49ers notebook: Where Jimmy Garoppolo’s season ranks; 2020 opponents determined
So how good was Jimmy Garoppolo in his first regular season in which he started all 16 games?
Relative to some other 49ers quarterbacks, including two in the Hall of Fame, Garoppolo wasn’t too shabby.
With his 285-yard performance in Sunday night’s top top-seed-clinching win over the Seahawks, Garoppolo’s 3,978 yards this season were the fourth-most in franchise history. He was 22 yards shy of joining Steve Young and Jeff Garcia as the club’s only signal callers to eclipse 4,000, and his total was better than any of Joe Montana’s seasons, albeit in a vastly different era.
Garoppolo orchestrated back-to-back touchdown drives in response to two Seahawks scores to help San Francisco come away with the pivotal win. He didn’t throw an incompletion in the second half. He completed 18 of 22 overall, matching his stat line against the Carolina Panthers during the 51-13 victory in October.
Coach Kyle Shanahan was asked what stood out about Garoppolo’s showing after halftime.
“Just what he has been doing all year,” Shanahan said. “He responded and the whole offense did.”
Garoppolo’s 329 completions for the season are the fourth-most in team history. His 69.1 completion percentage is third behind Young during his Super Bowl season in 1994 (70.3) and Montana during his third championship run in 1989 (70.2).
The victory made the 49ers the top seed in the NFC for the first time 1997.
“This is a great step,” Garoppolo said. “(It’s) great to win the NFC West and everything, but playoffs start now and now the real tournament starts.”
49ers 2020 opponents determined
San Francisco knows whom it’s going to play next season now that the final standings have been determined. It will play a first-place schedule which looks difficult at first bluff.
Home games: Seahawks, Cardinals, Rams, Eagles, Washington, Bills, Dolphins, Packers.
Road games: Seahawks, Cardinals, Rams, Giants, Jets, Patriots, Cowboys and Saints.
The 49ers will likely be among the league leaders in miles traveled given their three trips to the East Coast. Additionally, the team hasn’t played an international game since 2013 and may be an attractive option for the league as it looks to grow its brand globally.
▪ Safety Jimmie Ward went down with an apparent left ankle injury after taking an awkward step on the field turf in the fourth quarter, just before Marshawn Lynch’s 1-yard touchdown run. He returned to the game and the injury doesn’t appear to be serious.
▪ Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley replaced Ahkello Witherspoon on the Seahawks final drive and broke up a pass intended for receiver D.K. Metcalf in the end zone. The 49ers’ decision on which player to start in the playoffs will be interesting.
▪ Tight end George Kittle surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the second straight season with a 15-yard catch at the end of the first quarter. Kittle became the fifth player in franchise history to reach that mark in consecutive seasons joining Anquan Boldin, Terrell Owens, Jerry Rice and John Taylor.
▪ With Dee Ford sidelined for the fifth time in six weeks and Jullian Taylor on injured reserve, the 49ers had both of their new defensive linemen, Kevin Givens and Anthony Zettel, active for the game. Givens was credited with a tackle of Marshawn Lynch. Zettel was a regular in the rotation but only recorded one assisted tackle.
▪ Safety Jaquiski Tartt missed his fourth straight game after entering the weekend listed as doubtful with a rib injury. The team’s other inactives: quarterback C.J Beathard, running back Jeff Wilson Jr., cornerback Dontae Johnson, tight end Daniel Helm and receiver Jordan Matthews.
▪ The Seahawks were without safety Quandre Diggs due to an ongoing ankle issue. Interior offensive lineman Ethan Pocic (groin) and left tackle Duane Brown (knee) were also inactive. Former 49ers linebacker Dekoda Watson did not suit up.
This story was originally published December 30, 2019 at 12:25 AM.
