Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Bosa still waiting to hear from NFL on MAGA hat discipline; Can Raiders turn the tide in Cincinnati Sunday?; plus more news

San Francisco 49ers Nick Bosa points to his MAGA hat standing behind sideline reporter Melissa Stark (left) and quarterback Brock Purdy (13) after the Dallas Cowboys-49ers game on Sun Oct 27, 2024 at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara (NBC Sunday Night Football still)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie, the San Francisco 49ers pass rusher Nick Bosa is still waiting to hear from the NFL whether he would be fined or not by the league for appearing in a live TV shot post game while teammate and quarterback Brock Purdy was being interviewed with teammates tight end George Kittle and running back Isaac Guerendo were standing with sideline reporter Malissa Stark. Bosa in the shot was pointing to his MAGA that was white with gold lettering.

#2 The Las Vegas Raiders are trying to recover after last week’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders took a seven point loss 27-20 after the Chiefs picked up some insurance points in the fourth quarter with a field goal and a touchdown after leading the Raiders by just four points 17-13. The Raiders now face the Cincinnati Bengals today the Bengals have won three of their last four games and are banking on quarterback Joe Burrow to deliver last week in the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles Burrow was 26-37 for 234 yards, one touchdown and was intercepted once. Charlie how do you see this match up?

#3 Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stafanski said that quarterback Deshaun Watson is back at the Browns facility after suffering a season ending Achilles injury where Watson had surgery performed after a week 7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Stafanski said that Watson is rehabbing after a tough surgery and that’s he’s scooting around the building and that Watson plans to attack the rehab.

#4 The New York Jets wide receiver Devante Adams was excited to join his new team and get things started on last Thursday Night Football’s game against the Houston Texans in a 21-13 win. Adams ended up catching a 37 yard pass from quarterback Aaron Rogers for a touchdown his first as a Jet.

#5 Charlie let me read to you a list of Raiders minority owner Tom Brady’s restrictions. #1 Not permitted to be in another team’s facility.#2 Can not attend another team’s practice. #3 Can not attend in-person or virtual broadcast production meetings with coaches or players. #4 Can not publicly criticize officials and other clubs. #5 Must follow the NFL’s gambling policy. Are these rules in place because he’s a co-owner of the Raiders and since he’s part of the management of the club these restrictions are put upon him to avoid a conflict of interest?

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Will 49ers get NY Giants Darius Slayton in their wide receiver search

The San Francisco 49ers might be interested in obtaining the services of New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (86) to replace the injured 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Slayton is listed with a thumb injury for week 4 (file photo New York Times)

On the SF 49ers podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 David taking a look at the some of the 49ers injuries we’ll start with running back Christian McCaffrey who is seeing a specialist in Germany for his Achillies tendinitis. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan says that he hopes that it will help seeing the specialist.

#2 The 49ers said they are looking to make a trade to find a replacement for wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Brandon Aiyuk is struggling and with Samuel out the 49ers are looking at making a move for the New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton. Slayton is listed with thumb injury for week 4. The 49ers are prepared to be without Samuel for the future.

#3 David, tight end George Kittle is out with hamstring soreness he sat for last Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. Do you see him sitting out for this Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.

Join David Zizmor for the San Francisco 49ers podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Will he stay or will he go Aiyuk has offer on the table from Steelers waiting

JANUARY 30: San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk (11) walks off the field after being defeated by the Los Angeles Rams during their NFC championship game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022. The Los Angeles Rams defeated the San Francisco 49ers 20-17. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

On the 49ers podcast with David:

#1 Reports have surfaced that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk does have a deal in place with the Pittsburgh Steelers pending approval of the 49ers. The 49ers might be trying to work something out with Aiyuk as they consider him one of the main key players to help them get to the post season. As of Tuesday Aiyuk has not been dealt to the Steelers.

#2 George Kittle said that they miss Aiyuk in practice but his absence gives a lot of the younger guys a lot of reps that they wouldn’t get otherwise if Aiyuk had been in all the practices.

