Category: NFL

Raiders look for second half turnaround after bye week head to Mexico City Nov. 19th

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Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) signs autographs at the end of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Raiders defeated the Dolphins 27-24. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

OAKLAND — With nine games in the books, the Raiders are 4-5 at the bye week. Coming into the 2017 season, not many people had the Silver and Black under .500 especially with the offensive talent the Raiders sport led by starting quarterback Derek Carr.

In eight games (Carr missed Week 5 with a back injury), Oakland’s signal-caller has thrown for 1,954 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Carr is completing a career-high 65.2-percent of his passes this season and is on pace for another 3,000-yard passing season (his fourth-straight).

As much as wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper get most of the praise in the passing game, it has been tight end Jared Cook that has proven to be Carr’s most trusted pass-catcher through the first half of the season.

Cook leads Oakland in receptions (39) and receiving yards (499) this season. The nine-year veteran is just 13 receptions away from tying his career-high of 52 he established in 2014 as a member of the then-St. Louis Rams, and is just 261 receiving yards away of from surpassing his career-high of 759 yards he set in his third season with the Tennessee Titans in 2011.

Cook caught a team-leading eight passes for 128 yards in Oakland’s 27-24 win in Miami last Sunday in prime time on NBC Sunday Night Football.

For Oakland, it was a much needed win coming off a 34-14 loss in Buffalo the previous Sunday, and entering Hard Rock Stadium having lost the previous five straight matchups to the Dolphins.

Despite struggling with dropping the football early in the season, Cooper is second on the team with 38 receptions for 462 yards and three touchdowns. His 11 catches for 210 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-30 victory over AFC West rival the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7 helped snap Oakland’s four-game losing streak after starting the season 2-0.

Crabtree has 36 receptions for 451 yards and a team-leading six touchdowns, three of those scores came in Oakland 45-20 demolishing over the visiting New York Jets in Week 2.

Running back Marshawn Lynch leads the Raiders ground game with 323 yards rushing and four touchdowns this season. The Oakland-native hasn’t put up big numbers this season in his return to the football field after a year of retirement, but his ability to slow down the game and pick up first-downs could be key for the Raiders down the stretch.

If Oakland is leading in the fourth quarter, the ball should be fed to No. 24. No questions asked. Lynch had a bounce back performance against the Dolphins, rushing for 57 yards on 14 carries for two touchdowns after serving a one-game suspension the previous week for making contact with an official against the Chiefs in Week 7.

The NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year in defensive end Khalil Mack leads Oakland with 4.5 sacks this season and continues to be a terror to opposing offensive linemen, but its been the play of cornerback TJ Carrie that flies under the radar.

Carrie is tied with fellow secondary mates Reggie Nelson and Karl Joseph for the team-lead with 50 tackles and has four passes defensed in eight games. The in-season pickup of inside linebacker NaVarro Bowman, who was released by the San Francisco 49ers after seven seasons on Oct. 13, has added a veteran presence and leader with big-game experience to the locker room.

In three games with the Raiders, Bowman has registered 32 tackles (11 tackles in back-to-back games and 10 tackles against the Dolphins), immediately paying dividends for Oakland.

But the fact that the Raiders haven’t recorded an interception through the team’s first nine games (an NFL record), is still a problem. The team’s top pick in last April’s NFL Draft  in cornerback Gareon Conley was expected to be a big part of the defense, but has only played in a handful of plays this year while battling shin splints.

For those of you who are wondering, the 1982 Houston Oilers own the record for fewest interceptions recorded by a defense in a season with three, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Along with the then-1982 Baltimore Colts, the 2005 edition of the Raiders are tied for second in NFL history recording just five interceptions.

When Oakland returns from the bye week, they will have to prepare for quarterback Tom Brady and the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots in Mexico City on Nov. 19.

The 40-year-old Brady is still going strong in his 18th season in the league, second among passers in yards (2,541) and touchdowns (16). His two interceptions are the second-fewest thrown by starting quarterbacks behind Kansas City’s Alex Smith, (league-high 18 touchdowns) who threw his first interception of the season in Week 9.

Before Oakland plays New England, the Raiders will be rooting for the Patriots (6-2) in Week 10, who travel to Denver to take on the Broncos (3-5) Sunday night at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on NBC’s Sunday Night Football in prime time.

