49ers vs. Rams: Full Week 17 preview for San Francisco
Week 17 by the numbers
Besides being undefeated at the helm for the 49ers, Garoppolo has put up impressive individual statistics.
Since Jimmy Garoppolo took over the 49ers
— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) December 25, 2017
4-0
316 yards passing per game
68.9 completion %
WRs and TEs have been setting career highs every week
Sacked just 2.25 times per game
Only 3 or 4 other QBs in the league could’ve walked into a 1-10 SF team & produced like this
Garoppolo broke Kurt Warner’s record for most wins and passing yards by a quarterback in their first four starts with a team (1,250 yards to 1,217 yards). In those four starts, Garoppolo has thrown for four touchdowns and three interceptions with a 98.9 quarterback rating.
Two of those of the games, Week 13 against the Chicago Bears and Week 15 against the Tennessee Titans, it was Garoppolo who masterminded late game-winning drives.
Third down efficiency has skyrocketed for the team with Garoppolo, as the 49ers are now ranked No. 10 in the NFL for three-and-out percentage at 31.4 percent. Garoppolo’s 84.9 Pro Football Focus grade puts him as the No. 7 quarterback, up with the likes of Alex Smith, Russell Wilson and Drew Brees.
In short, it has been an impactful stint from the Eastern Illinois product.
Another first-timer with San Francisco is making the most of his time on the field — rookie defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon. Rashard Robinson being traded to the New York Jets paved the way for Witherspoon to assume the No.1 cornerback duties, and Witherspoon has shown to be a real option there.
Witherspoon has been stout in pass defense, only allowing a 66.4 passing rating since Week 13, per PFF. No wide receiver has scored on Witherspoon since Week 12, resulting in Witherspoon’s PFF grade of 82.4. The third-round pick has shined when given the opportunity.
As for the team as a whole, the offense has seen an uptick in its overall ranking. That is part of the “Garoppolo Effect,” a term I have grown fond of.
Heading into the final week of the season, the 49ers are the No. 12 in total offense and tied for No. 14 in first downs per game with 19.7.
The rush defense, one of the team’s weakest units from last season, has reached respectable levels in 2017. Opponents are averaging 3.8 yards per carry versus the 49ers, which is No. 7 in the league. Last year, that number was at 4.8 yards per carry.
And if San Francisco can bottle up a combination of running backs Malcolm Brown, Lance Dunbar and Justin Davis in Week 17, they will have reached a feat that seemed unimaginable not too long ago: