Discussions about the NFL are often centered on offense and quarterbacks, however in the words of legendary Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant: “Defense wins championships.”
If you need proof this is still accurate, look no further than the 2021 San Francisco 49ers.
San Francisco earned its second trip to the NFC Championship Game with a 13-10 victory over Green Bay on Saturday night.
How did they pull it off? With the offense scuffling to get itself going, it was on the shoulders of the defense to keep the game close.
After allowing Green Bay to open the game with a 10 play 69-yard touchdown drive, the 49ers defense held the Packers to only 194 yards and three points over the final 54 minutes of the game.