Category: NFL

Headlines Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: AB to play for Bucs this Sunday has he improved?; Raiders back in LA to face Chargers; plus more

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Former New England Patriot wide receiver Antonio Brown will join his former teammate former New England Patriot quarterback Tom Brady in Tampa Bay for Sunday Night Football as the Buccaneers host the New Orleans Saints (file photo from Pittsburgh Post Gazette)

On Headline Sports podcast with Tony R:

#1 Tony talk about how big of a risk the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are taking on wide receiver Antonio Brown lots of baggage he’s expected to play on Sunday Night Football against the New Orleans Saints.

#2 Bucs quarterback Tom Brady like Brown so much when he was in New England he got Brown on the team and even had Brown stay at him home, Brady pushed for Brown again to come to Tampa Bay will there be anything different from the last two times Brown was on an NFL team like the Raiders and then the Patriots?

#3 The Las Vegas Raiders (4-3) got a big win over the Cleveland Browns last Sunday in Cleveland 16-6. It was the fourth quarter that the Raiders quarterback Derek Carr threw for the game’s only touchdown to wide receiver Hunter Renfrow and it was enough to get the Raiders over the top.

#4 The Raiders are headed for Los Angeles to face the LA Chargers (2-5) this Sunday. The Chargers have struggled they have lost four of their last five games including a close game to the Denver Broncos 31-30 where the Broncos came back scoring three touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

#5 San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo whose expected to be out of action for the next six weeks there is no doubt that his absence will have a huge impact on the 49ers including in tonight’s game against the Green Bay Packers in Santa Clara for Thursday Night Football.

Join Tony for Headline Sports every other Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Covid case hits 49ers practice facility game on Thursday could be postponed

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) who was sacked on this play by the Seattle Seahawks Bobby Wagner in the first half at Centurylink Field in Seattle on Sun Oct 25, 2020 (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with Dave:

#1 Dave how difficult does it get for the 49ers now that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is out for six weeks with a reinjured high ankle sprain and tight end George Kittle out eight weeks with a fractured foot injury.

#2 The 49ers last game in Seattle saw the Seahawks get 24 points in the second half as the 49ers tried to rally from behind with 20 points falling short in the fourth quarter.

#3 The 49ers have that short turnaround after playing in Seattle on Sunday and now they host the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football but with the injuries the 49ers have it could be another long night for them.

David Zizmor does the 49ers podcast each Wednesday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Barbara Mason: Raiders beat a good team in the Browns now face Chargers in LA Sunday

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The Cleveland Browns Olivier Vernon (54) gets a sack on Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) last Sun Oct 25, 2020 in Cleveland (USA Today photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Las Vegas Raiders (4-3) beat a very good team in the Cleveland Browns (5-3) on Sunday 16-6 the score was a lot closer than that thanks to the Raiders defense.

#2 The Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield tried to score while inside the red zone but the Raiders did a good job forcing the Browns to have to kick field goals in the second and third quarters for their only scores.

#3 But on the Browns behalf their defense did a good job shutting out the Raiders in the first and third quarters.

#4 The Raiders who went into the fourth quarter tied 6-6 with Derek Carr throwing to wide receiver Hunter Renfrow that pretty much put Vegas over the top.

#5 Next Sunday it’s back to a former stomping ground where the Raiders used to call home and that’s Los Angeles where they’ll face the Los Angeles Chargers (2-5). The Chargers just lost a close game to the Denver Broncos Sunday 31-30. The Chargers are struggling they lost four of their last five games as they prepare for the Raiders Sunday.

Join Barbara for the Raiders podcasts each Tuesday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

San Francisco 49ers week 9 preview: Will Garoppolo and Kittle injuries put Niners behind eight ball for Thursday Night Football?

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San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) who gets away from the New England Patriots defensive back JC Jackson (27) on Sun Oct 25, 2020 in New England will be out a reported eight weeks due to a fractured foot (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The San Francisco 49ers season feels about over. Since the game on Sunday, a lot has changed for the 49ers. First, let’s talk about the loss on Sunday. The 49ers held their own most of the game against the Seattle Seahawks, their division rival. However, in the end, my prediction didn’t come true. The 49ers lost to the Seahawks by a final of 37-27 but felt like 37-14.