 

Sports Headlines with Tony Renteria: Cowboys owner Jones can’t force NFL to end contract extension for Goodell

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Dallas Cowboys owner and general manger Jerry Jones walks onto the field prior to an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)

On the Sports Headlines with Tony R:

1 Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones who once took a knee himself before the national anthem and has said he will sue the NFL if they continue to extend the contract beyond 2018 of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Jones is blaming Goodell for poor leadership in not establishing policy that the NFL players must stand up for the national anthem, saying that TV ratings have tanked because of Goodell’s poor leadership, that advertisers are planning to leave unless something turns around soon.

2 It was also said that this is a scare tactic to get the NFL to replace Goodell but that Jones has no legal leg to stand on in stopping the NFL from extending Goodell contract beyong 2018

3 The San Francisco 49ers might have to the point where they might try and take a look at Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback after starter CJ Beathard and the 49ers took a 20-10 loss at Levis Stadium last Sunday to drop their record to 0-9 question is head coach Kyle Shanahan has not made that decision as to when yet.

4 The Sacramento Kings got a key win at home past the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night. It might not be a victory that has turned the tide but the Kings might feel the momentum somewhat and try and get their second straight win over Philadelphia tonight

5 ULCA Bruins players Codey Riley, Jalen Hill, and LiAngelo Ball who were bailed out for taking a Louis Vutton bag out of a Shanghai store. Shoplifting is a ten year prison sentence in China. After the three confessed to taking the bag they were jailed but released after being bailed out. They most likely will be able to leave China but won’t be welcome back for ten years.

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

 

 

Fantasy Football Emergency Podcast Episode 3 November 8th – Let’s make the Playoffs!

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Red light

hosts Vasu “the Party Man” Vaddiparty and Charlie O. Mallonee

  • Who is the right Tight End for your fantasy team this Sunday?

  • There are a lot of talented QB’s on  bye this week – who should you start – who should you pick up?

  • Who should you plug in at Running Back? Darkwa from the Giants is available in many leagues. How about Matt Forte as a one week replacement?

  • How about Charles Clay at TE – is he a safe start?

  • What about Frank Gore? Should you start him this week?

  • Could Josh McCown be your answer at QB?

The “Party Man” and Charlie O have the answers to these questions and more for you in order for you to get ready for Week 10 in the NFL.

 

 

 

Decimated 49ers hope to get win before bye

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Photo credit: @49ers

By Jeremy Harness

Things only seem to get worse for the 49ers with each passing week.

At what is now the start of the rebuilding process under first-year head coach Kyle Shanahan as well as fellow rookie general manager John Lynch, the losses were expected to happen. But it seemed reasonable that the team would finish the season somewhat healthy.

That has not happened, not by a longshot.

As the losses continue to pile up for the 49ers, so do the season-ending injuries. Joining a list of players who are out for the rest of the year are safety Jaquiski Tartt, who suffered a broken forearm in last Sunday’s loss at home to the Arizona Cardinals, as well as receiver Pierre Garcon.

The 49ers currently have 18 players who are currently on IR, and some of the other notables on this list right now are defensive ends Arik Armstead and Tank Carradine as well as linebacker Malcolm Smith, who was lost for the season with a pectoral injury back in training camp.

If there is any good news to come out of team headquarters, it’s that tackle Joe Staley returned to practice Wednesday. The 49ers will need all the bodies they can get this week, as they face the mightily-struggling New York Giants on Sunday.

Furthermore, linebacker Reuben Foster was a full participant in practice after being limited for the past several weeks, meaning that he is getting much closer to full strength. Meanehile, fullback Kyle Juszczyk was limited in practice Wednesday while nursing a neck injury while tight end George Kittle did not practice at all with his ankle injury and is not expected to play Sunday.

Meanwhile, for the 1-7 Giants, there has been some significant injury issues, as star receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. was lost for the season early on in the year, and they have struggled to find a rhythm ever since.

This may be the best chance for the 49ers to get a win, and after this game, they will go into their bye week before facing the Seattle Seahawks at home. They will then take on the Chicago Bears, Houston Texas, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Rams to close out the season.

That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News and Commentary: NFL TV ratings slip to a new low a 12 share in week eight of the season

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Cleveland Browns v Minnesota Vikings, NFL Week 8, Twickenham Stadium, London, UK – 29 Oct 2017 (Rex Features via AP Images)

On Amaury’s Podcast:

1 NFL telecasts for this season dropped to a 14 share after having numbers in the past with an 18 share in 2015, then a drop in 2016 a 15 share, this was being blamed on ex 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick taking a knee during the national anthem, but now it’s been further explored with the younger demographic not watching the entire game, fans eating healthier and less to purchase Papa John’s leading to a drop in product sales, and the players being used at the cost of concussions.

