Rodgers or Garoppolo? Crunch the numbers
The 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo outperformed the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers this season in most major statistical categories, but the perception is the Packers will have the edge at quarterback when they visit the 49ers on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game.
At least that’s right tackle Mike McGlinchey’s perception of the public perception of Garoppolo.
“You hear the talk that Aaron Rodgers is superior. … Aaron Rodgers is a Hall of Famer,” McGlinchey said. “But we’re very confident that No. 10 is just as good as anybody out there. And he’s proven that time and time again this year.”
Garoppolo had more touchdown passes (27 to 26) and a higher passer rating (102.0 to 95.4), completion percentage (69.1 to 62.0) and yards per attempt (8.4 to 7.0) than Rodgers this season. However, McGlinchey feels Garoppolo is now being knocked for a hohum performance in 2710 divisionalplayoff win over the Vikings in which the 49ers relied on their run game.
“OK, we ran the ball 47 times against Minnesota,” McGlinchey said. “What’s wrong with that? What’s wrong with our team doing that? Why does it have to fall back on a negative to Jimmy that he didn’t do enough? No, he did enough. We won the game by 17 points and dominated the entire game.”
Added McGlinchey: “People who doubt him only give us an advantage. If you want to keep doubting him, he’s going to keep proving you wrong.”
After Garoppolo shrugged off a question about being compared unfavorably to Rodgers, he was asked if he was happy that a “pissed off ” McGlinchey had launched a spirited defense of him.
“Whenever my Olinemen are pissed off, it’s always a good thing,” Garoppolo said.
“For me at least.”
Injury report: For the first time this season, the 49ers don’t have a player listed on their pregame injury report.
Inside linebacker Kwon Alexander (pectoral) was limited in practice throughout the week. Defensive end Dee Ford (hamstring) was a full participant Friday.
“I feel good,” Ford said. “I felt good last week. I feel good this week.”