In the loss, injuries befell the 49ers once again. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo left the game early in the loss suffering more discomfort in his ankle. The team is calling it a high ankle sprain and Jimmy will seek multiple opinions.

Also going down for the 49ers once again is star tight end, George Kittle. George, it was revealed after the game, has a small break in his foot and will miss extended time. Most likely this will mark the end of the season for Kittle as well as Jimmy Garoppolo, but it is more likely Jimmy returns this season than George.

The 49ers also made a move on Monday trading LB Kwon Alexander to the New Orleans Saints for LB Kiko Alonso and a 2021 5th round pick.

It has been a rough year for 49ers fans after losing a heart wrenching super bowl to now the season realistically being over for the team.

This week the task doesn’t get any easier for the 49ers as they face the Green Bay Packers. The Packers look ready to the 49ers below .500 again as Nick Mullens looks to kindle some resurgence from the battered 49ers squad. Look for star quarterback to come out early against the 49ers as he will try to put them away early.

The 49ers play on Thursday Night Football at 5:20 PST on Thursday night.

Sources: San Francisco 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo, TE George Kittle out indefinitely with injuries

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Photo credit: nfl.com

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

SANTA CLARA, Calif — It seems like after every game this season, the San Francisco 49ers lose players to injuries. On Monday, the 49ers were hit with two-punch combo as starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and tight end George Kittle will miss multiple weeks with injuries a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

For Garoppolo, he aggravated his high right ankle sprain during San Francisco’s 37-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks and is expected to be sidelined for six weeks or longer if the ankle requires surgery is the source told Schefter.

Garoppolo played poorly against Seattle, completing 11 of 16 passes for 84 yards with no touchdowns and one interception before leaving the game in the second half with San Francisco trailing 30-7. He was replaced by backup quarterback Nick Mullens, who finished the game completing 18 of 25 passes for 238 yards with two touchdowns and a passer rating of 128.4. With Garoppolo out for the foreseeable future, Mullens will return back to the starting lineup, a role he held when Garoppolo missed two games earlier his season with the same injury.

Mullens told reporters Sunday that he would be prepared to step in for Garoppolo if needed.

“Anytime you can get out there and bounce back from from my last start, it’s definitely going to create some confidence,” Mullens said. “The biggest thing I’ve learned just going through it all is that the NFL is tough. It’s all about what you do next. That’s why I tell myself pretty much every day, ‘It’s all about you do next.’ No matter if its good or bad, it’s all about what you do next.”

C.J. Beathard will serve as Mullens’ backup when the 49ers (4-4) host the Green Bay Packers (5-2) this Thursday night at Levi’s Stadium.

The 49ers were optimistic that Kittle’s foot injury wasn’t serious after initial testing, but further evaluation revealed a broken bone that will sideline the All-Pro tight end eight weeks, a source said. With the 49ers at 4-4 and eight weeks left in the season, Kittle’s season is likely over.

Kittle’s injury happened two minutes after Garoppolo limped back to the locker room after he leaped to bring in a 25-yard pass from Mullens. Kittle hauled in the catch, but landed awkwardly and limped to the sideline immediately. A short time later, Kittle headed to the locker room.

Kittle, who signed a five-year $75 million contract extension during training camp, missed two games this season with MCL sprain in his left knee he suffered in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Backup tight end Ross Dwelley is expected to take Kittle’s place in the lineup. Dwelley caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Mullens against the Seahawks, but the 49ers are hopeful that tight end Jordan Reed can return soon to help replace Kittle’s production. Reed has been out of action since Week 3 with a sprained knee.

The loss of Kittle is huge. Not only is he the team’s best offensive player, but vital to the 49ers’ running game. Without Kittle, San Francisco’s offense will be severely hindered.

