Category: NFL

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

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: 49ers have multiple injuries but can they get by Seahawks struggling defense?

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The Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) looks for day light as he’s pursued by the Arizona Cardinals strong safety Bubba Baker (32) and outside linebacker Haason Reddick (43) during the second half of Sun Oct 25th’s game in Glendale (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with J Hawkes:

#1 The San Francisco 49ers have three players on the injured reserve list tight end Jordan Reed, cornerback K’Waun Williams, and running back Tevin Coleman. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said they might not be playing in Seattle this Sunday as all three players have knee injuries.

#2 The 49ers have more injuries their dealing with wide receiver Jimmie Ward (quadriceps), Jaquiski Tartt (groin) didn’t practice on Wed, wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring), wide receiver Jeff Wilson (ankle) on IR, cornerback Jason Verrett (hamstring) didn’t practice Wed.

#3 Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll understood why the 49ers traded up six spots to get wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, Carroll said “he’s really good, a really good player” Aiyuk has 20 catches for 280 yards and a touchdown.

#4 Aiyuk had a season high of six catches, 115 yards against New England last Sunday so the Seahawks could be keying in on Aiyuk on Sunday.

#5 The 49ers are in Seattle this Sunday and face quarterback Russell Wilson who on Oct 11th at Centurylink threw a come back winning touchdown after being down 13-0 at the half. Wilson commandeered a 94 yard drive and with 15 second left in the game threw a game winning touchdown to defeat the Minnesota Vikings 27-26.

Join Joe Hawkes each Friday for the 49ers podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

49ers’ defense will have its hands full with Seahawks’ Russell Wilson in key NFC West showdown

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The Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) on the move to throw to a receiver during Oct 11, 2020 game against the Minnesota Vikings at Centurylink Field in Seattle in first half action (AP News photo)

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

Its no big secret that the key for any team into stopping the Seattle Seahawks is to corral quarterback Russell Wilson.

Easier said than done.

Wilson’s uncanny ability to avoid would-be pass rushers and find an open DK Metcalf or Tyler Lockett downfield for big gains has become routine this season. You almost take him for granted because we expect him to turn a broken play into a great play.

Both Lockett (45 catches/542 yards/7 TD) and Metcalf (24 catches/519 yards/5 TD) have made huge plays for Wilson this year that has put Wilson in prime position to win his first MVP award.

Simply put, Wilson is amazing at playing quarterback in the NFL.

San Francisco’s defense will have its hands full with Wilson as the 49ers (4-3) travel to the Pacific Northwest for a pivotal NFC West matchup against the Seahawks (5-1) on Sunday afternoon from CenturyLink Field.

The last time the 49ers were in Seattle, Week 17 of last season, San Francisco prevailed 26-21 in a heart-wrenching game that was decided by a goal-line stop by then-rookie linebacker Dre Greenlaw on Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister. Greenlaw’s tackle wrapped up the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed for San Francisco in front a loud sellout crowd.

This time around, the division isn’t on the line and there won’t be any raucous fans at CenturyLink Field due to the pandemic. But a win for the 49ers would pull them within half-game of first-place Seattle, making for a tighter race with both the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams both at 5-2.

The same Arizona Cardinals that handed the Seahawks their first loss of the season last week, 37-34, in overtime in Phoenix on Sunday Night Football. In that game, Wilson completed 33 of 50 passes for 388 yards and three touchdowns, but tossed three costly interceptions in losing for the first time in his nine-year career when leading by four or more points at halftime.

He had been 59-0 in such situations according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Oh yeah, that same Arizona Cardinals team that shocked the 49ers 24-20 in Week 1 at Levi’s Stadium.

You don’t think the 49ers, the reigning NFC champions, wasn’t paying attention like the rest of America when Wilson looked mortal in game for once this season?

The answer would be a resounding yes.

