Photo credit: nbcsports.com
On the San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe:
#1 Dante Pettis, the 49ers wide receiver, is looking forward to returning to action. The second round rookie pick missed the last three games due to a knee injury.
#2 Pettis is glad to be getting back into the line up this Sunday in Arizona. Pettis said this is the first time he’s missed any games in his entire career.
#3 Running back Matt Breida is out with an ankle injury and didn’t practice this week, but head coach Kyle Shanahan said he’s a possibility for Sunday.
#4 Wide receiver Pierre Garcon is doubtful for this Sunday Garcon out with a knee injury, Richard Sherman (calf) and Jimmie Ward (hamstring) Sherman and Ward had a light practice this week.
#5 The 49ers and Cardinals match up this Sunday. Joe also goes over the 49ers next three games, which they are expected to win.
Joe does the 49ers podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsrasdioservice.com
Photo credit: ninerswire.usatoday.com
By Jeremy Harness
The last time the 49ers saw the Arizona Cardinals, they were embarrassed on their home field by a then-winless team, thus solidifying a lost season that hopes for a brighter future.
Since then, the Cardinals were blown out at home by a 2-4 Denver Broncos team, making the loss even worse.
The 49ers have a chance to gain a bit of redemption Sunday afternoon as they go on the road to face Arizona, a team that is now in complete disarray. To highlight matters, rookie Josh Rosen has struggled as the team’s new starting quarterback, and All Pro corner Patrick Peterson has expressed a strong desire to be traded away.
There are no such issues or drama in Santa Clara, but the injury situation remains the same.
Running back Matt Breida went down with another ankle injury in last Sunday’s blowout loss to the Rams, and he did not practice Wednesday because if it. At press time, he is questionable to play at Arizona this Sunday.
However, coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that Breida’s condition has improved in the days following Sunday’s game, holding out hope that he could see action this weekend.
Meanwhile, receiver Pierre Garcon, who has contributed next to nothing this season, is doubtful to play against the Cardinals as he is dealing with a knee injury.
On the defensive side, there was good news and bad news. Cornerback Jimmie Ward made his way back to the practice field on Wednesday while working his way back from a hamstring ailment, but safety Adrian Colbert was placed on the injured-reserve list this week with a high ankle sprain.
He will be eligible to return for Week 16, per injured-reserve rules, but there is no telling if he will play once he is eligible.
For the Cardinals, the biggest names on the injury report are receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who did not practice Wednesday with a hamstring injury, while safety Tre Boston was held out of practice while he deals with shoulder and rib ailments.
photo from ninersnation.com: San Francisco 49ers quarterback CJ Beathard had to run for his life all day against the Los Angeles Rams at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday
On the San Francisco 49ers podcast with David:
#1 San Francisco 49ers quarterback CJ Beathard fumbled once, was picked off twice and threw for 15-27, 170 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions in a 39-10 loss to the LA Rams.
#2 Beathard got sacked eight times and it seems like the 49ers’ offensive line didn’t give him much protection.
David does the 49ers podcast each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Photo credit: @49ers
By: Joe Lami
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The expectations for the 49ers heading into Sunday’s contest against the undefeated Rams at Levi’s Stadium were low. Yet, San Francisco still failed to meet them after getting destroyed by Los Angeles 39-10 to drop their fifth straight.
Turnovers continue to be the driving force of mediocrity, as the 49ers coughed the ball up four more times. Three of which came from CJ Beathard, who fumbled once and was picked off twice. The Rams also capitalized, scoring 24 points off turnovers on Sunday.
Not everything can be put on Beathard since he was sacked eight times and hit a total of 11 times.
Aaron Donald led the way for the Rams with an insane game, as he completely dominated the line, finishing with nine tackles, four sacks, five QB hits, and six tackles for loss.
Despite the line entirely getting owned all game, Beathard did nothing to better his circumstances and looked as frozen as the Joe Montana and Dwight Clark statues erected at Levi’s to commemorate “The Catch” on Sunday.
“[The turnovers] are something I need to find out. It’s inexcusable,” said 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.
However, that should’ve happened weeks ago. The 49ers now stand in dead last in the NFL in turnover differential, now -15 in just seven weeks and are now on pace to be one of the worst teams in NFL history.
