49ers 5 toughest quarterback matchups for Jimmy Garoppolo in 2021
By Peter Panacy
With the 49ers’ 2021 NFL schedule out, Niner Noise explores the 49ers’ five toughest opposing quarterback matchups for Jimmy Garoppolo.
In 2019, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo had to carry the team on his shoulders for a number of occasions.
True, the primary reasons behind the Niners’ Super Bowl squad that year were a stout defense and a dynamic running game. But there were at least a handful of contests where Jimmy G was asked to be much more than a game manager.
Case in point, that legendary Week 14 win over the New Orleans Saints where Garoppolo effectively had to match and outduel quarterback Drew Brees.
With San Francisco’s 2021 NFL schedule now public knowledge, it’s possible to shed some foresight on what could be some awfully tough QB-versus-QB matchups for Garoppolo and the 49ers this season.
True, rookie quarterback Trey Lance could be thrown into the mix earlier than anticipated. But if we grant the possibility head coach Kyle Shanahan elects to stick with Garoppolo as his starter for one more year, thereby letting the talented-yet-raw Lance mature and develop for one full season on the bench, these five games on the upcoming calendar could prove to be those games where Jimmy G needs to bring his best.
No. 5: Week 15 — 49ers vs. Matt Ryan, Falcons
True, veteran quarterback Matt Ryan’s Atlanta Falcons are going through a bit of a rebuild. But Niners fans can recall how the Falcons pulled off the spoiler win over San Francisco late in 2019 in the definition of a trap game.
Garoppolo was good enough in that game, going 22-of-34 for 200 yards with a touchdown and a 90.3 passer rating. But Ryan’s game-winning toss to wide receiver Julio Jones late proved to be the difference-maker.
As long as Jones remains in the Falcons’ mix, and with Atlanta’s commitment to Ryan for now, this could be a dangerous matchup for Jimmy G to pull off a win.
Especially with the Falcons adding Florida tight end Kyle Pitts at No. 4 overall in this year’s NFL Draft, as Pitts was widely regarded as the best pure pass-catcher out of anyone in the class.
Garoppolo will need to be on his A-game to ensure he matches whatever the still-dangerous Ryan looks to do late in the regular season.