The San Francisco 49ers emerge from Week 12, boasting a 10-1 record, the best mark in the NFC. The team is always focused on the next opponent, but the dominant 37-8 victory over a tough Green Bay Packers team has fans thinking Super Bowl.
San Francisco's last trip to the Super Bowl was nearly seven years ago. That game ended in heartbreak, with the 49ers unable to win a sixth Lombardi Trophy for the Bay Area.
One player who remembers that game well is former NFL safety Donte Whitner, who was a part of that squad. Now, he is an analyst with NBC Sports Bay Area and asked Garoppolo during the post-game show what the team can do to make sure it returns and finishes the job.
"I really think it's a mindset," Garoppolo responded, "and everyone has it in the locker room, and it started early in training camp, and it's been throughout the whole season. We got a great group of guys, guys who are willing to fight. I mean, George (Kittle) playing through what he played through. All these guys, they're playing injured, it's just a mindset right now."
Garoppolo noted that the 49ers played complementary football with the offense, defense, and special teams all doing their part in the win. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who will undoubtedly be a first-ballot Hall of Famer soon after his career is done, was held to just 41 yards passing in the first half.
"I mean, that's insane," Garoppolo said when told that statistic.
The seven-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time first-team All-Pro quarterback finished the game with just 104 yards — his lowest total of the season — and one touchdown while averaging only 3.2 yards per attempt. The Packers' eight points against the 49ers were their lowest point total of the year.
Meanwhile, Garoppolo finished completing 70 percent of his passes for 253 yards with two touchdowns and a career-high passer rating of 145.8.
It didn't hurt that Sunday's matchup was a home game for the 49ers.
"I felt the energy in the stadium tonight," Garoppolo said of the Levi's Stadium crowd. "These fans were rocking. It was packed. I mean, this whole stadium, it was incredible."
You can watch the entire post-game conversation with Garoppolo and Kittle below.
Jimmy Garoppolo thanks 49ers; George Kittle bids farewell to former teammates
By David Bonilla
Mar 17
There have been a lot of goodbyes over the last few days. The San Francisco 49ers said goodbye to several players. Jimmy Garoppolo, Mike McGlinchey, Emmanuel Moseley, and many others moved on to new NFL homes, signing deals with other teams in free agency.
Garoppolo is the newest quarterback of the Las Vegas Raiders. On Friday, he spoke to Raiders reporters for the first time, first sharing a message to his team of the past five-and-a-half seasons (h/t Angelina Martin of NBC Sports Bay Area).
"I just want to thank the Yorks, thank the 49ers for everything that they've done," Garoppolo told reporters after wishing them a happy St.
Texans, Raiders expected to pursue 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo in free agency
By David Bonilla
Mar 13
Soon-to-be former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to be in good demand when free agency kicks off on Wednesday. That demand will start today, actually. NFL teams can begin contract negotiations with impending free-agent players from other teams starting at 9 a.m. PT.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Garoppolo can expect to receive some phone calls from the Houston Texans and the Las Vegas Raiders, the two teams anticipated to pursue the veteran quarterback. Garoppolo has familiarity with both coaching staffs. He was with Raiders coach Josh McDaniels in New England and Texans coach DeMeco Ryans in San Francisco.
Another team that could be interested in the quarterback is the New York Jets. However, they are also reportedly interested
Raiders signing former 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo to a 3-year, $72.75 million deal
By David Bonilla
Mar 13
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Dianna Russini, the Las Vegas Raiders are signing former San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback and unrestricted free agent Jimmy Garoppolo to a three-year deal. The move reunites Garoppolo with Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels, the former New England Patriots offensive coordinator (2006-08, 2012-21).
Former 49ers' QB Jimmy Garoppolo is signing with the Las Vegas Raiders, per @diannaESPN and me. Garoppolo played for Raiders' HC Josh McDaniels in New England and they now reunite in Las Vegas.— Adam
The Green Bay Packers have reportedly signed former San Francisco 49ers defensive back Tarvarius Moore, an unrestricted free agent.
The #Packers have signed former #49ers safety Tarvarius Moore.— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 17,
