Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers vs. Chiefs: Preseason Week 3 grades and analysis for San Francisco

By Josh Altorfer

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 24: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball to Tevin Coleman #26 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter during preseason action against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 24: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball to Tevin Coleman #26 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter during preseason action against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 24: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass down field during the first half of a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 24: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass down field during the first half of a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

Offensive grades

Quarterbacks: B+

Jimmy Garoppolo was much improved against the Chiefs compared to last week. He seemed more confident and decisive with his throws. He finished the game with a solid 14-of-20, 188 passing yards and one-touchdown stat line. Most importantly, he led the 49ers on three scoring drives, putting up 13 points in the first half.

49ers fans can breathe a collective sigh of relief. Garoppolo seems ready for Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. By then, the Denver game will be far in the rear-view mirror.

Backup quarterback Nick Mullens was very efficient leading the 49ers in the second half. He threw for 84 yards and managed the team on two touchdown drives.

Quarterback C.J. Beathard did not play in the game.

Running backs: A

Matt Brieda was outstanding in this game. He gets an A-plus. He averaged 6.3 yards per attempt on seven carries. He laid out and made a very difficult catch from Garoppolo for a touchdown, too, marking San Francisco’s first end-zone score in the first half:

Fellow runner Jeff Wilson Jr. had a really efficient game on the ground. He scored both second-half touchdowns, which secured the win for the Niners. He showed great vision following his blockers on both scores.

No. 1 running back Tevin Coleman was the only one preventing this group from scoring an A-plus. Coleman just couldn’t seem to get things going. He averaged only 2.1 yards per carry.

Receivers: C+

The running backs really stole the show in this game, scoring all three touchdowns. The receiving group did enough to keep the chains moving, but no one really stood out.

Richie James led the group with 66 yards receiving catching all four of his targets.

Dante Pettis continues to underperform for someone who was believed to be the No. 1 wideout coming into the year. He caught three out of his five targets but coughed the ball up on one of his catches. Luckily the Niners were able to maintain possession.

Rookie Deebo Samuel only caught two balls however, he seems to be a special talent ready to explode in the regular season.

Offensive Line: B+

The offensive line played extremely well in the run game. They led the way perfectly for Wilson on both his scoring plays. This unit also helped Breida with his ridiculous yards-per-carry average.

The O-line was slightly more shaky in pass protection, however. This group did allow two sacks in the game, which isn’t terrible, but also isn’t ideal.

One of the sacks was on Garoppolo, the first one he has taken since returning from his ACL surgery. It is probably a positive thing for him to get his first sack out of the way in the preseason.