3 areas where 49ers Jimmy Garoppolo can improve over rest of 2019

No. 1: Bone-Headed Interceptions

It seems every week, Jimmy Garoppolo tosses at least one oddball and strange interception. During the 49ers’ Week 11 36-26 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Garoppolo completely missed linebacker Jordan Hicks, who picked off Jimmy G without any Niners receiver in the area:

Garoppolo later told reporters he simply didn’t see Hicks, which appears to be the case. But it doesn’t change the fact Garoppolo is averaging one interception per game on the season.

And his 3.2 interception percentage on the year is tied for fifth highest among qualifiers — not a good stat.

Garoppolo and the 49ers might have gotten away with these kinds of mistakes against the many lesser opponents they’ve faced over the first half-plus of 2019. But the Niners are poised to square off against two-loss teams, such as the Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks in coming weeks, which mark four of San Francisco’s final six games of the season.

Those kinds of costly interceptions won’t bode well against opponents who seem just as destined to make the postseason as the 49ers.

Needless to say, Garoppolo must do a better job of protecting the ball against these squads. And the better work has to carry into the playoffs, too, as the Niners’ hopes for a long run towards the Super Bowl hinge heavily on the quarterback’s ability to be effective under center.