Category: NFL

Jimmy G, 49ers beat Titans 25-23 for third straight win

Published on by jeremy2878Leave a comment

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo fields questions after an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)

By Jeremy Harness

The feeling that Jimmy Garoppolo will be the one to help the San Francisco 49ers return to glory is in full swing now. The new guy under center brought the 49ers back from behind on two different occasions in the fourth quarter against a playoff contender in the Tennessee Titans, before Robbie Gould, who has been as clutch of a kicker as there is in the NFL, came through with a walk-off 45-yard field goal to give his team a 25-23 win at Levi’s Stadium Sunday afternoon.

This marks the 49ers’ third win in a row, which so happens to be the number of games that Garoppolo has started for his new team, and Sunday marked his first home start in a 49ers uniform.

He finished with 381 passing yards, while completing 31 of his 43 throws, one of those finding the end zone for a touchdown. He continually made the right decision and found wide open receivers, repeatedly exposing the Titans’ secondary and put his receivers in position to make big plays, particularly down the stretch.

After Ryan Succop nailed a 50-yard field goal to give Tennessee a 23-22 lead with 1:07 remaining, Garoppolo got right to work. He completed passes in the middle of the field, but he was able to get his team down the field efficiently enough that they did not have to burn their last timeout prematurely.

In fact, they did not even have to spike the ball in order to stop the clock. Because of that, they were able to preserve that last timeout until three seconds remaining, with the 49ers sitting at the Titans’ 27-yard line, setting up Gould’s game-winner.

The 49ers will have a pair of very tough games to close out the 2017 season, as they will face the AFC South-leading Jacksonville Jaguars before taking on the NFC West-leading Los Angeles Rams, who drubbed the Seattle Seahawks, who had had a stranglehold on the division since 2013, Sunday afternoon.

The Titans, however, remain in the AFC’s wild-card spot, and that they still have a chance to win the AFC South if they win out.

Marcus Mariota had a bounce-back performance on Sunday, completing 23 of his 33 passes for 241 yards along with a pair of scores. He did not throw an interception.

Raiders lose by an index card, drop 20-17 decision to Cowboys

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Dallas Cowboys running back Rod Smith, center, scores a touchdown between Oakland Raiders linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) and strong safety Keith McGill II (39) during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

By Jeremy Kahn

OAKLAND–With their playoff lives on the line, the Oakland Raiders saw their hopes take a big hit with the help of an index card. Dan Bailey kicked a 19-yard field goal with 1:44 remaining in the game and the Dallas Cowboys escaped with a 20-17 win at O.co Coliseum Sunday night.

Dak Prescott looked short of the first down on a fourth-and-one play with about five minutes remaining in the game. However, it was so close the chains were brought out and it still looked short. Instead of giving the Raiders the ball on downs, referee Gene Steratore folded an index card, and despite the fact that it was still short, the official gave the Cowboys the first down.

Prescott found Dez Bryant for a 40-yard pass down deep into Raiders territory and then Bailey kicked a 19-yard field goal with 1:44 remaining to give the Cowboys the lead.

“Didn’t use the card to make the final decision. The final decision was made visually. The card was nothing more than a reaffirmation of what was visually done. My decision was visually done based on the looked from the pole,” said Steratore.

Following Bailey’s field goal, the Raiders got the ball and on fourth-and-10 deep into their territory, Derek Carr threw a long pass to Michael Crabtree, but the pass fell to the ground that would have given the Cowboys the ball on downs. However, Cowboys rookie cornerback Jourdan Lewis was called for pass interference, and after the 43-yard penalty, the Raiders were still in business.

Carr drove the Raiders down to the Cowboys’ eight-yard line, and scrambled for what looked like a possible game-winning touchdown. Carr then fumbled the ball through the end zone and the Cowboys got the ball back.

The last play was changed, as Carr was without Crabtree on the final possession of the game after he was sent into the tent for concussion protocol.

“I guess it was the officials. They took me out of the game and the last paly. They took me out and made me go into the tent,” said Crabtree.

Prescott kneeled for a one-yard loss and the Cowboys escaped with a three-point victory (20-17) on the road.

