Jimmy Garoppolo had a rough outing in his first game of the 2018 season on Sunday, throwing three interceptions to the Vikings defense in a 24-16 loss in Minnesota. In his first game since signing a lucrative multi-year deal this offseason, Garoppolo went 15-of-33 for 261 yards and a touchdown, while posting a QB rating of 45.1.
Garoppolo was consistently under pressure from the vaunted Vikings defense, who sacked him three times. One of the primary disrupters was defensive lineman Danielle Hunter, who sacked Garoppolo once while also adding four tackles. After the game Hunter spoke about the importance of getting pressure on Garoppolo.
“As the game goes on, you have to bring the pressure on him,” Hunter said via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. “You see that he’s starting to get scared.”
Vikings DE Danielle Hunter on Jimmy Garoppolo: “As the game goes on, you have got to bring the pressure on him. You see that he’s starting to get scared."
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) September 9, 2018
Vikings safety Harrison Smith didn’t seem to agree.
“I didn’t see him getting frustrated,” Smith said. “He’s a very good player, and he has had a lot of success.”
Vikings safety Harrison Smith on Jimmy Garoppolo: “I didn’t see him getting frustrated. He’s a very good player, and he has had a lot of success."
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) September 9, 2018
The 49ers will have a chance to bounce back in their home opener on Sunday, when they host the Lions.