SF 49ers vs. NY Jets: 4 players who’ll be under the microscope in Week 2
By Peter Panacy
No. 1: SF 49ers Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo
Perhaps no other player received more criticism from his efforts in Week 1 than Jimmy Garoppolo.
From the statistical vantage point, Jimmy G’s efforts versus Arizona were fine enough: 19-of-33 for 259 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions and a passer rating of 103.0.
But that’s where the stats don’t tell the whole story.
Garoppolo frequently held onto the ball far too long, averaging 2.83 seconds with the ball in the pocket, per NextGen Stats, and boasting a passer rating of 67.5 when holding onto the ball for more than 2.5 seconds, per Pro Football Focus:
According to NextGen Stats, #49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo held onto the ball for 2.83 seconds on average in Week 1.
— Peter Panacy (@PeterPanacy) September 15, 2020
Per PFF, his passer rating on throws before 2.5 seconds was 126.0. When it was above 2.5 seconds, he had a 67.5 rating.#49ers #AZvsSF
When Garoppolo got the ball out, he was often wildly inaccurate, overthrowing Dante Pettis on his lone target and being too late on the fourth-quarter throw to Kendrick Bourne in the end zone.
If there’s good news, however, it’s the Jets aren’t exactly prolific against the pass, at least so far this season. In Week 1 versus the Bills, New York allowed 306 yards through the air and gave up a significant chunk of those yards after the catch (Bills quarterback Josh Allen had a depth of target of just 6.8 yards, per PFF).
This means Garoppolo could thrive on those short- and intermediate-area pass attempts, letting his receiving weapons do a lot of the work after the catch.
Still, until Jimmy G has one of those big-time games, he’ll be under the scrutiny associated with him ever since Super Bowl LIV.
5 lessons 49ers can apply vs. Jets after Week 1 loss. dark. Next
The 49ers and Jets kick off on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. ET from MetLife Stadium.