Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw have each endured injury-hit 2022 campaigns but, as the 49ers’ defense prepares to face arguably its sternest test since the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round meeting with the Dallas Cowboys, their presence could hardly be more valuable.
The Cowboys’ offense is a well-rounded attack that can produce big plays through the air and on the ground, but the 49ers, in large part through their depth on the defensive line, have the personnel to take away both.
Though Kenneth Walker III scored a rushing touchdown for the Seahawks in San Francisco’s Wild Card win last week, the Niners did an impressive job of bottling up the Seattle run game. The Seahawks managed just 4.1 yards per carry, with Armstead and Kinlaw proving critical in San Francisco’s success in that regard by holding ground at the point of attack and soaking up double teams.
Of course, the 49ers want pass rush production from Javon Kinlaw, but this is exactly the type of play they envisioned when they drafted him. pic.twitter.com/triV9E4j62
— Nicholas McGee (@nicholasmcgee24) January 21, 2023
Kinlaw, who has spent most of this season and the 2021 campaign dealing with a lingering knee problem, may not have provided the pass-rush upside the 49ers hoped when they selected him 13th overall in the 2020 draft.
However, San Francisco envisioned him producing the play against the run he displayed against Seattle, his strength in that area a key reason why the Niners made him their top pick nearly three years ago.
If he and Armstead can clog the running lanes versus Dallas, Ezekiel Elliott will likely find it extremely difficult to run the ball up the middle.
In Tony Pollard, the Cowboys do have a potent outside running threat but, between Nick Bosa’s ability to set the edge and dominate tackles and tight ends alike and the fast-flowing nature of the 49ers’ linebackers and safeties, San Francisco has the means to slow him down, too.
Need more of this from Nick Bosa when the Cowboys try attack the edges with Tony Pollard. pic.twitter.com/sIZDEhySF9
— Nicholas McGee (@nicholasmcgee24) January 22, 2023
Succeed in doing so, and the 49ers can make the Dallas offense one-dimensional and enable the pass rush to pin its ears back in pursuit of Dak Prescott, whom they will need to disrupt and keep out of rhythm if they are to hold the Cowboys’ attack in check.
Just as key to winning the ball in the trenches when Elliott and Pollard run the ball will be maintaining pass-rush integrity to take away the lanes for Prescott to scramble into and do damage with his legs.
However, following a regular season in which the 49er defense thrived despite Armstead and Kinlaw often being out of the lineup, the defensive tackle duo have the chance to underline their importance with performances that help propel San Francisco to the NFC Championship Game.
