SF 49ers vs. NY Jets: 5 Week 2 X-factors for Kyle Shanahan
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: Jimmy Garoppolo, SF 49ers handling the NY Jets blitzes
Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams isn’t afraid to blitz. And with something of a lackluster New York four-man pass rush anyway, it’s likely schemed-up pressure will be the main way Williams and the Jets defense looks to put pressure on quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Especially considering this statistical breakdown from Jimmy G’s efforts in Week 1:
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
Blitzing obviously cuts down on the time within the pocket. But Garoppolo has rarely been strong against pressure.
So this winds up becoming a major factor, especially considering New York blitzed 34.6 percent of the time in Week 1.
This pressure allowed Jets safety Marcus Maye to record two of the team’s three sacks in Week 1, the other going to cornerback Brian Poole, which indicates non-defensive line/linebacker types are likely going to be asked to provide the pressure on Garoppolo this Sunday.
That puts the onus both on the SF 49ers offensive line and Garoppolo to stay upright.