pennel, Nnadi, Saunders) and Kpass are going to dictate and dominate.
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It's pretty funny. And it's not just about the DL, it's about the matchup of the DL.
The Chiefs primarily play 3 DEs these days (Clark, Suggs, Kpassagnon) and all are excellent at setting the edge and hold up well against the run. Jones, when used there, also sets the edge well. That's the exact type of DE you need/want against a zone run scheme. Disciplined ends who set the edge and defend the run well. Hell, even Demone Harris has been solid against the run when playing.
And then on the interior, in Pennel and Nnadi and Saunders, you have big guys who can hold their gaps and fill but who ALSO have enough athleticism to hold their gap and get a piece of the RB in there. Same with Jones, who is now playing disciplined football.
The 49ers have a great running scheme and good blocking talent. They present a challenge. This DL is well-situated to meet it.
And if the front is holding up well and keeping the second level clean, it makes it easier for Spagnuolo to go to his 3-safety nickel D and use Fuller deep, with Sorenson and Mathieu in the box.
I really like the matchup of using Sorenson as basically a WLB against the base sets, as long as the DL is winning. Gives them a better matchup in chasing the zone plays and also a better matchup if the 49ers throw.