Quote:
Originally Posted by mr. tegu
Circumstances aside, the pass protection for Garrapolo against our pass rush will be a bigger problem for them than it will be for Mahomes against the 49ers pass rush just based on the differences in the QBs. Garrapolo doesn’t seem like a statue but he isn’t slippery or really a threat to escape the pocket and run or make a big off script play very often. Mahomes maneuvers and escapes the pocket to either run or make a pass play better than anyone. For comparison, in 2017 in the same offense, Alex Smith, who is still quite mobile, was sacked 39 times at about 6.65% rate.
For me it just comes down to a great passing game being a much more effective way of scoring than a great running game. Against the Chiefs strength which is passing, you can do everything right on defense and have the perfect play but if you don’t actually sack him he will run it for yards or torch the secondary. The same isn’t true for the 49ers passing or running. If the run play is ruined by good defense that’s pretty much it and if the pass play is covered Garrapolo isn’t extending the play and stressing the defense in nearly the ways that Mahomes will.
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I think you've assessed the situation pretty accurately. JG moves around in the pocket a lot like Brady. He's got a lot more scramble in him than Brady, but he's no Wilson. More like Smith, but better pocket awareness. As much as 49ers fans want to boast about the running game, teams have had success shutting it down at times.
The part I bolded is my greatest concern. The ability of Wilson, Murray and Jackson to get outside the pocket and prolong plays bedeviled the 49ers this year. I think each of those guys have more speed than Mahomes which allowed them to run away from the d-line, but none could throw on the run the way Mahomes can. On the run, guys like Wilson and Murray can perhaps throw 35 yards down to one side of the field. Mahomes greatest threat is that he can air it out 50+ yards while he's being chased. Good grief he is talented.