With the win, the Cowboys are in a three-way tie for seventh place in the NFC playoff picture and a half-game behind the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons hold the tiebreaker with the Cowboys after defeating them 27-7 earlier this season. The Falcons play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Monday Night.

As for the Raiders, their playoff hopes are on life support, as they need a lot of help just to get into the postseason. Presently, the Raiders are in ninth place in the AFC and the top six teams go to the playoffs.

The Cowboys pulled off the play of the game in the third quarter, as they faked a punt on fourth-and-11, and Punter Chris Jones scampered down the field for a 24-yard gain.

Prescott ended the drive, as he scored from five yards out to give the Cowboys a 17-10 late in the third quarter.

Carr and Crabtree tied up the game, as they hooked up for the second time in the game, when Carr found Crabtree from two yards out.

On the night, Carr ended 21-for-38 for 171 yards passing and two touchdowns. Carr also added 47 yards on the ground on four carries.

Crabtree caught seven passes for 39 yards and two touchdowns.

Prescott went 18-for-27 with 212 yards passing and two interceptions. It was the first multi-interception game of the season for the Raiders.

Marshawn Lynch led the Raiders with 16 carries for 76 yards.

NOTES: With the home season now done, the Raiders head out on the road to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Christmas night.

UP NEXT: The Cowboys return to AT&T Stadium to host the Seattle Seahawks, who are coming off a 42-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at Century Link Field, on Sunday, December 24 at 1:25 pm PT.

Oakland Raiders Podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Raiders need to win the rest of the season to have some daylight to make post season

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr throws a pass under pressure in action against the Kansas City Chiefs during a NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 26-15. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)

Oakland Raiders Podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon:

Last week’s loss in Kansas City was a tough outing for Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr who put a load of the blame on himself in behalf of the whole squad Carr had said postgame he didn’t play too well. The Raiders didn’t score a touchdown until the fourth quarter as Marshawn Lynch rushed to take it in for the score. The Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper barely played Sunday and he’s been ruled out for this Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys.

Michael Crabtree who ran for 57 yards really didn’t have much of an impact tight end Jared Cook had seven catches for 75 yards but overall the Raiders were just embarrassing in Kansas City last Sunday. Carr was really upset about the 40 yard pass he threw that was intended for Jimmy Holton the ball had bounced off Holton’s out stretched arms and the Chiefs Steve Terrell caught it for an interception. It was the turning point of the game for Carr and the Raiders.

J Hawkes does the Oakland Raiders previews and Jeremy Kahn has the Raiders game recaps at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers Podcast with Joe Lami: High anticipation as Garoppolo get first start in front of home crowd in Santa Clara

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) stands on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

On the 49ers podcast with Joe:

SANTA CLARA–Jimmy Garoppolo is making his first San Francisco 49ers starting appearance in front of the home crowd at Levis Stadium this Sunday at quarterback. Garoppolo made his 49ers debut in front of the home crowd against the Seattle Seahawks on Sun Nov 26 after starter CJ Beathard got injured and Garoppolo was inserted in the final moments of the game in a final drive and got that touchdown that wowed the crowd.

It’s the last two weeks of the season that the fans are really charged up about with Garoppolo throwing two straight wins on the road in Chicago and in Houston. Now the 49ers can possibly put together three straight if they can get by the Mighty Tidy Tennessee Titans this Sunday. A win would improve their record to 4-10.

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

 

Surging 49ers hope to keep streak going; host Tennessee in week 15

Published on by jeremy2878Leave a comment

Photo credit: @WBLZSports

By Jeremy Harness

Despite the fact they have owned one of the worst records in football this year, the San Francisco 49ers were known to be one of the most upbeat, positive teams in the NFL on a weekly basis–all because of the simple fact that there’s a new regime in place with a fresh outlook on the game.

The 49ers have seemed to have hit a nice stride these days, particular after a 26-16 win on the road against the Houston Texans, giving the team their second win in a row and their third win in four games, after losing their first nine games of the season.

The only thing that could be considered a negative is that they appeared to have blown their chance to get the top pick of next year’s NFL draft.

