49ers’ pass rush is finding some form at exactly the right time

Whisper it quietly, but in recent weeks there have been clear signs the 49er defense is improving as the regular season approaches its business end.

Indeed, the 49ers rank seventh in EPA per play on defense over the last three weeks as they have reeled off a hat-trick of wins to move to 9-4. While EPA as a metric does not encompass a unit’s entire performance — it is most closely linked to how often an offense or defense creates or prevents explosive plays — the fact the 49ers rank so highly over the last three weeks in a category in which they are 24th for the season as a whole is indicative of a marked improvement from Robert Saleh’s group.

Of course, some of the strides can be tied to the opponents faced. The Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns aren’t blessed wit