Category: NFL

Rams Finally Knock Off Niners In Shootout Win 41-39

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Sammy Watkins (12) scores a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

By: Joe Lami

SANTA CLARA, Calif.–The San Francisco 49ers continue to seek out their first win of the 2017 season, as their comeback attempt was thwarted in the final seconds of Thursday night’s contest against Los Angeles. Both defenses struggled in the nationally televised shootout, in which the Rams bested the Niners 41-39.

The contest came down to San Francisco’s final offensive play, a failed two-point conversion that was intercepted by Rams’ defensive tackle Michael Brockers. The Niners were forced to go for two after Robbie Gould missed a PAT earlier in the fourth.

Things didn’t start well for San Francisco after Brian Hoyer was picked off on a pass attempt to Marquise Goodwin on the first play from scrimmage by Nickell Robey-Coleman. The return was brought back to the three-yard-line and set up Todd Gurley’s first touchdown of the day. Just 12 seconds into the contest, the Niners were trailing 7-0.

“I just told him, “let’s start over”. It was the first play of the game. It was a tough way to start out, but I thought he did a good job leading us down on the score and making a play to get us in the end zone on that next drive,” explained, head coach Kyle Shanahan on how he dealt with Hoyer.

It looked like things were looking grim for San Francisco, but they were able to fire back with a score of their own. On the ensuing drive, San Francisco found the end zone for the first time this season with the help of a 20-yard run from Carlos Hyde and a Rams penalty on 4th down. Brian Hoyer kicked out to the right on a scramble and found his way to paydirt from nine yards out.

The Rams went into the half with a 24-13 lead, as Gurley was able to find the end zone two more times. The first one Jarred Goff hit him in the flat for a 7-yard score and Gurley was able to hammer the ball in from two yards out with 49 seconds remaining in the second.

Gurley was a force in the first half, but San Francisco was able to slow him down in the second, including a couple of goal-line stands. The third-year player finished with 113 yards on 28 carries and caught five passes for 36 yards for three total touchdowns.

Goff is beginning to match the expectations of the first overall selection in the 2016 draft, as he exploded through the air on Thursday, passing for 292 yards, completing 75% of his passes; all while setting a career-high in touchdowns with three and passer rating of 145.8.

Despite the Rams offensive explosion, the 49ers were able to keep it close with LA’s defense struggling just as much as San Francisco. The 49ers trailed by 14 at the end of the third quarter but scored 19 points in the 4th.

Garret Celek started the fourth quarter comeback, connecting on a one-yard pass from Hoyer. Trent Taylor scored his first NFL touchdown to cut the lead to 8 and Hyde ran in his second of the contest to make the score 41-39, but the missed PAT came back to haunt the 49ers.

The comeback was set-up by some great defensive plays in the fourth as well on special teams. After the Taylor score, Victor Bolden Jr. forced a fumble to set up the Hyde touchdown.

The Niners then decided to kick an onside kick and recovered. With the chance to win the game on a field goal and starting with the ball at the 50, their offense was unable to get anything going. The Rams wrapped up the victory on a 4th and long, sacking Hoyer for the fourth time.

Despite being sacked four times, Hoyer had his best performance in red and gold. He was able to get over opening the game with an interception. He finished the contest 23-of-37 for 332 yards and two touchdowns. Most impressively, the 49ers’ finally aired the ball deep, as Hoyer was able to connect on two deep balls for 59 and 50 respectively. Both of which came off a play-action.

The 59-yard strike found the hands of Pierre Garcon, who led the team with 7 catches for 142 yards.

Carlos Hyde remained a beast for San Francisco, finding paydirt twice while carrying for 84 yards on 25 attempts.

Thursday night’s contest also saw a handful of injuries that set both teams back. San Franciso will use the next three days off to recover before coming back on Monday to set up their contest with the Arizona Cardinals a week from Sunday.

“I was proud of the guys, how they fought. We just need to get better. We’ve got 10 days until our next game. It’s a division opponent in Arizona. Right now, it is a grind to play on Thursday, but the benefit of it is you get a little bit more time to recover. I don’t really care about the record right now. I care about how guys are responding to it and I want these guys to come back Monday ready to go and ready to fight to get our first win,” said Shanahan.