#3 The San Francisco 49ers opened their first pre season with a 17-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans last Saturday in Tennessee. 49ers quarterback Joshua Dobbs was 14-20, 146 yards, and one interception. Although Dobbs is not a top contender for the starting job head coach Kyle Shanahan definitely wanted to get an idea what Dobbs can do. Dobbs didn’t throw an interception.

David Zizmor is a San Francisco 49ers analyst at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: Linebackers coach Holland fights through stage 3 cancer; Kittle expected back in the line up today

San Francisco 49ers linebackers coach Johnny Holland left talks practice plays with linebacker Fred Warner (54) and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (51) during practice in Santa Clara. (Mercury News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes:

#1 You can’t say the San Francisco 49ers as a whole organization is not only pulling for linebackers coach Johnny Holland who is battling stage 3 cancer and yet and still is up to coming to work everyday and working with the linebackers which all things considered is astonishing.

#2 Holland said he couldn’t even pronounce the name of the disease that he learned about rom team physican Dr. Tim McAdams which is multiple myeloma. Holland has said his faith has helped him and also kept him going.

#3 Tight end George Kittle has returned to the battlefield after his groin injury in early September. Kittle told reporters this week during practice he felt wonderful. Joe how crucial is it for the Niners to get Kittle back in the line up?

#4 This will be the first time that Kittle has played against the Denver Broncos the last time was 2018 in that game he caught seven passes for 210 yards and got an 85 yard touchdown. Do the 49ers expect Kittle to be sharp or a little rusty in today’s contest.

#5 Joe, it’s going to be noisy at Empower Field the fans at Mile High are almost like a 12th man for the Broncos. The 49ers are coming off a win against the Seattle Seahawks and the Broncos are coming off a win against the Houston Texans last Sunday.

Join Joe Hawkes for the 49ers podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers week 5 podcast with Joe Hawkes: Lance to start today for injured Garoppolo; Murray throwing lights out for Cardinals

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance and head coach Kyle Shanahan converse on the game plan during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks on Sun Oct 3, 2021 at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara. Lance will start against the Arizona Cardinals Sun Oct 10, 2021 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. (photo from AP News)

On the 49ers podcast with J Hawkes:

#1 Joe, San Francisco 49ers (2-2) quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo rested on Thursday sitting out practice as the 49ers get ready to face the Arizona Cardinals (4-0) at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. According to head coach Kyle Shanahan Garoppolo will rest for today’s game and Trey Lance will get the start .

#2 Garoppolo’s practice sessions if any has been very limited and Garoppolo has said that his calf injury still hurts to the point where he can’t push off and throw a pass.

#3 Shanahan said he wants to protect Garoppolo and George Kittle telling the media “sometimes you have to protect them from themselves” Shanahan said that Kittle is doubtful for today’s game in Arizona as well. What will it be like without Garoppolo and Kittle in the line up?

#4 Lance has looked good in practice and the few snaps he’s taken in the regular season how much of a test will this be with Lance being under center and starting the game against the Cardinals today?

#5 The Cardinals as a team that are a big test in of itself as they are 4-0 and quarterback Kyle Murray has been leaving defenses flat footed when he runs the keeper. Murray in Sunday’s last game against the Los Angeles Rams threw for 268 yards, two touchdowns and wasn’t intercepted and won the game convincingly 37-20. Missing some of the players to injuries will the 49ers be headed into a hornet’s nest today?

Joe Hawkes does the 49ers podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

49ers dominate early, hold off Lions late with 41-33

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo throws against the Detroit Lions defense in the second half of action at Ford Field in Detroit during week 1 Sun Sep 12, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

DETROIT, MI — The 49ers scored 17 unanswered points in two minutes in the second quarter, highlighted by a Dre Greenlaw interception return for a touchdown, but narrowly escaped with a 41-33 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

San Francisco (1-0) carried a 38-10 lead early in the fourth quarter and allowed the Lions to to score 23 straight points in a span of three minutes to pull within eight points. But with 12 seconds remaining in the game, the Lions turned the ball on downs at the San Francisco 24-yard line to thwart Detroit’s late rally.