The lone bright spot on offense was once again George Kittle. The tight end caught five passes for 98 yards and San Francisco’s lone touchdown just before the half.
It’s a good thing Kittle showed up too because the wide receivers were nowhere to be seen catching a total of four passes for 35 yards between Goodwin, Garcon, and Taylor.
The defense wasn’t horrible for San Francisco but also received zero help from the offense. They held the Rams offense to 331 total yards, but mostly because of the great field position handed to them.
Jarred Goff made his return to the Bay, passing for 202 yards on 18 completions and two touchdowns. He spread the ball around with Robert Woods, and Brandin Cooks each catching four balls for 65 and 63 yards respectively.
Todd Gurley rushed the ball 15 times for 63 yards and two scores. He also was featured a lot in the passing game, catching four passes for 23 yards and a score.
The 49ers learned how much further they need to go before they’re even considered a contender after being embarrassed by the best team in the league. But, hey. It could’ve been worse. At least this game was flexed out of primetime.
Injuries
Rueben Foster sprained his right shoulder in the fourth quarter. It’s the same shoulder he had surgery on in the off-season. Hopefully, it’s not severe.
Adrian Colbert got carted off the field in the third quarter with an ankle sprain but was later seen on the sidelines wearing a baseball cap.
Up Next
The 49ers head to State Farm Stadium to take on the Cardinals next Sunday at 1:25 pm PT on FOX.
Photo credit: @49ers
On the San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe:
#1 The injuries continue to mount for the San Francisco 49ers. They’re getting ready to face an undefeated team, the LA Rams.
#2 49ers receiver Marquise Goodwin scored twice in the final seconds of the loss Monday night in Green Bay.
#3 The 49ers will put Goodwin to work against the Rams. They’ll need all the offensive support they could get.
#4 The 49ers’ Matt Breida scored a touchdown. He has a shoulder and ankle injury and could be back this Sunday.
#5 On the defense, Richard Sherman was out with a calf injury for two games. How has Sherman been progressing?
Joe joins the 49ers podcast each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Photo credit: @49ers
By Jeremy Harness
SANTA CLARA–While the injury report keeps growing for the ailing San Francisco 49ers, there is a slither of hope on the horizon versus the undefeated Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Receiver Marquise Goodwin is one guy who can take the top off of any defense, and he certainly did that Monday night in Green Bay, going for two scores in a final-seconds loss to the Packers.
The 49ers will need everything that he’s got if they are to have a chance against the Rams, who are coming off a narrow win in Seattle to stretch their record to 6-0.
It is possible that the 49ers could get fellow receiver Dante Pettis back this week, as he did practice in a limited fashion on Wednesday while recovering from the knee injury he suffered against the Chargers.
Another guy the team will desperately need is someone like Matt Breida, who scored a touchdown against the Packers despite suffering from shoulder and ankle injuries, the latter he suffered the week before against Arizona and made him questionable against Green Bay.
Breida appears that he will be able to play Sunday as well, as he was limited in practice on Wednesday.
On the defensive side of the ball, however, the 49ers are hurting, particularly in the secondary. Richard Sherman has made his way back on the field after a calf injury kept him out of a couple of games earlier in the year, but some of his teammates in the defensive backfield do not look like they will play.
Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, who has been a prime target of opposing quarterbacks all season, suffered a concussion Monday night and did not practice on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Jimmie Ward and K’Waun Williams are dealing with hamstring and shoulder ailments, respectively, and those injuries kept them out of practice entirely.
For the Rams, the significant player on the injury report is Cooper Kupp, who did not practice Wednesday with a knee injury and is not expected to play Sunday. Meanwhile, defensive lineman Michael Brockers did not practice Wednesday with a knee injury, and he is questionable against the 49ers.
Photo credit: @SacramentoKings
On the Headline Sports podcast with London:
#1 London will be covering the Sacramento Kings opener at Golden 1 Center as the Kings host the Utah Jazz. London talks about all the excitement surrounding opening night.
#2 The San Francisco 49ers lost a crucial close game to the Green Bay Packers 33-30 in a game that went right down to the wire. Is this game viewed as an improvement game for San Francisco?