Entering Sunday’s game, the 49ers had the highest salary cap value of players on injured reserve this season at $54.2 million according to Spotrac. With Garoppolo and Kittle likely heading to IR and join the likes of defensive end Nick Bosa (torn ACL), running back Raheem Mostert (high ankle sprain), wide receiver Deebo Samuel (strained hamstring) and cornerback Richard Sherman (strained calf), that value will increase.

In eight games this year, San Francisco has three different leading passers, four different leading rushers and for different leading receivers.

The 49ers lose to the Seahawks, 37-27, in Seattle as injuries continue to mount for San Francisco

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DK Metcalf (44) of the Seattle Seahawks sees lots of daylight on this 46 yard carry in the first quarter as the San Francisco 49ers cornerback Emmanuel Mosley (41) gives chase at Centuylink Field in Seattle on Sun Nov 1st (seattletimes.com photo)

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

If the San Francisco 49ers had any aspirations of winning back-to-back division titles, those dreams were dashed as the Seattle Seahawks showed why they are the best team in the NFC West with a 37-27 victory in Week 8 at an empty CenturyLink Field on Sunday afternoon.

With the win, the Seahawks improve to 6-1 on the year and remain atop of the NFC West standings and keep the 49ers in the basement with a 4-4 record.

Injuries continue to snake decimate the 49ers, who saw starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and all-world tight end George Kittle leave the game late in the fourth quarter with ankle and foot injuries. Both players’ status for Thursday night’s game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium is uncertain according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

Both Garoppolo and Kittle are expected to undergo further treatment on Monday.

The injuries occurred within minutes of each other early in the fourth quarter and both players retreated to the locker room for further examination. Both were listed as questionable to return to the game, but neither saw the field again for the 49ers.

When you watched Garoppolo against Seattle, he just didn’t play well. Garoppolo had trouble getting the football out of his hands quickly amid constant pressure from the Seahawks. He struggled to find the NFL’s best tight end in Kittle, who had just one catch for 14 yards as Seattle built a 27-7 lead.

For the game, Kittle finished with just two catches for 39 yards.

Garoppolo completed 11 of 16 passes for just 84 yards with no touchdowns and one interception before exiting the game in the second half with the same aggravated ankle injury that kept him out for two games. He was replaced by backup Nick Mullens.

Mullens seemed comfortable coming into the game, leading the 49ers on three touchdown drives after San Francisco was trailing 30-7. On his first drive, Mullens engineered an 11-play, 79-yard drive that was capped off by Jerick McKinnon’s 1-yard touchdown run to cut Seattle’s lead to 30-14.

On the 49ers’ next possession, Mullens finished off a six-play, 80-yard drive with a 16-yard touchdown toss to backup tight end Ross Dwelley to bring the score to 30-20. The 49ers decided to go for two to make it a one-score game, but couldn’t convert the two-point conversion.

Seattle put the game away after rookie running back DeeJay Dallas’ 1-yard touchdown run put the Seahawks up 37-20 with 3:33 left in the game.

San Francisco added a three-yard score from Mullens to rookie wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to make the score 37-27 with 1:52 left in the game. Aiyuk finished tied with fellow wide receiver Kendrick Bourne with eight catches for 91 yards. Bourne registered 81 yards in the contest.

Too little, too late for the 49ers.

The real story of the game was the performances of quarterback Russell Wilson and wide receiver DK Metcalf.

Following an uncharacteristic game in which he threw three interceptions in a 37-34 loss in overtime to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7 on the road, Wilson bounced back in major way completing 27 of 37 passes for 261 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Wilson, who is a heavy favorite to win the Most Valuable Player award this year, leads the NFL with 26 touchdown passes through eight weeks.

The 49ers had no answer for Metcalf the entire game.

Metcalf gave Seattle a 6-0 lead in the first quarter on a 46-yard touchdown catch-and-run where he went nearly untouched by San Francisco’s fifth ranked defense.

Following rookie running back JaMychal Hasty’s first-career rushing touchdown to put the 49ers up 7-6, Metcalf added his second score of the day from two-yards out to extend Seattle’s lead to 13-7.

