The Jim Harbaugh effect and quarterback Alex Smith's robust season have been critical towards the 49ers' surprising 9-1 start, however the baseline for every little thing has been the play of the defense. That is been the crutch for years, yes, however the 49ers haven't won like they are winning now. NFL Network is your home for Thursday Night Football. Catch all eight games live and in HD.
This week ...Game: 49ers at RavensWhen: Thursday, Nov. 24, 8 p.m. ETWatch: On NFL Network and NFL.com/LIVEFor a complete Thursday Night Football schedule, visit NFL.com/TNF. This defense could be the dog wagging the team. It is continued the streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher (32 games) but it's taken items a step further by not permitting a rushing touchdown all season. At Week 12, that is a stunning distinction but to 49ers players, it is more of a trend that far better not finish anytime soon, particularly Thursday night against the Ravens and operating back Ray Rice. "If a guy gets 10 yards or 5 yards on a run, we're inside the huddle like, 'What the heck occurred?,'" linebacker NaVorro Bowman stated. "We don't have many drives or many runs on us and not try to fix the issue then and there." Bowman mentioned new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has tweaked the base 3-4 defense to let players' athleticism be far more of a factor. Those tweaks also have resulted in Bowman emerging as the team's leading tackler -- not All-Pro Patrick Willis. Even so, it is Willis who nonetheless makes the "Wow" plays, which includes two sacks plus a team-high 4 forced fumbles. In spite of the adjustments, pride is the most significant nuance in defending the run game. "We played the Giants and they got a few runs and right after each single series, we were like, 'We've got to choose it up,'" Bowman mentioned.
"We keep holding on to that, not allowing a 100-yard rusher. If we think a team is starting to obtain the run game working, we put our foot within the ground." As for stopping Rice (eight rushing touchdowns) -- he's also Baltimore's leading receiver (51 receptions) --, Bowman said, "Every team is trying to get the ball into their guy's hands. We know that. We're just going to approach the game using the same mindset that they are going to attempt to establish the run. It is not going to become an simple game and it's going to be a challenge for us. We're up to it. We need to play against the top, and in order to beat the man, we've got to stop 'The Man.'" Although Bowman has turn into a focal point, he makes no bones that the defense is playing at a high level for two causes: Every person is performing his job and not freelancing; and Willis and Pro Bowl defensive finish Justin Smith are leading and keeping players in line.
Said Bowman: "The coaches do an excellent job making sure we comprehend what we're supposed to do. The D-line knows what we're going to do. We know what the D-line and the DBs are performing to do. The DBs know what everyone in front of them is going to do. All 3 phases are in cahoots." As for Willis and Smith: "Serious. They're severe. It is serious. Not each and every minute or hour is critical but in relation to football and preparation and practice and making sure we're on the same page, they're significant. They are great leaders and we all make sure we do what we're supposed to complete and that we have the proper method."
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