ESPN analyst calls a team the ‘scariest in the NFL’

The NFL is nearing the playoffs, and teams are taking their final step toward the postseason.

Yet to an ESPN analyst, they see only one NFL team as the “scariest in the NFL.”

So which team is the scariest in the NFL for 2022?

Stephen A. Smith sees the 49ers as the scariest in 2022

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith sees a tough, elite defense in the San Francisco 49ers.

He feels his style of play scares them, leaving NFL quarterbacks trembling in his shoes.

.@stephenasmith thinks the 49ers are the SCARIEST team in the NFL 👀 pic.twitter.com/3O5txlj1iJ

— First Take (@FirstTake) December 16, 2022

To him, no other NFL defense gets to the quarterback faster than they do, as he warns quarterbacks to throw the ball in under two seconds.

His comments are on point, as the 49ers are a defensive force against quarterbacks and receivers.

The speed with which they play keeps completions and receiving yards to a minimum.

With Nick Bosa leading the defensive front, they force a lot of sacks.

Their 39 sacks in 2022 put them in sixth place, 10 sacks behind the league-leading Philadelphia Eagles this season.

However, his defense ranks first in rushing yards allowed (1046) and ranks in the top five in several other defensive statistics.

This makes the 49ers defense scarily good, as they are running over teams down the stretch.

But their defense also shows up late in games, as the second half of games sees them intimidating opponents.

With them clamping down late in games, it’s clear why Smith views the 49ers as the scariest team in the NFL.