After Great Effort Against Philly, 49ers Defense Looks To Build
San Francisco's once-dominant defense
Second-year safety
The 49ers (2-2) realize if they are unable repeat such an effort against Alex Smith and the Chiefs (2-2) this Sunday, last week will all be for naught.
"This one doesn't mean anything if we don't get another win next week," Reid said. "It was huge. We needed a win, we needed it to kickstart our season."
San Francisco had given up costly plays in the passing game
The 49ers defense held the Eagles to 213 total yards, including just 22 rushing, for the lowest total under Philadelphia coach
San Francisco features the NFC's top run defense with 69.8 yards allowed, and second-best in the NFL behind the Jets (63.3). The Niners have surrendered only 152 yards rushing in their past three games, fewest by the team over a three-game stretch since 1997.
On Sunday, the Chiefs present another challenge altogether with a talented, two-headed running back
"It's a very complex offense, they do a lot of different things," defensive coordinator
San Francisco has plenty of familiarity with the man under center - 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick Smith, traded by the 49ers to the Chiefs in March 2013.
Asked Thursday about getting any tips from coach Jim Harbaugh about defending Smith, Fangio said that's unnecessary.
"I was here, too, for that time period," he said of the tail end of Smith's tenure. "Sometimes too much study is paralysis by over-analysis. I watched the tape and prepared for him like any other quarterback. I saw him play a lot of those games and in practice."
Fangio's new-look secondary has come into its own.
Perrish Cox has proved a reliable replacement for injured starting cornerback Tramaine Brock.
"We always come in with a lot of confidence," Cox said. "I think these past two weeks, those games we were up going into the half. We just didn't finish. All week long, we wanted to finish. Just keep pounding. Like I said, as a team, we did it together."
When Brock does return from a toe injury, it's unclear who will start.
"We'll figure that out then," Fangio said.
Safety Antoine Bethea earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week after making his first interception since joining the 49ers to go with a forced fumble and seven tackles.
"Words can't describe some of the plays he made out there," linebacker Patrick Willis said. "He was all over the place."
Reid and Bethea have found a rhythm, while offering as much help to rookie nickel back Jimmie Ward as possible.
Reid, for one, isn't as familiar with Smith this week given that the quarterback was already gone when the 49ers selected Reid with their top draft choice last year.
"It might be a little strange for some guys who were close with him, but he's an opponent now so we've got to beat him," Reid said.
NOTES: Asked about rookie Aaron Lynch's swift improvement, Fangio cracked, "Good coaching." ... TE Vernon Davis (back spasms) and RT Anthony Davis (knee), both hurt against the Eagles, weren't practicing when the afternoon workout began.