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com 49ers cranking up their defense heading into stretch run

Amid all the relentless chatter the past few weeks about Colin Kaepernick and his sluggish offense momentarily resolved by a trip to Washington one thing remains abundantly clear about the 49ers.

They can play some serious Olympic Carey Price Canada Jersey defense.

This stretches beyond one emphatic, prime time smothering of Robert Griffin III. The 49ers have allowed more than 17 points once in their past five games. They've permitted more than 20 points once in their past eight games.

More? On Nov. 10 against Carolina, the 49ers held Cam Newton and Co. to season lows in yards (250) and first downs (15). On Nov. 17 www.shopcanadahockeyonline.com/olympic+chris+pronger+canada+jersey against New Orleans, they held Drew Brees and friends 12 points below their home scoring average in a 23 20 loss.

More? Monday night, the 49ers limited Washington to season lows in points (six) and yardage (190). Griffin's offense had averaged more than 453 yards in its previous Olympic Chris Kunitz Canada Jersey three games.

More? Ahmad Brooks (8.5 sacks) and Aldon Smith (6.5) could become the first 49ers tandem with at least 10 sacks each since 1998. San Francisco ranks sixth in the league in total defense and fourth in points allowed (16.7 per game).

So, while Kaepernick and his offensive colleagues endure scrutiny, the defense merely keeps the 49ers in playoff contention.

"The type of guys we have in the locker room, we want to be great on defense," safety Donte Whitner said. "We started off a little slow early in the season. We faced some great offenses Green Bay, Indianapolis when they were hot. But it's calmed down a little.

"We started getting turnovers. We got www.shopcanadahockeyonline.com/olympic+carey+price+canada+jersey Aldon back. Ahmad is playing really well. We're stopping the run being physical, tackling, getting off the field on third down. All the things we've always preached, we started to do them. We feel like this defense can carry this football team."

Whitner's reference to those early season struggles offers a telling reminder of the progress this defense has made. In their first three games, the 49ers relinquished 28 points to the Packers, 29 to the Seahawks and 27 to the Colts sparking valid whispers of concern if not full blown, Kaepernick like hysteria.

But the run defense has stiffened in recent weeks, anchored by Justin Smith and with help from Glenn Dorsey and Tony Jerod Eddie (subbing for the injured Ray McDonald). The 49ers also have showed some depth in the secondary, with Tramaine Brock capably replacing the injured Tarell Brown.

And the pass rush has shifted into another gear, led by Brooks and Aldon Smith.

"We're just clicking at the right time," Brooks said.

Rams quarterback Kellen www.shopcanadahockeyonline.com/olympic+chris+kunitz+canada+jersey Clemens noticed.

"They're great up top, they've got two of the best linebackers staring you in Olympic Chris Pronger Canada Jersey the face and then they've got a very good secondary," Clemens told the St. Louis Post Dispatch. "Find a weakness on that defense and then please tell me about it."