Aldon Smith a non-factor against the Patriots
During the week, the Patriots probably prepared differently on offense knowing how good the 49ers defense is. A lot of attention must have been put on Aldon Smith and there's no doubt why. He has a chance to break Michael Strahan's record for sacks in a season, but for the most part he was non-existent on Sunday night.
Unfortunately for Smith, but fortunately for the Patriots, he didn't record a sack. Smith did have an interception, but wasn't a force at all, making only ONE tackle. He has led the league in sacks for the majority of the season, but is now tied with the Texan's JJ Watt, who sacked Andrew Luck 3 times on Sunday. Although Alson Smith didn't have a defensive-player-of-the-year type game, the fantastic 49er's defense came up big, especially in the first half and towards the end of the game. They looked like the hard-hitting defense New Englander's feared, forcing Brady into 2 interceptions(one not his fault), and of course the fumbles from Ridley and Vereen. There's a good chance we see this defense again in early February. We'll see how it turns out.
Follow me on twitter @joeloobs
Sources:
Bleacher Report
profootballtalk.com
Unfortunately for Smith, but fortunately for the Patriots, he didn't record a sack. Smith did have an interception, but wasn't a force at all, making only ONE tackle. He has led the league in sacks for the majority of the season, but is now tied with the Texan's JJ Watt, who sacked Andrew Luck 3 times on Sunday. Although Alson Smith didn't have a defensive-player-of-the-year type game, the fantastic 49er's defense came up big, especially in the first half and towards the end of the game. They looked like the hard-hitting defense New Englander's feared, forcing Brady into 2 interceptions(one not his fault), and of course the fumbles from Ridley and Vereen. There's a good chance we see this defense again in early February. We'll see how it turns out.
Follow me on twitter @joeloobs
Sources:
Bleacher Report
profootballtalk.com