Fred Warner heard the chatter and then set the tone. His sack, forced fumble and interception led the way for a dominant 49ers defense in Sunday’s 42-10 blowout win over the Cowboys.
Warner became the first 49ers player with a sack, forced fumble and interception in the same game since NaVorro Bowman in 2013.
Warner was asked after the game if the 49ers defense had heard any of the discussion about the Cowboys top ranked defense coming into the Week 5 showdown.
Warners game, in front of a national audience, is type of performance that can lead to a bigger debate about where he may rank in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation, an award typically saved for pass rushers like 2022 winner Nick Bosa.
Bosa kept it simple, as he often does, when discussing what Warner has been able to do, "He's the best in the world, and it's not close."