NFL Podcast with Tony Renteria: Defense was problem in Seattle game; 49ers look like a lack of offense against the Rams Thursday night; Raiders look road ready for Sunday Night Football

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

On the NFL podcast with Tony:

1 The San Francisco 49ers who played last Sunday to a 12-9 loss in Seattle Tony takes a look and some of the mistakes made in that game and what the 49ers need to do to get back in the win column.

2 49ers quarterback Brian Hoyer like Sunday in Seattle struggled most of Thursday night but the 49ers did get a touchdown score in the first period but has trailed most of the game with the Los Angeles Rams

3 Tony discusses some of the things that 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan will be looking to improve in the game with the Rams

4 The Oakland Raiders play Sunday Night Football at Washington. The Raiders are playing their second road game are looking like the best team on both sides of the ball and should be able to take this game from Washington

5 The Raiders left little doubt in their handling of the New York Jets last Sunday and they go in with momentum this Sunday night and Tony tells you all about it

Tony Renteria does the San Francisco 49ers podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

 

Oakland-Washington Preview: Raiders travel East for prime-time game against Redskins

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Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) is congratulated by quarterback Derek Carr (4) and tackle Donald Penn (72) after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

OAKLAND — Coming off a dominate 45-20 Week 2 victory against the lowly New York Jets in their home opener, the Raiders (2-0) play their first of five prime-time games with a cross-country trip to Washington to face the Redskins at FedEx Field with a 5:25 p.m. PT kickoff.

This will be the first game between the two teams since 2013, which resulted in a 24-14 win for Washington in Week 4 at Oakland.

Derek Carr shredded the Jets, completing 23-of-28 for 230 yards and three touchdowns, all to wide receiver Michael Crabtree. Crabtree led all receivers with six receptions for 80 yards while Carr posted a 136.6 passer rating in the game.

Oakland’s running game found open lanes in New York’s defense, racking up 180 yards on the ground, with a 6.7 yards per carry.

Running back Jalen Richard and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson each scored long rushing touchdowns, 52 and 43 yards respectfully. Oakland’s native son, Marshawn Lynch, scored his first touchdown in front of his hometown fans in the second quarter.

Lynch finished with 12 carries for 45 yards and one overly-publicized dance on the sideline early in the fourth quarter with the Raiders holding a commanding 35-13 lead.

Defensively, Oakland’s defense was sound, holding the Jets to 271 yards of total offense and forcing one fumble by safety Karl Joseph, who also registered his first career sack. Joseph’s sack was one of four recorded by the Silver and Black on the day.

Safety Reggie Nelson led the team with eight tackles and first-round rookie cornerback Gareon Conley made his NFL debut, recording a pass break up.

Washington (1-1) won in Los Angeles 27-20 behind a 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins to wide receiver Ryan Grant in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.

Cousins finished 18-of-27 passing for 179 yards.

Washington’s top play-makers are tight end Jordan Reed and former Oakland quarterback-turned-wide receiver Terrelle Pryor led the Redskins in receptions (11) and receiving yards (97) respectfully.

While veteran Rob Kelley (22) and rookie running back Samaje Perrine (21) get the majority of carries, fourth-year runner Chris Thompson leads the team with two rushing touchdowns.

Chris Thompson is also a great pass catcher out of the backfield, hauling in one of two Washington’s touchdowns through the air to go along with seven catches for 81 yards this year.

On defense, linebacker Zach Brown is a tackling machine, ranking third in the NFL in tackles with 22 entering Week 3. Third-year linebacker Preston Smith leads the Redskins with two sacks, while fellow linebacker Ryan Kerrigan is second on the team with 1.5 sacks.

The seven-year pro from Purdue has one of Washington’s two interceptions for the season, returning it 24 yards for a touchdown.

Prediction: Raiders 28-17.

Oakland’s offense led by Carr have too many weapons for Washington to handle. Washington’s cornerback tandem of Bashaud Breeland and the trash-talking Josh Norman will be a great test for Oakland’s wide receiving combo of the aforementioned Crabtree, and Amari Cooper, but Carr has improved his throwing mechanics and now can make every throw seem effortless.

Combined that with a versatile ground attack led by Lynch and Richard, (not to mention DeAndre Washington) to go-along with a wild-card like Patterson, Washington will have problems covering all the players the entire night.

