Since entering the league as the No. 2 overall pick in 2019, 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa has made a name for himself as one of the NFL’s best pass rushers, terrorizing opposing quarterbacks.
Bosa is off to a strong start this season, and with San Francisco coming to Tampa Bay to take on the Bucs, the team knows they have to stop Bosa if they want to end their losing streak at three.
Baker Mayfield: Nick Bosa is ‘an unbelievable player’
49ers DE Nick Bosa and Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Nick Bosa and Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield have been rivals since their respective college days. In 2017, Mayfield famously planted an Oklahoma Sooners flag at midfield after a 31-16 victory over Bosa’s Ohio State Buckeyes. And in 2019, after firing Mayfield and celebrating his own flag-planting, the defensive end got his reward in the NFL.
That rivalry was reignited when the two faced off in 2023, with Bosa recording three QB hits and 1.5 sacks. 49ers defeated Bucks 27-14.
That reignited the fire, and Mayfield recognizes that. 2022 AP Defensive Player of the Year The biggest challenge is slowing down the offense.
“The pass rush starts up front,” Mayfield said Wednesday. “Obviously, Bosa, an unbelievable player, [we] We need to know what kind of situation he’s in, and you know, they brought in Leonard Floyd, who’s a great player and has his own production. ”
Offensive coordinator Liam Cohen’s offense remains afloat despite Mayfield using more limited weapons. Bosa is one question that could be in for a long afternoon, but there’s plenty of other talent and San Francisco’s defense could impact the game.
“The way they rush the passer, the way they jet down the field, that’s their system. They teach them to rush straight down the field. [we] You’ve got to know that, you’ve got to be able to defend up front and get the ball out, and just…” Mayfield added. “You know, obviously Fred Warner is a second-level guy. He’s an unbelievable player, he flies around, he really plays successful defense, and he’s hard to stop in the run game because he recognizes these things. Because there is [they] Play very quickly.
“They have those guys, they have some veterans in the secondary, they have some young guys who are playing really well right now, but their corners… [Deommodore] With Lenore [Charvarius] Ward is a difficult player. [with] He has good ball skills [we] You just need to be prepared for all three levels. ”
Tristan Wirfs and Luke Guedeke are ready to face Nick Bosa
Bucs RT Luke Goedeke – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Fortunately for the Bucs, they have one of the best offensive tackle duos in the NFL in left tackle Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke. Head coach Todd Bowles acknowledged Wednesday that the team needs to “get up and ready” and as Wirfs and Goedeke prepare for Sunday’s tilt, Wirfs specifically shuts down Nick Bosa and moves on to Baker Mayfield. I’m looking forward to keeping it upright.
“I think just going out there and protecting the quarterback,” Wirfs said of preparing for the matchup against the 49ers. “I don’t know if I would actually think about anything different. I think the Niners are off to a great start and are running the ball. So as far as tackles go, junction point, set point, whatever you want to call it. I think we just have to go out there and beat them to the spot. [Nick] Bosa has great manual dexterity, is very easy to descend and bends edges very well.
“He’s got power and he’s down low so you have to be ready for all kinds of things. It’s like that every week. This is the NFL. [There aren’t any] It’ll be fun because it’s slapstick. We’ve played them the last two years, and they’ve had a great defensive line the last two years — and they’ve been like that for almost forever. Just prepare for the match. We know it’s a big test for us, like last week. If we come out prepared to play, work to the best of our ability and keep putting up the ‘6’ (Baker Mayfield), we’ll probably win. it’s okay. ”
49ers DE Nick Bosa – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Bosa seems to be at the top of his game. The 27-year-old four-time Pro Bowl defensive end has totaled 28 tackles, 14 quarterback hits, 4.5 sacks, one interception and one forced fumble in eight games. Luke Goedeke acknowledged his superiority.
“Just the strength of his game, his athleticism and his knowledge of the game,” Goedeke told Pewter Report about what makes Bosa an elite pass rusher. “He’s an all-around great football player. Obviously, he shows it week in and week out. He has all the attributes to be a phenomenal defensive end.”
Many elite pass rushers have the basic moves to get into the backfield and get sacks en masse.
What is Bosa?
“He likes to bring his outside hand up and pull himself when the tackle hits him,” Goedeke added. “That’s typical of him. [You have] You just have to find a way around it or find a way to readjust your hands and everything. He’s also a really slippery guy. He also has good power. ”
There’s no question that Nick Bosa is a top-tier pass rusher. I’m sure Bosa will be eager to chase Baker Mayfield again. But if the Bucks can manage to slow him down.that would give the team a better chance to win and head into the bye week.