#3 It’s a series that has gone back and forth that saw the Red Sox win game one and the Astros in game two and now the Sox in game three. There’s no doubt the two best teams in the American League battling in the ALCS.
#4 With the Golden State Warriors losing four of their five preseason games, any indication that this Warriors team is getting older slowing down and show signs of fatigue or they just didn’t show all their cards in the preseason? Looks like they answered that question with a big win over the OKC Thunder on Tuesday night.
#5 The Oakland Raiders’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in London was one of the low points of this season. With the team at 1-5, is this team getting away from head coach Jon Gruden?
London has Headline Sports each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Photo credit: @CBSSportsHQ
By: Joe Lami
Absolutely gut-wrenching, the only words to explain the San Francisco 49ers’ toughest loss of the season, as a late heroic comeback from Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers beats the 49ers 33-30 at Lambeau Field on Monday Night Football.
“We had every opportunity to win and finish the game and didn’t get it done,” said 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.
He’s exactly right. The 49ers did have every chance to get it done in front of a nationwide audience. He called an electric first half of football, where the 49ers went into the break leading 24-20, despite coughing the ball up twice. 290 yards of offense, led by great outside running from both Raheem Mostert and Matt Breida.
The run set up the pass. C.J. Beathard had a near-perfect passer rating in the first half, including two deep strikes to Marquise Goodwin that went for scores of 67 yards and 30 yards, respectively. Goodwin’s 114 receiving yards in the first half were the most from a 49ers’ receiver in over five years.
Everything was set-up from discipline. The 49ers committed only one penalty in the first half for five yards. Things were looking good for the red and gold and appearing like they were about to steal one at Lambeau, and then the second half happened.
The 49ers were just unable to put this game away, despite a great second half from the defense. The front seven came alive for the first time all season, finishing with three sacks, seven QB hits, and seven tackles for loss.
The defense just didn’t get the help from the offense in the second half, as they were only able to muster up six points and were unable to move the ball in the fourth to put the game away when they still had a 30-23 lead.
The fourth could’ve gone as bad as possible for San Francisco. Terrible play calling and horrendous game management saw 27 yards of total offense in the fourth capped by three consecutive three-and-outs to close the game.
The 49ers could’ve gotten past the 27 yards of offense in the fourth, but decided to throw the ball instead of run the clock out and gave way too much time to one of the best passers in the history of the NFL.
Down by seven with 3:00 left, Rodgers went on a quick 1:05 five-play drive that found Devante Adams in the end-zone to tie things at 30, still giving San Francisco a shot.
Even better, a great return by Richie James capped by a personal foul penalty put the ball at San Francisco’s 47-yard line. San Francisco pushed the ball to the Green Bay 46-yard line and on 3rd and three, Shanahan called for a deep ball instead of a short pass to attempt to pick up the first down with three timeouts in his back pocket.
The deep ball was picked off, and once again, San Francisco put the ball into the hands of Rodgers at his own 10 with no timeouts.
The defense stood tall initially and even got a sack on third down from DeForest Buckner, but was taken away by their second penalty of the game, as Richard Sherman was whistled for illegal contact.
That was one mistake too many, as Rodgers torched the San Francisco defense, especially picking on Greg Mabin, who entered the game for an injured Jimmie Ward.
The 49ers’ defense was unable to protect the sidelines, allowing Green Bay to march down the field setting up a 27-yard Mason Crosby walk-off field goal.
The players sure don’t deserve this loss in their best performance of the season. Breida finished with 61 yards on 14 carries. Mostert had a tremendous bounce-back performance picking up 87 yards on 12 explosive carries. Goodwin caught four of five targets for 126 yards and two scores, while George Kittle caught four passes for 60 yards. Beathard finished the game 16-of-23 for 245, two scores, and a pick.
This one solely rests on the shoulders of Shanahan, who relived his epic Super Bowl collapse and once again showed his inability to protect a lead and close out a game.
The season can now go in two directions. The 49ers can build off an incredible game that saw one of the best quarterbacks of our generation comeback for an epic win or they can collapse in the abyss.
The 49ers’ road doesn’t get any easier, as they’ll host the undefeated Rams on Sunday at 1:25 pm PT on CBS.
Sports Radio Service 