Moving

Trey Lance excels in Jimmy Garoppolo’s stead, resulting in questions for the San Francisco 49ers

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers rookie quarterback Trey Lance became his second NFL star on Sunday against the unlucky Houston Texans.

Lance kicked off a battered Jimmy Garoppolo (thumb injury) in a game the 49ers needed to stay in playoff competition.

The former North Dakota state standout struggled initially, including intercepting a first half in a game where the 49ers were 7-3 behind in the half.

However, Lance scored a huge hit in the second half – he threw two touchdowns on the way to giving San Francisco a 23-7 win.

  • Trey Lance Statistics: 16 of 23 passing 249 yards, 31 rushing yards, two touchdowns, one interception

The breakout game of the game was that 45 yard touchdown pass to stud wide receiver Deebo Samuel.

All in all, San Francisco won a whopping 278 yards in the second half alone. With this achievement, the 49ers will have more questions than answers in week 18.

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San Francisco 49ers in must-win mode with Trey Lance in the air

January 2, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) runs the ball in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium against the Houston Texans. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

It is obvious that Garoppolo would have started on Sunday if he were 100% ready. Reports on Sunday suggested Garoppolo likely needs surgery, which would end the debate.

The background is the 49ers who determine their own fate in the NFC wildcard race. One win against the Rams and they’ll be playing football in the postseason. If not, San Francisco will have to rely on either the Philadelphia Eagles or the New Orleans Saints to lose.

The question now arises as to whether Shanahan will show up with Lance when Garoppolo is ready to leave. Based on what we’ve seen from the embattled head coach, that seems unlikely. He didn’t add much more to the mix in his post-game press conference.

“I think he (Lance) did some really good things. Apart from the bad interception, he protected the ball really well, ”said Shanahan of the rookie quarterback.

Not an ideal scenario for the 49ers. Objectively speaking, with Trey Lance below the middle, this team has a lot more upside potential than Garoppolo. It’s not even near.

For his part, Shanahan will be judged by this decision. With the Rams likely to have something to play on Sunday, the starters will take to the field. Los Angeles has also lost five straight games to the 49ers. The team will want to change that at home in week 18.

If Garoppolo starts and struggles while nowhere near 100%, it will lead to an off-season of questions surrounding a head coach in Shanahan who just clinched his second season winner in San Francisco.

It is certainly a plot to follow in Northern California to move forward.

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