I fucking hate having to write posts like this. Last week, I went on our Super Bowl preview show with Mose and said that the difference in this game was going to be the pass rush of the 49ers and Handsome Jimmy G stepping up when they called upon him. I thought this would be a close game, but that the 49ers would need their big-money quarterback to make some big-money throws in the clutch.
I used his game against the New Orleans Saints as a prime example of just how effective he can be when they need him. By and large, I thought people were sleeping on how well he played in 2019 – that run game, rightfully so, got a lot of credit for their success. But, hot damn – Jimmy wasn’t no chopped liver! Right?! RIGHT!?!?
I felt like we were pretty close to nailing this game. That 49ers pass rush was F I E R C E, rattling Patrick Mahomes and causing that Chiefs offense to look a little off. Mose and I were both concerned about what would happen if the Chiefs found Richard Sherman one on one with one of the Legion of Zoom members. That concern was validated when Sammy Watkins caught a HUGE 38-yard bomb in the 4th quarter after running RIGHT BY Sherman.
I was even right about the 49ers calling upon Jimmy G to make plays late in the game. The problem is that he didn’t rise up to the occasion like I said he would. Now, I still blame Kyle Shanahan for this loss. But, despite his conservative play calling, the 49ers still had the opportunity to overcome it if their quarterback makes a few plays (or, to be fair, if their defensive backs don’t blow coverage and commit egregious pass interference fouls). Their quarterback did not make plays.
Jimmy G really just prays that his passes end up in the right spot. #Niners pic.twitter.com/VR7xNPGeJa
— Sportland (@Sportland_) February 3, 2020
Yeah, that’s not good. I feel like Football 101 should teach you that if your eyes are closed, you probably shouldn’t throw the ball. This one ended up being a pick. But, it wasn’t the pivotal play of the game like this one:
I've defended and supported Jimmy G. Pointed out instances where he was able to hold his own in shootout situations during the regular season.
— WBG84 (@WBG84) February 3, 2020
But in the playoffs, didn't have the same magic. With a Super Bowl title hanging in the balance, you have to make that throw. #GoNiners pic.twitter.com/2lO46gbqhq
Not good.
That’s the play that hurts the most. That’s the one that Jimmy G is going to want back…the one that is going to haunt that man for the rest of his days.
If he hits Emmanuel Sanders there, that is likely the ball game, and the 49ers are taking the Lombardi Trophy back to the Bay. In that one throw, the big contract the 49ers gave Garoppolo would’ve been worth it. Hell, those are the types of plays that you pay big money to a quarterback for. But, you gotta make the throws.
That ball was five yards ahead of Sanders. Even though he was WIDE OPEN, he didn’t have a chance to catch that ball. Just an absolute backbreaker.
For what it’s worth, I saw a couple of people reporting on Twitter before the Super Bowl that Mahomes seemed calm, cool, and collected, whereas Jimmy G looked nervy nervy. Maybe that had something to do with it?
I respect Jimmy G so much more after his Kobe tribute at the end of the game pic.twitter.com/cnxV5zMyGt
— Tspoon (@tspoon_RAMS) February 3, 2020
Damn it, Stoney. You fucking fool.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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