The NFC playoff picture is beginning to come into focus. The San Francisco 49ers are currently atop the mountain as the only undefeated team left in the NFL. They will have an opportunity to expand their grip on the number one seed on Monday night, as they face the division rival Seattle Seahawks.
This one promises to be close, and the 49ers are going to need some complementary players to step up. It's not often that a team's quarterback isn't their featured star, but that's the case with San Francisco. Signal-caller Jimmy Garoppolo will have to step into the spotlight and make plays on Monday night for the Niners to win.
3. Garoppolo tosses three touchdowns
To his credit, Garoppolo has played great football. It just hasn't shown in the stat sheet. Luckily for the signal-caller, the Seahawks are in the practice of allowing gaudy numbers to quarterbacks.
They currently rank 28th against the pass and 22nd in points allowed per game. Garoppolo's best games have come against sub-par pass defenses, and the trend should continue. The game should be a close one, which means the young signal-caller should be passing the ball more than usual.
2. Garoppolo doesn't turn the ball over
A mark of a well-coached player is taking care of the football. Head coach Kyle Shanahan is a terrific coach, and it'll show on Monday night. It will take a Herculean effort from Garoppolo and Shanahan to keep the ball away from Seattle's defense, as the Seahawks rank fourth in turnover differential.
The Niners' defense will probably cause at least one turnover, meaning that it's on Garoppolo and the offense to win the turnover battle. The team that wins the turnover battle is typically the team that wins the game. Look for Jimmy G to play smart football all night for the Niners.
1. Garoppolo leads a game-winning drive
This prediction is both the most unlikely, and the most exciting. Garoppolo's naysayers always point out that he leans on his defense and run game, but week 10 will give him a chance to prove his doubters wrong. This will be the closest game the Niners have played in all year. it'll probably come down to whoever has the ball last.
The San Francisco offensive line has been terrific despite multiple injuries, and the Niners are getting reinforcements back from injury. All of these factors combined will give the former Eastern Illinois Panther his first shot at becoming a primetime hero.
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