Tag: NFL

Fresh off their bye week, the Raiders head to Lambeau Field for tough test from Green Bay

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Photo credit: @Raiders By Joe Hawkes
SRS Contributor

Following their bye week in Week 6, the Oakland Raiders return to the football field in Week 7 as they travel to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers. The Raiders (3-2) are riding a two-game winning streak after starting the season 1-2.

Kickoff for this matchup is at 10:00 a.m. PT.

This will be the third meeting for Oakland against an NFC North opponent this season, having splitting games against the Minnesota Vikings (lost) and the Chicago Bears (won).

As the Raiders continue their 49-day stretch from the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, the Silver and Black will look to snap a seven-game losing streak against the Packers.

The last time the Raiders defeated the Packers: Sept. 13, 1987 when the franchise was still in Los Angeles. The Raiders defeated the Packers, 20-0, in Green Bay.

Prior to their Week 6 bye, the Raiders rallied past the Chicago Bears, 24-21, in Week 5 in London. The matchup between Chicago and Oakland was the NFL’s first game at the newly built Totteham Hotspur Stadium.

The Raiders started fast against the Bears, jumping out to a 17-0 lead before heading into halftime before Chicago scored 21 unanswered points. Late in the fourth quarter, Oakland would utilize a 13-play, 97-yard drive that would be punctuated by running back Josh Jacobs’ second rushing touchdown of the game.

Jacobs finished the game with 26 carries for 123 yards and two touchdowns, while becoming the first running back in Raiders history to post a 100-yard rushing game against Chicago.

The running back leads all rookies rushers in carries (88), yards (430), and touchdowns (4). His 430 rushing yards are the most in franchise history by a running back through the team’s first five games.

The former Alabama Crimson Tide is the early favorite to win AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year and possibly, the NFL’s Rookie of the Year if he continues to have a great season.

Quarterback Derek Carr, who earned his 17th-career fourth quarter comeback, played remarkably against the Bears. Carr completed 78.1 percent of his passes (25-of-32) for 229 yards. His 73.3 completion rating leads the NFL, and is challenging Drew Brees’s all-time mark of 74.4 set last season.

On the season, Carr has thrown for 1,117 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions with a 96.7 passer rating.

More importantly, the offensive line kept Carr upright by not allowing a sack by Chicago’s defense for only the second time since 2017.

Former Raiders linebacker/defensive end Khalil Mack, who was traded to Chicago prior to the start of last season from Oakland, was a non factor. Mack’s biggest play of the game was when he recovered a fumble after Jacobs went the wrong way on a pitch in the third quarter that ignited Chicago’s comeback.

Oakland’s defense turned in a stellar performance, racking up four sacks and two interceptions for the first time since 2014.

Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst had his first career multi-sack game and cornerback Gareon Conley and linebacker Nicholas Murrow each notched an interception off Bears backup quarterback, Chase Daniel.

Conley’s interception with 1:14 left in the fourth quarter would seal the win for the Silver and Black heading into their bye week.

Green Bay (5-1) is entering Week 7 coming off a 23-22 victory over their division rival, the Detroit Lions in the final seconds on Monday Night Football to close out Week 6.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers completed 24-of-39 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Jamaal Williams chipped in with 14 carries for 104 yards.

Following Sunday’s game, the Raiders will travel to the Lone Star State to face the Houston Texans in Week 8 for their fifth-straight game away from Oakland before returning home to close out their NFC North schedule against the Lions on Nov. 3.

The Packers will take on the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 9.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: 49ers’ Jimmy G gets it done again; 49ers prepare for Washington this Sunday

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Photo credit: cnn.com

On the 49ers podcast with Dave:

#1 Once again, it was about both sides of the football and the 49ers did it against the challenging Los Angeles Rams in the Southland.

#2 For the 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, another big afternoon throwing 24 for 33 for 243 yards to keep the 49ers undefeated.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Cardinals facing elimination in game at Washington; Yankees-Astros series tied at 1-1; plus more

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On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary’s podcast:

#1 The series all tied at 1-1, the Houston Astros won Game 2 and they had to come back from behind against the New York Yankees in 11 innings to win by a run, 3-2.