This game in Washington could be a “trap” game for the Silver and Black, with a trip to Denver looming in Week 4 if they take the Redskins lightly.

Don’t expect that to happen Sunday night from the Nation’s Capital for the Raiders who have bigger goals in mind this season.

 

 

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS PREVIEW: 49ers have to avoid going 0-3

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AP Photo File: New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) rolls on his back after being sacked by San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jimmie Ward (25) Ward is suffering a hamstring injury but is expected to play Thursday night against the Los Angeles Rams. This photo from an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By Jeremy Harness

SANTA CLARA– Only two games into the season, the 49ers already have their backs against the wall.

 After a tough loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, the 49ers have to turn around quickly and try and pick up their first victory Thursday night at Levi’s Stadium. To do it, they will face a Los Angeles Rams team that go into Thursday’s game with a 1-1 record after an emphatic win over Indianapolis in the season’s first week.

 The 49ers, on the other hand, are currently 0-2 and can ill afford to get off to an 0-3 start. On the positive side, however, the 49ers have had recent success against the Rams, as both of their victories last season came against Los Angeles.

 In the meantime, there are some injury concerns for the 49ers.

 Linebacker Reuben Foster is nursing a high right ankle sprain and will miss Thursday’s game, and there is no telling when he will return. However, there was a huge sign of encouragement that showed up on Wednesday when Foster was without the stabilizing boot that he had been wearing the past week and a half.

 Besides the absence of Foster, the 49ers are also hurting in the secondary. Eric Reid suffered a sprain of his posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the team’s loss on Sunday at Seattle and is expected to miss at least one game because of it.

 Jimmie Ward (hamstring) and Jaquiski Tartt (neck) were also injured during Sunday’s game, but they were at least able to practice on Wednesday, although it was in a limited capacity. Both are expected to be able to play Thursday but are listed as questionable.

 On the offensive side of the ball, the 49ers have a good thing going in the run game, as Carlos Hyde had a good deal of success running the ball against a usually-tough Seattle defense, and he should have more of that against a Rams defense that did not have a good showing in Sunday’s loss to Washington.

 However, the passing game certainly needs to improve, as quarterback Brian Hoyer acknowledged after Sunday’s game that his performance was less than stellar and needs to get better if the 49ers are going to have sustained success offensively.

 

San Francisco 49ers Podcast with David Zizmor: 49ers needs some reworking for their offense; plus short four day turnaround as SF gets ready to host LA

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On the 49ers podcast with Dave:

1 With the 49ers starting the season at 0-2 and losing to Seattle last Sunday 12-9 there was a lot of talk about. The 49ers being concerned about their offense and quarterback Jeff Hoyer. These are some of the things that 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan will be addressing week to week.

2 Dave also talks about the NFL scheduling of having the 49ers play in Seattle on Sunday and turn around with just four days rest and host the Los Angeles Rams for Thursday Night Football.

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

 

Oakland Raiders-New York Jets game wrap: Carr throws for three touchdowns in lopsided win 45-20

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Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrate after connecting on a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By Jeremy Kahn

OAKLAND-Marshawn Lynch wanted to come back to the Oakland Raiders, so that he could play in front of his family and friends.

In his first game back in the Bay Area as a member of the Raiders, Lynch did not disappoint the Raider Nation, as he carried the ball 12 times for 45 yards and a touchdown and the Raiders defeated the New York Jets 45-20 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

You knew that Lynch was having fun, as he began to dance on the sidelines with the Raiders firmly ahead with 12:49 remaining in the game.

“Looked like our crowd had some fun,” coach Jack Del Rio said. “Good, solid day. Once again, I thought all three phases contributed. Awesome to see.”

Derek Carr also did not disappoint in his first game in the building where he broke his leg in the home finale on December 24 against the Indianapolis Colts, as he threw three touchdowns, all of them to Michael Crabtree.

Carr went 23-of-28 for 230 yards, including those three touchdown passes of 2 yards, 26 yards and 1 yard.

Cordarrelle Patterson scored on a 43-yard run late the third quarter, and Jalen Richard scored on a 52-yard early in the fourth quarter to essentially put the game away.

