That performance followed a mere 87 yards rushing in Week 10 against the Seattle Seahawks, far below the teams' season average. The dip in production could have something to do with the offensive line still suffering from injuries, with Joe Staley being out and Mike McGlinchey just coming back from injury. Tight End, George Kittle, has also been out the last two weeks, and he has a big impact not only with the passing game but in the running game, too.
Either way, teams are daring the 49ers and Jimmy Garoppolo to throw the ball. And for the most part, Jimmy and the passing offense has come through. Garoppolo has averaged nearly 330 yards passing in the last three weeks to go along with 9 total touchdowns, half of his total touchdown output for the entire season.
The 49ers were winning with their ground game and defense for the first half of the season. But just as the ground game has taken a step back, the defense has also slightly regressed. That's no knock on the defense as it is still ranked Top 2 in the league, but the unit has not been as dominant as it was in previous weeks.
With that being said, the trends suggest that Garoppolo and the 49ers' passing game will need to continue to increase their overall production. The schedule gets a lot tougher for the 49ers over the next few weeks with a historic stretch against the Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints, who have a combined 24-6 record. It would not surprise to see upcoming defenses continue to force the 49ers to open up the passing game.
Garoppolo will need to continue to step up, while minimizing his mistakes at the same time. The 49ers can continue to lean on their running game and defense, but Garoppolo will be a key factor in how successful the 49ers are for the rest of the season.
With six games remaining in the regular season and a 9-1 record, it is looking like the 49ers are on their way to making the playoffs for the first time since 2013. The fact that they are having to rely on Jimmy Garoppolo now to lead them to victories will only help their chances to win big games in the future.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Fowler: 49ers a fit for Vita Vea after trade request
ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler does not yet have any inside information on which teams may have contacted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers about a potential trade for defensive tackle Vita Vea. However, that did not stop him from identifying five teams that could make sense as trade... -
Nick Bosa seriously doubts Joey Bosa will join the 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers expect the return of defensive end Nick Bosa to provide a significant boost to a pass rush that managed an NFL-low 20 sacks last season. However, if the unit continues to struggle in 2026, many believe the team could explore adding another proven... -
49ers have learned to keep secrets, but is this a good thing?
For years, the San Francisco 49ers had a reputation for being one of the easiest NFL teams to get information from. Not because the team was particularly transparent, but because information seemed to find its way out of the building. That changed in 2017. Since Kyle Shanahan... -
49ers' Trent Williams embraces final NFL chapter, savoring every training camp moment
San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams made it clear that his current contract, which runs through the 2027 season, will likely be the final deal of his illustrious NFL career. Speaking to reporters after the 49ers' first training camp practice on Sunday, Williams was...