#2 After facing some tough pitching in St. Louis, the Cards play an elimination game tonight in Washington. Down 0-3, the Cards faced some tough Nationals pitching over the last two games.

#3 Is it a lack of patience by the Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred with the City of Oakland and that lack of patience translate to the city council retreat or double down on the Oakland A’s and MLB in their lawsuit against the A’s?

#4 The 49ers have won five straight and are undefeated after their many struggles over the last few years. The question is are the 49ers the real deal?

#5 Some of the candidates named for the open Giants manager position are Ron Wotus, Bam Bam Muelens, Bob Geren, Gabe Kapler, Mark Kotsay, Raul Ibanez and even current Dodgers manager Dave Roberts if the Dodgers let him go.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice for the Oakland A’s on KIQI 1010 San Francisco and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Time to Start Respecting 5-0 Niners, Beat Rams 20-7

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Photo credit: @arikarmstead

By: Joe Lami

On Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers answered their biggest test yet, defeating their division foe, the LA Rams 20-7. With only two undefeated teams remaining in the NFL and a victory over the defending NFC Champions, it’s finally time to say this team is for real.

Leading that statement is the defense, who once again balled out in the win. Starting off shaky, allowing a seven-play 56-yard opening drive with all rushing plays for a touchdown, they buckled down as the game went on and started dominating. The Rams were held to just 165 total yards while Jarred Goff contributed 78 yards on 13-of-24. At one point in the third quarter, Goff was 7-of-9 for 29 yards.

The pass rush was distributive once the Rams started throwing the ball, sacking Goff four times with Dee Ford picking up a strip-sack. The Niners were especially impressive when it mattered most, forcing the Rams to go 0-for-9 on third down and 0-for-2 on fourth down.

One of the big stops came late in the second quarter when the Niners stuffed Malcolm Brown on fourth down on the goal line, forcing a turnover on downs.

As good as the defense was, the offense was mediocre, finishing with 331 total yards. Jimmy Garoppolo finished with 243 passing yards on 24-of-33 with an interception. He also ran in San Francisco’s second touchdown of the game, that was set up by Arik Armstead, picking up a fumble at the 17 yard-line on the Rams’ first play of the second half.

Garoppolo continues to throw at least one terrible pass per game that leaves you scratching your head. Sunday was no different as he floated up a ball in the end zone to Marcus Peters, all alone, taking away points from San Francisco.

Tevin Coleman scored the first touchdown of the game, as the offense was able to get settled into the game halfway through the first quarter. He finished with 45 yards on 18 carries. Matt Breida finished with 13 carries for 36 yards. With just 99 rushing yards, it shows that missing both Mike McGlinchey and Kyle Juszczyk has stagnated the run game.

George Kittle was Garoppolo’s favorite target, catching all eight passes targeted to him for 103 yards. Dante Pettis had his best game as a Niner, catching three balls for 45 yards, picking up two third-down conversions.

Even with a lackluster performance from the offense, this team continues to roll through the NFL. The defense is leading the way and is beginning to look like a team that Harbaugh led to the NFC Championship Game just a few years ago.

The Niners look to continue to roll, at they travel to Washington next week in a game that they should dominate. Washington picked up their first win of the season with a one-point victory over the Dolphins on Sunday.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Was the suspension of Burfict justified? Burfict loses appeal

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On the Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes:

#1 Oakland Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict was suspended for the September 30th helmet to helmet hit on Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle. Was suspending Burfict for the rest of the season going too far for the NFL?

#2 Burfict tried to appeal, but the NFL and the NFL Players upheld the suspension for the entire season.

#3 Raiders head coach Jon Gruden and quarterback Derek Carr both spoke about Burfict at his appeal and said he was a good teammate and he has tried to change from lowering his helmet.

#4 The thing about it is Doyle said Burfict tackled him and he didn’t feel anything, but the league didn’t like the way Burfict came in with his helmet and held up the suspension.

#5 The Raiders have a bye this Sunday and get ready for Green Bay Sunday, October 20th.

Joe does the Raiders podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: Will McGlinchey and Juszczyk on IL put a hurt on 49ers?

