The San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) throws against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half of Sun Nov 21, 2021 game at Jacksonville (AP News photo)
by Marko Ukalovic
There are teams you are supposed to beat if you want to contend for the playoffs.
The San Francisco 49ers easily took care of business in their 30-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday afternoon at TIAA Bank Field.
What could have been a trap game for San Francisco (just ask the Buffalo Bills) having to play an east coat game against a bad team, the 49ers game plan went according to script.
San Francisco have won two games in a row and are in a four way tie in the NFC for the seventh and final playoff spot. Jacksonville have lost two games in a row after stunning the Bills three weeks ago in a 9-6 win.
The 49ers (5-5) opened the game with the longest drive in the NFL since 2000. They went 20 plays for 87 yards in a span of 13:05. They failed to get a touchdown as the drive waas capped off with a 20 yard field goal from Robbie Gould
On the 49ers next possession, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo led a seven play 80 yard drive that resulted in a 25 yard rushing touchdown by Deebo Samuel. The third year wide receiver lined up in the backfield and ran a sweep down the left sideline for paydirt. It was Samuel’s third rushing touchdown of the season.
San Francisco’s defense were able to get back the ball to offense when Josh Norman punched the ball loose on a Laviska Shenault reception. Fred Warner recovered the fumble at the Bengals 35 yard line.
The 49ers scored capitalized on the turnover as Garoppolo connected with Brandon Aiyuk on a six yard touchdown reception to extend its lead to 17-0.
Jacksonville (2-8) finally got on the board just after the two minute warning when 12 play 67 yard drive Matthew Wright kicked a 30 yard field goal with 1:53 left in the 2nd quarter.
San Francisco responded with seven play 45 yard drive of their own. They ended the half with a 48 yard field goal from Gould.
The 49ers defense picked up where it left off in the first half by dominating the Jaguars offensive line and putting constant pressure on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
San Francisco held Jacksonville to just 54 yards on the game. Contrary to the Niners rushing attack that controlled the time of possession with 171 yards on the ground.
San Francisco put the game away with their first possession of the second half that resulted in another long, time consuming drive.
Garoppolo led the Niners on a 11 play 77 yard drive that consumed 5:45. Garoppolo completed the drive with one yard touchdown reception to tight end George Kittle to give the Niners a commanding 27-3 lead.
Jacksonville scored its only touchdown of the game late in the fourth quarter in what is known as garbage time. James Robinson ran in a one yard touchdown that only fantasy football owners appreciated.
Garoppolo finished the afternoon 16 of 22 for 176 yards and two touchdowns with a 126.3 quarterback rating. Samuel led the 49ers in rushing with 79 yards on eight carries and one touchdown.
Aiyuk lead all wide receivers catching all seven targets for 85 yards and one touchdown.
Lawrence, the 2021 number one pick, finished 16 of 25 for 158 yards with no touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 81.8.
Warner led the Niners defense with seven combined tackles. Arden Key had a sack for a second consecutive game.
GAME NOTES: San Francisco finished 6-for-12 on third down conversions. Jacksonville was 5-for-11.
UP NEXT: San Francisco returns home to host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday 11/28 at 1:25pm at Levi’s Stadium.