2 Because of the TV shares dropping in what is the richest sports league in the country could there be a threshold at some point that the league could face a point of no return and lose their audience that would take years to comeback

3 Week #8 last Sunday was the lowest share for the NFL with a drop to a 12 share, NFL Commissioner and the owners are concerned that the ratings could very well drop to a 10 share which would be a marketing killer for the league and asks the question how is the NFL going to get those fans back?

4 The NFL got bad recommendations from Pres Trump over the players taking a knee and the league has got a ton of complaints from the fans about Kaepernick. For certain it’s looks like Kaepernick who filed a grievance against the league for collusion will never get another chance to work in the NFL which is causing controversy for the players who support him and the owners are keeping quiet about the matter with the media

5 When the World Series was played in Los Angeles in games six and seven it’s been a who’s who of Hollywood stars who came out to see the ball game which included Madonna, Seinfeld, Lady Gaga, and of course Dodgers team president Magic Johnson who waved to a few fans calling his name. One thing for sure the World Series always brings out the rich and famous.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the TV Spanish talent for the Angels and the Radio Spanish talent for the A’s and does News and Commentary for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers Podcast with David Zizmor: For Garoppolo a contrast in working with Patriots to 49ers but may not play a down this season

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

On the 49ers podcast with Dave:

1 The 49ers loss to the Arizona Cardinals 20-10 last Sunday at Levis Stadium continued the winless streak to nine for the Niners. The defense couldn’t stop Arizona quarterback Drew Stanton who was replacing starter Carson Palmer who broke his arm in week seven. Stanton threw for 15-30 and 201 yards.

2 Every week same thing different story in the game last Sunday and the week before in Philadelphia the 49ers met some tougher opponents but still haven’t found a way to the win column

3 The 49ers host the New York Giants (1-7) Sunday at Levis in what could be the 49ers best chance to win a game this season. It’s however very unlikely that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will get a series in the game although he’s on the sidelines studying the 49ers plays and playbook

David Zizmor does the 49ers podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Lynch leads the Raiders to victory in return 27-24

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Oakland Raiders players dance on the field, during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

By Jeremy Kahn

After missing a game due to a suspension, Marshawn Lynch helped lead the Oakland Raiders back into the win column.

Lynch carried the ball 14 times for 57 times and two touchdowns, including a season-long 22-yard run and the Raiders defeated the Miami Dolphins 27-24 at Hard Rock Stadium.

The veteran also added a late touchdown to give the Raiders their final points of the game, but the Dolphins would not go down with a fight, as they scored with 1:32 remaining and were able to successfully make the two-point conversion; however, the Raiders sealed the game, as they recovered the onside kick.

This was just the second Raiders victory since they started the season 2-0, and move within one game of the .500 mark.

Derek Carr went 21-for-30 for 300 yards passing with a touchdown and an interception. Carr helped the Raiders go eight for 15 on third down, as the Raiders went 1-1 on their road trip thru Buffalo and Miami.

Carr’s lone touchdown pass was to Johnny Holton for 44 yards. It was the only catch of the evening for Holton.

Jared Cook led the Raiders with eight catches for 126 yards, while Amari Cooper caught four passes for 58 yards and Michael Crabtree caught three passes for 40 yards.

DeAndre Washington carried the ball four times for 16 yards, while Jalen Richard carried the ball five times for 14 yards.

Jay Cutler made his return to the field after missing a game with cracked ribs, and went 34-for-42 for 311 yards passing and three touchdowns passes.

Julius Thomas caught six passes for 84 yards and a touchdown, while Kenyan Drake led the Dolphins on the ground with nine carries for 69 yards.

NOTES: After their annual bye week, the Raiders return to the field on November 19, as they host the defending World Champion New England Patriots at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

This is the second year in a row that the Raiders will host a game in the capital of Mexico, as they defeated the Houston Texans 27-20 last season on Monday Night Football.

49ers’ Still Seek First Win 20-10 loss to Arizona; Drop to 0-9

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan speaks at news conference after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

By: Joe Lami

SANTA CLARA, Calif — 49ers head coach, Kyle Shanahan will have to wait at least another week before his first National Football League win. His best chance of the season came on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

Arizona came in off their bye week and had their way with the 49ers, winning 20-10. Drew Stanton started at quarterback for Arizona after Carson Palmer broke his arm in week seven. The extra week for Stanton seemed to be just enough, as he finished 15 of 30 for 201 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw one interception.

