Patriots coach gives one 49ers star the ultimate compliment ahead of Week 4 matchup in San Francisco

The New England Patriots offense knows that they have quite the challenge in front of them.

The 49ers have one defensive weapon that no opposing team ever wants to go up against. But the Patriots will have to find a way to contain him if they hope to win.

The player in question: Nick Bosa.

On Thursday, Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt spoke about Bosa and gave the defensive end the ultimate compliment.

He had one simple word to describe him: "Nightmare."

"Great player. Generational player," Van Pelt added. "Speed, power, all of it. So definitely an issue and definitely a concern. We have to make sure that we don't let him ruin the game for us because he is that type of rusher."

In only three games this season, Bosa already has nine total tackles and two sacks.

Considering the Patriots' current issues with the offensive line, going up against someone like Bosa can make things even worse for Jacoby Brissett and the rest of the offense.

The team's loss to the Jets in a primetime matchup last week really highlighted the holes in the line. Specifically, Brissett was sacked five times and took 10 quarterback hits. He was pressured on 52.2 percent of his dropbacks, according to PFF.

And it doesn't help matters that the team still doesn't have a set starting five. While it appears left guard Sidy Sow will make his return this week, the left tackle spot is still a question.

During Thursday's practice, Demontrey Jacobs was taking reps with the presumed starters.

In the first game it was Chukwuma Okorafor who got the start, followed by Vederian Lowe in the second game, and then rookie Caedan Wallace in the third. Now all signs point to Jacobs starting in the fourth matchup.

Bosa can play on both sides, which makes it even harder for opposing teams to prepare for him. And considering the inconsistency on the left side, Bosa could line up there more often because it is seen as a huge weakness for the Patriots.

Let's see if they can stop him on Sunday.