Nick Bosa believes the 49ers' defense is set to have a bounce-back performance for their last home game of the season.
The 49ers' Week 16 loss to the Tennessee Titans was the first time the star pass rusher did not record a sack since November 7, when the team lost to Arizona. That game was also one of only four contests that Bosa has not taken down an opposing quarterback through 15 games this season.
In his press conference after the loss to the Titans, Bosa expressed frustration in facing max protection most of the evening. The altered scheme forced the Ohio State product to attempt to pass rush against double teams repeatedly.
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Bosa is more confident the 49ers' defense will have an answer for the Houston Texans on Sunday if they attempt to copy what the Titans did to stop the Comeback Player of the Year candidate.
“I think we were a little ill-prepared last week,” Bosa said Thursday. “We didn’t expect that fully. So, we will definitely be ready for that.”
The third-year defensive lineman has two remaining games in which to break Aldon Smith’s single-season sack record of 19.5 set in 2012. Bosa currently has 15 on the season which ties him for third in the league with Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett. Only Pittsburgh Steelers' T.J. Watt (17.5) and Chicago Bears' Robert Quinn (17) have more.
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San Francisco 49ers
Bosa has also been very effective in run defense, registering a league-leading 19 tackles for a loss. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is close behind with 18. Still, having his name as the 49ers' single-season sack leader is something the defensive end would like to accomplish.
“We are definitely going to be ready for whatever is thrown at us,” Bosa said. “It’s hard to say that it’s going to work against what we got last week because seven-man protection is tough. But we definitely have answers that we are going to go to quick and show them that we have answers.”
Bosa realizes that with the 49ers unlikely to host a home game in the playoffs, Sunday's game with the Texans will be the last time the 49ers will play in Levi’s Stadium this season. There is already a playoff mentality in the locker room, but Bosa feels giving the Faithful a win is an extra incentive.
“I love running out of the tunnel and hearing the fans, not even just at home but all over the country,” Bosa said. “This is the best fan base that shows up all over the place. This is probably our last one at home this year. We would love to get them a win.
“And if we want to play more games after the next two, we got to win. It’s all-around important.”