49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo shook off a fumble on the first snap of the game, finished the game 17 of 25 for 314 yards. Garoppolo hooked up with wide receiver Deebo Samuel on a 78-yard touchdown pass after second-year cornerback Jeff Okudah stumbled in coverage.

“We got into a pretty good groove and we were rolling pretty good, but you want to finish better than that,” Garoppolo said. “There was a relaxation on the sideline.

“At the end of the day, it’s a win and we’re happy with that.”

The scoring play gave the 49ers a 28-point lead midway through the third quarter, which they would need.

Samuel had nine catches for a career-high 189 yards, but had a key fumble late in the fourth quarter that gave the Lions hope with a little over a minute left.

Rookie running back Elijah Mitchell, who stepped in for the injured Raheem Mostert (knee), snapped a 7-7 tie with a 38-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter that put the 49ers up 14-7. Mitchell finished with 104 yards rushing.

Tight end George Kittle had four catches for 78 yards.

San Francisco took an early 7-0 lead after rookie quarterback Trey Lance connected with wide receiver Trent Sherfield on a 5-yard score following a play-action pass in the first quarter.

Defensively, San Francisco must tighten up their run defense. The Lions ran through multiple running lanes in the game and racked up a 116 yards on the ground. Defensive end Nick Bosa, who returned to action for the first time since tearing his ACL early last season, had four tackles and a drive-ending sack in the fourth quarter.

Middle linebacker Fred Warner led the team with 11 tackles (8 solo, 3 assisted). San Francisco forced three turnovers off the rebuilding Lions.

In his debut with his new team, quarterback Jared Goff finished 38 of 57 for 338 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Tight end T.J. Hockenson had a career-high eight catches for 97 yards and a touchdown.

It was third time straight time that Hockenson scored a touchdown in the season-opening game.

Detroit (0-1) recorded 430 yards in total offense, with the majority coming when the 49ers were up comfortably in the second half.

San Francisco held a 31-10 lead at halftime, their highest total after two quarters since 2008.

“We dug ourselves into a really big ditch early against a very good team,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said. “We were better in the second half, but that wasn’t good enough.”

On the injury front, the 49ers are holding their breath on the status of starting cornerback Jason Verrett who left the game late in the fourth quarter with a leg injury. According to head coach Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers believe that Verrett tore his ACL.

Next up for the 49ers: a trip to Philadelphia where they will take on the Eagles in Week 2. Second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts was 27 of 35 for 264 yards and three touchdowns for the Eagles in a 32-6 throttling of the Atlanta Falcons on the road.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Kittle says Lance doesn’t let mistakes compound

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance seen here working out on May 25, 2021 in Santa Clara has impressed his teammates in camp particularly tight end George Kittle this past week (AP News file photo)

On the 49ers podcast with David:

#1 San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle says that quarterback Trey Lance doesn’t let mistakes compound, Kittle says Lance learns from them and doesn’t repeat them.

#2 Kittle also says that Lance is a good quarterback that he’s a great athlete and he’s someone that wants to learn everyday. A video has surfaced showing Lance throwing to veteran receiver Mohamed Sanu.

#3 The talk has been will Lance take over at quarterback in place of starter Jimmy Garoppolo it’s just a matter of how things work out and how things look during the first few weeks of the season.

Join David for the 49ers podcast each Wednesday at http://www.sportsadioservice.com

49ers upset Cardinals 20-12 behind C.J. Beathard’s 3 TDs

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (23) holding intercepted ball that he picked off in the second half against the Arizona Cardinals on Sat Dec 26, 2020 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale (AP News photo)

By Joe Hawkes
Staff Writer

GLENDALE, Ariz — With the 49ers already officially eliminated from the playoffs after losing to the Dallas Cowboys 41-33 in Week 15, didn’t mean that San Francisco had nothing to play for in 2020.

