Haloti Ngata is one of the best NTs in the NFL. When the Ravens played the 49ers last year in a 16-6 victory, the offensive line was forced to eat up blocks in the middle which allowed others to make plays.
With this year's emergence of Alex Boone as the starting RG, the running game up the middle has been superb. Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter (before his injury) were consistently getting yards up the gut.
Ngata is a versatile defensive lineman who can also play DE in a 3-4 base defense. When the Ravens are in a 4-2 nickel coverage, he will line up as a DT.
Earlier this year, Ngata battled shoulder and knee injuries throughout the season. However, he has been healthy in his last four games. It will be very critical to see if the 49ers' offensive line can handle Ngata if he is single-blocked. Boone, Mike Iupati and Jonathan Goodwin will need to team up in blocking him without opening lanes for the linebackers to make plays. Two out of the three interior linemen must double team Ngata on every down if he can't be single-blocked.
Ngata should be lined up in front of Boone and Goodwin as both guys will need to step it up to block him. If he is on the left side, Iupati and Goodwin are the best combination to take him on. If Ngata is blocked well by the interior, the holes will open for the running game.
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