Looking forward to Sunday, the 49ers face an uphill battle against the 8-5 Tennessee Titans, a team that’s shooting for a playoff spot at this point, something that the 49ers don’t plan to see for another couple of years.

For the 49ers, the two keys remain the same: hope and improvement. Those two are as strong as ever right now. The team’s new quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, has won his first two starts with his new team, and this Sunday marks his first home game as a starting quarterback.

Despite their record, the 49ers have remained competitive in most of their games this year, and under different circumstances, the team could be much closer to .500.

However, the 49ers’ injury report has grown a bit from last week, as tackle Trenton Brown didn’t practice Wednesday due to a shoulder injury, while tight end Garrett Celek (knee) and safety Adrian Colbert (thumb, thigh) were both limited in practice.

Another addition to this list is safety Eric Reid, who has a rib injury and a knee ailment. He has been dealing with both injuries for most of the season. He was limited in practice on Wednesday.

Headline Sports with Tony Renteria: Carr says put it all on me for loss to KC; Sapp says he didn’t sexually harass; Costas is headed to MLB Hall

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) talks to referee Carl Cheffers (51) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo. After falling flat in Kansas City to lose control of the AFC West, the Raiders aim to regroup for the final three games knowing their playoff hopes are slim. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

On the Headline Podcast with Tony Renteria:

1 The Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr last week in Kansas City said “put it all on me” taking the responsibility for the critical loss which some say cost the Raiders a post season opportunity

2 Carr explained he put too much into preparing and then go out and lose saying that he did not play his best

3 The latest on the NFL Network sexual harassment scandal has suspended analyst Warren Sapp denying the claims against him that he urinated on wardrobe stylist Jami Canton’s office floor in front of her saying “this isn’t the bathroom” Sapp has denied all accusations of sexual harassment and is currently on suspension from the NFL Network

4 Bob Costas of NBC Sports is headed to MLB’s Hall of Fame Ford C Frick wing. Costas said that this awards means more to him than any other award that he’s ever received

5 With two wins under his belt 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has the 49ers organization believing in themselves with their next opponent the Tennessee Titans coming to Santa Clara will this be another test or has Garopplo already passed the test

Tony Renteria does Headline Sports each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

It’s now or never for Raiders as Cowboys come to Oaktown for primetime battle in Week 15

Published on by jhawkes51Leave a comment

Photo credit: @RAIDERS

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
SRS Contributor

OAKLAND — The Oakland Raiders will host the Dallas Cowboys in a primetime game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Sunday night. This will mark the end of Oakland’s home schedule for 2017. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. PST.

The game will be Oakland’s third appearance on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. They’ve played the Washington Redskins in Week 3 and the Miami Dolphins in Week 9.

For those who are interested, the Raiders are 1-1 on Sunday Night Football so far this season.

A loss to the Cowboys would officially eliminate the Raiders (6-7) from any postseason consideration, which was not what Oakland was hoping for coming into this season after making the playoffs for the first time since 2002 last season with a 12-4 record.

In Week 14, the Raiders fell flat on their faces losing to the Kansas City Chiefs, 26-15, at Arrowhead Stadium.

Starting quarterback Derek Carr was mediocre at best, throwing for 211 yards on 24-of-41 passing with one touchdown and two interceptions for a 60.1 quarterback rating. The Raiders offense was stuck in the mud for most of the game as Kansas City’s 30th ranked defense held Oakland scoreless through three quarters, while limiting the Silver and Black to just 268 yards of total offense.

On Oakland’s first five possessions of the game, the Silver and Black punted the football four times and Carr threw one interception. Starting running back Marshawn Lynch led the team in rushing, registering seven carries for 61 yards and one touchdown. Lynch rumbled for a 22-yard touchdown with 8:51 left in the game to break the scoring seal for Oakland, who were already trailing 26-0 at this point.

Shockingly, the Raiders ran the football just 11 times against Kansas City, who are terrible in stopping the run. Teams are averaging 124.8 rushing yards against the Chiefs this season.

