49ers biggest studs, duds from NFC Championship loss vs. Rams

49ers Dud: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo

If this was Jimmy Garoppolo’s last season with the 49ers, it ended how many critics had warned: with a Jimmy G interception.

To be fair, Garoppolo was having a decent game. He was outplaying Matthew Stafford and seemed to be able to make the play just as the team needed.

Unfortunately, Garoppolo always seems to run cold for a few drives, and that came right at the end of the game.

Sure, if Jaquiski Tartt makes the play and secures the interception, the ending could have been quite different. Still, the team had the ball with more than a minute left with a timeout. The Niners could have driven the ball and tied the game to go to overtime, at the very least.

Instead, the offensive line failed to give Garoppolo time. Garoppolo makes his worst plays when he is asked to make an unscripted play, and like so many other times before, he placed the ball into harm’s way, and it led to a game-sealing interception for Los Angeles.

If this is it for Jimmy G, it ended in a devastating fashion. Even if Garoppolo doesn’t throw a pick on his last play, the next down would have been a 4th-and-a mile. Still, there would have been one more play. Maybe wide receiver Deebo Samuel or tight end George Kittle could have rumbled for another long first down.

Maybe the Rams are called for defensive pass interference. Who knows, right?

The point is, there is still one more play and you fight and scrap for that one more play. Tossing it up and placing the ball in danger is not the right decision. Fourth down, sure, you have to risk it. Third down? Take the sack.

Garoppolo ended the game 16-of-30 passing with 232 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.