SANTA CLARA – Never have I received more notes from 49ers fans than this past week. A flood of kind words and condolences came in the wake of my mother unexpectedly passing away Saturday morning, after 86 years of unflinching sacrifice and love as our family’s matriarch.
I truly appreciate such heartfelt outreach, and (insert: awkward transition) I also thank you for these 49ers-related questions that carry our NFC Championship Week mailbag:
Should we be concerned about our lack of sacks recently? (@boomyada26)
As it pertains to this game and this opposing quarterback – which is all that matters – the 49ers have beaten Jared Goff in their past five meetings, and they failed to sack him in two of them, when he was with the Rams. In his Lions debut in the 2021 opener, Goff was sacked three times, and he still threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns. Nick Bosa’s scouting report: “If you cover up his first couple of reads, get after him, and hit him a few times, it changes things a little bit.”
Will Nick Bosa register a sack finally in the playoffs? (@isaaaaac7)
Sacks can be game-changers. But so can simply being one stride away from belting a quarterback and making him throw a season-ending interception in the final minute (see: Bosa’s pass rush that yielded Dre Greenlaw’s second interception in Saturday’s 24-21 win over Green Bay). Bosa officially went without a sack that game, as was the case in last year’s playoff trio.
Asked bluntly if having no sacks was unacceptable, Bosa replied: “Not when the scoreboard is in our favor. … Affecting the quarterback in different ways can be as valuable as sacks. They’re hard to come by lately, but we’ll work as hard as we can to get them.”
Which jersey scheme will the boys be wearing? @s1monsez)
Same as last game: Red jerseys, gold pants. No throwbacks allowed, in the quest for forward playoff progress.
Will we see Deebo take the field Sunday at 3:30 p.m.? (@sgarcia_6)
Yes. Will he be in uniform? I just don’t know yet. My first inclination was to say no, considering he wasn’t healthy enough to return Saturday with the 49ers on the brink of elimination. Now, a three-week recovery with no contact could get him in better shape for the Super Bowl. But, after seeing him run on the side with a ball firmly tucked in his left hand Wednesday, I can’t fathom he misses this game, where he can at least be a decoy or seize the ball on pitches, handoffs or that short-toss while in motion. #FreeDeebo
Is it a good idea to throw Mitchell in the mix for the Lions game, as Detroit does with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery? (@sin_cal_1986)
No. Christian McCaffrey’s full-time, round-the-clock workload is chiefly responsible for the 49ers’ offensive success. That was further apparent with his two touchdown runs in Saturday’s second half against the Packers. Now, if McCaffrey needs a breather or his suspect calf (quadriceps?) flares up, then Mitchell proved Dec. 31 in Washington (80 yards) that he’s up for any relief work. Gibbs and Montgomery offer different approaches with a lightning-or-thunder, speed-or-power dynamic. McCaffrey and Mitchell are both slash-and-dash backs with unexpected physicality.
Why did Kyle deviate from the run game, particularly in the rain? (@bemyrgey)
Bygones. Last game is over. They won. They didn’t blow a fourth-quarter lead with the championship on the line because they abandoned the run. Actually, didn’t McCaffrey run for two touchdowns to get them the winning points?
Do you think Christian McCaffrey could get MVP this season? (@nicholls2881)
No. He’ll probably have to settle for NFL Offensive Player of the Year in the Associated Press’ voting, as was the case with this week’s Pro Football Writers of America awards. More foreshadowing came last week when the AP All-Pro teams revealed Lamar Jackson as the First Team’s quarterback (over Dak Prescott and Purdy). Had Purdy won that spot, then Purdy may have had a better shot at MVP. But we knew how things would shake out when Jackson and the Ravens ruined Christmas night for Purdy and the 49ers.
Is Chase Young holding up his end of the bargain in the trenches? (@ae_legend22)
Neither he nor Randy Gregory showed enough in the regular season – nor in Saturday’s playoff opener – that they were better as exterior linemen than 17-game starter Clelin Ferrell, who’s on Injured Reserve now. Said Bosa: “I’ve talked to the new guys, Chase being a big one, just how you need to step up it up a notch, and I think I saw that as a D-line, the physicality and the effort. We did take that step last week and we need to take another one.”
Is Shanahan’s team preparing for the aggressiveness of Dan Campbell’s coaching style, such as going for fourth downs, fake punts, onside kicks, etc.? (@diehard49ersfans)
Sure, they’re preparing and well aware. On the flip side, Shanahan was asked last week why he doesn’t take such gambles, and his answer was essentially: Why try to trick an opponent when you can obliterate them with your usual scheme and strategies?
What is your best memory from this season, so far? (@oliviaaa.dlc)
Personally speaking, since I had to skip Saturday’s epic comeback over the Packers, I immediately flash back to Philadelphia’s press box on Dec. 3. I picture an Eagles fan in a Nick Foles jersey slinking down the steps to exit, not too long after he pounded on and burst open our glass window following an Eagles touchdown. Biggest win of the year – for the 49ers, and for the freedom/protection of the press.
What are the Niners going to do differently going into this NFC Championship Game? Tired of losing. (@adventuresbydeloach)
They’ve taken a vow not to get their starting quarterback hurt, not to blow a fourth-quarter lead, not to allow a single kick return, not to commit a turnover, and not to slip (literally and figuratively) on their home turf.
Will Jose get run over this Sunday? (@fuzyjoe)
Folks, we must protect Jose Fajardo, my colleague for nearly 30 years and one of our ace photographers. The NFL’s credential limit could prevent us from having an emergency No. 3 photographer this game. Apparently there’s only enough sideline space for a No. 3 quarterback – and the George Halas Trophy.
Source: www.mercurynews.com