One Factor That Could be Playing Into Nick Bosa's Low Sack Numbers

Nick Bosa has only registered 2.5 sacks through seven games this season.

He is supposed to be one of the best players on the 49ers, but his stats are not supporting it. Now, that does not mean he still isn't making an impact. Part of that is due to a lack of support from other defensive lineman and a lack of creativity overall rushing the passer (stunts, alignment, etc.).

Still, this time last year Bosa had tallied 8.5 sacks, so there is definitely an underlying issue here. Kyle Shanahan gave his perspective Wednesday at his press conference as to why Bosa's sack numbers are down right now.

"I know the results haven't been there," said Shanahan. "He's got a couple opportunities missed, he's got a couple opportunities that should have been an easy sack on and we left number one open too fast where he shouldn't have been. So I just feel like the way it's panned out between rush and coverage and just all 11 together they haven't been tied together to me when they have done it.

When Bosa beats someone, there's got to be nowhere to go with the ball and they've been able to do that whether it's a miss or whatever it is. When we've had people covered, I don't feel like we've always had that rush. So I think it's there throughout a game, but just not at the right times.”

Complimentary football. It means more than just the offense and defense helping each other out. The secondary and pass rush of the 49ers, according to Shanahan, hasn't been aligned. They are not in synchronization. When the pass rush has a great rep, the secondary doesn't hold up. And when the secondary holds up, the pass rush is getting stone walled. This makes perfect sense as to why Bosa, and the rest of the lineman, aren't generating sacks.

I don't believe that it is the sole issue, but it is certainly playing a role. The secondary and the pass rush has to be in lockstep with each other. I believe they haven't been due to all of the blitzing. Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks loves to blitz. That is his identity since he has great confidence in his defensive backs to hold up. Well, he might need to dial it back, at least situationally. The 49ers defense in the past has always dropped seven into coverage, which forces the quarterback to hold onto the ball longer if they want to throw anything that isn't underneath.

Since the defense isn't doing that as often, the pass rush has their opportunities reduced. I'd imagine Shanahan has reviewed with Wilks that he needs to tone it down and give the pass rush a chance moving forward. We'll get to see that on Sunday when the 49ers play host to the Bengals. That is a game where playing more heavy coverage will benefit them than heavy blitzing.