Despite season-ending injuries to defensive end Nick Bosa (knee) and defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (knee), along with cornerback Richard Sherman (calf) and defensive end Dee Ford (back) both missing significant time this season, San Francisco’s defense has remained steady this season.

The unit ranks fifth in total defense this season allowing just 19.4 points per game, which includes the 43-17 home drubbing at the hands of the Miami Dolphins that left the 49ers at 2-3 and many declaring their season over.

Seattle’s offense ranks tops in the NFL in scoring, averaging 33.8 points per game. Wilson leads all quarterbacks in touchdowns (22) and passer rating (119.4) to go along with just six interceptions.

Last week, the San Francisco’s defense played without both starting safeties in Jaquiski Tartt (groin) and Jimmie Ward (quad) and limited the New England Patriots to just 241 yards of total offense in a 33-6 demolishing in an empty Gillette Stadium. The defense recorded four interceptions.

San Francisco must find a way to generate a consistent pass rush against Wilson, who is an escape artist when the pocket collapses. Tackling Wilson is harder than tackling a tadpole in shallow water.

Through seven games, the 49ers have sacked opposing quarterbacks 19 times this season, which is good for ninth in the NFL. Defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr. leads the 49ers with 3.5 sacks.

Fellow defensive end Arik Armstead has had some success at getting to Wilson in the past, registering 2.5 sacks in eight games.

Since the Seahawks drafted Wilson in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, he’s 12-4 against the 49ers (the most wins against any team) with 3,347 yards, 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions with a 97.9 passer rating.

With injuries to Chris Carson (mid-foot sprain), Carlos Hyde (hamstring) and Travis Homer (knee), rookie DeeJay Dallas is the only healthy running back on Seattle’s roster, so the game could be in Wilson’s hands even more come Sunday.

The last three matchups against these two rivals have come down to the final possession. So we could very well see a replay Sunday of Week 17 where Wilson has the football in his hands and San Francisco’s defense will need a stop to walk away with a victory.

 

 

 

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Jets showed some defense against Bills but still winless; Did Bucs knock Raiders off their momentum?; plus more

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The New York Jets defense was full of surprises last Sunday against the Buffalo Bills holding Buffalo to only 18 points despite losing 18-10 (photo from syracuse.com)

On Headline Sports with Jessica:

#1 The New York Jets (0-7) are the laughing stock of the City of New York but yet the Jets head coach Adam Gase says he has a game plan each week. Last Sunday might have been their best game although they lost 18-10 to the Buffalo Bills (5-2) in terms of playing a good defensive game.

#2 The Las Vegas Raiders (3-3) were coming into last Sunday’s game with lots of confidence they were coming off a close seven point loss to the Buffalo on Oct 8th, then the following week Oct 11th they dominated the Kansas City Chiefs (6-1) in KC, had a restful bye week on Sun 18 but got raked at home by the Tampa Bay Bucs (5-2) 45-20 behind Bucs quarterback Tom Brady’s four touchdown afternoon.

#3 The San Francisco 49ers (4-3) who lost two tough games against two teams who were struggling the Miami Dolphins (3-3)  and the Philadelphia Eagles (2-4-1) but came but strong against the Rams (5-2) and Patriots (2-4) for two straight wins. The 49ers face the Seattle Seahawks (5-1) looking at the NFC West that’s a real tough division to win games in as the 49ers head to Seattle this Sunday.

#4 The other day Dallas Cowboys (2-5) owner Jerry Jones was on live radio at 105.5 The Fan and told the host to “shut up a moment and let me answer” after he felt he was being interrupted by the host. How much of that is frustration out of losing quarterback Dak Prescott for the season and having lost to Washington 25-3 last Sunday?

#5 The Houston Texans (5-1) announced on Wednesday that they have closed their training facility due to a positive Covid-19 test from second-year offensive guard Max Scharping . The Texans said that the facility will remain closed for deep cleaning and they will take advantage of the bye week on Nov 1st and test players and get the facility ready for their next game Nov 8th against the Jaguars (1-6) in Jacksonville.

