Category: San Francisco 49ers

NFL Sunday: Recipients for Week 3 Game Balls

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Photo credit: si.com

By Joe Hawkes
SRS Contributor

With the Chicago Bears visiting the Nation’s capitol to take on Washington to close out Week 3 on ESPN’s Monday Night Football, Sunday’s games had some big-time performances that stood out to me headlined by a rookie quarterback, a dynamic running back, and a vastly improved defense.

Here are my game ball recipients for Week 3:

Offensive game balls – QB: Daniel Jones, New York Giants; RB: Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers

The Giants needed a spark after dropping their first two games of the season.

The decision to bench two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning in favor for rookie quarterback Daniel Jones could prove to be the right one that saves the Big Blue’s season.

Jones, the sixth overall pick by the Giants in this year’s NFL draft, threw for 336 and two touchdowns and also ran for two more scores, including the go-ahead score with 1:16 left in the fourth quarter to give New York its much needed first win of the year, 32-31, on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

New York rallied from an 18-point halftime deficit with Jones at the controls of the Giants’ comeback. He scored on a 7-yard run in the second quarter that gave the Giants the lead, then he put New York ahead with another 7-yard run on fourth-and-goal.

As well as he ran the football, it was his arm that Jones really made his mark. Jones would hookup with tight end Evan Engram for a 75-yard TD on New York’s first play of the second half. Then, the former Duke signal-caller would find wide receiver Sterling Shepard for a 7-yard score midway through the fourth quarter.

One word to describe Jones’s demeanor throughout the game: poised.

Jones didn’t let the moment get too big for him in his debut, finishing 23 of 36 passes with no interceptions.

Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey racked up a Week 3 high 153 yards on yards on 24 carries, which aided hugely in Carolina’s 38-20 road victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday without starting quarterback Cam Newton.

Like the Giants earning their first win of the year, the Panthers earned their first win of 2019 behind a strong showing by McCaffrey.

With the Panthers clinging to a 21-20 lead midway in the third quarter, McCaffrey’s 76-yard TD run through the middle of Arizona’s defense kept Carolina in complete control of the game.

Through three games this year, McCaffrey ranks second in rushing behind Minnesota’s Dalvin Cook (375 yards and 4 TDs) with 318 yards and three TDs.

Defensive game ball – The entire San Francisco 49ers defense.

Listen, when your offense committed five turnovers (including three fumbles inside your own 25-yard line), and only allowed six points off those turnovers?

Credit the defense.

San Francisco’s offense gave everything away but the game, committing four turnovers in the first half alone then lost a fumble in the fourth quarter before holding on to a 24-20 win at Levi’s Stadium thanks to its vastly improved defense.

The 49ers spoiled rookie quarterback Mason Rudolph’s first career start in place of the injured Ben Roethlisberger for the winless Steelers (0-3). San Francisco limited Pittsburgh to 3 of 12 on third downs and held the Steelers to just 79 yards rushing.

Sure wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster (76-yard TD in the third quarter) and Diontae Johnson (39-yard TD in the fourth quarter) stunned the 49ers, but San Francisco’s defense did force two takeaways (an interception and fumble recovery) leading to 14 points by its much maligned offense, including the go-ahead TD from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to wide receiver Dante Pettis with 1:15 left in the fourth quarter.

For the first time since 1998, the 49ers (3-0) are undefeated through the first quarter of the season.

Niners Improve to 3-0 with 24-20 Victory, Despite Five Turnovers

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photo from sfgate.com: Dante Pettis #18 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Levi’s Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Santa Clara, California

By Joe Lami

SANTA CLARA — For the first time since 1998, the San Francisco 49ers have started a season 3-0. In a wild home opener Sunday, the Niners outlasted the Big Ben-less Steelers in a 24-20 win.

Despite turning the ball over five times, including three times in the red zone, the Niners were able to hold off Pittsburgh thanks to a last-minute touchdown throw from Jimmy Garoppolo to Dante Pettis.

