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The San Francisco 49ers are steamrolling the Carolina Panthers in Week 8, and rookie defensive end Nick Bosa is having a monster game. Through the first three quarters, Bosa had three sacks and an interception. The 49ers are leading 44-13 and making the Panthers look awful in all aspects of the game.
Bosa entered the day with four sacks and a forced fumble. There was some talk about the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, but this kind of performance could move him into the conversation NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Bosa entered the game third in sacks, and will move into first place following this performance, ahead of Josh Allen. Among all pass rushers, he entered the game second in PFF’s pass rush productivity statistic behind Daeshon Hall. Given the pressure he got all day in Week 8, he likely will move into first place heading into Week 9.
Bosa is a consistent wrecking ball who offensive tackles are struggling to even try and contain. He has been up and down closing the deal on sacks, but that is changing in a hurry. His three sacks in Week 8 give him six over three games. If he can stay on the field, he’ll blow through double digit sacks in short order.
New DPOY odds will drop at DraftKings Sportsbook in the next day or two, and it will be interesting to see just how far Bosa moves up the board. He was having a strong rookie season coming into Week 8, but this game is going to place him firmly on the national media radar. The 49ers have nine games remaining this season, so plenty can still happen, but he’s making a name for himself in a hurry.