5 49ers players who must step up over final six games of 2019
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo
In two of the 49ers’ last three games, Jimmy Garoppolo was more than capable of making up for the Niners’ lack of a solid rushing attack.
For whatever the reasons, both of those two performances were against the Cardinals, even though San Francisco barely escaped with wins on both occasions. Still, the outcomes in both contests were heavily influenced by Garoppolo’s four-touchdown efforts against Arizona.
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Yet Garoppolo didn’t receive the same kind of results against Seattle, largely hindered by the fact the 49ers were awfully shorthanded at the pass-catching positions, then he was marred by multiple drops which accounted for well over 100 missed yards.
Whatever the reasons, Garoppolo has asked to be the offensive difference maker the past three weeks. Both the Cardinals and Seahawks made it a point to take away the Niners ground game, frequently stacking the box with as many as seven or eight defenders.
Until Garoppolo regularly showcases he can beat teams through the air, this will likely be the same approach taken by the Packers, Ravens, Saints and so on.
Thankfully, Garoppolo has risen to the task twice. And the job will be made easier if George Kittle and Emmanuel Sanders stay healthy, of course.
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Still, Garoppolo needs to play the role of an elite-caliber quarterback these final six weeks. Just how high the Niners finish in the 2019 playoff picture ultimately depends on it.