It would be Garoppolo’s only TD pass of the game, but it came at the perfect time to overcome the sloppy first half and secure the victory. Garoppolo finished the game 22 of 32 for 277 yards, the touchdown, and two interceptions.

Garoppolo threw picks to TJ Watt and newly acquired Minkah Fitzpatrick in 49ers territory in the first half. The Steelers starting positions were the 33 and 24-yard lines, but San Francisco’s defense showed the bend, don’t break style we’ve seen through the first two weeks to force field goals, holding Pittsburgh to just six points.

Despite going into intermission with a -4 turnover differential, the Niners only trailed 6-3 at halftime, giving the offense new life and confidence.

The Niners came out to score the game’s first touchdown on their opening drive on the second half. Jeff Wilson Jr. ran in his first of two scores from one-yard out, bringing his season total to four since coming off the practice squad.

The Steelers offense was held to 239 total yards, with 76 of them coming on one play in the third quarter. Mason Rudolph, making his first career start, connected with JuJu Smith-Schuster for the Steeler’s first TD of the day. Smith-Schuster beat Ahkello Witherspoon over the top and on a crossing route and carried it the rest of the way to make it 13-10 at the time.

The Niners answered right back on their next drive, going 75 yards in ten plays setting up Wilson Jr.’s second rushing score of the game to re-take the lead 17-10.

The Steelers didn’t go down quietly. After Witherspoon went down with a foot injury in the fourth quarter, Rudolph attacked his replacement Jason Verrett on consecutive plays. Verrett first took a pass interference penalty that cost the Niners 32 yards and then was beat on a 39-yard pass to Diontae Johnson for the rookie’s first career touchdown.

Rudolph played decent in his first start, passing 14 of 27 for 174 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception from K’Waun Williams. The Niners front seven did a great job slowing down the Steelers’ run, holding James Conner to just 43 yards on 13 carries.

The Steelers held the 20-17 late into the fourth quarter when the 49ers were driving. With the ball at the PIT 11-yard line, San Francisco’s turnover bug hit again, and a wonky snap went off the motion man for the Niner’s fifth turnover.

But once again, the defense didn’t let that bother them, buckling down for a huge forced turnover. Just a minute later, Arik Armstead forced James Conner fumble that was recovered by DeForest Buckner. The turnover allowed the 49ers to set up at the Steelers’ 24-yard line, setting up the game-winning score.

San Francisco’s defense has been the revelation in this young season. The newly acquired defensive line is doing precisely what Robert Saleh’s scheme is meant to do. Creating havoc and causing turnovers, the Niners have already matched 2018’s turnover total of seven in just the first three games.

Side Notes:

Justin Skule played excellent, protecting Garoppolo’s blind side in his rookie debut. The Vandy sixth-round product did take three bad penalties late in the third that luckily didn’t cost San Francisco. “Those were costly penalties at pretty bad times. I had a couple of good things, but I am going to learn from it all from the tape and move on,” Skule said.

Skule and company have a couple of weeks before their next action. Heading into the early week four bye, the Niners return to action October 7th on Monday night at home against the Browns.

When asked about heading into a bye with a 3-0 record, everyone had the same generic answer. They aren’t thrilled having a bye week this early and with the potential of having it kill momentum but see the value in getting healthy and more bodies back before the second quarter of the season.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: Ford day-to-day from knee injury; Garoppolo says team is pushing for next win; plus more

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Photo credit: sfchronicle.com

On the 49ers podcast with Joe:

#1 Dee Ford, a Pro Bowl pass rusher who missed the second half of Sunday’s game in Cincinnati due to knee tendinitis and also the early part of training camp, suffered from a healing knee injury. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that Ford is day-to-day and has a chance to get in against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday.

#2 Safety Jaquiski Tartt is suffering a toe injury. Shanahan said that Tartt’s injury is not a turf toe injury.

#3 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said the 49ers have seen the worst of the worst in past years and said with that in mind, the team is this year will not take it’s foot off the pedal and said it’s what’s pushing them.

