The San Francisco 49ers have now won three of their last four games. Jimmy Garoppolo is 2-0 as the 49ers' starting quarterback and 4-0 as an NFL starting quarterback. On Sunday against the Houston Texans, Garoppolo had his first touchdown pass since being named the 49ers' starting quarterback and his first career 300-yard game.
Garoppolo rebounded from an early interception in the game and proceeded to throw for a career-high 334 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers' 26-16 win at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The victory marked the first time the 49ers have won back-to-back games in the same season since November of 2014.
Tight end Garrett Celek hauled in the six-yard touchdown pass from Garoppolo late in the third quarter. The score broke a 16-16 tie and concluded a six-play, 85-yard drive.
6 plays, 85 yards, 7 points. @JimmyG_10 gets it to @GCells85 for the TD! #SFvsHOU pic.twitter.com/ESfDqH7xkd
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 10, 2017
Gapoppolo believes these last three remaining games are crucial for the 49ers as they head into next season.
"I think we have a little bit of momentum with us right now and I think we just need to keep plucking away day by day and just keep getting better," Garoppolo said following the game. "That's what it's all about, especially this time of year. We only have three games left now so we just have to keep getting better and better and good things will happen."
Garoppolo's trust and comfort with his offensive teammates are growing with each start.
"This is only my second start so I'm gaining that trust in guys and they're gaining it in me," Garoppolo said. "But I think it's going in the right direction, though."
Following the game, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke of his quarterback's skill set.
"You've got to have guys who fearless, who hang in there, keep their eyes down the field," Shanahan said. "He does that very, very well. But he also has the foot quickness and the agility to get out of there and extend some plays, which can get off-schedules going for us."
Guard Zane Beadles started in place of right tackle Trent Brown (shoulder), which could have made the situation difficult for Garoppolo. The quarterback felt the team rallied around him despite the setback for one of the anchors along the offensive line.
"I think the O-line did a great job today, especially mixing and matching a couple of guys in there," Garoppolo said. "But I think all of them; they played great for me today."
Garoppolo jokingly insisted that the fans seen wearing his jersey at the game were probably his family. Still, he was impressed with the number of Niner Faithful at NRG Stadium.
"It was loud out there," Gaoppolo said. "There were a couple of 49er chants that you heard. This really being the first time I've seen that, it's impressive how well they travel. That just gives us that much more energy on the sideline."
Notes:
Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon will have an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of his knee injury.