Jessica Kwong does Headline Sports every other Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

San Francisco 49ers game preview: 49ers head to Seattle looking for third straight win

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San Francisco 49er corner Richard Sherman (25) takes a dive to stop the Arizona Cardinals run game in the opening week of the season Sun Sep 13, 2020 this was Sherman’s last game as he was placed on the IR and is eligible to return week 12 Oct 21st. (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The San Francisco 49ers are coming off an encouraging week. Last Sunday they played the significantly less intimidating New England Patriots. The Patriots still have Bill Belichick, but not Tom Brady and it shows. The 49ers were able to pull out a big win 33-6.

This week the 49ers are faced with a more daunting task. They will travel to Seattle where they take on the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle is coming off a disappointing loss in a wild game last Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. The Seahawks are of course division rivals of the 49ers and sit at a record of 5-1 on the season.

The 49ers are still struggling with injuries. On the defensive side of the ball they are obviously feeling the loss of Richard Sherman who even at his advanced age plays a big role in the 49ers defensive scheme. The 49ers will hope to expose the weak defense of the Seahawks.

Week eight’s matchup will be enjoyable to watch nonetheless. It will be a strong defense in the 49ers going up against a weak defense for the Seahawks. Seattle has a strong offense that will rival the trickery the 49ers can present on that side of the ball.

The matchup is set for 1:25 PST on Sunday in Seattle.

My Pick: Although I believe the Seahawks will be motivated, I think the determination of the 49ers will win out. The 49ers have not been happy with where they sit in the division. Obviously injuries have played a big role in that, but I think a chance to match the first place Seahawks win total so far will be a motivating factor. 49ers win 24-17.

Jeremiah does the 49ers previews each Wednesday and 49ers podcasts Saturday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Will Samuel and Wilson injuries lessen 49ers chances against Seahawks this Sunday?

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Deebo Samuel (19) wide receiver of the San Francisco 49ers is stopped by a New England Patriot defender during last Sun Oct 25th’s game at Foxboro (photo from Draft Kings Nation)

On the 49ers podcast with Dave:

#1 San Francisco wide receiver Deebo Samuel has a hamstring strain injury that will keep him out for the next two games against Seattle on Sunday and Nov 5th’s game against the Packers which he got during the 49ers visit to New England last Sunday.

#2 Running back Jeffrey Wilson who will be out a month got a high ankle injury in the Patriots visit on Sunday. Wilson who scored three touchdowns suffered the injury moments right after he scored the third touchdown in the game.

#3 Dave the 49ers have a short turnaround after Sunday’s game at Centurylink and host the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night. With the injuries the 49ers have will the short turnaround effect the team in their recovery.

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

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Barbara Mason: Raiders to review the defense after getting clobbered by Bucs

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The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates a touchdown pass to wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) in the first half of play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sun Oct 25, 2020 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (AP News photo)

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came into Vegas leaving very little doubt from the first half of Sunday’s game that they were going to make some noise all afternoon.

#2 The Bucs got to work early with quarterback Tom Brady carrying the ball for a yard for their first score at 5:41 in the first quarter and in the second quarter Brady threw to Ron Gronkowski and Scotty Miller for touchdowns and the Bucs came away with a 21-10 first half lead.

#3 The Raiders best defensive effort was the third quarter where they held the Bucs to only a field goal but the Bucs came out in the the fourth quarter with Brady throwing touchdown passes to Chris Godwin and Tyler Johnson and running back Ronald Jones II carried for a one yard touchdown and the Bucs came away with a convincing 45-20 win.

#4 The Raiders outside that third quarter just couldn’t contain Brady and the Buc O line gave Brady enough protection for him to accomplish four touchdowns in the game.

