Niners Nation
There weren’t many positives to glean from the 49ers’ performance in their Week 18 showing with the Seattle Seahawks, a game in which San Francisco was outperformed on both sides of the ball.
Yet, even in a contest that could have ended in a much more lopsided scoreline than the eventual 13-3 final, there were at least a few bright spots.
The performance of Upton Stout at slot corner was an obvious one. Stout was arguably the 49ers’ best player last Saturday, his display representing another step forward for a highly promising rookie.
But also deserving of credit was, surprisingly, the 49er pass rush.
With Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams out for the season, the pass rush has struggled for most of the campaign, and has been the most maligned area of the team.
However, over the final two weeks of the regular season the pass rush made progress. While the 49ers did not sack Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams in Week 17, they did register 16 pressures in the shootout victory, per Pro Football Focus. In addition, four defensive linemen had pass rush win rates in double figures — CJ West (16.7%), Yetur Gross-Matos (16.7%), Keion White (15.8%) and Jordan Elliott (15.4%).
Against the Seahawks, the pass rush’s impact was more tangible.
The 49ers again registered 16 pressures, and were able to sack Sam Darnold twice. It was hardly the kind of dominant performance that has been produced by 49er defensive lines in previous seasons of the Kyle Shanahan era, but it was one of the better efforts of the season for this group.
Keion White and Sam Okuayinonu each had four pressures while Bryce Huff tallied three. Five defensive linemen had win rates in double figures. White and Okuayinonu were at 27.8% and 23.5% respectively, with Huff (18.8%), West (12.5%) and Clelin Ferrell (12.5%) also impressing.
It is an encouraging upturn for the 49ers ahead of a wild-card round matchup with a Philadelphia Eagles offensive line that can be exploited.
The Eagles’ pressure rate allowed of 20.2% was the 12th-best in the NFL this season, per Pro Football Reference. However, they finished the regular season 16th in pass block win rate, falling from sixth last year.
That drop-off can be partially attributed to the absence of Lane Johnson due to a Lisfranc injury. The veteran tackle is hoping to return for the wild-card round. If he does so, that would make the 49ers’ task in getting to Jalen Hurts that much more difficult.
And in true 2025 49ers fashion, they may be without one of those pass rushers who has impressed in recent weeks, with White set to be evaluated throughout the week due to a hamstring issue.
The 49ers will keep their fingers crossed that White is able to go, with the trade to acquire him from the New England Patriots looking increasingly astute. Even if he can play, the 49ers’ efforts to put pressure on Hurts will likely be for nought if they cannot find a...