Metcalf bounced back in Week 8 after having just two catches for 23 yards against the Cardinals, Metcalf had himself a career-day against the 49ers. The second-year wide receiver set career-highs in catches (12) and yards (161) to go along with two scores.

Defensively, Seattle’s much maligned defense had its best performance of the year in the victory over the 49ers.

The Seahawks limited the 49ers’ offense to 116 yards and had two takeaways in the first half, including an interception of Garopolo by nickelback D.J. Reed Jr. to set up Seattle’s first score. Reed Jr., who was waved by the 49ers in August, was making his Seattle debut after being activated off the non-football injury list on Saturday.

San Francisco did finish with 351 yards of total offense, but most of that came in the fourth quarter with Seattle in control of the game.

Bobby Wagner, Seattle’s All-Pro middle linebacker, continued to be the gold standard at the position with a vintage performance. Wagner was all over the field, finishing with 11 tackles and two of Seattle’s three sacks on the day.

Seattle and San Francisco will meet again in Week 17 at Levi’s Stadium to close out the 2020 season.

Raiders win defensive battle over Browns in winter weather, 16-6

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Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (2) watches the ball after kicking a 24-yard field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Cleveland. The Raiders won 16-6. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

By Shawn McCullough

Las Vegas has now experienced a typical cold November day in Cleveland.

In wind, rain, sleet and snow, the Raiders defense held the Cleveland Browns to just 223 total yards as Las Vegas escaped with a 16-6 win in Cleveland.

“We will take any win that we can get,” said head coach Jon Gruden.

Raiders’ kicker Daniel Carlson nailed three field goals from 29, 33 and 24 yards despite the bad weather.

“Probably the windiest game that I have ever played in,” said Carlson. “I had some good operation, good holds, good protection and got some points on the board the rest of the game.”

“Credit to Carlson for being able to kick the ball and make some field goals,” said Gruden. “It was a real obstacle for the kickers.”

The lone Raiders touchdown came on a four yard pass from quarterback Derek Carr to wide receiver Hunter Renfrow.

“I thought that I got my hands underneath it,” said Renfrow. “It turned a little bit at the end, but it was a touchdown and it was good times.”

Carr finished the game going 15 for 24 for 112 yards and one touchdown.

“Whenever you are able to do it the way we did it, everyone has to deal with the conditions, but a team that comes from Las Vegas, the desert, and gets a win, that’s a good feeling especially on the road,” said Carr.

Running back Josh Jacobs led the Raiders on the ground rushing 31 times for 128 yards.

With the win, the Raiders improved to 4-3 heading into their next game on Sunday in Los Angeles against the Chargers.

Game Notes:

  • The Raiders outgained the Browns in total yards, 309-223.
  • Tight end Darren Waller led the Raiders with only 28 yards receiving.
  • Nine different Raiders players caught at least one ball from QB Derek Carr.
  • The Raiders have now won two of their last three games.

49ers activate Tevin Coleman and K’Waun Williams for Week 8 vs. Seattle; place Jeff Wilson Jr. on injured reserve

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The San Francisco 49ers Tevon Coleman tries to get around the Kansas City Chiefs Tyrann Mathieu during Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on Feb 2, 2020. Coleman is expected back Sun Nov 1st vs Seattle Seahawks (file photo from San Francisco Chronicle) 

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

The San Francisco 49ers are getting some reinforcements just in time for Sunday’s pivotal matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. The team announced Saturday that they have activated running back Tevin Coleman and K’Waun Williams from injured reserve.

The 49ers also announced that they placed running back Jeff Wilson Jr. on injured reserve.

Wilson was named FedEx Ground Player of the Week for his huge performance against the New England Patriots in Week 7. The running back rushed for a career-high 112 yards and three touchdowns in the 49ers’ 33-6 win over the Patriots in Foxborough, MA. His three rushing scores were the most by a 49ers running back on the road since Roger Craig lit up the Los Angeles Rams with three rushing touchdowns in 1988.

