Former Missouri star Aldon Smith is making a significant splash on a resurgent San Francisco 49ers defense that seems to have chosen their next great pass rusher when they chose Smith with the No. 7 pick in the NFL Draft. And while he only had one quarterback hit on Sunday, it's clear he's still a force that teams have to adjust their schemes for when he enters the game.
The 49ers defense has one interception and the Redskins fumbled four times to help the 49ers win 19-11 in a game that sees one team rising in the ranks of the NFL while the other is quickly spiraling out of control. The Niners are clearly emerging as a force on defense, and that's a major talking point with several sportswriters and analysts this morning since San Fran is now 7-1 on the season and is running away with the NFC West.
For the season, Smith has 6.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Yesterday was his first game without a sack in five weeks.