The San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals will get Week 9 underway on Thursday night. With the 49ers defending their undefeated record, all eyes will be on Jimmy Garopplo under center.
While San Francisco has gotten off to a 7-0 start, many have questioned Garoppolo's legitimacy at the quarterback position. Through his first seven games, he's thrown for 1,489 yards, nine touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
Despite his mediocre play, San Francisco's rushing attack and defense have made up for his shortcomings. However, this week, he gets to face a bottom-of-the-league defense in the Cardinals.
With that in mind, here are three bold predictions for Garoppolo in Week 9 versus Arizona.
3. Garoppolo will avoid throwing an interception
Aside from the shortage of yards and touchdowns, the turnovers have been a glaring issue for the 49ers' franchise quarterback. Altogether, Garoppolo has thrown seven interceptions and has fumbled it five times.
Furthermore, the sixth-year quarterback has thrown an interception in six of the seven games he's played in this season. The only game that he didn't throw an interception in came in Week 5 versus the Cleveland Browns.
In light of that, Garoppolo will have his second game of the season where he avoids throwing an interception on Thursday. Arizona has just two interceptions as a team through the first eight weeks (tied for fewest in the NFL).
2. Garoppolo will throw for 300 yards
While the 49ers have steamrolled their way to being 7-0, they've relied upon their multi-versed rushing attack to win them games. As a result, Garoppolo hasn't been asked to throw the ball very often.
Over his first seven games of the year, Garoppolo has failed to air it out for more than 300 yards. That will end on Thursday night against the Cardinals.
The Cardinals have the 29th ranked pass defense in the NFL and have allowed three quarterbacks to exceed 300 passing yards.
1. Garoppolo will throw four touchdowns
Again, the 49ers haven't gotten into a game that has required Garoppolo to be the source of their offense. Thus, why he's only thrown for nine touchdowns in the first eight weeks.
The most touchdowns that Garoppolo has thrown in a single game is three. That game came back in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals. At the same time, Garoppolo has had two games where he has thrown zero touchdowns.
As unlikely as it may seem, Garoppolo will throw for four touchdowns to help San Francisco take down the Cardinals. It would be the first time in his career that he would have four passing touchdowns.
Follow Us
Subscribe