Coleman has been out of action since Week 2 with a sprain knee. He joins Jerick McKinnon and JaMychal Hasty as the only healthy running backs on the roster for the 49ers. Along with Wilson, starter Raheem Mostert has been placed on IR.

Williams has been out since Week 4 with a sprained MCL. His return to the field will help bolster a 49ers’ secondary that will be tasked to slowing down wide receivers Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. Lockett is coming off a 15-catch, 200-yard and three-touchdown performance in Seattle’s 37-34 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7 in Glendale.

Operating primarily as the team’s top slot cornerback, Williams has played 55 and 67 percent of defensive snaps in each of the first four games this year. Fellow cornerbacks Emmanuel Moseley and Jason Verrett have formed a good tandem for a team that’s been without veteran Richard Sherman (calf) since Week 2.

San Francisco (4-3) currently sits in last place in a highly competitive NFC West. But a win against the Seahawks (5-1) in Week 8 would pull the 49ers within a half-game of first place Seattle, and keep pace with the surging Rams and Cardinals who are both 5-2 this season.

The 49ers are just a half-game behind the New Orleans Saints for the No. 7 seed in the NFC, though they have played one more game than the Saints, who have already taken its bye. The two teams hook up in Week 10 down in New Orleans, before the 49ers go on their bye in Week 11.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Rich Perez for Jeremiah Salmonson: Regardless of the Seahawks struggling defense Garoppolo knows their reputation

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo throws against the New England Patriots in the first half of Sun Oct 25, 2020 at Foxboro the 49ers face the Seattle Seahawks on Sun Nov 1st (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with Rich Perez for Jeremiah:

#1 San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said that the Seattle Seahawks defense will be well prepared for Sunday despite allowing a league high for yardage.

#2 The Seahawks had a struggle with the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale last Sunday when they lost in overtime 37-34. Again Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and the offense provided enough points to win but the defense couldn’t keep the Cardinals out of the red zone for that overtime portion of Sunday Night Football.

#3 Garoppolo is not looking at all the yardage that the Seahawks gave up during the season but he’s looking at what this defense has had in it’s reputation is that something Garoppolo should be concerned about?

#4 In regards to the injuries Garoppolo said, “It’s not just smooth sailing like it was last year, win after win. We’ve had ups and downs and I think that’s kind of made us battle tested.”

#5 The contest is at Centurylink Field this Sunday and there will be no 12th man as that place can get very noisy but none the less it’s a place that has been challenging for the 49ers in the past.

Rich Perez filled Jeremiah for the 49ers podcasts Saturday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Raiders prepare for an improved Cleveland Browns this Sunday

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derick Carr (4) at an indoor practice with the offense preparing for this weekend’s game in Cleveland. Carr trying to shake last Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay and get back in the win column against the Browns. (reviewjournal.com photo) 

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez:

#1 Rich, talk about the breakdown in the Raiders defense that set the stage for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tom Brady who ended up scoring four touchdowns was this a matter of Brady being the tactician that he is or the Raiders defense just let down.

#2 The Raiders also struggled on offense as quarterback Derek Carr couldn’t get anything going Carr threw for 284 yards, two touchdowns and and two interceptions. Most afternoons that would be good enough to win a ball game but with the Buccaneers they piled up enough offense and scores that the Raiders couldn’t come close.

#3 The Raiders didn’t have much of a ground game they’re running backs Jalen Richard, Joshua Jacobs, and even Carr couldn’t score carrying the ball.

#4 In the air the Raiders were able to score twice with the help of wide receivers Nelson Agholor and Darren Waller although not enough at least it wasn’t a wash for the Raiders.

#5 The Cleveland Browns the Raiders next opponent on Sunday are 5-2 they just edged the Cincinnati Bengals 37-34 last Sunday and although they couldn’t handle the Pittsburgh Steelers 38-7 on Oct 18th previous to that game the Browns had won four straight. 

Join Rich for the Raiders podcasts each Saturday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com