USA Today via Reuters
Oct 25, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) throws a pass against the New England Patriots in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 25, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) throws a pass against the New England Patriots in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
For the third time this season, Jimmy Garoppolo left the 49ers’ game on Sunday with an ankle injury. However, he was not really having a game to remember ahead of his injury struggles as he barely completed 11 of 16 passes for 84 yards and threw an interception.
NBC Sports analyst Donte Whitner believes he needs to be more of a gunslinger in order to make opposing defenses respect the 49ers’ aerial attack.
“Right now, I don’t think Garoppolo put fear in defenses in the National Football League. I think the papers are out on him.
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“They understand that they can press these guys, he doesn’t really want to push the ball down the field, it seems like he doesn’t want to make mistakes. But you can’t win like that in the National Football League.
"Right now I don't think Garoppolo puts fear in defenses in the National Football League."@DonteWhitner thinks Jimmy G needs to be more of a gunslinger. pic.twitter.com/8Czjj4NUzu
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) November 2, 2020
“Where is the element of surprise on this offense? Where is the deep balls, where is the double moves? This team was ready for every one of their trick plays today, they were ready for your wide receiver screens, they were ready for your misdirection.
“They didn’t take a shot down the football field until late in the second half,” Whitner said.
Injury Blows for 49ers’ – Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle
Jimmy wasn’t the 49ers’ only key player to go down in Seattle. George Kittle suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter and was sidelined for the rest of the game.
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Kyle Shanahan later revealed that x-rays showed no break for the All-Pro tight end. Running back Tevin Coleman, playing for the first time since Week 2, lasted less than a half before suffering yet another injury to his knee.
Jimmy Garoppolo seen walking to the locker room at the start of the 4th Qtr. pic.twitter.com/NVR4rRJJ7u
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 1, 2020
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It’s hard to imagine that Shanahan wouldn’t like to take more chances with his passing offense; however, the squad that he has at his disposal has seemingly shackled him to a sub-par offensive line-up.
They’ll need to figure out a better plan of attack next week, as the 49ers are looking to host the Green Bay Packers on short rest for ‘Thursday Night Football’. Coming off the second loss of their season, the Aaron Rodgers-led outfit will be out for blood.