With the victory, the Raiders are 2-0 for the first time since they won the AFC Championship in 2002 on their way to Super Bowl XXXVII against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Despite being on the losing end of a 25-point loss, Josh McCown threw a pair of touchdown passes to JermaIne Kearse.

Giorgio Tavecchio kicked a 29-yard field goal with just 25 second remaining in the game to close out the scoring for the Raiders.

Marquette King continues to be one of the best punters in the NFL, as he hit a 65-yard and 55-yard punt and it was the 55-yard punt with under two minutes remaining.

King’s punt was called for a fair catch by Khalif Raymond; however, Raymond was unable to gain control of the punt and Johnny Holton recovered it at the Jets’ four-yard line.

“I give Marquette all the credit, because he did a good job punting the ball,” Holton said. “I was just focusing on whether he caught it or not. He called a fair catch, I broke down, he made a mistake and we capitalized on the mistake.”

Three plays later, Lynch scored on a two-yard touchdown run and what was a 14-10 Raiders lead turned into a 21-10 Raiders lead at the half.

NOTES: Once again, the Raiders head out on the road, as they travel to Landover, Maryland, where they face the Washington Redskins on Sunday Night Football.

The Lynch touchdown was his first in a game since scoring on three-yard run on November 15, 2015 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Oakland Raiders Sunday Spotlight: Michael Crabtree

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Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

OAKLAND — Michael Crabtree was a scoring machine against the visiting New York Jets, hauling in six catches (on six targets) for 80 yards and a career-high three touchdowns in Oakland’s 45-20 rout Sunday in the Silver and Black’s home opener.

Oakland is 2-0 for the first time since 2002, the last time the team played in the Super Bowl after winning the AFC Championship. Crabtree briefly left the game in the first quarter with an ankle issue, but returned to the game and was the Jets’ worse enemy the rest of the game.

With the Jets doubling fellow wide receiver Amari Cooper for most of the game, Crabtree took full advantage of single coverage, scoring on a 2-yard fade route up the left side in the first quarter, a 26-yard fly-route down the right side in the second quarter, and 1-yard option route in the fourth quarter that pushed Oakland’s lead to 42-13.

The Raiders racked up 410 yards of total offense against New York (0-2), who gave up 400-plus yards of total offense for the second straight week after surrendering 408 yards to the Bills in a 21-12 loss at Buffalo in Week 1.

In two games this season, Crabtree leads Oakland with 12 catches (on 13 targets) for 163 yards and four touchdowns.

Oakland heads to Washington next Sunday to play the first of their franchise-record five prime time games in 2017 on NBC Sunday Night Football. Crabtree could be in for a tough matchup against the Redskins, who have one of the NFL’s best shutdown cornerbacks in Josh Norman.

Washington (1-1) defeated the Rams 27-20 in Los Angeles Sunday after intercepting Rams starting quarterback Jared Goff in the final minute of the fourth quarter to seal the win.

 

49ers Held Without a Touchdown for Second Straight Week; Lose to Seattle 12-9

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brian Hoyer gestures to the team at the line of scrimmage against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

By Joe Lami

The San Francisco 49ers will have to wait another week for their first touchdown of the season, as they failed to find paydirt once again in Sunday’s 12-9 loss to Seattle. The game consisted of two offenses completely struggling and dragged on since the initial snap of the ball; the Seahawks were slightly better to earn their first victory of the season.

San Francisco was given a chance at a huge road win in Seattle, something they have not done since October 18th, 2015 but a lack of offensive consistency was their downfall.

Seattle stormed out of the gate on the opening possession, marching the ball 68 yards before stalling out for a 25-yard field goal from Blair Walsh. Walsh added a 27-yarder before the end of the first for a 6-0 lead.

San Francisco’s defense looked strong early when pushed into the red zone as they bent but didn’t break, doing a great job of keeping Seattle’s offense out of the end zone.

The 49ers tied things up at six going into the half with Robbie Gould knocking two field goals through from 40 and 37 yards out. The first one was set up by a 61-yard run from Carlos Hyde, in which, he was able to break off the left tackle and burst away before being dragged down at the Seahawks 22-yard line. The run was the longest in his four-year NFL career.

Hyde was crucial for the 49ers, who struggled once again on offense. He led the team in yards with 124 on 15 carries. Hyde was half of the Niners offense on Sunday, as the team combined was able to muster up 124 yards of their own, finishing with 248 total yards.

