There is no reason to believe that the Supreme Court's rejection of the single entity argument makes it any more (or less) likely that American Needle would prevail in the underlying antitrust case (or that a suit against the NFL's exclusive deal with EA would be successful). Rather, it only subjects the NFL to the same antitrust scrutiny they have been subjected to for the last 50 years. American Needle could win the underlying case, but only if it could prove that the anticompetitive effects of the NFL's exclusive apparel licensing deal outweighed its procompetitive benefits.Led by the linebacking duo of NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis and Pro Bowl safeties Dashon Goldson and Donte Whitner, the Niners defense ranked third in the NFL this season, giving up an average of 294 yards per game. Throw in the franchiserecord 19.5 sacks by Pro Bowl defensive end Aldon Smith and you have a unit worthy of lifting the Lombardi Trophy. SF ranked fourth in both rushing and passing defense..