#4 A 2-0 start both wins on the road the 49ers really look forward to this week’s game with the Steelers. The Steelers are spending their first week without injured quarterback Ben Roethisberger and adjusting to life without former Steeler receiver Antonio Brown.

#5 The Steelers are 0-2. It’s early, but is it a reflection of who they are or do they have a quarterback and a receiver who can give them their confidence back?

Joe does the San Francisco 49ers podcast each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Niners look to stay unbeaten vs. shorthanded Steelers

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Photo credit: ninersnation.com

By Jeremy Harness

The 49ers are in a position that they have not been in since their Super Bowl year of 2012, as they are 2-0 and have a great chance to extend that win streak as they get ready to take on their rivals in the NFC West.

And they’ll have a reeling, hurting Pittsburgh Steelers team traveling across the country to face them at Levi’s Stadium Sunday.

However, just a note here: Pittsburgh has ended a 49ers winning streak before. The Niners won their first six games of the 1984 season until the Steelers pulled off a 20-17 upset win at Candlestick Park.

The 49ers did not lose another game that year, which culminated with the second Super Bowl victory in franchise history, a 38-16 win over the Miami Dolphins.

However, they do have some injury concerns going into Sunday.

Defensive end Dee Ford is listed as day-to-day with a quad injury, and he did not practice Wednesday. Among the others who were sidelined for Wednesday’s practice were receivers Trent Taylor (foot) and Jalen Hurd (back), starting back Tevin Coleman and safety Jaquiski Tartt (toe), who is listed as day-to-day but is expected to play against the Steelers.

Tackle Joe Staley suffered a broken tibia during Sunday’s game, and he is expected to be out for several weeks.

However serious the 49ers’ injury situation currently is, it pales in comparison to what’s going on in Pittsburgh. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger injured his elbow in Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks and has been forced to have season-ending surgery on his throwing elbow.

Mason Rudolph took over for Roethlisberger following the injury, and he is expected to be under center Sunday. The Steelers selected Rudolph in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft and was the third quarterback that season before being elevated to the backup job before the start of this season.

Meanwhile, cornerback Joe Haden, whom the Steelers recently signed to a multi-year extension, did not practice Wednesday as he recovers from a shoulder ailment. Meanwhile, former 49ers tight end Vance McDonald was limited in practice Wednesday with a back injury.

Starting running back James Conner was held out of practice Wednesday while nursing a knee injury, but the team fully expects him, as well as Haden, to start against the 49ers.

Headline Sports podcast with Barbara Mason: Can Garoppolo, 49ers do it again with the offense this Sunday?; How concerned is Gruden about Raider defense?; plus more

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On Headlines Sports podcast with Barbara:

#1 For the San Francisco 49ers, the offense gained 527 yards rushing and the defense stopped the Cincinnati Bengals ground game.

#2 The Raiders couldn’t hold Kansas City’s offense as they scored four touchdowns in the second quarter in the Raiders’ 28-10 loss to the Chiefs.

#3 The Oakland A’s Matt Chapman lets it rip. He belted a home run that help set an Oakland franchise record for 244 home runs surpassing the A’s 1996 all-time record for home runs in a season

#4 San Francisco commuters on the 8 City College Muni line were held hostage to horrible traffic conditions in what may be more congestion issues to come at the home of the Golden State Warriors. The Dave Matthews Band held a concert there last Tuesday, September 10th and Muni pulled most of it’s buses from the 8 City College lines, which forced commuters to find other alternative ways to get home. The move allowed concert goers and traffic to move the public smoothly in and out of Chase, but at the cost of making commuters trying to figure how to get home on another line, that pulled almost all of its service to facilitate concert goers to Chase.

#5 He may be the victim of collusion and never will throw a ball again in the NFL, but former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is being recognized for his recent commercial with Nike, which just won an Emmy Award at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmy Awards. Kaepernick’s commercial addresses his activism and bringing up issues and achievements in promoting diversity and calling out racism and discrimination.

