It may be a little hard to recognize at first, but stick with me here, and I think you’ll see that I’m right. When you think 49ers, the first thing that comes to your head is likely “offense” - that in all likelihood is followed by “lots of passing” or something to that extent. Well immediately we have a conflict with what we know the 49ers to be and what they are this season. Firstly, although the team ranks second in the NFL in offense, it really has been the defense that has made the difference in this season’s record. It’s the defense that has come up big when it had to leaving the 49ers in winnable situations. Similarly, it’s not the 49ers passing game that has been in the spot light this season, bur rather it has been the remarkable running of miracle back, Garrison Hearst. The scary thing is, these paradoxes don’t stop there.

A quick look at the 49ers defense should prove that to you. Take the defensive tackle position where Bryant Young and Dana Stubblefield have been reunited. Back when these two were first teamed together, they were an unstoppable duo, and punishing quarterbacks for even thinking of passing. Things are different these days though. While Bryant Young started the season off with a two-sack game, neither Young nor Stubblefield has put up numbers remotely close to that at any other point this season. Instead their value to the team has been in run blocking.

Still not convinces? How bout taking a look at the 49ers defensive backfield notoriously known since 1997 as the weakness in the 49ers defense. This season things are quite different. Ahmed Plummer has an incredible seven interceptions and an uncountable amount of passes defended. Meanwhile his counter part who is 5’9” no less is also having a great season. This is something the 49ers can’t be used to.