San Francisco 49ers: 5 takeaways from the team’s MNF rout of the Cleveland Browns

4) The front-six is the best in the NFL, but the secondary is holding its own too

We normally discuss front-sevens, but here’s the thing, nickel defense is the most common defense in the NFL.

Yes, technically the 49ers have a 4-3 base defense, but more often than that K’Waun Williams is playing the slot and Kwon Alexander and Fred Warner are the only linebackers on the field.

Live Feed

Niner Noise

Alexander and Warner are the fastest linebacking duo in the league and that speed pays dividends in coverage and on screens and misdirections. Alexander has finally turned the raw athleticism that had him selected in the first round into a consistent difference-maker.

Bosa’s work alongside Dee Ford, DeForest Buckner, and an even more effective Arik Armstead has the Niners front-six dominating the line of scrimmage week in and week out.

However, coming into the season everyone expected improvements there. Concerns were abound in the secondary though, where questions remained at both safety spots and opposite Richard Sherman.

Ahkello Witherspoon looked like the answer at cornerback, but after going down with an injury there were questions as to how Emmanuel Moseley would do stepping in. It turns out quite well, making a number of great plays in Monday Night’s game.

Safety Jaquiski Tartt has always been effective when healthy and has yet to be hit with the injury bug this year and even Jimmie Ward has regained his starting spot at free safety.

Make no mistake, the secondary isn’t at the caliber of the front six, but it also isn’t the bottom feeder many expected it to be. It’s a legitimate above-average unit.