The Cardinals leaned heavily on Adrian Peterson, who had his best game yet since going to the desert, running for 159 yards on a career-high 37 carries.

Arizona won the game with their defensive line, as the 49ers were completely shut down offensively. The banged-up front for the Niners came back to haunt them, as C.J. Beathard was unable to do anything, getting hit a total of 16 times, including five sacks.

Even, Arizona coach, Bruce Arians was impressed by Beathard’s toughness, “that was a beat-up offensive line and God bless him. He’s tough as nails and stood in there and threw the ball because we hit him a bunch.”

When Beathard was able to throw the ball, he was inconsistent and inaccurate, completing 26 of 51 passes for 294 yards and an interception. However, he was the only 49er to find the end zone, as he used his feet to slam it in from one-yard on a read-option play in the third quarter.

The San Francisco defense kept them in the game but unfortunately, the stagnant Niners offense couldn’t do anything.

Eric Reid made a great play late in the second quarter intercepting a pass in the end zone that would have put Arizona up 21-3 before the half, but the offense stalled out after a false start penalty and a couple of incompletions.

Penalties continue to be a reoccurring issue with San Francisco, as they continue to commit penalties. On Sunday, they committed eight penalties for 53 yards, bringing their season total to 76 penalties for 516 yards.

49ers’ wide receiver, Marquise Goodwin, recognizes the problem, “it’s the same thing every week. It’s the same story. We just have to get better from that. They didn’t go out there and beat our heads in. We did it to ourselves each week.”

The difference between winning and losing usually comes in the form of penalties and with the Niners being towards the bottom of the league, it’s something the coaching staff needs to find a way to fix. After all, they are 0-9 and haven’t won a game at home since September 12th, 2016.

Sports Headlines with London Marq: Long wait for a World Series parade in Houston; Beg to differ NFL’s marketing issues are more than dropped pizza sales at Papa John’s

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A young fan holds a team flag during the parade and celebration for the baseball World Series champion Houston Astros, Friday, Nov. 3, 2017, in Houston. (Steve Gonzales/Houston Chronicle via AP)

On the Sports Headlines Podcast with London:

1 It’s been a long wait since 1962 when the Houston Colt 45s franchise was born and a long wait to see the Astros take the motorcade parade route in downtown Houston for the first time ever for a World Series celebration

2 The series was a battle for the Astros lots or home runs and a series that went the distance

3 When Papa ohn said the lack of TV ratings impacted pizza sales he said it was a result of poor leadership in the NFL from Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL owners who should have got a control of the national anthem protest a year and a half ago. The critics differ particularly the Wall Street Journal who said it was the over saturation of football games on Sunday, Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, Thursday Night Football there is no more hunger for the game anymore.

4. While Papa John’s blames the players for protesting taking a knee during the national anthem studies have shown some of the younger demographic are not sitting still and sitting through an entire three hour football game

5 Meanwhile the Oakland Raiders head to Miami this Sunday in light of last Sunday’s loss to Buffalo and have chin up with  the return of Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch after his one game suspension for contact with an official from Thursday Night Football two weeks ago in Oakland

London does the Sports Headlines Podcast each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Oakland Raiders Podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Skittles for everybody Lynch back from one game suspension this Sunday in Miami

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FILE – In this Oct. 19, 2017, file photo, Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) makes contact with back judge Greg Steed (12) during the first half of an NFL football game between the Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. Lynch was ejected after the play. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

On the Raiders podcast with J Hawkes:

Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch will be back in the line up this Sunday in Miami and Raiders quarterback Derek Carr said that he and the team is excited to have Lynch back in. Lynch who was suspended for contact with an official vs. Kansas City during a Thursday Night Football game two weeks ago sat out last Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills a game which the Raiders lost at Orchard Park NY.

Having Lynch back in the line up works for everybody and also puts a spring in everybody’s step and speaking of stepping the Raiders are counting to get some help in their ground game. Lynch has only two touchdowns but he would have been good to have in the Buffalo game. Where ball security was an issue the Raiders turned the ball over with three fumbles against the Bills and two of them were from the running backs so Lynch’s return couldn’t have better timing.

J Hawkes has a lot more on the podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com