San Francisco 49ers: Studs and duds vs. Panthers in Week 8

Dud: Garoppolo, QB

Let’s get it out of the way that calling anyone or any part of what the San Francisco 49ers did in Week 8 a true dud is a very relative term. In arguably their biggest test of the 2019 season, the Niners protected their home field emphatically as they dominated a Panthers team has played well. Having said that, Jimmy Garoppolo continued to leave something to be desired on Sunday.

Part of the reason that the San Francisco quarterback is not putting up big numbers is simply because of how effective the defense and rushing attack have been. However, you’d still like to see Garoppolo do something more than 175 yards, two touchdowns and one interception but lines like that have been pretty standard for him. And if you want to fully believe in the 49ers this season, you want to see the quarterback show he has another gear, which he didn’t in Week 8.

Stud: Armstead, DT

There’s no questioning the fact that Nick Bosa was the true star of the defense for the 49ers defense. At the same time, there’s also no questioning the fact that the defense as a whole for San Francisco came up with a huge game on Sunday. They registered three interceptions and seven sacks as a team and, in addition to Bosa, Arik Armstead got home frequently against the Panthers.

Armstead finished the game with two sacks of his own and three total tackles on the day, getting the pressure on Allen up the middle of the offensive line. Whatever the 49ers vision was for this defense, what they’ve shown in games like this has to be something close to the best version of it and guys like Armstead stepping up is a huge reason as to why.