Former Patriots star Rob Ninkovich went on record earlier this week saying he’d take Niners quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the playoffs over his counterpoarts in Philly, Jalen Hurts, and Dallas, Dak Prescott. What Ninkovich is spewing is pretty self explanatory, as Jimmy G is 4-2 in the postseason, having led the Niners within one missed throw in the Super Bowl. And Prescott and Hurts have a combined 1-4 in the postseason. 

During an episode of ESPN’s Get Up, Ninkovich had this to say.

“I’m going with Jimmy Garoppolo because we’ve seen him in the playoffs. We’ve seen him in big moments and he’s been there. He’s actually played in playoff games. These other guys,we don’t know what we’re going to expect from Jalen Hurts in the playoffs.”

Nink continued ….

“We don’t know how Dak’s going to look when the game’s on the line against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philly or the 49ers if they have to play the 49ers. So I’m going with consistency. I’m going with winning percentages, four and two in the playoffs.”

“I’ll take Jimmy G. They went in, they get McCaffrey to help Jimmy G and he’s literally come there. McCaffrey and has come and been the savior, the go to guy. It’s going to help Jimmy G in the playoffs.”

Valid points by Nink, but he’s also speaking as if Hurts has had as many opportunities, as either Jimmy G or Dak, which he hasn’t playing in just one playoff game, a 31-15 loss to the Buccaneers last season. 

Garoppolo Has Been Aided By A Dominant Niners Defense 

To say Garoppolo is 4-2 in the postseason is true, as you are what your record says you are. But in retrospect the former Eastern Illinois standout has been aided by a dominant defense. While both of his losses have come to the eventual Super Bowl champions in the Chiefs and Rams, a huge reason why the Niners advanced that far was because of their defense.

As for Prescott he’s underachieved in the playoffs going 1-3 including two home losses in the teams first playoff game. That’s the knock on Dak and until he changes it, that stigma will follow him and the underachieving Cowboys as it pertains to lack of playoff success the last 27 years. 

Hurts is just beginning his career and in his second season as a starter, after leading the Eagles to the playoffs in his first year as the starter under center. 

Garoppolo Is More Of A Game Manager Than Hurts And Prescott

Of the three QBs being discussed, Garoppolo has the lowest ceiling, and is considered as a game manager. On the other hand, Prescott and Hurts are guys who can beat teams with their arm and legs. 

Not discounting what Nink is saying but he should take all the factors into consideration before making an obvious proclamation at the current moment. One that has many other layers to it outside of just QB play. 

With all three QBs currently leading their respective to the postseason we’ll see if Nink’s comments holdup.