Like preventing their bitter rivals in the Arizona Cardinals from making it to the postseason. If the Cardinals don’t make the playoffs after entering Week 16 holding down the final spot in the NFC playoffs, they can thank the 49ers.

The 49ers pulled off the 20-12 upset over their State Farm Stadium tenants on Saturday afternoon.

San Francisco (6-9) avoided being swept by Arizona this season. The Cardinals defeated the 49ers 24-20 in Week 1. Arizona (8-7) came into this season having swept the season series from San Francisco in five out of the last six seasons.

In his first start since Week 8 of the 2018 season, C.J. Beathard played with a steady hand in engineering the 49ers’ run-first offense which made his job that much easier. Beathard completed 13 of 22 passes for 182 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Beathard threw touchdown passes to running back Jeff Wilson and Kyle Juszczyk giving the 49ers a 14-6 lead late in the third quarter.

Entering Week 16, Beathard was 1-9 as a starting quarterback for San Francisco. He was pressed into action after injuries to Jimmy Garappolo and Nick Mullens.

Beathard was also sacked three times.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Juszczyk hauled in his second score of the game (Beathard’s third TD of the game) from nine yards out that gave the 49ers a 20-12 lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.

But it was Wilson that shouldered most of the offensive burden for the 49ers against the Cardinals. With Raheem Mostert placed on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain on Friday, Wilson rushed for a career-high 183 yards on 22 carries in his second start.

A day after most of the world opened presents on Christmas, the 49ers unwrapped tight end George Kittle and immediately felt his impact in the starting lineup.

The 49ers’ best and freshest player, Kittle looked healthy in his first game since Week 8 was on a pitch-count. He spent most of the time on the sideline as he rotated back and forth with Jordan Reed and Ross Dwelley. Kittle was targeted just once in the first half, catching a 24-yard pass with 6:22 left in the first quarter. He played 13 of the 49ers’ 26 snaps in the first half.

Kittle caught four passes for a team-high 92 yards. He caught all but one pass that was thrown his way.

San Francisco’s defense deserves a ton of credit for the 49ers’ win today.

Despite playing without three defensive lineman, including Javon Kinlaw, cornerback Richard Sherman and safety Jimmie Ward, the 49ers didn’t play like they were short-handed.

The 49ers were able to hold their own against Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray.

Murray completed 31 of 50 passes for 247 yards, but was sacked three times and threw an interception. He also rushed for a team-high 75 yards on eight carries.

Arizona scored its first and only touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Kenyan Drake jumped on top of a pile and stretched his arm just far enough for a 1-yard touchdown. Murray couldn’t connect with DeAndre Hopkins on the 2-point conversion and the 49ers still led 14-12.

San Francisco’s defense leaned on linebackers Fred Warner (14 tackles) and Dre Greenlaw (7 tackles), while the defensive backfield was a major factor as cornerbacks Jason Verrett (7 tackles), Ahkello Witherspoon (7 tackles), K’Waun Williams (6 tackles) and safety Tarvarius Moore (11 tackles) limited Arizona receivers in yards-after-the-catch.

The 49ers held Hopkins in check, limiting the dynamic wide receiver to a team-high eight catches for 48 yards. A far cry from Week 1 where he caught a career-high 14 catches for 151 yards against the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.

Verrett who was primarily guarding Hopkins throughout the day made the biggest play of the first half, breaking up a well-thrown pass from Murray in the end zone that prevented a potential touchdown. The play forced Arizona to kick a field goal that gave San Francisco a 7-6 lead at halftime.

San Francisco’s biggest plays came on Arizona’s final two drives of the game, including the aforementioned Witherspoon’s interception of Murray’s pass in the end zone.

The 49ers wouldn’t have had to sweat out the game if kicker Robbie Gould didn’t miss two field goals and an extra point.

Gould who made his 400th career field in Week 15, missed field goals from 37 and 41 yards. He missed an extra point after Juszczyk’s second touchdown that kept the score at 20-12.

San Francisco plays its final “home” game against the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium, while Arizona heads to Los Angeles to take on the Rams in the season finale.

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

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

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.