Join Barbara on Headline Sports each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Simply put, 49ers put this one out of reach

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Photo credit: mercurynews.com

On the 49ers podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 The 49ers were all about the offense on Sunday in Cincinnati. The key quarter was when the 49ers got two touchdowns and pretty much put the Bengals away for the afternoon.

#2 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo went 18-27 for 166 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Jimmy G was feeling it on Sunday, wasn’t he?

David Zizmor doesn’t miss a beat. Catch Dave each Tuesday for the 49ers podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

49ers Win Huge 41-17; Start Season with Perfect Road Trip

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photo from sfgate.com: Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers runs for a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

By Joe Lami

After not winning a single road game last year, the 49ers are off to a perfect start to their 2019 season. On Sunday, they impressively manhandled the Cincinnati Bengals 41-17 in their largest offensive road output since 2014 marking a complete 2-0 road trip.

The onslaught started early, as the defense quickly forced a three-and-out, giving the offense great starting field position on the first drive. The Niners easily capitalized as Jimmy Garoppolo found Marquise Goodwin wide open for a 38-yard score.

Garoppolo flashed what excited the faithful in late 2017 in a dominant performance, throwing three touchdowns on 17 of 25 passing for 297 yards. The Bengals challenged Jimmy G by trying to shut down his top target, George Kittle, but he spread the ball around incredibly well, finding three different receivers for scores and eight different pass catchers for receptions.

Rookie Debo Samuel led the way with five catches for 87 yards and his first career touchdown. Goodwin finished with three catches for 77 yards and a score, while Mostert got four balls out of the backfield for 68 yards and a score. Kittled finished with three catches on three targets for 54 yards.

Garoppolo had one throw he’d like back, throwing a terrible interception while targeting Richie James Jr. in triple coverage.

The passing attack was set up all by the rush, as the 49ers had their best rushing game under Kyle Shanahan, totaling 259 yards. Matt Breida was a monster, rushing for 121 yards on 12 carries, including one rush that reminisced Barry Sanders. Raheem Mostert carried 13 times for 83 yards, while Jeff Wilson Jr. came off the practice squad for ten carries, 34 yards, and two touchdowns.

On defense, the front seven was all over Andy Dalton, sacking him four times, while Kwon Alexander picked up his first interception as a Niner. They held Dalton to 311 yards, on 26 of 42 passes for two touchdowns. Dalton depended upon Tyler Boyd and John Ross as his two main targets, as both combined for 14 catches, 234 yards, and a score.

However, the Niners did lose Joe Staley with a broken left fibula in the win. He’s expected to miss six to eight weeks, and it remains to be seen on whether or not he’ll be placed on the IR. After losing swing tackle Shon Coleman in the pre-season, the Niners may seek free agency or a trade to replace their all-pro left tackle.

At 2-0, the Niners now return home to host the 0-2 Steelers in their home opener. The Steelers lost 28-26 to Seattle on Sunday, very similar to Seattle’s 21-20 win over the Bengals in week one.

Join Joe for 49ers coverage each week and podcast commentary each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

49ers Win Huge 41-17; Start Season with Perfect Road Trip

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photo from sfgate.com: Marquise Goodwin #11 of the San Francisco 49ers runs for a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

By Joe Lami

After not winning a single road game last year, the 49ers are off to a perfect start to their 2019 season. On Sunday, they impressively manhandled the Cincinnati Bengals 41-17 in their largest offensive road output since 2014 marking a complete 2-0 road trip.

The onslaught started early, as the defense quickly forced a three-and-out, giving the offense great starting field position on the first drive. The Niners easily capitalized as Jimmy Garoppolo found Marquise Goodwin wide open for a 38-yard score.

Garoppolo flashed what excited the faithful in late 2017 in a dominant performance, throwing three touchdowns on 17 of 25 passing for 297 yards. The Bengals challenged Jimmy G by trying to shut down his top target, George Kittle, but he spread the ball around incredibly well, finding three different receivers for scores and eight different pass catchers for receptions.

Rookie Debo Samuel led the way with five catches for 87 yards and his first career touchdown. Goodwin finished with three catches for 77 yards and a score, while Mostert got four balls out of the backfield for 68 yards and a score. Kittled finished with three catches on three targets for 54 yards.