Tight end Jared Cook was Oakland’s top receiver, leading the team with 75 yards on five receptions and one touchdown. Wide receiver Michael Crabtree had a team-leading seven receptions for 60 yards.

The Raiders’ defensive unit recorded three sacks for the second straight week, two registered by outside linebacker Bruce Irvin. In Oakland’s past two games, Irvin has recorded an NFL-high five sacks during that span and is second on the team behind defensive end Khalil Mack (8.5) with 7.5 sacks. Mack and middle linebacker NaVorro Bowman each recorded a sack.

Bowman also led the team in total tackles (11) and had one pass defensed, while safety Karl Joseph recorded his first interception of the season–just Oakland’s second interception of the season; Bowman has the other one–off Chiefs’ starting quarterback Alex Smith.

Dallas (7-6) defeated the New York Giants, 30-10, at MetLife Stadium in Week 14. Starting quarterback Dak Prescott threw for a career-high 332 yards on 20-of-30 passing with three touchdowns and no interceptions for a 137.1 quarterback rating.

Entering Sunday night’s game at Oakland, Dallas will have their first regular season visit since 2005. Prescott has thrown for 2,752 yards with 21 touchdowns and just nine interceptions for a 91.6 quarterback rating.

The second-year quarterback is on pace for his second-straight 3,000-plus yard passing season.

Wide receiver Dez Bryant is Prescott’s top receiver and could feast on Oakland’s weak secondary this week. Bryant leads Dallas in receptions (61), receiving yards (712) and receiving touchdowns (six). 10-time Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten remains a red zone threat, ranking second on the team with five receiving touchdowns for 457 yards on 52 receptions.

With stud running back Ezekiel Elliott serving a six-game suspension, the Cowboys are powered by backup running back Alfred Morris. The sixth-year pro has racked up 485 yards on 97 carries and one touchdown.

Defensive end Demarcus Lawrence is the big star of the defense, leads the Cowboys with 13.5 sacks this season. Lawrence has the ability to quickly get to the quarterback and with Oakland’s once stout offensive line giving up more sacks this season with 17 (after surrendering just 16 sacks all of last season), Carr must be on high alert for No. 90 on Sunday.

Defensive tackle David Irving is second on the team with 7.0 sacks this season, while safety Jeff Heath leads the Cowboys with 52 tackles. Eighth-year middle linebacker Sean Lee is second behind Heath with 51 tackles. Heath also leads the team with three interceptions.

Following Sunday’s game, Oakland will travel east for a Christmas Eve against the Eagles in Philadelphia next Sunday. Philadelphia (11-2) has clinched the NFC East Division and are looking to lock down the NFC’s top seed, but will have to do it without franchise quarterback Carson Wentz.

Wentz tore his ACL in Philadelphia’s 43-35 victory against the Rams in Los Angeles in Week 14 while diving into the end zone on a hit from Rams’ linebacker Mark Barron.

San Francisco 49ers Podcast with David Zizmor: Jimmy G getting props from everywhere suggestions that Niners should offer him NFL’s biggest contract

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) smiles after a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Houston. San Francisco won 26-16. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

By David Zizmor

SANTA CLARA–After thoughts that the San Francisco 49ers possibly could go 0-16 and that all changed after the 49ers picked up their first victory when starter CJ Beathard led the Niners out of the desert for a minute on Nov 12th at Levis Stadium but quickly went back into the wilderness of losing after dropping another game to the Seattle Seahawks at Levis on Nov 26th. When Beathard was injured in the closing moments of that game and had to leave to the cheers of 49ers fans. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan called out then back up Jimmy Garoppolo who threw a touchdown in his first series. That brief audition  was enough to get Garoppolo a start the following week in Chicago.

Garoppolo put on a show in Chicago hitting his receivers against a Chicago defense that kept the 49ers from moving into the end zone but enough where Garoppolo could get a couple of scores in and ended up edging the Bears 15-14. Then there was last Sunday in Houston Garoppolo taking charge of the 49ers offense for the second straight week this time throwing 20-33 for 334 yards a touchdown and one pick. There have been calls already for the 49ers to pay Garopplolo the NFL’s biggest contract to date. He just might get the deal too.