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On the 49ers podcast with Joe Lami:

#1 49ers tackle Mike McGlinchey and fullback Kyle Juszczyk are expected to be out 4-6 weeks. How does this effect the 49ers going into Sunday’s game in L.A.?

#2 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said “You don’t replace Kyle, he’s a one of a kind fullback.”

#3 The 49ers are ranked fourth in the NFL in offense and that considering they’re doing it without tackle Joe Staley. Running back Tevin Coleman had a good outing on Monday night.

#4 Joe talk about 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa and what he has meant to the defense.

#5 The 49ers are preparing to meet the LA Rams this Sunday in what could be their biggest challenge at this juncture of the season.

Joe Lami does the 49ers podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Raiders enter the bye week a game over .500

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Photo credit: @Raiders

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
SRS Contributor

After five weeks of NFL games, the Raiders find themselves on a bye week entering Week 6 of the 2019 schedule.

The Raiders (3-2) shook off a 1-2 start and are riding a two-game winning streak heading into break thanks in large part of a efficiency on offense, and aggressive defense.

Quarterback Derek Carr has gotten off to a good start, completing 118 of 161 passes for 1,117 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions while sporting a 96.7 passer rating through five games.

In a season that was expected to feature superstar wide receiver Antonio Brown to be a key weapon for Carr after acquiring the mercurial Brown from the Pittsburgh Steelers in an offseason trade before Brown would force his way out of Oakland, the Raiders signal-caller has spread the ball around field most notably to tight end Darren Waller.

Waller, who is in his second season with Oakland, leads the team in receptions (37) and receiving yards (359) this season. Even though wide receiver Tyrell Williams leads the team with four touchdown catches, Carr looks for Waller on almost every passing play.

Oakland ranks 18th in total offense, averaging 20.6 points per game.

But the true weapon for Oakland’s offense is rookie running back Josh Jacobs, who is the engine that powers Oakland’s ninth-ranked rushing attack.

Through five games, Jacobs is easily the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year with 88 carries for 430 yards and four touchdowns to lead all rookie rushers. His 430 yards on the ground are more than Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen through Allen’s first five games in Silver and Black per the Elias Sports Bureau.

Throw in six catches for 77 yards as an added bonus, and Jacobs is a complete running back who fits in today’s NFL where running backs must be reliable in the passing game.

Defensively, linebacker Tahir Whitehead paces the team with 31 total tackles (25 solo, 6 assisted); while defensive end Benson Mayowa leads the Raiders with 4.5 sacks this season.

Oakland ranks 16th in the NFL in scoring defense, surrendering 24.6 points per game.

Safety Erik Harris has Oakland’s biggest play on defense this season, cementing Oakland’s 31-24 win in Indianapolis in Week 4 with a pick-6 interception in the fourth quarter.

Following Oakland’s Week 6 bye, the Raiders continue their five-game road trip (even though last week’s 24-21 victory over the Chicago Bears in London was considered a “home” game), with a trip to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers in Week 7 before finishing up against the Houston Texans in Week 8.

Niners hit with key injuries

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nbcsports.com photo: San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk will miss four to six weeks due to a sprained MCL

By Jeremy Harness

The 49ers are 4-0 for the first time since 1990, when they were going for an historic three-peat. That is certainly worth celebrating, especially given the recent history of this franchise.

However, here comes the bad news.

In the fourth quarter of the 49ers’ convincing win over the Cleveland Browns Monday night, fullback Kyle Juszczyk was forced to leave the game with a knee injury. The next day, he was diagnosed with a sprained MCL, and he is expected to be out for the next four to six weeks

The injury is especially painful for the 49ers, since this has the potential to seriously limit a running attack that wore down the Browns and would have given them a real chance to stay with the Rams, who they will face in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The team was dealt another blow this week, as right tackle Mike McGlinchey will need arthroscopic knee surgery, and he is also expected to miss four to six weeks.

Starting left tackle Joe Staley is already out with a hairline fracture in his fibula, and he will miss half of the regular season, so this will mean that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will have to get the ball out even quicker than he had to against the Browns, because the Rams have a much more effective pass rush that is led by all-world defensive end Aaron Donald.

