Jaguars vs. 49ers: Week 16 San Francisco grades and analysis
By Peter Panacy
The San Francisco 49ers got off to a hot start in Week 16 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, eventually pulling off a 44-33 upset at Levi’s Stadium. We’ve got your full positional grades and analysis from this contest.
So much for the San Francisco 49ers having a tough time against arguably the best defense in the NFL this season.
The Jacksonville Jaguars might have looked at this game as a “tee shirt and hat” contest, at least according to linebacker Telvin Smith, but not the Niners. Not on their first offensive drive of the game. And not in the second half either, as the now-5-10 49ers pulled off a surprising 44-33 upset over the visiting Jaguars.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo quickly led the 49ers offense down the field with little resistance, ending in a one-yard sneak up the middle to give San Francisco an early 7-0 lead.
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Followed by a 3-and-out drive by Jacksonville, the Niners tacked on three more their following possession.
This set an early tone, as the Jaguars looked out of rhythm early and often on both sides of the ball. Yet they were able to get back in the game in the second quarter, thanks in large measure to cornerback Dontae Johnson’s coverage deficiencies.
Jacksonville roared back in the second quarter, adding 16 points and tying the game before the half, before a back-and-forth contest ensued over the final two quarters.
Niner Noise breaks down the game grades from this contest, looking at each specific position and how those units performed.
Starting off with Garoppolo and the offense, of course.