The passing attack was a nightmare for San Francisco, as Brian Hoyer finished 15-of-27 for 99 yards. For whatever reason, whether it be the lack of trust of an offensive line or the slippery ball on a soaking Seattle afternoon, the Niners refused to let the ball fly; and when they did, they were throwing short, intermediate routes in front of the first down sticks.

Hoyer had another poor game, throwing for less than 100 yards, but the worst play was an interception he threw to Bobby Wagner. It marked the second time in which he was picked off by a middle linebacker, signaling he’s either completely missing the most obvious defender on the field or some other significant deficiency.

Despite the horrendous offensive performance, San Francisco still had a chance to win the game. They took the lead in the third quarter, as Gould hit his third field goal of the game from 34 yards for the 9-6 lead.

However, the defense began to get tired, as the Seahawks won the possession battle 37 to 23 minutes and wore down as the game progressed. This allowed Seattle to run the ball down the throats of the 49ers’ front seven.

Chris Carson, a 7th round rookie from Oklahoma State, led the way with 93 yards on the ground. Quarterback, Russell Wilson, also took over when it mattered most marching down the field using his legs for 34 yards. It seemed that the 49ers defense refused to set a spy to slow him down.

Wilson’s magic continued on the lone touchdown of the game, in which, he was able to escape multiple pressures before finding Paul Richardson in the left corner of the end zone. It was the first touchdown of the season for Seattle with 7:06 left in the fourth.

San Francisco’s offense couldn’t get anything done in the last seven minutes of the contest, allowing Seattle to win their first of the season.

The 49ers added injury to insult as Eric Reid went down multiple times in both the second and third quarters with non-contact injuries favoring his knee. He later said after the game that he did tweak it but it should be fine, but Rueben Foster said the same and it going to be out the next month.

The Niners will have the shortened week to get their offense in check as they continue to search for their first major of the season when they host the LA Rams on Thursday night.

Oakland Raiders Podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Raiders look ready for Jets this weekend; Lynch fined for giving the double bird

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Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) sits during the national anthem before an NFL football game between the Raiders and the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

On the Raiders podcast with Joe:

1 Marshawn Lynch the Raiders running back is no wall flower on the field he expressed that last Sunday when gave the double bird in Tennessee in the Raiders victory which was caught on a CBS camera

2 Lynch was fined $12,000 for the hand gesture. Lynch was coming off the field in Sunday’s game in the fourth quarter in Tennessee

3 Lynch had a good Raider debut going 76 yards , 18 carries to help lend a 26-16 victory over the Titans

4  Raider defensive end Kahlil Mack  who stopped the Titans offensive with three tackles got a little respect when the Titans sent two blockers to slow down Mack

5 Donald Penn will pen a  new contract a extension for two years. Penn held out for training camp until pre season when Penn and the Raiders had an agreement but Penn will sign it in black and white this week

Joe Hawkes Beamon does the Oakland Raiders Podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Sports Headlines Podcast with London Marq: Cleveland snaps 22 game win streak Royals get the edge 4-3

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Cleveland Indians’ Francisco Lindor, left, slides safely into second base for a steal as Kansas City Royals’ Whit Merrifield is late with the tag in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)

On the Sports Headlines podcast with London:

1 Cleveland lost a tough one in their home ball park 4-3 to the Kansas City, Cleveland was just four games shy of tying the all time win streak record held by the 1916 New York Giants at 26. Cleveland just couldn’t keep it going and their win streak was stopped at 22 games Friday night.

2 ESPN’s Jemele Hill who apologized to ESPN for tweeting that President Trump is a white supremacist. Now Trump wants ESPN to issue an apology to him. Trump said he was offended by what Hill wrote and said he didn’t appreciate it and wants ESPN to apologize to him for it.

3 There was rioting after Cologne returned to European soccer. The Arsenal won it 3-1. Ticketless fans marched in front of Emirates Stadium setting off a riot. Four people were arrested.

4 The 49ers who struggled in their last game in at Levis Stadium against the Carolina Panthers look to try and get in the win column Sunday in Seattle

5 The Raiders host the New York Jets on Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum London talks about the match ups

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