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

 

That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News and Commentary: NFL Network’s Sapp, Donavon, and Faulk all suspended for sexual harassment on studio stylist; A’s Coliseum stadium site maybe their only choice but still like downtown

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

AP File photo: NFL analyst Marshall Faulk speaks during a pre-game show before an NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Houston Texans, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)

On That’s Amaury’s Podcast:

1 NFL Network has suspended three former NFL players turned analyst, the three analysts were accused of harassing Jami Cantor a wardrobe stylist for the network. NFL Network analyst Warren Sapp came into Cantor’s office and make up studio and urinated in front of her saying that Cantor’s office shouldn’t be a toilet. NFL Network analyst Donavon McNabb had been texting Cantor explicit messages. Marshall Faulk had been asking Cantor about her sex life and had sexually assaulted Cantor.

2 The Oakland A’s are being very tight lipped about what their next move will be for their new stadium site. A majority of the media including myself have written that the A’s need to consider the Oakland Coliseum site because of it’s easy access to BART and lots of space for retail, development, housing, and near the Oakland Airport.

The A’s and team president David Kaval had stated even before exploring the Laney College site seriously that the A’s are not considering the Coliseum location because developers, retailers, contractors, and housing developers do not want to develop in East Oakland because it’s isolated industrial neighborhood location and most of the employees and neighbors are not around at night after ball games. Kaval still wants a site in downtown Oakland hopefully he and the A’s can find a location they want and get a new stadium project going.

Kaval was contacted by Oakland Coliseum Authority Executive Director Scott McKibben who asked him when the dust settles if he could meet with him to discuss the Coliseum site. Kaval told him “the dust has settled there’s nothing to talk about” end of conversation.

Amaury does the News and Commentary Podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

49ers Win Second Straight 26-16 For First Time Since 2014; Jimmy G Compiles 334 Yards

Published on by joelamiLeave a comment

Houston Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing (56) reaches up to sack San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

By: Joe Lami

San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, is starting his career with the Niners with a 2-0 record after the team beat the Houston Texans 26-16 on Sunday.

Garopollo is beginning to get the Niners rolling, as they’ve won back-to-back games for the first time November 23, 2014, where the Red and Gold strung off three straight victories.

Garopollo stepped up his play against the Texans, improving on his output that beat the Bears. He finished with 334 yards, one touchdown and one interception for a rating of 92.2 in the victory.

Garopollo’s lone touchdown came at a pivotal time in the third quarter with the game tied at 16, as he found Garrett Celek from six-yards out.

San Francisco’s other touchdown gave them a 10-3 lead in the second quarter as Carlos Hyde hammered it in from the two-yard-line.

Both of San Francisco’s scores were set up by big plays. Before Hyde’s touchdown, Garopollo kept firing it to Kyle Juszczyk, who gained his longest receptions of the season of 29 and 31 yards at the time.

Celek helped set up his own touchdown as he caught a ball for 61 yards, bringing it down to the red zone. He finished the day with 67 yards, but he didn’t lead the team.

Marquise Goodwin is beginning to gain chemistry with Garopollo as the speedy track star was able to catch for 107 yards, leading the way for the Niners.

San Francisco’s ground game was once again split between Hyde and Matt Breida. Hyde carried the ball 14 times for 78 yards, while Breida had 12 carries for 27 yards.

For the second game in a row, San Francisco’s defense was the brightest spot, doing a great getting off the field on third down, holding the Texans to 23% conversion while also recovering one fumble.

The front-seven were able to get to the quarterback position all day, totaling seven QB hits and putting Tom Savage in the concussion protocol after his hands were seen shaking in the second quarter.

Savage wasn’t doing all that well anyway, with six passes for 63 yards. His replacement, T.J. Yates, threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns.

The defense once again showed up to play, and for the second time in a row, their offense matched them to get the win.

The climate is changing in Santa Clara after the Niners have three wins in their last four games. Things are turning around and the Red and Gold Faithful are beginning to notice. It’s not inconceivable for the Niners to get on a roll. They hope to show off the new found confidence to the faithful when they host the Tennessee Titans.