DE Bosa’s two sacks against the Commander’s solidified his Defensive Player of the Year award and 49ers TE Kittle

Last Updated on 12/27/2022 by てんしょく飯

San Francisco 49ers defensive end (DE) Nick Bosa led the NFL in sacks with two quarterback (QB) takedowns in a 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders on Saturday, December 24, local.

Today’s game should have made him the MVP of the defensive category.

Teammate tight end (TE) George Kittle thinks it’s time for Bosa to be recognized for another impressive performance in 2022.

He should have been the MVP of the defensive category in today’s game,” Kittle told “ESPN” after the 49ers’ win on Saturday. ‘I don’t see any reason why it shouldn’t be. When you look at what he does every Sunday compared to the rest of the league, whether it’s on offense or defense, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be in the running for MVP.”

He’s just a monster, day in and day out. Every sack is a result of his effort and he deserves recognition. He’s fantastic. There is nothing he does that he doesn’t play well.”

Bosa made his first sack Saturday late in the second quarter during the Commander’s two-minute drill, sacking QB Tyler Heinike over offensive tackle (OT) Charles Leno Jr. Then, in the fourth quarter, he made a strip sack against Heinike while passing OT Cornelius Lucas from the other side of the first, which gave the 49ers offense a 10-point lead from the red zone.

Saturday’s two sacks brought Bosa’s season total to 17.5, a career high for the fourth-year pro.

He said, “I feel like I have an answer for every type of blocker out there right now. Of course there are varying degrees of success, but overall it’s working,” commented Bosa after the win.

The 49ers’ star pass rusher also contributed to the 49ers’ interception on Commander’s possession immediately after the sack he made in the fourth quarter, and Bosa’s pressure led to an ill-aimed pass by Heinike, which resulted in Heinike being dropped to the bench. Bosa also tackled Heinike on fourth down in the third quarter and forced a failed two-point conversion by Comanders, playing a key role in a 49ers defense that was dominant in the second half.

His level of play was extraordinary,” said middle linebacker (MLB) Fred Warner. ‘He’s a big reason why the defense is doing so well, because he knows he needs all 11 guys to be successful rushing and working together in coverage. Still, having him on the field gives us a better chance of winning, so we can stick in coverage and go after their routes. Anyway, his play is outstanding.”

With two games left, Bosa has a chance to tie the all-time single-season sack record of 22.5 held by DEs T.J. Watt and Michael Strahan, and it is even more likely that the 25-year-old Bosa will break DE Aldon Smith’s 49ers record of 19.5, the most by any 49er.

Bosa, who earned his third Pro Bowl selection last week, is certainly a strong candidate for the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year award, and winning that title would be a dream come true for the former No. 2 overall pick.

It’s my dream,” Bosa said. ‘I’ve been playing this game since I was seven years old and I’ve been on the D-line my whole life. I’ve watched other players over the years and I’ve always wanted to be one of those players, and I feel like I’m finally getting close to that moment when that dream will come true.”