Both of these injuries will hurt the running game, and the 49ers will need to run the ball if they are going to slow the Rams down and keep their high-powered offense off the field.

The Rams, however, have some injury concerns of their own. Receiver Brandin Cooks is currently under concussion protocol and is not expected to play Sunday. Meanwhile, running back Todd Gurley has a thigh contusion, and he is listed as day-to-day, meaning that there is a possibility that he will not play Sunday, either.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: 49ers leave little doubt against Browns on Monday Night Football

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Photo credit: bleacherreport.com

On the 49ers podcast with Dave:

#1 For San Francisco 49ers (4-0) quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, it was drive, drive, drive, and he got it done throwing multiple touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns (2-3).

#2 Who would have expected the 49ers would be 4-0 after their first four games? Was the win against Cleveland the one that passed the audition?

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

49ers Dominate Browns 31-3 on Monday Night Football

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Photo credit: mercurynews.com

By: Joe Lami

SANTA CLARA — For the first time since 1990, the San Francisco 49ers have started their season 4-0; thanks to a 31-3 Monday Night beatdown of the Cleveland Browns. In 1990, Joe Montana led the Niners to a 10-0 start and a birth in the NFC title game.

They looked like a team destined for greatness on Monday, owning Cleveland on all sides of the ball, led by a stifling defense and a hard run game.

Defensively, the Niners were all over the Browns, as Cleveland couldn’t do anything. The 49ers pass rush made life difficult for Baker Mayfield, who was held to 8 completions on 22 attempts for 100 yards. He also threw two interceptions and was sacked four times.

Second-overall pick, Nick Bosa shined in primetime with his best performance to date. He was all over the place, finishing with two sacks, five QB hits, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
He became the first Niner in 25 years to finish two sacks, a forced fumble, and a recovery.

Bosa earned his revenge on Mayfield, who famously planted an Oklahoma flag in the middle of Ohio State’s Horseshoe when his Sooners’ upset Bosa’s Buckeyes a few years ago. Bosa celebrated a sack by re-creating it on Monday.

The Niners started the night great, forcing Cleveland to punt on their opening possession. The fireworks began from there, as Matt Breida opened the game on an 83-yard gash to the endzone, giving San Francisco an immediate 7-0 lead.

Breida’s run was the fifth-longest in franchise history and the longest run by a Niner since Kaepernick went 90 yards against the Chargers in 2014. His run was clocked at 22.30 MPH by NFL NextGen Stats, the fastest speed reached by any player over the last two seasons.

Breida led San Francisco’s rushing effort that dashed the Browns for 275 yards. He finished with 114 yards on 11 carries. Tevin Coleman returned from injury for 97 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, while Raheem Mostert played clean-up duty in the second half with seven carries for 34 yards.

Breida picked up his second touchdown of the evening later in the first quarter, catching a five-yard pass from Garoppolo to extend the lead to 14-0.

The Niners extended their lead to 21-3 late in the second quarter on a Coleman 19-yard run. The drive was set up again by the defense standing tall in their own red zone with K’Waun Williams picking off Mayfield on the goal line and returning it to midfield.

Jimmy Garoppolo threw his lone touchdown in the third quarter, finding George Kittle from 20 yards out to make it 28-3. Garoppolo quietly threw two touchdowns on 20-of-29 for 181 yards, doing just enough to complement the extraordinary run game. Through four games, Garoppolo has thrown seven touchdowns to seven different receivers.

Kittle was his primary target, bringing in six balls for 70 yards and his first touchdown of the season.

The one dark spot for the 49ers was their kicking game. Robbie Gould continues to struggle this year, and on Monday night, he missed three more field goals. Missing from 47 and 52 yards, he was also blocked from 32 yards out.

Even more concerning, Kyle Juszczyk exited the game with an apparent knee sprain. He’s scheduled for an MRI on Monday, and the 49ers are hopeful it won’t be a long-term injury. The fullback has been an under-the-radar bright spot for San Francisco, setting up most of the Niners’ big runs.

Now on a short week, the Niners face their biggest test yet this Sunday in Los Angeles as they take on the Rams. It will be intriguing to see how this offense operates without one of their key cogs in the backfield if Juszczyk is unable to go.