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49ers vs. Colts: Good, bad & ugly from preseason Week 3

By Akshaj Dwivedula

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 25: Alfred Morris #36 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 25: Alfred Morris #36 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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San Francisco 49ers Indianapolis Colts Preseason Week 3 game recap scores highlights analysis
by Joe Robbins/Getty Images /

Despite having a great running game and defensive performance, Nick Mullens was the QB to lead the 49ers to a touchdown, not Jimmy Garoppolo or C.J. Beathard. And after all, the defense did give up a touchdown. If this was a perfect game, there would be a different result, and the 49ers would be coming home victorious.

QB Jimmy Garoppolo

Garoppolo did some good things this game. He was crisp for some of his throws and led the team on a few long drives.

However, the 49ers didn’t score a touchdown with him at the helm, and his second scoring drive ended with two scripted passes to Trent Taylor that were nearly intercepted. Garoppolo overthrew a few of his targets.

Again, this is really nitpicking here, but Garoppolo is the leader of the offense. Not scoring a touchdown is an indictment of him.

49ers pass defense

Now the 49ers had some good moments against Andrew Luck. Ahkello Witherspoon made a good play, and you saw what Richard Sherman did up above.

Yet, despite their actions, Luck finished 8-10 for 90 yards and one touchdown. And that touchdown was a real disappointment. Reuben Foster just let Eric Ebron go right to the endzone, and there was no safety back to cover his misstep. It was basically a walk-in:

After Luck went on, Jacoby Brissett continued where Luck left off. Brissett threw for 120 yards, including a beautiful pass over Tarvarius Moore. The 49ers really struggled in that regard.

WR Dante Pettis

Dante Pettis has had a major problem during these preseason games – drops. It struck once again when Pettis dropped a surefire touchdown that could have tilted the game in the 49ers way.

But it wasn’t just the drop. Pettis just wasn’t heavily involved in the offense. Fellow rookie Richie James Jr. had far more production, which is disappointing given the hype surrounding Pettis. For a dress rehearsal, Pettis showed he isn’t ready for primetime.