#5 The Raiders who dropped to 3-3 face the Cleveland Browns (5-2) next Sunday in Cleveland. The Browns after winning four straight games struggled in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers 38-7 in week 7 and last Sunday just got by the Cincinnati Bengals 37-34

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

49ers dismantle Patriots, 33-6, in Foxboro behind Jeff Wilson’s 3 TDs; four takeaways from the defense

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) gets the blocking in first half action against the New England Patriots on Sun Oct 25, 2020 in Foxboro. 49ers running back Jeffrey Wilson carried for three touchdowns in the contest. (AP News photo)

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

FOXBORO, MA — The San Francisco 49ers should enjoy the plane ride back to Santa Clara, after earning a 33-6 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday evening at a fan-less Gillette Stadium.

The 49ers (4-3) keeps pace in a stacked NFC West as they will now enter a pivotal Week 8 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. San Francisco may have to travel to Seattle without two key players in wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring) and running back Jeff Wilson (ankle), both leaving Sunday’s win with injuries and didn’t return to the game.

For the second straight game, the 49ers scored a TD on their opening possession. Last week, San Francisco marched down the field on the Los Angeles Rams and scored a TD to quickly claim a 7-0 lead.

This week, the 49ers set the tone of the game by finishing off a nine-play 75-yard drive with the first of Wilson’s three TDs in the game. In the first half, head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense racked up 301 yards of production and claimed a 23-3 lead at halftime.

Wilson was the workhorse for the 49ers, who were thin at running back with both Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman out with injuries. San Francisco listed Wilson as questionable for the game after sitting out the previous two games with a calf injury. In a surprising move, Wilson got his third career start and didn’t disappoint as he posted a career-high in rushing yards.

All in the first half.

Wilson, whose previous career-best was 90 yards against the Denver Broncos late in the 2018 season, rushed for 92 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries in 30 minutes of action. He finished with 17 carries for 112 yards and a career-best three touchdowns before exiting the game with an ankle injury in the middle of the third quarter.

Wilson was taken to the 49ers locker room on a cart. He was injured on a 7-yard scoring run that gave the 49ers a commanding 30-6 lead.

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo played good, but not great in his return to Foxboro. The former Patriot backup signal caller completed 20 of 25 pass attempts for 277 yards (with two interceptions in the first half).

Garoppolo made plays early, converting a third-and-3 after breaking a tackle in the backfield to pick up four yards. He also connected on sharp passes to Samuel for 23- and 14-yard gains to keep drives alive. Garoppolo had completions to six different receivers, but it was rookie wideout Brandon Aiyuk who benefited the most.

Aiyuk finished with a career-high six receptions for 115 yards.

San Francisco did a tremendous job in controlling the clock in the game, dominating the time of possession over the Patriots (38:23-21:37) while picking up 26 first downs to just 17 for New England, and racking up 467 yards of total offense.

The 49ers ran 63 offensive plays, compared to just 49 by the Patriots, who looked anemic for the entirety of the game.

Garoppolo got the better result in his head-to-head matchup with Cam Newton, who had a rough performance completing just nine of 15 pass attempts for 98 yards an three interceptions. Newton was benched in the second half and replaced by backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham.

San Francisco’s defense put the clamps on Newton and the Patriots’ offense.

The 49ers limited New England to just 241 yards and 1 for 6 on third downs. New England’s scoring consisted of two Nick Folk field goals from 40 and 41 yards.

49ers middle linebacker Fred Warner, who is making a strong case for Defensive Player of the Year, has been a lifesaver for San Francisco this season. Warner was all over the field, leading the team with seven tackles and one of the four interceptions by the defense. Warner’s second quarter interception was his second on the season.

Cornerbacks Emmanuel Moseley (one) and Jamar Taylor (two) had the other interceptions for the 49ers.

With the Niners holding a 20-point lead at halftime, the Patriots had just 59 yards of total offense.

Meanwhile, the Patriots (2-4) have lost three games in a row for the first time since 2002. The 27-point loss at home was the worse under head coach Bill Belichick.