Jimmy Garoppolo's Worst Plays of Week 11
Jimmy Garoppolo played well against the Jaguars. His two touchdown passes in particular were beautiful, perfect throws.
But after reviewing the coaches' film, it's clear Garoppolo missed at least six opportunities for big plays and touchdowns. And these missed opportunities didn't hurt the 49ers against the Jaguars, who essentially beat themselves, but could hurt the 49ers in the future against better teams if Garoppolo doesn't improve.
Here were his big misses:
1. 11:37 First Quarter, 2nd and 9 at SF 36.
Kyle Shanahan calls a deep play-action pass for Brandon Aiyuk, who isn't open -- a safety is waiting for him -- and Garoppolo correctly checks the ball down to his running back, Jeff Wilson Jr., who is wide open with grass in front of him. A perfect throw would allow Wilson Jr. to turn upfield and gain 15 to 20 yards. But Garoppolo throws the ball behind Wilson Jr., who has to dive to catch the ball for a gain of just eight. Garoppolo's poor throw essentially tackles his receiver.
2. 2:48 First Quarter, 2nd and 1 at JAX 2.
Shanahan calls a play-action pass with Deebo Samuel in the backfield, and practically the entire Jaguars defense follows him, leaving Wilson Jr. wide open in the end zone. Garoppolo simply needs to float the ball to him -- he could shoot it like a basketball and get it there. But Garoppolo throws the ball on a line and misses a wide open touchdown pass. Hard to fathom.
3. 8:48 Second Quarter, 2nd and 9 at JAX 13.
Garoppolo throws the ball to tight end Charlie Woerner, who's double covered in the end zone, instead of to Brandon Aiyuk, who's open in the end zone. Bad read. Fortunately for Garoppolo, the Jaguars bail him out and commit a pass inteference penalty against Woerner.
4. 8:36 Second Quarter, 2nd and Goal at JAX 6.
Shanahan calls a play-action pass and two receivers are open -- Kyle Juszczyk in the end zone and Deebo Samuel right in front of the end zone. Garoppolo chooses to throw to Juszczyk, and throws a short pass a couple feet over his head. Juszczyk couldn't even touch it.
5. 12:08 Third Quarter, 1st and 10 at JAX 48.
Shanahan calls a play-action pass with Deebo Samuel in the backfield, and the Jaguars linebackers follow him, creating a void over the middle. Garoppolo quickly throws the ball into this void, and George Kittle catches the pass for a gain of 13. Nice. Unfortunately for Garoppolo, he didn't see Trey Sermon running wide open up the left sideline for a potential touchdown.
6. 9:31 Third Quarter, 2nd and Goal at JAX 5.
Shanahan calls another play-action pass, and this time when Garoppolo turns around, he instantly throws to Jauan Jennings, who gets tackled at the 1-yard line. Garoppolo never saw Deebo Samuel, who was wide open in the end zone right in front of him. Garoppolo made up his mind before the play where he would throw.
Watch the full breakdown of these plays below:
