Category: NFL

Protecting Mullens Key to a 49ers’ Victory

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Photo credit: @NBCS49ers

By: Joe Lami

The final home game of the season is here for the 49ers and their chance of a three-game winning streak is on the line. Unfortunately, they’ll have an extremely tall task in front of them with the NFC North champs in town.

Chicago rolls into Levi’s on Sunday with a 10-4 record, already owning a playoff spot and must win to keep up with LA or New Orleans for a first-round bye.

Their breakout season is powered by their defense, which ranks top-five in nearly every statistical category. After the acquisition of Khalil Mack, they’ve turned into a powerhouse that can compete for the Lombardi Trophy come February.

Mack will return to the Bay Area and face the team that tried to trade for him at the beginning of the year, currently sixth in the NFL with 12.5 sacks. His pass rush leads to a bunch of forced turnovers, as the Bears lead the NFL with 35 takeaways on the year and a +13 differential.

The Niners are on the complete opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to turnovers. The red and gold defense has just five takeaways all season and is competing with the 1982 Houston Oilers for the least amount of takeaways ever.

Forcing second-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky to make an error or two can help the Niners offense that has been decent of late. Trubisky has thrown 12 picks on the year, seventh most in the NFL. The 49ers secondary needs to step up and finish a play.

Nick Mullens is coming off back-to-back 100+ QB rating games. Protecting him is a must, as the Bears pass defense is allowing 227 yards per game, 10th in the NFL and their greatest weakness.

His main target, George Kittle, is continuing a career year. After being the first Niners’ tight end to break the 1,000-yard receiving plateau, he currently stands 10th in the NFL in yards and has earned his Pro Bowl bid.

Fantasy Football Doctors Podcast Week 16: Championship Weekend

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FF1Fantasy Football Belt

Your hosts: Dr. Vasu Vaddiparty & Dr. Charlie O

  • Is Aaron Rodgers a solid start vs. the Jets?
  • How will Tom Brady perform without Josh Gordon?
  • Will Russell Wilson will give you the points you need?
  • Andrew Luck is on tap for a big week against the Giants
  • Matt Ryan could be ready to shred the Panthers defense
  • Will Baker Mayfield lead the Browns over the Bengals?
  • Will Christian McCaffrey be 100% on Sunday?
  • You must play Jaylen Samuels
  • Sony Michel will have a huge workload versus Buffalo
  • Julio Jones should also have a big week in Carolina

The doctors have news and views to help you win your fantasy football championship or at least “finish in the money.” Give them a listen right now!

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Raiders’ Carr with some successes, but looking for that one win

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Photo credit: mercurynews.com

On the Raiders podcast with Joe:

#1 Joe, how much has the firing of Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie, the City of Oakland’s lawsuit against the Raiders and the team looking for a site to play in for 2019 had on the focus of this team?

#2 Quarterback Derek Carr has not thrown an interception in nine straight games in spite of losing most of those games.

#3 Carr set a Raiders record for the most games without throwing an interception, breaking former Raider quarterback Rich Gannon’s record.

#4 The Broncos (6-8) no doubt come to Oakland (3-11) frustrated after losing a one-point contest to the Cleveland Browns 17-16. The loss eliminated the Broncos from postseason play.

#5 It’s the Broncos and the Raiders for Monday Night Football on primetime TV. What are some of the goals for Raiders head coach Jon Gruden and quarterback Derek Carr going into this one?

Joe does the Raiders podcasts each Friday and will have the game recap following Monday Night Football at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: 49ers on track, can they take out the Mighty Bears this Sunday at Levi’s?

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Photo credit: ninerswire.usatoday.com

On the 49ers podcast with Joe:

#1 Joe, the 49ers have worked hard for their victories in their last two games both home games against Denver and Seattle. Taking the Denver game first, George Kittle’s record setting first half certainly set the tone, didn’t it?

#2 Nick Mullens has been throwing for yards and touchdowns and helping keep the scoring ahead of the opponents.

#3 Against Seattle, 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman has been all things anti-Seahawks and how much of an impact has Sherman been in stopping the Seahawks last Sunday?

#4 After getting these two key victories at home at Levi’s Stadium, how much does that set the tone going into next season?

#5 This Sunday, it’s Khalil Mack and the Chicago Bears the NFC’s North Division first place team at 10-4.

Joe Lami does the 49ers podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

49ers hope to keep win streak going vs. Bears

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Photo credit: bleacherreport.com

By Jeremy Harness

This is a familiar trend for the 49ers.

They have long been out of the playoff picture, but they are hoping to get some carryover effect going for next season by going on a winning streak toward the end of this year.

The big difference here is that Jimmy Garoppolo is not under center for the 49ers at this point of the season, having been lost for the season with an ACL tear. Rather, it is undrafted Nick Mullens, who has opened eyes around the league with his surprising play.

That continued as the team scored an upset win over the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday, the first time since 2013 they have done so. Mullens will have a tougher defense to face this Sunday, as the Khalil Mack-led Chicago Bears will visit Levi’s Stadium.

As for the injury report, the 49ers are getting healthier. Running back Matt Breida has been limited in practice this week with the ankle injury he suffered weeks ago and is expected to play Sunday. Meanwhile, safety Jaquiski Tartt, who is nursing a shoulder injury, was also limited in practice this week but is expected to see the field against Chicago.

Linebacker Malcolm Smith has also been limited due to soreness in his Achilles tendon, while cornerback K’Waun Williams has been limited while nursing a knee ailment.

For the Bears, former 49er Aaron Lynch has been on the injury report with an elbow ailment, which has limited him in this week’s practices. The same goes for safety Eddie Jackson, who has an ankle injury, but is expected to play Sunday.

Raiders battle Broncos on Christmas Eve in home finale at the Coliseum

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Photo credit: broncoswire.usatoday.com

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
SRS Contributor

OAKLAND — The Raiders return to the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum in what will be the team’s home finale to a rough 2019 season. The Silver and Black will host the Denver Broncos on Christmas Eve in a AFC West matchup on Monday Night Football with the kickoff set for 5:15 p.m. PT on ESPN.

Oakland holds a 62-52-2 all-time record against the Broncos, with the Raiders looking to make it three in a row over Denver at home.

Last week, the Raiders (3-11) traveled to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals, but lost 30-16 at Paul Brown Stadium in Week 15.

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr continued to move up the franchise record book. Carr passed Rich Gannon for the most consecutive pass attempts without throwing an interception against the Bengals. Now sitting at 299 attempts, bested Gannon’s mark of 277 set back in 2001.

In fact, Carr hasn’t thrown an interception in nine-straight games after throwing for 263 yards on 21-of-38 passes and one touchdown. Through 14 games, Carr has 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Entering Monday night’s game with 3,697 passing yards, Carr is 303 yards shy from his first 4,000-yard passing season.

Wide receiver Jordy Nelson led the Raiders with six catches for 88 yards.

Lee Smith, who is better known for his blocking, has been more of a scorer in recent weeks, hauling in a touchdown for the third-straight game.

Defensively, safety Karl Joseph led the team with eight tackles (six solo) and his first sack of the season. Fellow safety Erik Harris recorded his first-career interception.

The Broncos (6-8) enter Week 16 losing to the Cleveland Browns 17-16 at home last Saturday. The slim loss eliminated Denver from playoff contention in the AFC, and puts them one loss away from back-to-back losing seasons. Denver finished 5-11 in 2017.

Denver is looking to complete the season sweep over Oakland, after defeating the Raiders 20-19 at Denver Stadium at Mile High in Week 2. The Broncos rallied from a 12-point second-half deficit, capped off by kicker Brandon McManus’ 36-yard game-winning field goal just inside the right upright with 6 seconds to play.

Broncos rookie running back Phillip Lindsay, who was named to the AFC Pro Bowl team on Tuesday, rushed for 107 yards on 14 carries against the Raiders in Week 2.

On the season, Lindsay has rushed for 991 yards to go along with nine touchdowns on 182 carries in 14 games (seven starts) for the Broncos.

Linebacker Von Miller continues to be a terror on defense. The former Defensive Player of the Year leads the the team with 14.5 sacks and four forced fumbles, and was voted to his eighth Pro Bowl team. Fellow linebacker Bradley Chubb is second on the Broncos with 12.0 sacks and was named an alternate to the Pro Bowl.

Chubb, the Broncos’ top pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, is 2.5 sacks away from tying Jevon Kearse’s (14.5) NFL record for rookies, set in 1999 with the Tennessee Titans.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Raiders coming off tough loss in Cincinnati, prepare for Denver Monday night

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Photo credit: @Raiders

Tony Renteria does the Raiders podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

#1 The Raiders took it in the shorts in a tough loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday 30-16. The Raiders just couldn’t contain the Bengals’ offense.

#2 Raiders quarterback Derek Carr went 21-38 for 263 yards and one touchdown. Carr broke ex-Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon’s record for pass attempts without an interception.

#3 The Bengals and Raiders game in Cincinnati drew the 19th smallest attendance in Bengals history with 44,568.

#4 The Bengals’ Joe Mixon ran 129 yards and two touchdowns to add onto the 30-16 lead.

#5 The Raiders host the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football at the Oakland Coliseum. Tony takes a look at the game preview.

Tony does the Raiders podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Headline Sports with London Marq: Schumer says Integrity fees out for sports betting; Kings hope for a win against OKC tonight; This is Kittle’s month–now headed for Pro Bowl; plus more

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Photo credit: @truthout

On Headline Sports with London:

#1 The No Integrity fees for sports leagues, which would be a cut in revenue for teams. New York Senator Chuck Schumer (D) said the law was to protect the consumer from corruption.

#2 The Sacramento Kings were rolling until they ran into the Minnesota Timberwolves last Monday night and got clobbered by almost 30 points. The Kings have Oklahoma City Thunder, do you see a recovery tonight?

#3 The San Francisco 49ers’ tight end George Kittle had a career day against Denver on Dec. 9th with 210 yards third most in NFL history.

#4 It’s hard to contain the San Jose Sharks. They got anther big win a 4-0 shutout over the Minnesota Wild and have won five straight games.

#5 The Oakland Raiders continue to have problems on and off the field losing to Cincinnati, getting sued by the City of Oakland and trying to find a new place to play in 2019.

London Marq does the Headline Sports each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Sherman and Mullens made the difference in the 49ers victory against Seattle

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@49ers photo: San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman seen in the 49ers locker room after the 49ers three point win over Sherman’s former team the Seattle Seahawks on Sun Dec 16th at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara

On the 49ers podcast with David:

49ers cornerback Richard Sherman was thrilled to face his old teammates again the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday in a game the 49ers won by three points 26-23. The game in overtime saw the Seahawks  hit for a holding penalty and it took out the Hawks 32 yard drive and first down that ruined their comeback stopped by the Sherman and the 49ers.

49ers quarterback Nick Mullens had a busy afternoon with 20 completions in 31 attempts for 237 yards and two touchdowns in rainy weather at Levis Stadium. Kicker Robbie Gould hit a game winning field goal Mullens was not intercepted by the Seahawks defense not once.

David Zizmor does the 49ers podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Carr breaks Gannon’s record in 30-16 loss to Bengals

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Photo credit: silverandblackpride.com

By Jeremy Kahn

It seems that the Oakland Raiders are not able to put two wins in a row together at any time this season.

Joe Mixon ran for 129 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Cincinnati Bengals to a 30-16 victory over the Raiders at Paul Brown Stadium.

With the loss, the Raiders have not won back-to-back games this season.

The win by the Bengals stopped their five-game losing streak, the third-worst slump in the 16 seasons under head coach Marvin Lewis.

Mixon scored on a 15-yard touchdown run with just 4:04 remaining in the game, gave the running back his second consecutive 100-yard game and the Bengals won for the first time since October.

The Bengals announced the attendance as 44,568 for their last home game of the season, as they achieved the second smallest attendance in the 19 seasons that the Bengals have been playing in Paul Brown Stadium.

Jeff Driskel, playing in place of the injured Andy Dalton went 14-for-33 for 130 yards with one touchdown and an interception.

Tyler Boyd caught four passes for the Bengals, as he gained a team-leading 38 yards for the now 6-8 Bengals.

Derek Carr went 21-for-38 for 263 yards with a touchdown, as he broke Rich Gannon’s team record for pass attempts without an interception.

During the 2001 season, Gannon threw 277 passes without an interception and Carr broke the 17-year old record with his 14th pass of the afternoon.

The streak almost ended on the Raiders’ first possession, as Shawn Williams dropped a pass that was thrown right to him.

Doug Martin led the Raiders in rushing with nine carries for 39 yards, while Jordy Nelson led the Raiders with six catches for 88 yards.

Jalen Richard caught five passes for 67 yards, and also carried the ball four times for nine yards in the 14-point loss, as the Raiders saw their record fall to 3-11 on the season and 1-6 on the road.

NOTES: Kelechi Osemele missed his second straight game with a toe injury and Gabe Jackson was unable to go, as he inactive due to an elbow injury. Former Massillon High School and Ohio State Buckeyes Defensive Back Gareon Conley suffered a concussion in the game and will be re-evaluated.

UP NEXT: After an eight-day layoff, the Raiders will return to the field on Monday night December 24, as the Denver Broncos come to the Coliseum. In their previous meeting on September 16, the Broncos defeated the Raiders 20-19 at Broncos Stadium at Mile High.