Uncharacteristic Mistakes Cost 49ers in Critical Showdown

Uncharacteristic Mistakes Cost 49ers in Critical

Previously an unknown player in one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks, 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward is finally blossoming nationally.

The sixth-year pro earned his first Pro Bowl nod this week, one of a league-high nine San Francisco players voted to the annual All-Star team, it was announced Wednesday.Ward has developed into a blocking corner for the 49ers this season and will be a focal point when San Francisco faces the franchise and #039 top receivers in the postseason, including possibly CeeDee Lamb, A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Puka Nacua.andquot;Heand#039;s now playing at that All-Pro caliber level,andquot; San Francisco defensive coordinator Steve Wilks told reporters. andquot;You saw her and I saw her all year.

Ward has 68 tackles, including 23 pass breakups, and a career-high five interceptions, including one for a touchdown, in 16 starts. According to Next Generation Stats, opposing quarterbacks have a 66.6 rating when targeting Ward during the regular season. Head has only surrendered two passes this year.

Ward is the fourth-ranked cornerback in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.andquot;That and#039;is just another way of thinking,andquot; Ward told the San Francisco Chronicle about the increase in complaints. andquot;I know I have to get the ball. I won’t get a PBU my whole career.

If I get steals, it helps the defense, the team and my bank account.andquot;With Pro Bowl safety Talanoa Hufanga out for the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee, Ward has emerged as San Francisco’s top player in the middle.

 

The 49ers are holding opponents to 306.7 passing yards per contest, 7th in the league. They have allowed just 19 passing touchdowns this season, which is tied for 4th in the league.And their team-high 21 interceptions are second only to the Chicago Bearsand#039; 22.An undrafted rookie out of Middle Tennessee in 2018 who worked as a starting tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, Ward signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the 49ers before the 2002 season.

Ward was a free agent defensive end for the 49ers along with defensive end Javon Hargrave.Known as andquot;Mooney,andquot; a nickname his mother gave him as a boy, Ward hasn’t missed a game in the last two seasons.

He has played 908 snaps in 16 games this year, accounting for 89% of San Francisco’s snaps on this side of the ball.San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey said he admires the outgoing Ward and his playmaking abilities.andquot;Heand#039;is the man,andquot; McCaffrey told reporters. andquot;Goodness#039; is charismatic, funny and always has something funny to say.

I don’t know if he knows it’s funny, but he is.andquot;It’s fun sharing a closet with him. I get a lot of new music sharing a closet with him, so I appreciate that. Head#039; is also a damn good player and plays at an All-Pro level. So I’m happy to be in my team.andquot;Players always say pass and pass go hand in hand. But with Ward as the playmaker in the backfield, San Francisco’s pass rushers know if they’re going to generate pressure, and secondary players like Ward can turn pressure into pressure.San Francisco’s 46 sacks are seventh in the NFL. According to Next Generation Stats, the 49ers 268 quarterback pressures are second only to the Baltimore Ravensand#039; 271.Ward still has room for improvement.

He leads the 49ers with 11 catches, but only one since Week 10.andquot;Heand#039;s had a hell of a year,andquot; 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters. andquot;Heand#039;s been playing butt for a while and is getting better.andquot;.

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