Garoppolo had one throw he’d like back, throwing a terrible interception while targeting Richie James Jr. in triple coverage.

The passing attack was set up all by the rush, as the 49ers had their best rushing game under Kyle Shanahan, totaling 259 yards. Matt Breida was a monster, rushing for 121 yards on 12 carries, including one rush that reminisced Barry Sanders. Raheem Mostert carried 13 times for 83 yards, while Jeff Wilson Jr. came off the practice squad for ten carries, 34 yards, and two touchdowns.

On defense, the front seven was all over Andy Dalton, sacking him four times, while Kwon Alexander picked up his first interception as a Niner. They held Dalton to 311 yards, on 26 of 42 passes for two touchdowns. Dalton depended upon Tyler Boyd and John Ross as his two main targets, as both combined for 14 catches, 234 yards, and a score.

However, the Niners did lose Joe Staley with a broken left fibula in the win. He’s expected to miss six to eight weeks, and it remains to be seen on whether or not he’ll be placed on the IR. After losing swing tackle Shon Coleman in the pre-season, the Niners may seek free agency or a trade to replace their all-pro left tackle.

At 2-0, the Niners now return home to host the 0-2 Steelers in their home opener. The Steelers lost 28-26 to Seattle on Sunday, very similar to Seattle’s 21-20 win over the Bengals in week one.

Join Joe for 49ers coverage each week and podcast commentary each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: 49ers get big hand from defense, can they stop Bengals this Sunday?

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Photo credit: fox13news.com

On the 49ers podcast with Joe:

#1 49ers got what they wanted from their defense and they forced four turnovers and two pick sixes. It was a tailor-made afternoon in Tampa Bay.

#2 As you stated in your postgame recap on Sunday, the defense carried the weight of the 49ers for the win

#3 For quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo: 18-27, 166 yards, a touchdown and a pick six.

#4 Talk about the hit on Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston when the 49ers’ Kwon Alexander went helmet to helmet with Jameis, Alexander said it was an accident, the officials said it was intentional and ejected Alexander who got the game ball.

#5 The 49ers are now headed to Cincinnati for Week 2 and to take a shot at winning two straight. Could they do it?

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

Niners look to ride great defense to second win

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Photo credit: ninersnation.com

By Jeremy Harness

The 49ers didn’t bring their best offense to the party last Sunday, but the defense stood out and made a statement, and that was enough to get a win on the road to open the 2019 season.

In order to make the travel a little lighter, the team is staying in Youngstown, Oh., this week in preparation to face the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium this Sunday.

The Bengals had a very good showing on the road at Seattle, although they did come out of it with a loss. Quarterback Andy Dalton threw for more than 400 yards against the Seahawks defense, and receiver John Ross had a breakout game with two touchdowns.

So the 49ers defense will have a challenge on its hands, particularly in the secondary. A year ago, the secondary struggled in coverage, but 2019 seems like a different year, particular after a pair of pick-sixes against Tampa Bay in Week 1.

The Niners, however, have been dealt yet another injury setback at the running back position. Tevin Coleman suffered a high ankle sprain last Sunday and will not play against the Bengals. He is said to be out a couple of weeks ago, but based on the nature of a high ankle sprain, expect Coleman to miss a significantly longer amount of time.

This means that Matt Breida and Raheem Mostert, who flashed in Sunday’s game, will be expected to get most of the snaps against Cincinnati.

Speaking of high ankle sprains, defensive end Nick Bosa is still feeling the effects of his injury – which kept him out most of training camp and all of the preseason – and only played a handful of snaps on Sunday. He did not practice on Wednesday and is questionable for the game at Cincinnati.

The Bengals are missing a few key pieces, too. Receiver A.J Green will not play Sunday while still recovering from an ankle injury he suffered early in the preseason, while Bay Area native Joe Mixon is questionable with an ankle injury of his own, which he sustained against Seattle.

He didn’t practice Wednesday and is listed as day-to-day.