Golden Nuggets: Defense Is Key To Winning

The Super Bowl is finally over in San Francisco/Santa Clara. Peyton Manning's Denver Broncos beat Cam Newton's Carolina Panthers on a great defensive effort with Von Miller winning MVP honors. San Francisco and Santa Clara held the celebrations and game with no real issues. Levi's Stadium had the grass issue come up once again, but this time the NFL was to blame.

Now that the offseason is officially starting, the 49ers will look to start their march to reaching Super Bowl 51. With the Denver Broncos winning the Super Bowl, the saying that defense wins championships rings so very true once again. The key to Super Bowl victories comes from those guys defending the quarterbacks. While the two teams in Super Bowl were the in the top 10 in sacks this season, the 49ers ranked 29th in this important category. Aaron Lynch led the team with 6.5 sacks. They will need to address that need. The team was never able to replace Aldon Smith after he was released.

The Broncos and Panthers were also in the top of the league in passing defense. The 49ers were ranked #27 in that same category. New defensive coordinator, Jim O'Neil, will be tasked in helping the 49ers improve drastically in that category. A great pass rush immediately helps the team's passing defense. After the 49ers figure out their quarterback situation, the pass rush situation should be their next position to fix.

49ers Links

Makes sense | Ranked #31 Out Of #32 For Super Bowl 51 (Williams)

Super Bowl Favorites (Maiocco)

It will come back eventually, but other cities are better equipped | Super Bowl Will Not Be Coming Back Soon (Ratto)

It was much worse earlier in the season. Not too bad for Super Bowl | Turf Was Terrible (Associated Press)

2016 NFL Calendar Dates (49ers Staff)

The grass is always in the spotlight until it's fixed | Levi's Stadium, Grass In The Spotlight (Barrows)

Keys To Chip Kelly's Offense (Fann)

Video

Congrats to the great Eddie DeBartolo | Eddie D's Reaction To Being Inducted (49ers Video)

Anquan Boldin On Being MOY (49ers Video)