The NFL is getting closer to the playoffs, and teams are making their final push to the post-season.
However, for one ESPN analyst, they see only one NFL team being the “scariest in the NFL.”
So which team is the scariest in the NFL for 2022?
Stephen A. Smith Sees The 49ers As The Scariest In 2022
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith sees an elite, and hard-knock defense, in the San Francisco 49ers.
He feels their style of play makes them scary, leaving NFL quarterbacks quivering in their shoes.
.@stephenasmith believes the 49ers are the SCARIEST team in the NFL 👀 pic.twitter.com/3O5txlj1iJ
— First Take (@FirstTake) December 16, 2022
To him, no other NFL defense gets to the quarterback quicker than them, as he warns quarterbacks to throw the ball in under two seconds.
His comments are on point, as the 49ers are a force on defense against quarterbacks and receivers.
The speed they play with keeps completions and yards after the catch down to a minimum.
With Nick Bosa leading the defensive front, they force plenty of sacks.
Their 39 sacks in 2022 put them in sixth place, 10 sacks behind the league-leading Philadelphia Eagles this season.
However, their defense is ranked first in rushing yards allowed (1046) while ranking top five in several other defensive statistics.
This makes the 49ers defense scary good, as they are running over teams down the stretch.
But their defense is also showing up late in games, as the second half of games see them stimy opponents.
With them clamping down late in games, it’s clear why Smith sees the 49ers as the scariest team in the NFL.
