3 things Jimmy Garoppolo must achieve in 49ers bout vs. Lions
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: Jimmy Garoppolo must toss at least 200 yards
Normally, the threshold for a starting quarterback having a good game through the air is by tossing at least 300 yards, so passing for at least 200 is a bit of an underachievement, right?
Especially against a hapless Lions secondary.
Game management is an essential part of what Garoppolo will be asked to do as long as he remains a starter. He might not have the dynamic playmaking potential Trey Lance has, but that’s never been Garoppolo’s game anyway.
Instead, passing for at least 200 yards should show enough that Jimmy G can distribute the ball around enough and can pick apart a defense that has more than enough holes. Should Garoppolo struggle in this department, it’ll be one more indication San Francisco’s passing attack won’t be anywhere near as effective as it should be.
Potentially making the chorus of calls for Lance to start even louder.
True, the 49ers may build up a comfortable enough lead by the second half, relegating Garoppolo to hand the ball off more in favor of a run-heavy offensive attack with the Niners comfortably in the lead.
Up to that point, though, Garoppolo needs to flash that effectiveness with his arm.